I'm thinking about making a trip to the other side of 'merica and riding it like a pornstar. What parks should I consider and what airports are close to them? I'm thinking Highland and Platty are on the list for consideration so far.
Best airports for flying in to East Coast parks?
- Thread starter mandown
- Start date
Newark or Albany maybe?
how long are you going to be on the east coast...the obvious parks to hit are
highland
diablo
snowshoe
7 springs
plattekill...
All of those places are sort of spread out so it depends on what you are trying to hit but honestly Pittsburgh's airport is so under used and smooth you could fly into here and do the following loop.
snowshoe > 7 spring > diablo > highland > platty, back to pittsburgh...it is a great giant loop, lots of driving but you get a park just about every 4-6 hours...
I fly into NYC all the time, and it sucks...LGA is my favorite airport out of the big 3 but look into doing above.
If you want direct flights (especially if you are taking your bike), Newark (or JFK) and Boston are the way to go from LAX.
any suggestions for airports if i was just going to do a one flight/drive to one park? maybe a combo of two parks max?
time for me to hit google maps...
Albany International. Plattekill for the natch and Highland for the manmade scratch. Nothing else matters.
One that has a runway preferably.
funny how all the "east coasters" forget about Bromont, and they have one of the best bike park in North America.
Bromont 062510 on Vimeo
Bromont HD Short 10.03.09 on Vimeo
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Bromont 062510 on Vimeo
Bromont HD Short 10.03.09 on Vimeo
Bromont062010 on Vimeo
Flying into Pitt and hitting Snowshoe and 7 Springs would be easy. I can't speak for the riding. The last time I rode 7 Springs, even the Pros raced on hardtails.
However, Pitt is a cool city worth visiting in it's own right. Much more so than many other east coast portals IMO.
yup... bromont and i believe diablo are open 7 days a week as well so that helps
For no scientific reason, I'm leaning toward a Platty/Highland combo, and maybe some Diablo, so it looks like Albany is the route for me. I'll google map it and see what else makes sense.
Albany is also only 2 1/4 hours from Whiteface or 4 1/2 from Bromont. Then you still have Highland, Platty, Diablo and many others to choose from.
hit me up if you are going to Diablo or Platty. my friends and i can show you around the mountains
Hit me up for Platty, too when you get some dates. I live in Albany - only 1.5 hrs to Platty; and as Mike said, throw Whiteface in the mix - only 2.25 hrs from Albany and open 7 days a week. Platty is weekend only.
amen and say hello to me in the shop at seven spring when you make it out there....
way different now, there are rocky trails and lots of lines down the mountains.
Call me nuts, but if I were to fly from the West Coast to the East Coast, no way I'd include Platty in a 2 park trip. I'd go Whiteface, Diablo, Bromont in whatever order makes the most sense. Then if I have a leg to stand on, I'd hit Highlands.
You're nuts.
Platty is awesome, you just need someone who knows where they're going to show you. I actually think I like it better than Whiteface even.
youre right. the groomed trails at Diablo are so much more fun that natural rock.
Don't get me wrong. Everybody on the East Coast should ride Platty. I can clearly remember my only trip there vividly. That whole sliding slate rock feeling is awesome. But I look at it as bang per buck. Whiteface is massive, has tons of elevation and mach 90 speeds (I likes speed). And I've never been. Platty is a car camping, rock bashers dream, but I'd love to ride that beast of a mountain and check out where the Olympics went down.
As for Diablo, there are what...5 trails that are groomed...tops? 30+ options down the mountain and most of them are embedded rock. And I love that stupid fast lift.
March your little tail down to NC and ride and watch your DH bike gather dust and you'll become pickier. NE guys are spoiled.
yes you can camp in your car at Platty or camp, but there are plenty of motels/hotels and B&B's near by that you can stay at....maybe not as much as Whiteface, but still enough for options. if you come east, it should be on the top of everyone's list.As for Diablo, there are what...5 trails that are groomed...tops? 30+ options down the mountain and most of them are embedded rock. And I love that stupid fast lift.
March your little tail down to NC and ride and watch your DH bike gather dust and you'll become pickier. NE guys are spoiled.
the 30+ trails is a bit misleading since one trail turns into 5+ different names before you get to the bottom.
i am glad i live up here since i ride Blue, Diablow and Platty regularly.
