mountain creek

All of the 1 star reviews are from people who came on the weekends. This place BLOWS on the weekends, you have to hit it midweek. My review is 3 stars, which is the average of the 1 star weekend and 5 star midweek.Pros and cons, weekend edition:Pros - close to home, only have to drive 1.5 hrs instead of 3+.Cons - everything. - OUT OF CONTROL riders and skiers on nearly every trail - you would think they would stay away from south since it's all advanced terrain, guess again. Sorry but you can't ski or snowboard if all you're doing is staying on your heel edge or snow plowing and then 270ing onto a box. Learn to link your turns fool. Thanks for the ice!- more people than space, plus factor in the out of control people- long lift lines (even at south, we all know north is a joke on the weekends)- general rudeness. Skiers carving up the jumps and jumping off the side (either learn to ride around the features, learn to hit them, or go back to north, you carving up them ruins them). Snowboarders not looking over their shoulder for their blind spot - I was collided into a week ago by someone who decided last minute to turn left (their blind spot) to hit a feature and instead they hit me and I hit a snow gun as a result, and got one of the worst bruises ever (says a lot, my injury list is long) - you would think they'd stop to see if I was ok, or just to say sorry - NOPE. - people sit in the jump landings and have a picnic. True story, in the same run as me colliding into a snow gun, I went to hit a jump and two morons were sitting in the landing. I landed less than 3 ft away from them, and ended up spraying them hard as to not crash into them. And they looked at me like it was my fault! Hello you're sitting in the jump landing NO ONE CAN SEE YOU! They should be lucky an expert and not a novice was the one who narrowly missed them - a novice would of crashed.Mountain creek REALLY needs to bring back the park pass and make it cost money. Desperately. The rides-once-a-year fools can hit the beginner parks over at north for the day and not make things unsafe for the rest of us.Now for my pros and cons weekdays edition:Pros -- close to home (duh)- (if you're a snowboarder) total snowboarders mountain, few flat spots but easy to keep speed for if you're even an intermediate level rider. - snow is actually decent some years - the past three years have been pretty decent (considering) and if you keep an eye on the weather you should be good.- barely any lift lines especially before school lets out and the last two hours before close. Even when there is a line it moves quick.- wide variety of trail types and difficulty, and the trails always have fun side of the trail "features"- really good terrain park, smaller easier to learn on stuff over on north, and more intermediate and advanced stuff over at south. As long as you can link your turns down a blue you should be happy at south even if you're new to the park. But a lot of variety, especially in good snow years.- I am not a local, but the locals freaking RIP on the weekdays and they are usually super friendly! The locals do not ride on the weekends - the rude weekend visitors are the NYC/Long Island/south jersey types.- riding here where by location the conditions tend to be variable you learn how to ride on ice and not panic, that's a useful skill most others do not have at the nicer snow areasCons -- snow can suck completely - I've been here when it's solid ice, not fun.- the gondola sucks, please replace it with a six pack like mount snows bluebird chair!Tips for people who have never been:- if it's a weekend and you're on north, take the triple. It's to the left of the gondola when coming downhill, it's a separate trail (keep your speed) you'll know if it's open.- eat at the bar (north has the better bar and food) - it's cheaper, rarely a line, and way better.- rent your equipment by home or at the two stores near the mountain - outkast is a great snowboard shop on 94 and there's a ski shop going towards south that I forget the name of. Look it up, you'll save time and money and frustration.- lock up your equipment or do the free ski/board check. It's your own damn fault if your equipment gets stolen.- buy your lift tickets (plus a beer, it's like a dollar more!) at liftopia.com (if you know the exact date and can buy a few days in advance) but note they aren't refundable almost ever. Or buy the triple play before thanksgiving or the spring pass mid February. All great deals.- if you're a beginner and its a weekend, save your money and frustration and go to mount Peter nearby in Warwick NY.- if you're not a beginner and its the weekend, ride the more advanced trails there's usually less people on it. If you ski, ski bear there's no terrain park features on it (except the hike park at the bottom) and barely any lines and barely any boarders either (because it sucks on a board). Granite is good too for the skiers, there's a pretty crazy mogul trail on it.- if you're not a beginner, park at south and take the soujurn lift across if you don't want to be in the terrain park. Sure it's slow, but there's never a line and the parking is way better.- if you stay at south but don't do terrain park, be mindful of those who do and stay out of the way. Don't sit/stand near features and certainly don't sit in the landings.- just don't go on the weekends.

