Sean P.
Yelp
I have been here three times in the past three years, so I think I'm ready for a review.
First off, my overall great is that I really really like Jay Peak, and will probably go back. But first and foremost, this is a ski resort, and that is where I have the most criticisms. I've been there three times, once at New Years, once in early January, once in February. I know they can't control the weather. But I think some of the other resorts further south do better with the snowmaking and grooming. When I was there over New Year's, and the snow was light and temps warm, I looked at Killington and Snow where 50+ trails were open, big sections of the mountain all open. At jay, just a small slice, maybe 10-20 trails were open.
Also, it's just not a great beginner's mountain. There are a few slow beginner lifts but to go up high and get the views, there are just a few blue runs to get down, and they tend to be skied off (by all the intermediate skiers being forced down them) and iced off by the very high winds (more on that to come) even in good weather.
The two base setup can be confusing, and there are no mid mountain lifts, which makes for crowds despite this being a very remote spot. Often the lifts are shut down too, especially on the tram side, due to topography and wind. I have never been to another mountain with so frequent wind holds.
I love the look of the tram. I've been to Jay three times, and I've only been on the tram ONCE. One ride. It is usually closed due to wind hold or terrain not open or some other reason (just not open midweek because maybe too expensive to run?). The last time I was there EVERY lift on the tramside was closed on a busy weekend - so we were staying on the tramside, and couldn't ski on the tramside. Huge crowds at Stateside. Just not ideal. I know they get a TON of snow, but the winds and other issues with flow mitigate this... the main big lift on the stateside is also not high speed, so it is really lacking in a lot of ways, I have to be honest.
I know Jay is legendary for it's tree skiing, and there is definitely good tree skiing. The snow in the trees is probably better protected from those crazy winds that shut down the tramside lifts what seems like every other day.
Ok, so now for the good. It's a great resort for families. LOTS to do other than skiing. Several restaurants, shops, movie theatre, climbing gym, aracade, skating rink, am I forgetting anything....
Oh yes, the waterpark. This is a really great waterpark. Huge. Tons to do, lots of slides, areas for the little kids, friendly staff. Very good value. Kids could spend hours there, and a nice bar for the adults and decent food all around the resort - nothing amazing, but all the food is above average in my opinion.
The town is dead. There really isn't a town. You come to this place for the resort, and there is plenty to do there. I wish they had a section that allowed pets, because my dog loves going on ski trips, and would be great to bring him along. No pets allowed anywhere at Jay.
Last time I went, it was for a daughter's hockey tournament, so we were very busy for that. But we still skied. What I can say about the hockey tournaments is that they felt a little rushed... all games started 20-30 minutes early, which is weird, and some of the referees really rushed them through - calling very few penalties, barely blowing the whistle, and forcing a running clock as soon as one team had a lead of more than a few goals. To go all that way and feel rushed through games is not a great experience.
But we will probably go back. I really hope we can go another time when the skiing is prime, and the lifts are all functional, etc. But really we'll go back for the activities ancillary to skiing - the waterpark, the rock climbing, the skating rink, etc etc. It's a great place for a family.