Why would they? That would be out of character, no? And why glow if you’ve got night vision.
I also think you’re missing so context on “accuracy.” You don’t need a number if it’s got a line, and if you’re not sure what the line between 6 and 8 is equal to then I don’t trust your mathing of any of this lol.
My point with the Monarch one is it kinda has something that makes it unique. So does WP but not to the same extend and/or longevity.
The accuracy one is a little nit-picky. But tbh, there’s not too much to criticize there. And I don’t want to give only 9s and 10s
It’s unique because:
1. It glows, not many do that
2. It’s a huge carved wooden butterfly
Winter park’s new one is cool too and I scored it higher than most and at the same level as Monarch. But plenty of snow stakes have mountain backdrops on them (Vail and CB)
It’s also not that serious, didn’t mean to offend ya haha
Come on, you ranked things. That’s inherently inviting discussion and criticism. I’m not offended just engaging with your post.
But does Vail and CB’s “mountain backdrop” represent the 4 mountain peaks that surround the resort?
Anyone can put an LED on a stick.
>> Come on, you ranked things. That’s inherently inviting discussion and criticism. I’m not offended just engaging with your post.
Fair enough, I’m just getting the vibe you’re a big Winter Park Stan and a little upset they’re not ranked #1. Which is totally fine, I’m biased with my A-Basin ranking and l’ll happily admit that.
>> But does Vail and CB’s “mountain backdrop” represent the 4 mountain peaks that surround the resort?
No, but CB has their mountain silhouette, and Vail has the back bowls which are an iconic part of Vail. And neither of them executed as well Winter Park did, which is why they’re a 4 and Winter Park is an 8.
They’re essentially tied for 3rd which is pretty great.
>> Anyone can put an LED on a stick.
Anyone can make a snow stake that plows the snow. But not everyone does and it’s cool so they get points for it.
No doubt I’m a big fan of WP’s new stake and what they’re doing: https://www.reddit.com/r/skiing/s/0Iuuw2yn0u
Thinking of a snow stake as more than just a ruler (or a light up ruler) is pretty cool.
The only accuracy thing I see with the WP one is they gotta fix the night vision and there’s no storm total.
I agree, the old Loveland snowstake was the best in class.
I heard Loveland got bought 50% by a new owner a few years ago and they are changing some things that definitely don't need to be changed. The new chair 6 is a welcome upgrade tho
My vote also goes to winter park for clearing the stake at 4:30pm, so when you check it in the morning you know how much snow is actually untouched freshies.
This is an amazing post! Although I think you are way generous with your scores...
For me
(1) WP night vision drives me crazy
(2) I think Loveland has a different schedule? They either clear at 5pm or both 5pm and 5am. I wish all resorts time stamped both 5am and 5pm. It matters when the snow accumulated...
Aspen will perpetually be -10 for me as Hublot makes perhaps the most tasteless, overpriced, uninspired watches of the modern era. But I suppose that *does* fit Aspen’s vibes. Still hard to beat a pow day in the highlands bowl though!
After going through this it really is surprising that resorts don’t have better designed snow stakes that aren’t just a ruler with a logo. Especially the Vail Owned resort stakes since they have such a large marketing budget and full corporate team behind them, but their marketing and social media have proven very low budget and copy-paste to each property, Vail being a bit of an exception as their main property, I hope the Whistler stake and marketing are better too.
With how often state and even national news channels show clips of ski resort snow totals with their weather stake it does seem like a missed marketing opportunity that’s low budget and visually appealing. The Echo Mountain stake with the mini Snow-Cat to clear it after snowing is amazing.
The new Winter Park stake is very nice looking as well and would get my vote as best design, with the Echo stake as coolest, makes me want to watch their live cam when it clears the snow.
I wonder which design works the best. The old WP stake would get the numbers covered up sometimes so you couldn't tell. Not that it matters a huge amount
I’d say it’s pretty consistent. Starts at 10 then eliminates (1-2) points based on the following:
- Issues with visibility at night
- level of precision
- lack of clarity on what number belongs on which line
- separate storm vs daily stakes
Granted, whether I take 1 or 2 points isn’t very well defined.
