2024 New England Gathering Timeframe

[KevinF]

It's time to decide the "when" of the New England Gathering. Unfortunately, due to the upcoming solar eclipse and the scheduling of Easter, there's no great time. But I listed a couple possibilities below.

From a previous discussion, it seems like the primary contenders for a location would be the Mad River Valley or the Jay / Eastern Townships region.

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I'm a fan of the midd April date because Magic and Bromley are closed by then. I'm usually ready to venture out of londonderry by mid April. I know it's not all about me tho lol

Only been to Jay once and loved it. We're huge fans of the eastern townships so a trip there would be amazing.

 

[KevinF]

The later dates (i.e., mid April) are probably going to involve going to the Eastern Townships as well. I'm not sure what the MRG / Sugarbush operating schedule would be; barring a huge snow year though, MRG would be in pretty sad shape by that timeframe.

 

[mdf]

I voted, and then decided that I don't have a strong preference after all. So I changed to "all of the above"

 

[Scruffy]

Why are we blocking out ( pun intended ) the solar eclipse weekend? Wouldn't it be awesome to ski during the solar eclipse?

 

[Tony S]

The later dates (i.e., mid April) are probably going to involve going to the Eastern Townships as well. I'm not sure what the MRG / Sugarbush operating schedule would be; barring a huge snow year though, MRG would be in pretty sad shape by that timeframe.

Mid April is highly unreliable with the exception of a small handful of spots. It CAN be awesome, of course, but on an odds basis no. I voted for the first two for this reason.

I could see a Stratton - Magic - Killington lineup.

 

[KevinF]

Why are we blocking out ( pun intended ) the solar eclipse weekend? Wouldn't it be awesome to ski during the solar eclipse?

First, I already have plans for that weekend. Two, lodging prices are stratospheric for that time frame. Price gouging is at work.

 

[KevinF]

Mid April is highly unreliable with the exception of a small handful of spots. It CAN be awesome, of course, but on an odds basis no. I voted for three first two for this reason.

I could see a Stratton - Magic - Killington lineup.

Three first two? What?

Yes, I agree that mid-April is pushing the luck envelope... I think the winning timeframe has the potential to heavily influence the location.

 

[Crank]

I voted for Easter Weekend. For mid April I suggest Killington.

 

[dbostedo]

Three first two? What?

I think that should just be "the first two".

 

[Tony S]

I think that should just be "the first two".

Yup. Fixed.

 

[Jilly]

FYI - Diva East is Jay March 17-20th...

 

[TheArchitect]

I voted for the first. Easter would be tough and I'd rather not take the chance on mid-April conditions.

 

[TheArchitect]

FYI - Diva East is Jay March 17-20th...

I'd love to see a joint NEG/Diva East.

 

[Tony S]

FYI - Diva East is Jay March 17-20th...

Are you trying to tell us that you expect your crew to wear the place out?

 

[DebbieSue]

So, DivaEast typically skis weekdays, which this year is 18-19-20, with arrival on 17th, since most don't want to ski on weekend (although some will.) If NE gathering at Jay/Eastern Townships was Sat-Mon, 16-17-18 there could be some overlap, i.e. Monday at Jay. Is that too close to National Gathering? I think April 12-14th would limit us to Kton.

 

[mdf]

Is that too close to National Gathering?

Well, National is March 2-9. But I was planning to stay over an extra week, so its a bit iffy for me.
And those of you who are still working like to have 2 weeks between so your bosses forget you were just gone.

 

[Marker]

I voted for the latest date as the earliest coincides with my likely return from a western trip with some PA/DE local friends. Easter weekend will not work for me/us if Jane comes. If late, Killington would work for coverage, but I would think the Canadian options would still be good as well? If Killington for these unique circumstances, then we should make the commitment now for the other next year to assuage any disappointment.

 

[KevinF]

I'll leave the poll up for a few weeks (mid/late September timeframe) so that people can block time off on their schedules, but right now, the mid-March timeframe is the clear winner (as would be expected, given the above mentioned concerns regarding the snowpack in the New England region come mid-April).

Late March should be about as reliable as it gets in this region.

 

[KevinF]

Thread is closed; NEG will be from March 22nd to 24th.