A few weeks ago, Mountain Creek had several lift malfunctions, resulting in overcrowded lift lines and limited access to runs. In an attempt to appease their customers, Mountain Creek offered a free lift ticket to those who visited the mountain that day.... or so I thought. I wrote them an email regarding this free ticket, to make sure that I wouldn't get caught unaware by some fine print nonsense. In this email I clearly stated the circumstances of my ticket, which was bought through liftopia, and that I will be bringing in this used voucher to claim the free lift ticket. They responded positively saying that I will be refunded even with these circumstances.After driving 2 hours up to Mountain Creek, under the impression that I would be receiving a free lift ticket, I was simply dismissed by the clerk and the manager that such a voucher would not work, even if I had the confirmation email from their customer services. After trying to reason with the manager, he simply waved me off saying, "You were misinformed, I can't do anything about that." After emailing the person that I had previously contacted in customer service, he also responded, "Sorry we were confused. Your voucher won't work." Nothing more. I wasted 4 hours of a drive (as well as gas) because of a "confusion" on their end. Were they sorry? Probably not even in the slightest.

This review is strictly regarding their offered Civil Service discount.I'm a Federal Agent, and used to come here for years to learn how to ski. They always honored this discount. I came back last Saturday after few years’ hiatus, and was told that they kind of offer it only to possibly local EMT, Fire, and Police. They don't consider anyone else eligible for it anymore. Since their website advertises it as a Civil Service discount, I looked it up in Webster's dictionary. To my astonishment, the definition applied to any government worker. I called their office and spoke to a general manager, who affirmed this policy of excluding any other civil servant, and on top of that, requiring a coupon printed at home. I suggested that they change their advertisement on their website, as they are now guilty of False Advertising. They are also spitting in the faces of civil servants and law enforcement, of which there are plenty in NY/NJ area.So if you are in any type of law enforcement, or a government employee outside of New Jersey, do not count on any discounts at this place ! You'll get a friendlier treatment elsewhere.

We've been here 3 times with our kids and they love it. Slopes are wide enough but the lines can get long on weekends. The 3pm twilight session starts off crowded but tapers off. They love the ramps and half pipe as they are new to these tricks. There are 2 places you can start from, where you can buy tickets and enjoy free parking. There is a restaurant and food court at each end, with free wifi (not the best of signals but good enough). Its certainly not the alps in terms of grandeur and beauty but great to head out as a day trip.

I live in New Jersey, about 45 minutes drive from Mountain Creek, I go every year at least 5 times and only because I get Free Tickets and a few discounted tickets. It's so close, I can Play Hooky from work or because I can't drive too far with the kids for the day.Avoid the Weekends at all cost, this place is so crowded, I no longer have to rent ski's for the kids which would take Hours, and getting down the mountain it's like avoiding a Mine field.My kids loved this place when they started skiing, great place to learn when there are no crowds, the runs are so short that you could do 20 runs from 8:30-11:30 assuming that the lifts are operating and not down.The Lift, or standing gondola, all I want after a run is to sit down and rest, and they crowd you in like a sardines, and the North Side of the mountain never opens on time.The lodge is always crowded and never enough seats, I usually just bring my own lunch since it's too expensive and why wait on a long line and waste time when I could be skiing,Don't get me wrong I go back every year and take the kids since it close by, but only because when you get free tickets and or discounted tickets why not, and only on slow days.I cant say it enough times Don't go on crowed days...you will hate this place.

