Sugarbush Advice

[Mess]

Latest Plan is to Ski Mt. Ellen next Thursday $30 ticket, MRG Friday then Pico Saturday.  Is it worth paying full price $71to ski all Sugarbush or will Mt Ellen be enough for Intermediates and beginner trails for Family?  

[Ride Delaware ?]

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?

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

2 hours ago, Mess said:

Latest Plan is to Ski Mt. Ellen next Thursday $30 ticket, MRG Friday then Pico Saturday.  Is it worth paying full price $71to ski all Sugarbush or will Mt Ellen be enough for Intermediates and beginner trails for Family?  

Sugarbush is more of an expert mountain. If it’s intermediates stay south. There is literally one run from the summit of each mountain that is blue square and they are herb Routes. 

Edited March 14, 2019 by GrilledSteezeSandwich

[mbike-ski]

I’ll be up at the same time using Warren Miller vouchers, doing 2-3 days at sugarbush, hopefully  a day at MRG, maybe a tour or XCD if conditions permit.  Anyone know of any easy tours to check out? What’s their uphill polIcy? 

Moe you around and up for doing a tour with a newb?

 

Edited March 14, 2019 by mbike-ski

[Mess]

My wife and son are going with me.  My wife generally can ski any intermediate trail at Mount Snow/Could probably do any groomed diamond trail but does not like to push herself. 12 year old son can ski all groomed trails and some bumps(more advanced than wife).  I prefer to stay away from bumps.  I really need to get a lesson.

We have skied Mount Snow, Okemo, Bromley, Stratton, Killington and Pico for about the last 10 years. I only get to do the diamonds when wife is taking a break in Lodge.  We always look forward to one trip to Vermont.  Love the atmosphere.

Thanks

[Ride Delaware ?]

My wife and son are going with me.  My wife generally can ski any intermediate trail at Mount Snow/Could probably do any groomed diamond trail but does not like to push herself. 12 year old son can ski all groomed trails and some bumps(more advanced than wife).  I prefer to stay away from bumps.  I really need to get a lesson.
We have skied Mount Snow, Okemo, Bromley, Stratton, Killington and Pico for about the last 10 years. I only get to do the diamonds when wife is taking a break in Lodge.  We always look forward to one trip to Vermont.  Love the atmosphere.
Thanks

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.

[moe ghoul]

3 hours ago, mbike-ski said:

I’ll be up at the same time using Warren Miller vouchers, doing 2-3 days at sugarbush, hopefully  a day at MRG, maybe a tour or XCD if conditions permit.  Anyone know of any easy tours to check out? What’s their uphill polIcy? 

Moe you around and up for doing a tour with a newb?

 

IF you make it up to Smuggs, we can tour

[Mess]

Are most of the Intermediates groomed?  Intermediates similar to Pocono Diamonds?

Edited March 14, 2019 by Mess

[Johnny Law]

Rhus Ovata or Sugarbush is an evergreen shrub to small tree that grows in chaparral in dry canyons and south-facing slopes below 1300 m in Southern California, Arizona and Baja California. Rhus ovata ranges in height from 2–10 m (6.6–32.8 ft) and it has a rounded appearance. The twigs are thick and reddish in color. Its foliage consists of simple, dark green, leathery, ovate leaves that are folded along the midrib. The leaf arrangement is alternate.

It blooms in April and May, and its inflorescences which occur at the ends of branches consist of small, 5-petaled, flowers that appear to be pink, but upon closer examination actually have white to pink petals with red sepals. Additionally, the flowers may be either bisexual or pistillate. The fruit is a reddish, sticky drupe, and is small, about 6 – 8 mm in diameter.

Rhus ovata looks similar to Rhus integrifolia, but Rhus ovata can be distinguished by its leaves generally being folded rather than flat and more pointed than blunt as compared with the leaves of Rhus integrifolia.