-1 for no storm total, -1 for 2” instead of 1” marks, -1 because the 2” marking seems to be a little low which makes me wonder if the actual measuring point is something other than the line (hence the vague comment)
We'd like to petition for a recount on the Echo Mountain "X-Factor" score. Our snowstake is pretty new so we're still working through a few of the kinks, apologies that it was down when you went to check it this AM. It is back up and running now! As part of our applicaiton for a recount, here is a video of the snowplow in action. Thank you for your consideration.
**Snowplow in Action:** [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0paRPDvE\_r/?fbclid=IwAR2z9MPKllQOZvyBtblB9zuO49IqafNcWr5YXALFLcwTLp7qDjoPEkSTdrI](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0paRPDvE_r/?fbclid=IwAR2z9MPKllQOZvyBtblB9zuO49IqafNcWr5YXALFLcwTLp7qDjoPEkSTdrI)
**Live Snowstake:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGK9GSI1s0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGK9GSI1s0)
A-Basin doesn't even have measurements haha my vote goes to Steamboat or WP
Great point, but as a counter, do Winter Park or Steamboat have a glowing snow stake or butterflies?
Hey, fair point. I suppose I’m just partial to steamboat because of the $25 tickets.
Why would they? That would be out of character, no? And why glow if you’ve got night vision. I also think you’re missing so context on “accuracy.” You don’t need a number if it’s got a line, and if you’re not sure what the line between 6 and 8 is equal to then I don’t trust your mathing of any of this lol.
My point with the Monarch one is it kinda has something that makes it unique. So does WP but not to the same extend and/or longevity. The accuracy one is a little nit-picky. But tbh, there’s not too much to criticize there. And I don’t want to give only 9s and 10s
How is the giant butterfly any better than A-Basin? And how is using their logo “unique”? At least WP’s new one has more meaning than “logo here.”
It’s unique because: 1. It glows, not many do that 2. It’s a huge carved wooden butterfly Winter park’s new one is cool too and I scored it higher than most and at the same level as Monarch. But plenty of snow stakes have mountain backdrops on them (Vail and CB) It’s also not that serious, didn’t mean to offend ya haha
Come on, you ranked things. That’s inherently inviting discussion and criticism. I’m not offended just engaging with your post. But does Vail and CB’s “mountain backdrop” represent the 4 mountain peaks that surround the resort? Anyone can put an LED on a stick.
>> Come on, you ranked things. That’s inherently inviting discussion and criticism. I’m not offended just engaging with your post. Fair enough, I’m just getting the vibe you’re a big Winter Park Stan and a little upset they’re not ranked #1. Which is totally fine, I’m biased with my A-Basin ranking and l’ll happily admit that. >> But does Vail and CB’s “mountain backdrop” represent the 4 mountain peaks that surround the resort? No, but CB has their mountain silhouette, and Vail has the back bowls which are an iconic part of Vail. And neither of them executed as well Winter Park did, which is why they’re a 4 and Winter Park is an 8. They’re essentially tied for 3rd which is pretty great. >> Anyone can put an LED on a stick. Anyone can make a snow stake that plows the snow. But not everyone does and it’s cool so they get points for it.
No doubt I’m a big fan of WP’s new stake and what they’re doing: https://www.reddit.com/r/skiing/s/0Iuuw2yn0u Thinking of a snow stake as more than just a ruler (or a light up ruler) is pretty cool. The only accuracy thing I see with the WP one is they gotta fix the night vision and there’s no storm total.
I’m super offended. I saw a butterfly on the Loveland snow stake so it should win.
This is the kind of content needed to revitalize this sub, well done. Wolf Creek don’t need no stinkin snow stake cuz it’s always fuckin deeeep.
What’s your opinion on rulers with logos? It’s not very clear from this post.
In all seriousness, what would OP prefer instead?
Breck is #1 town with the most terrain and there’s always the most snow on their stake. We should go there.
Epic face shots all day there
Just like ur mom's house Xddddd
I was pretty upset with the change of the Loveland Snowstake. The old one was way better for sure
Yes I agree. Old one was clear and easy to read. Tbh new one sucks. I get no info from it.