Win. Manchester for sure. The east coast is so full of big highways that even Diablo isn't that bad a drive from southern New Hampshire. And as yopaulie says, it's close to Canada. Don't forget your passport!
There are a TON of ways down the mountain at Platty. The map sucks, so you need to know where you're going, but options abound.Don't get me wrong. Everybody on the East Coast should ride Platty. I can clearly remember my only trip there vividly. That whole sliding slate rock feeling is awesome. But I look at it as bang per buck. Whiteface is massive, has tons of elevation and mach 90 speeds (I likes speed). And I've never been. Platty is a car camping, rock bashers dream, but I'd love to ride that beast of a mountain and check out where the Olympics went down.
As for Diablo, there are what...5 trails that are groomed...tops? 30+ options down the mountain and most of them are embedded rock. And I love that stupid fast lift.
March your little tail down to NC and ride and watch your DH bike gather dust and you'll become pickier. NE guys are spoiled.
i'm not a big fan of the overly groomed or the jumps. i like natural gnar, deep in the trees. it is beginning to sound like Platty with a guide is gonna be my speed. i'll take a look at Whiteface too. If I can get Derp and Derper out for a guide-job, then that would make the whole trip worth it.
Derp Junior - what is your scheduled date for a return to gravity free civilization?
Derp Junior - what is your scheduled date for a return to gravity free civilization?
I've posted a trillion times on my experiences and opinions on NE coast riding...but to re-synopsis-ize:
Highland is great, but it's all groomed. They have the best berms and jumps in the business, but unless you liked riding groomed trails, you'll be sad. That being said, while I prefer natural terrain, some of the trails there are absurdly fun. It's more of a freeride park than a DH mountain, but it's a must hit.
Diablo has a good mix of both groomers and natural style DH, but it doesn't have a ton of vert. Their trails are built really well, and the lift is super fast. Unfortunately, it's in New Jersey.
Whiteface has superb natural terrain and huge vert, but it doesn't have any groomed "fey-line" trails, and I've never thought of it as super steep. There are steep sections, but mostly it's just looooooooong and technical at mach booger. There are certain sections that are hilariously fun, in particular the lower sections of 24 and 25. The lift is fast but it still takes a long time, and a single run is 2x plattekill and probably 3x highland. The biggest problem in my mind is that there are realistically 3-4 ways down the mountain. There starts to be many options towards the bottom, but from the top you have face shot, ledges, or 24, whatever that is, which lead into other sections. It's difficult to get bored, even though there aren't a lot of trails, but there isn't a huge amount of variety.
I've only been up to Bromont once, but it offers superb riding, a fast lift, dedication to riding (ie the bike racks are friggin awesome) and a good mix of all kinds of trails...but it's also in Canada and quite a hike.
Finally, plattekill is a great place to ride, easily my favorite in the east. There are almost infinite lines you can take, since nearly nothing is marked and a lot of trails are fairly braided. There's a fair combination of the riding Butch described and more modern WFO trails. They practically never run the triple side so "shale-sliding" is somewhat dormant. Riding there is really an experience unlike other mountains...it's quiet, secluded, and there are far less rules and restrictions compared to other places. It would be near the top of my list to check out for a west coaster or visitor from elsewhere.
Anyways, I trust you'll figure it out. If we're having a mini-monkeyfest, I hope I can join.
Highland is great, but it's all groomed. They have the best berms and jumps in the business, but unless you liked riding groomed trails, you'll be sad. That being said, while I prefer natural terrain, some of the trails there are absurdly fun. It's more of a freeride park than a DH mountain, but it's a must hit.
Diablo has a good mix of both groomers and natural style DH, but it doesn't have a ton of vert. Their trails are built really well, and the lift is super fast. Unfortunately, it's in New Jersey.
Whiteface has superb natural terrain and huge vert, but it doesn't have any groomed "fey-line" trails, and I've never thought of it as super steep. There are steep sections, but mostly it's just looooooooong and technical at mach booger. There are certain sections that are hilariously fun, in particular the lower sections of 24 and 25. The lift is fast but it still takes a long time, and a single run is 2x plattekill and probably 3x highland. The biggest problem in my mind is that there are realistically 3-4 ways down the mountain. There starts to be many options towards the bottom, but from the top you have face shot, ledges, or 24, whatever that is, which lead into other sections. It's difficult to get bored, even though there aren't a lot of trails, but there isn't a huge amount of variety.
