It was a good day! I got there about 10:45 after dropping my brother at the airport. Less windy than earlier in the week, but significantly more snow than even 2 days before. Most of what I got was already cut up, but still deep and soft. Lost of wind-formed unevenness on more windward aspects of Skyline, Solitude woods, etc.; deep enough to bog the skis down on moderate angles.
About the ticketing and pass lines: The RFID system seems OK at the lifts, but there are some extra hoops we all need to jump through to get set up. There is a big bottleneck at the main desks inputting personal info. and taking photos, which are now needed for Advantage Cards as well as any season pass AND the Terrain Park Pass.
A TP Pass is required to get into the park, even for those who are non-jibbers and just want to ski into the Mountaineers Lodge. You can get a day pass into the park without charge by watching the video, signing the waiver, and wearing a paper pass, but you have to do it every day. If you take the day pass to guest services that same day they will get you a TP Pass with photo for $5.00, but the waiver must be signed the same day that you get the park orientation. The lines at guest services have been shortest in the evening, so you can save time then.
The new Advantage Card has an online registry option; with it you can buy a day ticket ahead of time and the RFID scanner will let you straight on the lifts without fighting the AM ticket windows.
Hope my wife remembers to purchase in advance next time we go up!
If you are staying at the Mountaineers Lodge it is a bit frustrating, since their arangement with Stevens is supposed to guarantee ski-in access to the lodge. A few Guest Services staffers have thought that means Mountaineers can get the TP Pass without paying $5.00, but most of us had to cough it up. A group staying at the Lodge can see some dude in management, arrange to get a bunch of TP Passes, and all save the fee, but officially an individual is su[posed to pay.
I realize this TR has wandered into Random Tracks territory; hope the beta is useful. Mountaineers members should contact the Lodge manager and encourage him to get a better system for us.
The lines should clear as more folks get set up for the season, then much of the data will stay recorded for next year. I recommend jumping through the hoops in the evening; the night skiing has been exquisite this week, with the wind refilling the runs promptly and short stashes lit up off Hogsback even when the other lifts were closed due to wind. The Bull's Tooth in Granite Peaks has the best bar anyway....