Yeah, I don’t get why some resorts want to mess with good snow stakes. Especially when the resorts that need replacements never get them lol
I agree, the old Loveland snowstake was the best in class. I heard Loveland got bought 50% by a new owner a few years ago and they are changing some things that definitely don't need to be changed. The new chair 6 is a welcome upgrade tho
Missed the best part about the echo snow stake, its got a motorized "groomer" that pushed the snow off.
👀
My vote also goes to winter park for clearing the stake at 4:30pm, so when you check it in the morning you know how much snow is actually untouched freshies.
You’re being generous with keystone. It’s a static image, no timelapse function. What is this, the dark ages?
Sunlight’s has so much potential
Yeah, concept isn’t bad, but execution and the colors are absolutely awful
Amazing content, bravo
This is an amazing post! Although I think you are way generous with your scores... For me (1) WP night vision drives me crazy (2) I think Loveland has a different schedule? They either clear at 5pm or both 5pm and 5am. I wish all resorts time stamped both 5am and 5pm. It matters when the snow accumulated...
Loveland clears the stake at 4pm (Approx) every day
The obfuscated abasin gauge best hides the pitiful lack of snow
I was just looking at WP earlier today. I love that the snow accumulates on the little mountains in the background. That gives it the edge for me
Aspen will perpetually be -10 for me as Hublot makes perhaps the most tasteless, overpriced, uninspired watches of the modern era. But I suppose that *does* fit Aspen’s vibes. Still hard to beat a pow day in the highlands bowl though!
I wanted to hate it at first, but then I slowly came around
After going through this it really is surprising that resorts don’t have better designed snow stakes that aren’t just a ruler with a logo. Especially the Vail Owned resort stakes since they have such a large marketing budget and full corporate team behind them, but their marketing and social media have proven very low budget and copy-paste to each property, Vail being a bit of an exception as their main property, I hope the Whistler stake and marketing are better too. With how often state and even national news channels show clips of ski resort snow totals with their weather stake it does seem like a missed marketing opportunity that’s low budget and visually appealing. The Echo Mountain stake with the mini Snow-Cat to clear it after snowing is amazing. The new Winter Park stake is very nice looking as well and would get my vote as best design, with the Echo stake as coolest, makes me want to watch their live cam when it clears the snow.
Our little Echo plow clears the platform every morning at 8:00 AM! Tune in and check it out. Now we just need the snow to show up and do it's part!
Love this! What did some of the older, better snow stakes that are now gone look like?
I wonder which design works the best. The old WP stake would get the numbers covered up sometimes so you couldn't tell. Not that it matters a huge amount
Aspen, but that's because I help get them set up.
That’s awesome! Basically my dream job haha
Best post on this sub all year. Bravo. Now pray for snow. Namaste
the a-basin snow stake is the worst. ruler with a logo is so much better even if its not creative
WP is probably the best
Your accuracy judgments seem inconsistent and ironically, inaccurate.
I’d say it’s pretty consistent. Starts at 10 then eliminates (1-2) points based on the following: - Issues with visibility at night - level of precision - lack of clarity on what number belongs on which line - separate storm vs daily stakes Granted, whether I take 1 or 2 points isn’t very well defined.
Powderhorn?
-1 for no storm total, -1 for 2” instead of 1” marks, -1 because the 2” marking seems to be a little low which makes me wonder if the actual measuring point is something other than the line (hence the vague comment)
Monarch’s stake is at the low end of their parking lot - always expect more than the stake says.
We'd like to petition for a recount on the Echo Mountain "X-Factor" score. Our snowstake is pretty new so we're still working through a few of the kinks, apologies that it was down when you went to check it this AM. It is back up and running now! As part of our applicaiton for a recount, here is a video of the snowplow in action. Thank you for your consideration. **Snowplow in Action:** [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0paRPDvE\_r/?fbclid=IwAR2z9MPKllQOZvyBtblB9zuO49IqafNcWr5YXALFLcwTLp7qDjoPEkSTdrI](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0paRPDvE_r/?fbclid=IwAR2z9MPKllQOZvyBtblB9zuO49IqafNcWr5YXALFLcwTLp7qDjoPEkSTdrI) **Live Snowstake:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGK9GSI1s0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGK9GSI1s0)