Skiing Conditions: 2 (5=CO, 4=VT, 3=Catskills)Facilities: 4 (Fairly well kept, friendly staff)Customer Svc: 1Overall Experience: 1The mountain itself is on par with what would be expected for this area, however you might spend more time waiting in line than actually on it...lotta people, not a lotta space (and I went on a weekday). Unfortunately the most memorable part of my day at Mtn Creek was after I was off the slopes. I wanted to grab a quick bite before heading home, so I parked my board in a rack and went into the main lodge. Did you catch my mistake yet? After about a half hour I came back out and my snowboard was gone...not misplaced, not in a different rack...stolen. The mistake was not coming to Mtn Creek with a lock.Now in a decade and a half of skiing and boarding all over the country I have to admit I’ve been careless about my equipment. I’ve never used a lock and never even thought to use a check-in service...but then again neither has anyone I’ve ever been with, and none of them has ever lost so much as glove. So maybe it’s not me? Anyway, I always use a lock now, I guess I should thank Mtn Creek for that. And it’s not fair to blame a resort for theft right...they didn’t steal anything, some other jerk did. Here’s the thing, I definitely blame the jerk, but in this case I hold the resort just as responsible. Why? Because they have done nothing to prevent it. After speaking to resort staff, Vernon NJ police, and two bus services that make weekly trips to Mtn Creek, it has been made very clear that no one should be surprised if their stuff gets stolen there...in the PD’s own words, "Mtn Creek keeps us very busy”. So with this reputation, what has Mtn Creek done to fix the problem? Good question. I’ve tried repeatedly to ask them but getting a response from them is not an easy task. They do have cameras...but they’re not used for security, they’re webcams placed further up the mountain so people can view the slope live online. My suggestion was to invest in (buy at radio shack) two more cameras for the ski rack area and parking lot area, and a couple ‘Monitored by Video’ signs. Seems pretty simple and just might help.Enough about my crazy ideas. If you’re wondering how Mtn Creek handled my situation, here’s a summary: They did not have any response at all until I contacted them repeatedly, then I received an email stating that their Public Safety division had been investigating my loss but I should fill out a lost and found report (in case that was missed in the investigation I guess?). That same message said “we promise to be back to you within 48 hours”. After 6 days I tried checking in (no response)...then 2 more days, another hey what’s up guys, then the next day as promised (plus or minus 168 hours) I got a reply. In that message the main theme was to avoid accountability of any kind...notable excerpts were; pointing the finger at society, claiming that every ski resort has the same problem, and somehow magically placing the blame back on the customer. Impressive.I can’t say I’d recommend Mtn Creek for skiing or snowboarding...unless you’re looking for a place to steal skis or snowboards, then you’ll find it quite accommodating.

I live in NJ and love the notion of a nearby ski mountain, but Mountain Creek just stinks. We caved in and decided to do a Triple Play this year which I give them a star for the great pricing. Since my childhood, they have made lot of positive changes to the resort, upgrading it and revamping it, building a a beautiful new lodge at the bottom. I really want to like Mountain Creek. I really want to have a convenient nearby ski resort. I TRIED, and it's just awful.TOO crowded. Beautiful new facilities that are very poorly maintained. The outdoor fire pit, for example, looks so pretty until you sit around it and can easily count all the nasty cigarette butts tossed in the faux "coals" at the base of the gas fueled fire. A. What sort of people litter like that, it's gross. B. Why doesn't the resort clean them out. Stupid detail, but it gives a lousy impression and it was just...dirty. Lodge is MUCH too small to serve the population, never any seats, overpriced food. Gross bathroom.The lodge, the mountain itself, all of it, is just SO overcrowded, it's nightmare. Rude people skiing slopes beyond their skill level, recklessly running others down. People just stopped in the middle of the slopes texting and getting in everyone's way...as if it isn't crowded enough. It's as if there are no rules and not a single person on that mountain has ever learned about ski etiquette. How about just basic manners? Pull over to fix your boot. Click your poles or signal to someone you are passing with a simple "on your right". Don't stop in the discharge lane of the chair lift. Don't run people over. Don't "catch air" on a green catwalk that is overcrowded with little kids. Where is the ski patrol? Where is the staff??The worst part about it are the lifts. The big "high speed" lift is actually a gondola-type "bucket", that you need to stand in. If you have little kids...just go home. Getting a 7 year old's skis on and off EVERY single time you make a run is a nightmare. Shoved inside a dangling basket, where you can't sit for minute to rest your legs, and where you are getting whacked in the head with everyones equipment is NO fun. It might not be so bad if the runs were longer. You must wrestle your skis off, bundle it all up for your sardine can ride to the top, strap everything back on again, in a huge crowd, for a 4 minute run to the bottom where you have to take your skis off again. It is so clearly designed for Boarders. Can we get a CHAIR lift please? The triple lift to the top was only open once during my three visits, and then it is so slow, and you can't access all the runs from there. REPLACE CABRIOLET! It is terrible!And I forgot to mention the obnoxious heavy metal music all over the place. Maybe that's why everyone seems so "edgy" and eager to knock people down. It just adds more fuel to the chaos.Mountain Creek. Booooooooooo.

