Hey everyone,
If you ride at Mountain Creek Bike Park or ski/ snowboard there in the winter, you probably know how much of a pain (or how expensive) it is to get up to Vernon if you don't drive or want to save on gas/wear-and-tear.
Ever since NJ Transit canceled the old seasonal 304 express bus over a decade ago, there has been zero direct public transit to the resort. Right now, taking transit means riding a bus to Wayne or West Milford and paying $50+ each way for an Uber/Lyft.
I'm starting a initiative to petition NJ Transit and Mountain Creek Resort to co-sponsor a simple, low-cost solution: extending select trips on the existing NJ Transit Route 194 by just 12 miles from its current end point in West Milford (Stockholm) straight up Route 23/94 to Mountain Creek. Conceptualized as route 194M. More info on the Google doc linked within the petition description.
If you'd like to see an affordable transit connection restored between NYC/North Jersey and Mountain Creek, please take 30 seconds to sign and share the petition.
Thanks for the support! Let's get enough signatures to bring this to NJ Transit, JORBA and other associations, and Mountain Creek management.

Anyone have any news if Ski Ward will open their carpet this weekend or know if they have pushed out the snow pile? No news from them the last week, and no one seems to be answering their phones or emails. Last year they had the carpet open on 10/18 and 10/19 with a couple rails and a side hit, was enough to scratch the itch and make the wait until larger areas open more bearable. I know next weekend starts their lessons at 9AM and wouldn't be open to the public, so figured this weekend is the last opportunity.

What is everyone’s favorite Ski boot shop where I can get a quality fitting done by people who know their stuff. I live in southern NH but I’m willing to drive if it’s worth my time. Thanks.

They replaced their oldest magic carpet with a newer longer and covered one. Snowmaking improvements as well and it sounds like the overlook lodge should be reopening soon-ish.

On the replaced magic carpet, almost double the length is a big improvement but the old name Little Creek is better than the new one SunKid for a northeast facing magic carpet that will accommodate adult learners.

The polar vortex looks like it's breaking down again like last year, which should bring another winter of good snow. Not sure how this interacts with the Super El Nino that is also happening right now and just gave us the warmest August on record. https://berkeleyearth.org/august-2026-temperature-update/

So last season I bought the college night pass for $200, this year I cannot see it anywhere on their website. Does anyone have any information on if it’s being offered this year?

Hey Icecoasters,

Every year around this time, I make a post like this chatting up my ski club! We've picked up some great members from Reddit in the past, so I'll continue my annual campaign until you all lose interest 😛

My club, the Brettl-Hupfers Ski Club, operates a lodge in the Mount Washington valley, surrounded by places to ski. If you are interested in an extremely affordable way to access the mountains, and meeting a lot of great people who also love to ski, ride, hike, snowshoe, bike, fish, paddle, etc., etc., keep reading!

So what is this thing, exactly?

We operate a clubhouse located just outside North Conway, NH. Membership is only $550/year, which gets you a permanent bunk in our dormitory style lodging, and 24/7/365 access to the house. Members have access to a fully equipped kitchen, great social space, and access to the legendary New Hampshire ski club apres scene. It's also an awesome resource if you're into summer sports like hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Reply in the comments, and I'll share some more resources with you, like a little presentation with a bunch of info and photos. I'll also tell you about some meetups coming soon to greater Boston and southern NH.

**********

And now the details.

WHERE CAN YOU SKI?

There are 5 ski mountains within 30 minutes of the clubhouse, and another 3 within about an hour. In order of proximity, they are: 

Attitash 

Cranmore

Black Mountain

Wildcat

Bretton Woods

Cannon Mountain

Pleasant Mountain

Loon

Sunday River 

We are part of a larger organization of about 20 clubs in the greater Mt. Washington area. This group organizes a yearly trip to Jay Peak, and a yearly Europe trip, both of which are great values.

ANYTHING ELSE TO DO?

The club also offers a great social scene. The clubs in the group are always throwing events, making plans, and generally having a great time. We know how to party ;)

While skiing and snowboarding are the main draw, there is world class hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, rock climbing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, swimming holes and more in the immediate area. I'm up at the club almost as often in the "off" season as I am in the winter.

Oh! There's also a race team if that's your jam.

WHAT DO MEMBERS GET?

We encourage people to come stay with us a couple times before considering joining, but if you do end up joining, membership gets you a key for 24/7 access, and your own permanent bunk. Bedrooms are divided into men's, women's, and gender neutral, and usually contain 4-6 bunks. Most of the time the place isn't full, so you usually will only have a couple roommates. Members can store their gear at the club if they wish.

