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Hidden Valley

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Ski-Team - 02/07/2007, 06:36 AM

The Hidden Valley Ski Resort is located in Vernon, New Jersey, about an hour away from where I live. It has 3 lifts and is open from December till March. Its trails include 1 circle (beginner slope), 2 or 3 squares (intermediate slopes) and about 2 or 3 diamonds (advanced slopes). I went there a few days ago as part of my school ski club, and I enjoyed it very much (this is only my 3rd time skiing in 2 years). Even though I am still a beginner, my friends persuaded me to go with them down all the slopes (which usually ended up being face-first). Besides many bumps a bruises, the good thing I got out of going down them is now I can explain the ski resort more thoroughly instead of just talking about the bunny hill. Hidden Valley can be explained as a resort you would go to to learn how to ski or snowboard, but would never return once you become an intermediate. Their diamonds are like most intermediate slopes you’ll find in Vermont and even New York. I quote my friend, “I can’t believe I’m back at Hidden Valley-the worst hill in New Jersey!” My friends have been skiing for 5-7 years and the only reason they came was watch me fall (don’t I have the kindest friends?) and try out some new ski rentals. Judging from my friends’ point of view, they weren’t too pleased with the mountain, but I had fun skiing and tumbling down the hills. Slope Conditions When I first arrive at a mountain, I try out the easiest hill first, just so I can get back into skiing, and get the feel of what the snow is like. Since it was still early in the season, some trails were closed off due to grooming (smoothing out the snow). The snow on the circle trail was great-not too soft and not too hard. At the top of the mountain though, I found the snow to be harder, thus making it more difficult for me to stop and turn (I’m no ski expert, but for me the harder the snow, the harder it is to ski on). My friends handled it fine though-they had no complaints. It could also have been because the grooming machine had not reached the summit of the mountain yet. As an overall rating on slope conditions, I’d give a 8/10 Slope Difficulty Even though I’m a beginner, I’ll try to explain the difficulty from a more general point of view, so it doesn’t matter what the reader’s skill level is. Based on how my experienced friends described the mountain, I’d say this is not a resort for a skilled-intermediate skier and above. One of my friends was on a snowboard for the first time, and made it down the two square trails without much difficulty. As for me, I found them difficult, but not impossible. My number one problem is stopping. In order to stop after coming down a moderately steep hill, I turn my skis sideways, lose my balance, and tumble the rest of the way hoping I won’t crash into something. For a beginner like me, I’d give the difficulty a 7.5/10. Expert skiers and some intermediate skiers should not even bother coming, because you’ll get board within the first half-hour. Cleanliness and Food The lodge was very clean, and there was no mess at all on the tables or anywhere. Even the bathrooms were nice and tidy. I would give this category a perfect rating, but the food selection and quality weren’t the best. First, the selection was limited to fries, soup, salad, nachos w/ cheese, and a burger. Of course, the prices were ridiculously high (an apple, plate of pasta, and soup cost 8 bucks-without a drink which was another $1.50), as in most ski resorts. My main complaint about the food though was the quality (I’m talking health-wise). The only health foods they had were apples, pears, and a garden salad. I didn’t buy the salad because I didn’t want to be hungry later, so I took the next best thing, which was noodles and tomato sauce. I must admit the pasta was quite tasty, and the clam chowder was probably the best I’ve tasted (it was just too salty). Combining the food and cleanliness of the lodge, I’d give it a 7/10 Kindness of the staff Although I didn’t see much of the staff, there was one particular encounter with the ski patrol on which I can give a general rating. At one point I fell down and had a tough time getting back up. My friend decided to take my ski pole and take me all the way down a diamond face-first (it was actually kind of fun, besides all the snow in my pants and face). A while after we met up with the ski patrol, who asked me if I had been the maniac sliding down the hill face-first. I admittedly said yes and they broke out laughing. After we joked about the subject for a while, the two guys told me in very nice tone not try hills in which I cannot navigate. Bewildered that they had not taken my lift ticket for reckless skiing, I thanked them and went on my way. From this incident, I think the staff deserves a 9/10 for understanding we were just fooling around, and politely warning me not to do it again. Overall The bottom line for Hidden Valley is that it’s a great place to learn how to ski, but as soon as you can make it down the trails without falling once, you should never go back. I think I’ll be taking a few trips back and try to conquer those square and diamond trails without falling on my face. From a beginner’s point a view, I’d give Hidden Valley an 8/10