On March 6, "AJ" posted the following comments in the "Recent Comments" section under the "Community" chapter in DCSki. I wish to address the comments here, where more DCSkiers and Wintergreen managers might see them and provide their point-of-view.
The post follows:
"Comments on Wintergreen - Not so minty fresh... - posted by AJ
March 6 at 7:42 pm
Not so minty fresh... Unfortunately, I would have to rate Wintergreen as my most disappointing ski experience. The lift line management was unbelievably poor resulting in waiting in line for an hour to get the lift just prior to the 4pm closure of the black diamond skiing areas. There was almost a riot!
I will never go there again."

I could not ascertain what Wintergreen article is referenced, nor find "AJ" on the list of DCSki members. Nor was I at Wintergreen the 6th of March (when I assume he was), but I was there with my kids and my grandkids the previous weekend (Feb. 26-28) when the resort was "sold out" and quite crowded, possibly more crowded than the March 6th weekend. I too experienced large lift lines, especially at the Blue Ridge Express and Big Acorn quad chairs. The lift lines at the Highlands Express, serving the expert section were never real large. I thought Wintergreen did an admirable job of managing the lines for the Big Acorn and Blue Ridge Express, with a multitude of employees working the lines and moving them along fairly. However, at the Highland Express, on Feb. 27, I encountered an employee charged with managing the less than 5 minute line not paying full attention to the task at hand. Around 11:00, she was much more interested in taking photos and chatting with her Wintergreen "friends", ski patrollers, etc. at the skiers left upslope of the corral than keeping up with line management. On a number of occasions she had to quickly move folks from the outside (upslope) lines quickly to the chair loading area without going fairly from each of the 6-8 assembled lines. This caused some grumbling and muttering, and a couple of folks broke line when she continued to carry on her conversations and allow the upslope line to move to the loading area without calling for the down slope lines to do likewise, in logical order. Not a giant problem, but one that management should check and prevent a repeat, as some might not be as patient as I. If the lady mentioned above was working the huge line at the Blue Ridge Express (about 20+ minutes), I could see how a riot might gain momentum.
To the larger issue of having enough lifts at Wintergreen. Depends on the day, conditions, etc. Perhaps a high speed lift might help with the Big Acorn fixed quad crowd, but I am not sure whether this would cause overcrowding on the 5 runs off of this lift. Wintergreen is quite popular, and unlike CV, Timberline and Snowshoe, close to major population centers. With the great snow and conditions this winter, I suspect they might well set an attendance record, assuming the weekend snowfalls did not keep too many skiers/riders away due to road conditions. Should they limit ticket sales?, not many resorts really do this, especially hard to manage when the resort is an hour drive from several large cities.
Wintergreen is a great resort, with first class amenities and restaurants. The segregation of their "most difficult" slopes is unique in this area, and makes for only rare crowding on the Highlands slopes. Give it another chance before deciding never to return.
The Colonel

I was suprised at this post as well Colonel. I was at WTG for President's Day weekend 2009. The reason for my suprise was the comments about the Highland lift. I never waited more than a minute or two for that lift. Sure can't say the same thing for the Blue Ridge lift, which was a zoo all weekend, or Acorn, which stopped running twice on me forcing two walks up the slope to the tunnel.

As I have said in another thread, you can't compare these local places to TL, CV, etc. on the weekends, but you should expect good lift management.

Well...I was at Wintergreen on the 6th as well as the previous Sunday. The 6th was the most crowded I have ever seen it. Even the Highlands were more crowded than usual. The Blue Ridge 6 and the Acorn Side were zoos.

I have no doubt that some people left disappointed and frustrated that day given the crowds and the lift lines. If you knew the place it was manageable by taking the right lifts at the right time and sticking to the Highlands.

But you know, the snow was pretty good, and they were taking in money. Money is good for them and good for us if we want places to ski in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic.

Still, tell me if you have ever seen a line like this at the Highlands Express:

Yes - a few years back, the weekend after a good snowfall in what was otherwise a pretty warm winter. The wait at the Highlands lift was 15 minutes or so. This was early afternoon on a Sunday, so some of it was probably due to season-passers showing up. Still, since then I have avoided Wintergreen on the weekends - when I can go midweek I always have a great time.

While WTG has seen more crowds this season, Big Acorn lift has actually seen an improvement in lift time this year. It's still the slowest to get back up the mountain once you're seated, but the actual Acorn lines themselves have been much shorter than the past 2 years. This is because of the lift line picker, Juliana. I didn't see her until this year (so she must be new). All the weekends I've been there (including the busy President's Day Weekend), the Acorn lift has moved relatively faster this year when she's working it. At least on the weekends, I think she works specifically at Acorn lift, and has done a wonderful job. Doubt she will return next year, and as a result, I'm sure that lift will be slow again.

With that said, when WTG has been busy this year, A-Side and the highlands are not that bad at all. As long as you are not a beginner skier and limited to dobie/diamond hill, WTG is a treat on the other two lifts. However, if you choose or must ski the highland lift, good luck. As stated above, that lift is typically a zoo any weekend, any year.

Can't say a blame AJ for his frustration. Several years ago our family did a day-trip to Wintergreen during the week between Christmas and New Years (Tues or Weds). I knew it would be crowded, but I could not have imagined how bad. We dropped the kids off for a 1-hour private lesson and skied down to the Blue Ridge Express lift. By the time we had gotten to the top of the mountain, we were already 10 minutes late in picking them up from their lesson. We skied with them the rest of the day and were able to get 6 runs in total (with no stopping for lunch). This coupled with issues at other resorts has stopped us from skiing the Mid-Atlantic for the last few years.

I will second props for Juliana at the Acron lift. She was in action Sunday when I was there and she did a great job. WTG seem to have a large Brazilian crew this year who all did a great job on the hill.

Lines are always and issue at WTG. Just look at the sheer number of condo's. A nice sunny weekend is going to drawn folks out.

Of course if you are on this site you probally already know the drill. Pick you ski days/times to avoid "the herd!" Ski early or late (night ski). Alway ski through lunch. Avoid the packs turn right...everyone always turns left. Make the most of every run!!! ski the whole trail!

With proper personal ski management even a crowded day can be a good day. And it sure beats working, yard work, etc....

I am still crazy about Wintergreen. And the views are the best in the East! All of our Eastern areas get crowded on weekends. If at all possible, take time to visit during the week. We have a short season, and deserve to "take a snow day" ( in the words of the SnowTime ads). Connie Lawn

Ah yes Juliana. And don't try sneaking a cut in either. She has an eagle eye and will wave you back into line.

Skibadger makes an excellent point...but you know the rest of the lift crew on Acorn has been good as well. I have not gotten a single chair-slap this season and the guys manning the chair are always on the ball. They have been slowing the lift in anticipation of problems which keeps them from stopping the lift after the problem occurs. Very good lift management all around.

Everyone should take the opportunity to thank Juliana and that crew for great work. Better yet post your thanks to Wintergreens Facebook Fan site.

Another set of standouts was the crew of Argentine girls working pryors porch cafeteria. One confessed to me that the crowds were killing them but you would never know if from their smiling faces.

I think the upcoming weekend is their last.

I too love Wintergreen...its like anything else where crowds are likely too build. All you have to do is think slightly differently and you avoid them.