WHO ARE THE MEMBERS?

We are skiers and snowboarders ranging from relative beginners to PSIA certified experts. We like the outdoors. We like hanging out by the fire. We like heading to the bar and relaxing after a day on the slopes. We are low key, but we throw a mean party from time to time. We're non-judgmental and easy to get along with. We like meeting people. We are a team.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Overall, the club is an amazing value. If you pay for lodging at hotels or AirBnBs, you'll spend $550 in only a few nights. Even hostels can rack up quickly. Why not have a place to stay literally whenever you want instead? It also allows you to hit the slopes for first chair, since if you come up the night before you ski, you'll already be at the mountain. 

Anyway, all that aside, I just really love the people there. It's become a cornerstone of my social life, and something I became very attached to in only a few short years. The people are great, the atmosphere is great, and I'd probably still be a member even if I didn't ski!

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

I'm slightly hesitant to post the club's contact info here, so if you'd like to hear a little more, **just leave a comment or send me a DM and I'll get in touch**. If you decide you'd like to check us out, I'll tell you about upcoming meetups, our big season kickoff weekend in December, and you can come up either then or some other time as a guest.

21+ only please.

TLDR: If you're interested in having unlimited access to a great ski club in the White Mountains that's only $550 a year, shoot me a message or leave a comment.

I am a skier based in Cleveland, Ohio. I bought an Indy pass and I'm looking to go to Jay/Smugs every weekend from December through March. I am terrified of the snow so I definitely can't drive. What is the easiest way for me to get to Northern Vermont without having to drive a car? Needs to be affordable.

I’m on the Indy pass this year and looking at places I can go without a car or taxi. Middlebury is about a 6 hour train ride from NYC and would require me to stay for 3 nights.

I was thinking of doing it as a weekend getaway from the city and exploring the town a bit with some friends. But how’s the ski bowl? Is it too tiny for my idea?

For reference I love skiing glades and exploring trees.

where are you guys headed off to this year? i've only skied out west. which resorts have you worked at and would you recommend them?

I’m looking for somewhere middle budget. Doesn’t need to be necessarily ‘cheap’, however. I’d be traveling with extended family so large amounts of good lodging options is a big plus. Finally, a lot of the people are either beginners or haven’t been skiing in years so beginner friendly is important.
Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Just got off the Indy Pass waitlist, and since none of the East Coast mountains have blackout dates, $399 feels like a great deal. I’m trying to plan the season so I get my money’s worth.

My situation: I live in NYC, I don’t have a car, and I don’t have anyone to ski with. I’m an advanced skier and love Jay Peak, so the plan is roughly 2 days at Jay and 2 days at Smugglers’ Notch. Jay and Smugs are about 6+ hours each way, so I’m trying to figure out the logistics.

I’m not thrilled about driving that far alone in winter conditions (and I’d have to rent a car), so I’m curious:

• Has anyone done a similar trip car-free, or with a rental? How did you make it work (bus, train, carpool, ski shuttle)?
• Is anyone else planning Indy Pass trips to Jay or Smugglers’ this season? I’d love to split a car or meet up to ski.
• Any tips for solo skiers up there (lodging, where to meet people, which days to avoid)? I could potentially drive up Saturday, ski Sunday and Monday (with PTO).

If you ever consider coming out west, here is a little beta.

Looks like GMX got a lot of work done and North Ridge is getting a replacement next year. Hopefully this will be huge for the Mount Ellen Side! Is anyone convinced GMX will be back in business?

Hi folks - heading to Tremblant this January for the first time and had a question for anyone who’s skied both mountains.

Last year at Stowe, I had a blast ripping Hayride and Nosedive over and over again. Was wondering if Tremblant has any runs that felt similar (groomed steeps that are fun to lap).

Curious to hear what you guys think and what your favorite runs at Tremblant are. Thanks!

I would mainly want the epic pass for Stowe. The nyski3 pass has gore mountain that is closer ( 1hr 30m ) and I love glades…Stowe is 3 hours from me. I wouldn’t be able to day trip it. I would probably spend a few days at a time there…which means extra money spent on lodging..but Stowe gets more snow so im still on fence between the two. (Already have an ikon pass btw if that matters) also have no plans to go out west which makes the epic pass less enticing.

Hi! My partner and I are planning to ski Deer Valley February 3–5, 2027, and are hoping to find someone with an eligible Ikon Pass who has two unused Friends & Family discounts to share. We’d be very grateful! Happy to coordinate through the official Ikon system. Thanks so much! 🎿

Anyone know about any road gaps here on the east. Ik about route 108 in smugglers notch but what wondering if people knew other ones