Ride Delaware ?

Looks like the snow line was just north of Sugarbush this year. We faired OK, but we only logged 240” or so. Smuggs is an hour north as the crow flies when the pass isn’t closed, and they logged close to 400”...

Didn’t they shut down the runout due to the low parts of the mountain coaster? That was my favorite section of that trail. I felt like I was on a Camelback style boardercross for a turn or two.

They more or less got rid of the Bactrian off the Stevenson to make way for the mountain coaster. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but it had some really fun curvy turns at the bottom that added some length and variety. Glad to see them make a new one similar to it.

Awesome to see PA still going strong this late in the season for them. I rode April 10 one year at CB during the free as many times as you want Alien Invaders extravaganza. Think CB will push past this weekend Root? Might have my wife bring my boots home lol

I totally checked out of this thread. Sorry I missed it. MBike, are you up tomorrow? I’ll be patrolling over at North again bright and early. I was at North today patrolling and it was stellar. Got first tracks on Hammerhead and Looking Good. Snow was wet, but much less wet at the top. 10” at base and 14” at top seems accurate as of closing. Also got to do some patrol research in Exterminator Woods and Bravo Woods. Basically got 2nd tracks in both, which means fresh tracks on half the turns. Unfortunately, North lost power at 11 and it never came back on. We were done sweep at 1:15. Tomorrow morning should be stellar again as it is already starting to snow again and we are expecting another 8”. MBike, send me a PM if you’re expecting to be at North at all tomorrow. If I can take a run, I’d like to meet up.

Just a little more information. Generally speaking, we don’t believe in grooming black diamonds at Sugarbush. We believe diamonds by definition have bumps. That being said, they will groom Stein’s, Ripcord, and Organgrinder at South on occasion, and very very rarely FIS at North.

Who is this guy?

Well... Being that I patrol at Sugarbush, I may be able to lend some insight. Furthermore, as a volunteer patroller, I have the ability to choose which mountain I patrol at, and I exclusively choose Sugarbush North. That being said, here are my thoughts on North as a “family” mountain. While $30 is a great deal, and we have lots of people who take advantage of it, the one thing North lacks is beginner terrain. The majority of the true beginner terrain is off of the Sunny Q lift, but it is really only Crackerjack. Graduation and Sugar Run are labeled as beginner runs, but Sugar Run has terrain features on it, and Graduation is typically ungroomed. If we head up the I, which likely won’t be open on Thursday, which means you would have to take GMX then traverse across Northway, Walt’s and Semi Tough are both labeled as green, but once again are ungroomed. If you go up GMX, the only green is North Star, which is a perfect green trail. However, lower North Star has a pretty steep pitch that throws beginners for a loop. Main Stream is a much mellower green trail, but all traffic funnels down it so it can get icy. Cruiser and Which Way are both off GMX as well, and are labeled Blue, but they are both mellow. I would rate them between a green and blue. They can both easily be skied by a lower level intermediate. If you decide to go up Summit or North Ridge, the only semi-green run that is labeled a blue along the lines of Which Way and Cruiser, is Rim Run. It has some pitches near the end, but overall is mellow. Looking good is also a good intermediate trail. I would only label it a blue because of consistent pitch and the lift towers. Elbow is also off North Ridge, but it is solidly in the intermediate category. Overall, I would say that South gives you more overall options for true beginners, but if you ski/ride at a low intermediate level, then you can enjoy yourself at North. How many in your crew and what level skiers/riders are they?

It’s a fairly common practice for those resorts that still offer comps to visiting employees to receive a donation [emoji16]

Maybe. If I can remember the days...

You should have stopped in the patrol shack Kyle. I haven’t been up much this season, but I was up last weekend hanging out at Summit Saturday and Sunday. Conditions were good. Woods were good. Coverage darn near perfect. Reks is an awesome little bar. Dino is awesome. The Notorious P.I.G. is a killer sandwich...

Unfortunately, I’ve heard that is a pretty common reaction to volunteering at non-profits in Vermont. These people love the non-profit and the mission so much, that they just miss the point that it isn’t your job. It’s a hobby and you need to enjoy it. You’re doing it to help other people and the overall mission, not your personal ego. I have friends that have been treated the same way at a mountain biking club that creates and maintains trails in the MRV. Seems to force out all of the competent volunteers so that the incompetent ones can boost their ego and not accomplish things half as quickly or do the job half as well.

I’ll have to see when I last updated them. I may not have much to add... I haven’t been out since MLK.

My power has flickered twice, but damn is it windy...

I’m back in VT this weekend, so it looks like I timed that one right...

Is that snowmaking on an open trail in PA? What?

If they were somehow able to build their own little “village” with all the amenities they need, I’m sure they would do quite well. They could sell ski/water park packages, weddings, and have their own pretty decent restaurant. Nobody would need to leave unless they wanted to. I could see some people going to the casino, but who would go into the A?

My guess is they went the surcharge route so that they don’t have to “raise” lift ticket prices or change all their flyers/pricing boards. That way they can drop it easily if their complaints somehow get addressed. Still crappy and nobody else’s problem then their own, but that’s probably the reasoning I would take.

There are plenty of hotels down here with buses that go to the reception sites. My point is that shouldn’t make or break them using it as a wedding venue. However, I am sure that they would be able to sell hotel rooms in bunches if it ever got built.

Although, it’s only a 20 minute drive to hotels on 145 and people drive a lot further than that for wedding receptions down here...

I don’t disagree. I just think that all these little issues with CB and their operating procedures degrade its popularity, especially with hardcore skiers and riders to the point where it can’t even be considered to be the best.

The terrain looks heavenly, but that is some of the worst riding I’ve seen in some of the best powder I’ve seen...

I have also started doing this at some of the lower end hotels I stay at. I mostly aim for mid grade well known chain hotels, but sometimes even they are a bit run down. Haven’t seen any yet, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Hogwash. Just start skiing bumps whenever you have the chance. Even if it is just the edge of Barney’s where you can hop back onto the groomed surface. Bump skiing is just like tree skiing except without the trees. It really comes down to learning your quick turns and hop turns. Once you get into the woods for real, you’ll never want to hit groomers again.

Looks like a great early season day. How was the gondola and the new t2b route over the ski bridge? I definitely want to get back there, just don’t know if it will be this season. I always end up at Plattekill on a good snow day when I’m in the Catskillz.