I've only been up to Bromont once, but it offers superb riding, a fast lift, dedication to riding (ie the bike racks are friggin awesome) and a good mix of all kinds of trails...but it's also in Canada and quite a hike.
Finally, plattekill is a great place to ride, easily my favorite in the east. There are almost infinite lines you can take, since nearly nothing is marked and a lot of trails are fairly braided. There's a fair combination of the riding Butch described and more modern WFO trails. They practically never run the triple side so "shale-sliding" is somewhat dormant. Riding there is really an experience unlike other mountains...it's quiet, secluded, and there are far less rules and restrictions compared to other places. It would be near the top of my list to check out for a west coaster or visitor from elsewhere.
Anyways, I trust you'll figure it out. If we're having a mini-monkeyfest, I hope I can join.
Based on that I gotta go Platty and Whiteface, and Diablo if there is time. Assuming that is the trip, then I come back to my original question: where is the best spot to fly in?
I like flying out of Burbank (if and when I can) because it is a smaller airport and the bike check thing is so much easier than the nightmare of LAX. I know the schedules aren't as plentiful and the cost can be a bit higher, but it is worth it.
I like flying out of Burbank (if and when I can) because it is a smaller airport and the bike check thing is so much easier than the nightmare of LAX. I know the schedules aren't as plentiful and the cost can be a bit higher, but it is worth it.
Albany puts you near Whiteface and Platty
Albany's about an hour and a half from Platty and is a pretty good airport. Similar size to Burbank IIRC (though it's been a while since I've been to Burbank).
Sammich's thoughts on the resorts mirror my own pretty well. I think Platty, Whiteface, maybe Diablo sounds like a good trip.
When would this be happening?
Sammich's thoughts on the resorts mirror my own pretty well. I think Platty, Whiteface, maybe Diablo sounds like a good trip.
When would this be happening?
And the rock pavers at Diablo...fun. NOT!!!
I'm with you.
I have been to Whiteface and I would go back in a heartbeat. The mountain is huge and Ledges has to be one of my favorite trails of all time. Its remote and a quiet atmosphere. If you like to fly fish make sure to take a rod. A superb river runs right thru the parking lot. Plus its close to Bromont, which is tops of my must do list.
August isn't looking good for me. I've got a Silverstar/Whistler trip planned. I had been looking at Tahoe over the holiday weekend in September, but I might consider rerouting. I've also got a business trip I need to take to Maryland in September, so I may be able to piggyback it onto the work trip if I rent a car and do the drive. The date for that is still open.
Right now I'm thinking 8/28-8/29 is the soonest I could do it, and that most weekends after that are open. Thoughts on how many days on each mountain would be good? I've got some vacation time to burn, but I'd like to keep the trip to a one week limit. I'm guessing a day or two at each hill would be enough???
Right now I'm thinking 8/28-8/29 is the soonest I could do it, and that most weekends after that are open. Thoughts on how many days on each mountain would be good? I've got some vacation time to burn, but I'd like to keep the trip to a one week limit. I'm guessing a day or two at each hill would be enough???
september is a good time to ride, it finally starts to cool down up here. Looks like albany would be a good one to fly into, especially since you're looking at plattekill and whiteface, each of which are about 2-2.5hrs from there. Unfortunately, no mountains are near airports, so you'll have to drive or hitch from somebody else, which is doable.
Exactly what I said like a day ago, dood.
That weekend might kind of suck for many of us - it's the Windham World Cup race which is only 45 min's away from Platty. Windham is also doing a "race the world" thing, which allows us non wc-pros and schmoes to also race on that Saturday 8/28. So, my guess would be that a lot of us Platty people will be holed up at Windham practicing TH/F, racing Sat, then coming back Sun to watch the pros. There is a Platty NYS Championship race the weekend before on 8/21-22, and my bet would be that Platty would be open for weekday riding in between the two events? Anyone know? That might work to your advantage if you moved your time frame up.
PS, if you're thinking Sept, keep in mind that the Pro GRT finals will be at Whiteface on 9/11.
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