Ride Delaware ?

I usually don't do multi day trip reports, but since it's just one trail, I figured that I would. My girlfriend and I had decided 3 weeks ago when Sugarbush shut down, that we were going to try to get a couple more days in on this weekend. Despite warmer than average weather and a decent amount of rain, we were excited to have the chance to ride this weekend. Killington is open Fri-Sun, so I headed up a day early to ride on Friday. The GF would follow me a day later. The drive up Thursday was ridiculously hot and topped out at 99 degrees in several spots along the I-87 corridor. The temperature dropped to the mid 60's around Sugarbush due to a front moving in behind some Thunderstorms. Due to morning rain on Friday, I didn't rush out, and went to see my friend who is running the cafe at the Warren/Sugarbush airport. Around 11:30 I headed down to Killington. It was 73 in the parking lot. I remembered my pass this time, and I got my lift ticket for $32. I talked to a guy in the parking lot that said it was good that I had come late. He said it was terrible just an hour earlier. The 90 degree temps had melted the snow down to the ice and the fog created terrible visibility. The first thing to tell, is that the riding was not ski on/off. In order to preserve the snowpack, they decided not to waste the snow for load/unload ramps. Therefore, a small hike was required at both the top and bottom. The top was about 50' from the snow surface, while the bottom was about 100'. The surface on Friday was pleasant enough, but it was mostly shaved ice on top of a giant ice block. The ticket salesman said 130 people had been scanned when I arrived at 1, but that number is incredibly inaccurate since they hardly scan anyone. The trail still had good coverage and limited bare spots. As the day went on, it got much chillier and windier. I finished 8 runs in 2 hours and called it a day. There were still some people tailgating, but the parking lot was mostly empty. Overall, not a bad day to get back at it.

I saw that when I was up there earlier this season with OutCold. Considering they let the other one disintegrate, I was shocked they would build a new one, especially with the new mountain coaster, which seems to be the modern day replacement for these. They were pretty smart to base it out of the hotel this time around. Makes everything there more integral and easily accessible. On the topic of insurance... I don't know if CB has separate insurance policies for summer activities and winter, but our risk management rep basically told us that there were only 3 companies nationwide that would touch ski resorts. Really limits the options.

I think it would still be similar. There are some guys from the mid-A on there, but the majority are definitely New Englanders. Your posts would get lots of likes from the Catskills north...

I wonder if PASR struggles because of the relative lameness of the PA skiing scene. There's very little diversity between posters when it comes to the mountains we go to. Most of the PA skiers/riders frequent Blue and are diehard fans. If you aren't, you get beaten with a stick until you leave or comply. Those of us who are long time posters that aren't in PA, have moved to different areas. People don't seem to enjoy other mountains or want to try them. On AZ, there's a lot of respect for other mountains. Also, PA doesn't do anything new and different. It's hard to talk about new lines in the woods or powder dumps from spot to spot. There's hardly any mountain upgrades. It's just a whole different animal. It's even hard to have an in depth conversation on some New England mountains because it reverts to GSS hating on everything that isn't Stowe or maybe Sugarbush on a good day. Overall, it just seems difficult to connect in mountain by mountain conversation because of so many different views and so few shared mountain experiences or shared love for a mountain.

I don know when that was taken, but I'm going to venture early season last year since the new quad is in. We operate late season off the valley house, not Super Bravo. However, the closing day setup looked similar. The Waffle House has been down by the Gate House lodge near the Gate House Express since I have been there, which has been 4 years. My understanding is that they took out a sizable loan in addition to that. However, the EB-5 money is classified as an investment, not a loan. Therefore, it doesn't have priority over a bank foreclosure and doesn't HAVE to be repaid. Therefore, they could use that money as a down payment of sorts to start the project and use that to make the project more feasible for the bank.

