Anyone tried Eagle Rock?

http://www.eaglerockresort.com/Leisure/Snow-Sports.aspx

Looks like it's a resort that just happens to have skiing. I'm thinking of giving it a try this weekend. It's on the way home from Scranton so even if we get bored and leave early it's not a big deal.

I haven't been there, but I think you're right about it. They've sent me an offer ( a couple of times) of free golf clubs to sit through a time share/condo sales pitch. I have not taken them up on it.

If you're in Scranton why not just go to Sno? I'd do that over Eagle Rock.

My wife and I spent a weekend there several years ago. Your description is spot-on. It is a four seasons resort, and skiing is one of many amenities -- sort of equal in importance to the spa. At that time, anyway, the lifts were old and creaky, but the terrain had a bit of variety and it was crazy empty. If the whole "mountain" is open, I would think that the combo of decent terrain and no crowds would make for a good day or two.

Thanks Norsk.

fishbane: I have relative in Scranton so we head that way for skiing pretty often. I always do at least one day at Elk and then like to try other places. Eagle Rock and Alpine are the two in reasonable range that I haven't tried yet.

Well, I have been to Alpine and I recall that being the exact opposite Norsk's description of Eagle Rock at least as far as the resort part goes. It's pretty much just a mountain with a lodge and very little few amenities. The mountain part might be about the same, though I can't say I recall too much about the terrain. It was 3 years ago when I was there and it was my first day on a snowboard, so I didn't explore any of the advanced runs anyway. It was cheap and fairly empty even though it was a weekend.

Cheap and empty are huge plusses. Never again will I do Camelback on a weekend.

I'm not staying there so I don't care about the resort part.

You might be interested in this deal - http://wneps.incentrev.com/detail/KZNY72D0DD2EC26D17

Works at Alpine and Sno. I bought two of the cards they offered at the end of last year.

Went to Camelback last weekend and it wasn't that bad as far as crowds go. I got there mid afternoon on Sunday and never waited in a lift line more than ~5 minutes the slopes were pretty empty for Camelback.

That's a pretty awesome deal. Most of the individual tickets are more than that. Have to figure out if I'm going to be up there again.

I skied at Eagle Rock one weekday night last February, en route back to VA from two great days at Elk. From top to bottom, the terrain runs like this: nearly flat --> steepish --> l-o-n-g flat runout. The grooming (under admittedly difficult conditions) was poor -- lots of crunchy death cookies.

To me, Eagle Rock is OK for a quick visit to break up a long trip. The resort appears to be well-built and well-maintained. As others have said, Eagle Rock is a resort that happens to offer skiing as one of many amenities.

It's a place where some people make their first turns, so Eagle Rock is important in introducing snowsports to many who may be intimidated by larger ski areas or don't want to ski all weekend (or all day, for the matter). We need to support these places.

Woody

HELP, Need some input. Looking to travel to eastern PA or Western NY for a ski trip. Would appreciate any suggestions on places to ski or avoid. Wife is a non-skier, so we need someplace that might feature shops for her to visit. I,m a strong intermediate skier who will occasionally challenge myself.
Looking to go mid-Feb, not sure yet whether it will be mid-week or weekend.

Charlie,

You have a few good options.

1. Sno Mountain. It's right in the middle of Scranton PA and actually has a big outdoor mall on the access road, so there's plenty of shopping and a movie theatre. Anything else in Scranton is within a 10 minute drive.

2. Camelback/Alpine. There is a big outlet mall at the intersection of 380 and 80 right near both these mountains.

3. Eagle Rock. Since it's a full resort there's a spa and other activities. I'll be posting more info on this one shortly.

Charlie, i would also take a look at Holiday Valley in Ellicotville, NY. Search the threads here for some reports earlier this season,

Charlie, I think you've already received the best suggestions for your trip in the responses above me - I second all that.

There is a second ski area near Ellicotville, Holimont, that would be an option for a midweek trip. It's a private ski area and only open to the public Monday-Friday.