This is hands down, the worst ski experience on the East Coast. Every year my brother convinces me to "try it again" and every year it seems to get worse. Never again. Mt Creek seems to attract the rudest, most arrogant, least skilled and most dangerous skiers and boarders around. This year an out of control boarder hit the back of my helmet with her board so hard i bit my tongue drawing blood. Who needs this crap? Is a little common courtsey too much to ask? There are too many other places to choose from. Buyer beware definitely applies here!

great place to staykim and the front staff excellent!! clean and fun!!!great for kids, adults getaway !!!

Please avoid. Complete waste of money.First day: Technical issue so all credit card terminal were down. The whole resort was "cash only" the entire day. Only one place where people could rent skis (all other places were down) so there was a line of about 3 hours to rent skis! Just crazy. The whole resort was total chaos. We gave up and could not ski the first day...Second day: We could rent the skis but when we got to the slops all ski lifts were down, except one! Bottom line my kid and I did that slope 3 times then we had to stop because the wait time at that lift that was still working was getting crazy.Not even mentioning the 500$/night run-down hotel room which is not even worse a "motel 6".I wish I could complain to Mountain Creek "Management" but I doubt there is any...Please do these guys a big favor and just avoid that place: They need a serious wake up call.Frankly towards the end of my stay I was even wondering if that place was safe.

Worst winter travel experience ever! Very inconvenient and low, low, low class place with highly unprofessional staff. Read all the fine print on their website before ordering tickets by phone, don't rely on information given by sales people, you will not get a refund, no matter why. On a scale from 1 to 5, this place gets 1 for all their services, "Mother Nature" gets 3 for the snow.

They could not care any less about their customers, very rude. Will not be returning, and I will make sure none of my friends visit the mountain as well. Be prepared to dedicate 2 hours to waiting in line for tickets and ski rentals.

Overall mountain is OK. Security staff is very unprofessional, intimidates and bullies minors... than ignores complaints and calls from parents.Unprofessional, acting like thugs: Jim Whealer and a gentleman by the name of Joey.Advise against getting annual pass - they can take it away, then simply refuse to talk to you. Difficult to find anyone accountable for the mess that is going on there.Hard to imagine that in our day and age, this is still happening, borderline (if not) illegal!

As you know, New Jersey isn't very mountainous, at least not good enough to have great skiing/snowboards slopes. I visited on a Tuesday, so I didn't experience crowdedness most reviewers complain about. Although about after 4:30PM, there seem to be in influx of visitors, kids and adults alike. My visit there was to learn how to snowboard, which is all I did. So at this time I cannot comment on anything else.I had a great time on my first day. My instructor (whose name I forget) was very helpful, nice and most importantly patient. Because it was my first time, I never left the training area (didn't feel comfortable with my skill to try the beginner slopes).My only complaint thus far, was about the training area. I believe it was a bit too steep. For someone who it's a first time on a board, I would prefer the hill to be a bit less steep, because it's hard to follow instructions when you're panicking about fast you're going.

Mountain creek is great for locals. You can beat $30 a lift ticket(if you get the triple play card). The bar can be pricy but the atmosphere rivals that of Vermont lodges. Beware of the weekends!!! Newbies come out in flocks and it hard to dodge skis that don't know what there doing! Weekdays are the best