It's $500k in certain geographic areas characterized by poverty, but still the equivalent of 10 full time jobs. Jay and Sugarbush both qualified under that I believe. Sugarbush only took $40m (?) I think. Win has been very forthcoming and said that half of them have been paid off, and as they sell condo units in Rice Brook (sold out) and Gadd Brook, that he would pay off more. He also said that he can't figure out how Jay ever intended on paying back $450 m (appears they didn't intend to). He basically said that the program has its purpose and that he wouldn't have been able to do the base area renovation without it. He used that as part of his overall financing package. Luckily, he comes with a sound financial background and runs the mountain as such, even if we don't like all the moves he makes. Most approachable boss I've ever had. Stein's was rough. It poured last night, so I bet it's really rough now.

Some years we are t2b, it just depends on the snow year and late season weather. 2 years ago we were t2b on 17 trails with wall to wall coverage on May 7/8. The goal is to open the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and close the first weekend in May. Given that the last weekend in April was the 29/30 this year, they decided to get their May Day on the first. It was a good call, because we wouldn't have made it until next weekend. Lastly, say what you will about the fake farmhouse vibe, but Win saved the mountain. He runs it like a business. He cautiously took EB-5 money to build out the base and create a bed base. Without that new base area, we would be dead in the water. It may look cheesy, but it is nice and suits our needs well. I don't know how they operated out of just the Valley House for all those years.

Today was Cinco de Uno at Sugarbush, and subsequently was also closing day. I accomplished a long time goal of mine today and I have finally ridden in 8 calendar months in one year. I decided to patrol today in order to see some friends before we all disperse for the summer. Sugarbush opens weekdays at 10 during spring hours, so I got to sleep in. The weather was quite nasty when I woke up, and was a dreary combination of rain, fog, and wind. It rained heavily overnight, but was clearing up as I made my way to the mountain. The mountain had lost a ton of snow overnight, especially on Stein's. They had groomed Coffee Run, Snowball, and Spring Fling. I trail checked Stein's first thing, and found a trail barely holding on. There was mud in the troughs and some sections had to be shoveled to stay connected. It was sticky snow that hadn't had the chance to soften up. I then hit Snowball/Spring Fling and was treated to the complete opposite. Coverage was near perfect. The groomers put together a 12" deep track to Spring Fling, that still covered over 50% of the trail. There were no bare spots and it was clearly the run of the day. After taking a break via snowmobile at Allyn's Lodge, I headed over to finish some jobs before the mountain closed. Stein's, while thinner, had softened and was much more fun. Spring Fling had really corned up and was great hero snow. By the last run, we had stopped shoveling, the sun had come out, and a crowd had gathered at the top of the lift. Last chair came up and we all went down. There were some thin spots forming on Snowball, but there was too much fun to be had to complain. Solid end to a solid season.

Yellowfin's is awesome. Haven't gotten back there too often. So much stuff in Bethany to hit that it deters me from driving back there too often.

First... I live in the OCMD/DE Beaches area. Good on you for the summer gig. Second... had friends that stayed in Hatfield for a couple years. Easy commute for both. Fiber Optic internet. Hatfield butcher and packaging nearby. Competitive rent iirc.

