From Powell, OH, best skiing within 5 hour drive?????

[Gpaul]

Hola again Friends! Well, we're planning to move to Columbus (Powell). Ohio by early September, and getting ski fact is essential to my survival there!

I've read elsewhere that BEST hills for easy drive are Holimont and Holiday Valley in Southwest NY. I've been (many moons ago) to Seven Springs, Elk, and Blue Knob in PA, and Snowshoe in WV. How do the two NY mountains compare with the others mentioned, for steep groomers, and length of runs?

Not the Rockies, but much closer than my present domicile, Santo Domingo, Dom. Republic.....

Gracias!

 

[frontrange]

Well, you haven't moved ot ski paradise. I'd say Hoiliday Valley and Holimont in general have better skiing than Seven Springs- especially when there is a nice lake effect snow. 7 Springs has mostly large, wide open slopes- they have better vertical than either HV or Holimont- but not as good natural snow. Excellent variety at HV and Holimont with glades, some steepness, and some nice, albeit short cruisers.

Snowshoe is a bit different as it is more in some true mountains. Nothing else in the area can touch Cupp Run- 1500 ft vertical and pretty steep. The bowl side tends to be a bit short but many of the runs are fun- and they make snow like crazy. It can be crowded and expensive.

Now my favorite areas of all- Timberline and Canaan Valley- they get good lake effect snow on occasion and feel more like a mountain than any but Snowshoe. Timberline has a better group of steep trails but I've always enjoyed Canaan.

Wisp is a bit closer and is similar to 7 Springs in many ways. Nice area, good snow pack in general. Hidden Valley is also near to 7 Springs- its a bit tamer with one very nice longer steep slope.

Good luck- I'm from Akron and have lived with this skiing for years- you can certainly enjoy many of the areas on a weekend trip and then look towards trips to Vermont or the West when possible!

 

[Gpaul]

Tks Frontrange. Could be this is the first step towards living in real ski country (Utah and Colorado). I'll do my best to enjoy the 300ft. verticals right near Columbus, and then move on to the biggies we mention.

I liked Canaan the one time I was there (1985), but never made it to Timberline. More options....!

Maybe we'll do a few turns. All the best!

 

[Gpaul]

Hi again Frontrange! Of those you mention, which would be (in a very remote way I guess) the most similar to Rockies or utah, in width and pitch of the blues/blacks/double blacks?

Just looking for some words of encouragement to "enjoy" the skiing closest to Columbus,OH.

Gracias!

 

[lookn4powder]

I liked Canaan the one time I was there (1985), but never made it to Timberline. More options....!

Welcome back to somewhat-ready access to skiing! On a high school trip in 1967, I began my ski career near Bellbrook, Ohio at a 200? vert rope-tow area. I used leather boots, 6?9? wooden skis (no Euro-weenie metric lengths then), and bear trap bindings (terrible things!). Although it was a lot of fun, I also took ride in a real wicker basket sled (now only seen in museums) after a forward roll sprained both ankles & knees and broke my foot. So, I know Ohio skiing and I care not to revisit it.

According to their website, Timberline's first season was 1985-86. By winter 1985 ski runs had been cut because I remember hearing a report from a buddy who hiked up and skied a run. During the 80's a couple other areas opened in Virginia and Maryland, but both failed due to bad managements, rain-shorted seasons, and--for one--a mudslide. (That's MASH for you.) Two other areas in WVA were announced but never opened.

Last year I heard rumor that a 2000 vert. area may be built at the south end of the Canaan Valley. Such an area seems likely because a suitable mountain exists, a politically connected group has been buying property on it, and the Corridor H highway has made this section of WVA rapidly accessible. But I have heard no news indicating that the area is under construction.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Gpaul]

Tks Jeff, glad to see you recovered from that horrible '67 experience, as evidenced by your avatar.

We lived in DC 82-86, skied all over the East ('cept NH and ME, which I finally did last year, very, very nice hills).

Do you still ski East, or just fly west?

Any suggestions for East, namely in western NY and PA?

Gracias!

 

[john84]

I liked Canaan the one time I was there (1985), but never made it to Timberline. More options....!

Last year I heard rumor that a 2000 vert. area may be built at the south end of the Canaan Valley. Such an area seems likely because a suitable mountain exists, a politically connected group has been buying property on it, and the Corridor H highway has made this section of WVA rapidly accessible. But I have heard no news indicating that the area is under construction.

Cheers,
Jeff

That resort will likely not be built for a myriad of reasons, mainly the fact that the mountain where the ski resort would be located (Mount Porte Crayon) is home to an endangered species of spotted Salamander (or something similar). Naturally, people are up in arms about the apparent destruction of such a sensitive ecosystem. Additionally, the top 400 or so feet of vertical is VERY flat and would not be conducive to skiing.

Link to a DCSki article: http://www.dcski.com/articles/view_arti ... cle_id=141

 

[lookn4powder]

Tks Jeff, glad to see you recovered from that horrible '67 experience, as evidenced by your avatar.

Do you still ski East, or just fly west?

Any suggestions for East, namely in western NY and PA?

Gracias!

I work in Gaithersburg, MD so I night ski a few times each season at Liberty and Whitetail, which are both about 70 minutes away. On weekends Timberline (WVa) and 7Springs are the usual destinations. frontrange has described 7springs well but did not mention that it handles crowds better than most eastern ski areas. Timberline does offer some tree skiing and has generally interesting trails for MASH.

I haven't skied Blue Knob in years, but it does have some decent glades and steeps. Extrovert is probably the steepest named trail outside of New England and features icy (often solid ice) irregular bumps. Blue Knob manages snow poorly and its lodge is terrible. One trail intersection is downright scary due to the confluence of skiers coming from 4-5 directions. I stopped going there after watching a ski-career-ending collision at that intersection. But then, I remember one Dec 10th when we skied trees after a 42" dump. So, never say never...

We occasionally go up to Kmart and we also visit friends who live near Okemo. New England & Western NY/PA seem less rewarding than flying west to quality and most trips cost about the same per day. Fortunately, we are able to find time to ski 3 weeks in the west most seasons.

de nana!
Jeff

 

[Gpaul]

It will be hard to go without the West, but that will be OK if I can just drive to places for 1 day runs. Eventually we hope to do the 15-day West vacations/year. but I'll be starting a new fast-food business, so 2 years sans West is probable.

Who knows, we may eventually open outlets out West, and live there!

Thanks for your comments Amigo, y de nada to you!