VT P2k Ski Challenge

[RoySwkr]

The "prominence" discussion group has some discussion about how many different peaks with 2000' of prominence can/were ascended in a day. Note that unlike the 4000 Footer Club, prominence ascents allow ground transport including ATVs and ski lifts.

My question for you skiers is, how many of the following peaks can be combined in one day via lift up, walk to summit, ski down. Any of these resorts allow night skiing?
Jay, Mansfield, Ellen, Killington, Stratton

 

[AMF]

The "prominence" discussion group has some discussion about how many different peaks with 2000' of prominence can/were ascended in a day. Note that unlike the 4000 Footer Club, prominence ascents allow ground transport including ATVs and ski lifts.

I don't know how many on your list you could do in a day (probably depend upon how fast you drove between them!), but I think it would be a MIGHTY expensive proposition, what with the lift rates being charged!

 

[Amicus]

I think you might just be able to pull this off if driving conditions were good, but you wouldn't have the benefit of night skiing, I think. That is typically the preserve of smaller areas that have to try harder. I just checked Big Jay and Stratton, your north and south terminus points, and they don't offer it. I'd be at the summit lift line of one of those when it starts running (often around 8:30 am).

If I were thinking about this, I'd start with a Mapquest check. Their estimated times vary widely in reliability, but might give you a rough idea.

I don't know how many on your list you could do in a day (probably depend upon how fast you drove between them!), but I think it would be a MIGHTY expensive proposition, what with the lift rates being charged!

That's for sure. You can save a little with a half-day ticket, but most areas sell those only for the afternoon, starting at 12:30 or 1 pm. Many NH areas have an "NH day" mid-week when those with an NH driver's license can ski very cheap. If you had a VT license something, like that might be doable.

How about trying for a publicity deal. Do you know any recreation/outdoors reporters, or ski area publicists? I hope you try this!

 

[RoySwkr]

I hope you try this!

Not me! I don't even know enough about sking to know the names of the areas to feed to MapQuest, much less how long the lift takes or how long to ski down.

I heard the restaurant of Mansfield serves dinner, maybe the lift runs late. And some NH areas offer an Easter sunrise service with the lift starting early.

Money is no object, because I won't be paying it In NH some areas offer first run free, single trip tickets, and combo tickets so for extra credit somebody can figure out the cheapest way to do this.

 

[skiguy]

The "prominence" discussion group has some discussion about how many different peaks with 2000' of prominence can/were ascended in a day. Note that unlike the 4000 Footer Club, prominence ascents allow ground transport including ATVs and ski lifts.

My question for you skiers is, how many of the following peaks can be combined in one day via lift up, walk to summit, ski down. Any of these resorts allow night skiing?
Jay, Mansfield, Ellen, Killington, Stratton

Hmmm This could be done with some thought and creativity. If you were willing to start at midnight, climb/skin and use some mechanical (lifts and Cars) you should be able to hold costs to a minimum. Jay Peak and Mansfield are close together and could both be easily skinned to the top via groomed ski trails before sunrise. I would probably hit Ellen after that again using skins. Killington you might have to buy an all day pass and use the lift. Then zoom on down to Stratton and buy a half day and again use the lift. I think more of the logistic here would be the driving route between peaks. That I would have to give more thought. So who's driving , climbing and skiing for this one?

 

[SherpaKroto]

Mansfield has lights on Gondolier, which is convenient since the top of the Gondola is the closest lift to Mansfield's true summit. On Saturdays through ~3/17 weekend it runs until 9:00PM. To do it right, you should also add Mad River Glen

Sounds like:
1) Skin Stratton VERY early, hike over to summit and back, ski down to waiting car before the lifts open.
2) Head to Killington (~60 miles, ~75 minutes) and up to summit/ski down (30 minutes?).
3) Off to Ellen/Abraham (~40 miles, ~55 minutes). Hit Ellen, ski down, cross on Slide Brook lift, do Abraham (120 minutes?).
4) Head to Mad River Glen (~6 miles, ~10 minutes). Up the NEW lift, summit, ski down (60 minutes?).
5) Off to Mansfield (~22 miles, ~35 minutes), up gondola, summit, grab a beer (gotta have beer!), ski down gondalier (120 minutes?).
6) Head to Jay (~43 miles, ~60 minutes), up Tram, summit, ski down (20 minutes?).

So, travel would be ~171 miles in ~4 hours. Lifts typically run from 8-4 on weekends, a bit later late in the season. I estimated VERY rough hike/ski times for all peaks and came out at ~6 hours. Even with a lot of luck, and a willing shuttle driver, it can't be done. HOWEVER - Mansfield lifts run late on Saturday... skin up Jay, ski down... Problem solved. Depending on how early you start, you could possibly get to Killington as the lifts open, which might then allow you to get to Jay ahead of Mansfield, and ride the lift (just thinking out loud). The biggest logistical challenge is skiing before/after dark. Might be a good idea to turn it into a charity fundraiser and notify the mountains in advance.

I'm starting to wonder why someone here hasn't tried this stunt: summit and ski all lift served VT's NEHH. Certainly a better man than I am!

 

[skiguy]

I'm starting to wonder why someone here hasn't tried this stunt: summit and ski all lift served VT's NEHH. Certainly a better man than I am!

So you could be the driver then...just as long as you don't go blowing by anyone with a VFTT sticker on your Car!