When I logged my last day on closing day, April 2, at Mt. Ellen, I had hopes that my season wasn't over, but it seemed like it could be a stretch. Work has been busy and a quick warmup into spring seemed imminent. However, I lucked into my girlfriend being invited last minute to a wedding in Rutvegas, and I was able to work that into a couple extra days on the hill. My girlfriend has off Wednesdays, so I spent it with her before heading north to my condo at the Bush on Thursday. Sugarbush had run daily through the previous weekend, but they close midweek before opening one last weekend. That left me the option of Killington within easy driving distance. The weather looked very nasty in the morning, so I decided to sleep in and wait until the system moved out in the afternoon. The trip to the Killington base lodge takes just about an hour, and I made it about 12:30. They were reporting 8 trails open serviced by the Superstar lift, and there was a steady stream of people enjoying the trails. Luckily, there was no lift line. I got to the ticket window, where I paid $65 for my lift ticket. If I had my SP or lift ticket from another mountain, I could have gotten it half price, but I figured I didn't need any of that stuff at a different mountain, so I was SOL. I used it as a learning experience, and I will make sure to bring it next time. The day was gorgeous by the time I arrived. I was told that it was chilly, windy, and socked in with fog until about 11:30, so I timed it just right. It was sunny and 70. I had my leg vents open and wore a long sleeve T to combat the sun and slight breeze. The Superstar glacier is still in winter form. There was easily 12'-15' on the majority of the trail and it was obvious that no grooming had been necessary or occurred in awhile. However, there was a groomer parked at the top that had been pushing together the trail to Skye Lark, Bittersweet, and Skye Hawk. Both Skye Lark and Bittersweet still had plenty of coverage to get through the weekend. There was only one snirt spot that was getting thin. Otherwise, it was a perfect day for the corn harvest. Skye Hawk on the other hand, was on life support. Only about a third of the trail, skiers left was skiable at the top, and it funneled down to a small triangle that ended in a 3 foot bare spot to get on to Skye Lark. Superstar was glorious. There was corn aplenty, no bare spots, and huge bumps. Spring skiing doesn't get much better than this. There were some pushed together runouts for Skye Lark and Bittersweet, but after they close this weekend, im sure they will create the runout from Superstar to the Superstar Express. They left the slow control gate because of the intersection. There was some good beer drinking and tailgating going on. The parking lot was mostly empty because most people park on the edge of the road closest to the lift. Superstar easily has another 2 weekends in it. I don't think they will have any problems getting to the third weekend in May, but it will require some pushing at the usual "thin" spots. If you have a spare Friday, you can get 50% off with an SP or lift ticket. It's 25% off on weekends. You won't be disappointed.

Looks like lots of hurdles to overcome...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1417671865/the-camperbox-travel-and-sleep-in-your-car/description If only you had this 10 years ago Moe...

Looks good. I loved the spring day I had there. Looks like the same coverage as when I went about the same time 10 years ago.

I didn't want to get the flak that everyone usually sends my way when I say I'm going to CB. Went last minute with OutCold. Hotel is impressive. Ate lunch by the Stevenson in the hotel. Been up in VT past couple weeks. Hit Stowe, Jay, and the Bush. It was really good. 18" last Friday to close out North. Much better season than last year.

Always love hearing about Elk. I think I stay in the same hotel. Affordable and only about 30 minutes away if you drive like a maniac.

Looks like a blast. One day I'll make my return.

I bet Camelback generates more revenue. Between the hotel, indoor water park, outdoor water park, and skier visits. Stowe is a one trick pony. But it has some good development potential left...

I think Camelback was in the $40 million range, but this is still the steal of the century. I can quickly see this becoming an issue with increased season pass sales overcrowding Stowe. Lots of people who travel out west and visit VT often will jump on this. They won't want to lose these people after a year, so I could see them wanting to pick up another mountain to spread the "crowds". I wouldn't be surprised if we see them make a play on Jay/Burke...

I hardly ever go inside the main lodge. I've never been inside the lower lodge. I think I used the bathroom at Belleayre once... It was poorly managed by the DEC. Now that it's actually being run as a resort, with a real lift ticket price, it makes the deficiencies more obvious.

I'll be interested to see if this is some type of unwritten agreement for the massive development they have planned...

That's a cabriolet. No cabin...

It's not April fools, but it sure sounds like it. Massive lodge upgrades coming to Belleayre. Also, did I mention what might be The Northeasts most southern Gondola? https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-8-million-upgrades-belleayre-ski-resort

Mont Tremblant is on the list. Maybe if I venture back up in March.

Mont Sutton is the smallest at 1,470', but Mont Sainte Anne is 2,050', and Le Massif is 2,500'. Very comparable to many East Coast areas, and unlike Killington and Sunday River, the drop at MSA and Le Massif is continuous. Definitely worth checking out.