The main Rhus ovata population range is from the central and Pacific region Baja California north into Pacific coastal Southern California, and also in the central Arizona region of the Mogollon Rim. Rhus ovata prefers well-drained soil in a sunny location, with little water once established, being a very drought-tolerant plant. It does not respond to formal boxed pruning well; however, as needed for wildfire fuel reduction or rejuvenation, occasional autumnal cutting, down to above the base crown, is done for new basal sprouting.

My advice would be to pick another plant or perhaps think about growing indoors, Sugarbush are not a good choice for our climate and growing season.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

When I see sugarbush it reminds me of a bush with a sweet flavor...better than stinky Tuna!!!

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

 

When I ride the castle rock chair at sugarbush I have the theme song to fraggle rock in my head..when on the heavens gate chair it reminds me of the heavens gate cult and sometimes I just as lib and sing the song, Do you you ski like I do..set to this song 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2019 by GrilledSteezeSandwich

[mbike-ski]

3 hours ago, moe ghoul said:

IF you make it up to Smuggs, we can tour

That certainly would be do-able, I'll PM you next week.

Mess if you want to PM me  your digits maybe we can do a run or beers

[mbike-ski]

could be some snow?! @Ride Delaware ? you around later this week? 

[mbike-ski]

‘‘‘Twas a good day

Morning groomers, afternoon spring bumps!


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[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

12 minutes ago, mbike-ski said:

‘‘‘Twas a good day

Morning groomers, afternoon spring bumps!


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Big pow day tomorrow!!!

[mbike-ski]

OMFG, what a day! Too tired and buzzed to write a report but will try to at some point


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[RidgeRacer]

Damn. So jealous of everyone up north right now

[Ride Delaware ?]

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.

[mbike-ski]

Yea man skiing tomorrow and Sunday. I need to hook up with the family mid morning but would be interested in a game plan to make the best out of the early am for some fresh tracks. I guess north is Ellen - we’re based out of Lincoln on the access rd some that might be tough, I’ll pm in any case

On to today, so sick! The reason we’re here is my oldest daughter has a friend with a place her so her and their peeps are here for the weekend and invited us up. We got or own place and this morning I dropped mrs snobunski off with them and Niko and I headed to MRG to check a box off my bucket list. Got their e a few minutes after opening a and headed for the single chair, maybe 3-4” dense by then, started with antelope and ran a bunch of stuff through glorious cream cheese bumps before I started sweating
like a pig and and lost viz with the gogs. Swapped lenses and worked the trails and woods skiers left of the single chair - paradise was roped off. gogs effed up again - fuck this shit getting me some of those fancy fan thingy’s NMSKI has! Snow is boot deep and drifting to knees up top and getting lighter.

Third goggle swap to Nikos spares, the kid has to eat which is the kiss of death fo me. Eat/beer and head back up and paradise I’d open so we hit it. I’m stoked (haha autocorrect but really soaked) to the bone and stiff as shit and tumble the first section, shit was DEEEEEEEP, ankle to thigh over rocks, moss and ice. I quickly get my shit together only to get separated from JR and get choked out in some steep(!) bramble, find a escape chute and let ‘em run to catch up with the kid. We’re hootin it up in the trees left of Moody’s when Jr catches a snow snake and takes a scary fall. I hoof up and get his skis and poles, seems to be ok but shakin up for sure. 3rd pair of gogs fucked though...

Jr wanted to sit down and check out his knee /ankle, I ran back to the car for another gog swap and watch a Honda lose his exhaust on the parking lot woo de doo formed in front of our car. Kid was toast so we called it at 1:45 - quality over quantity.

Met the mrs and kids at their place for beers and laughs, then dinner at mad taco. A top ten day for sho’


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[toast21602]

Awesome 😎 WTGAI!!!

[moe ghoul]

Timing is everything.

[NMSKI]

Sweet dude!

I’m the foggiest MF’er you’ve ever seen, these things will change the game and are worth every penny.

https://abom.com/goggles

[mbike-ski]

Sweet dude!

I’m the foggiest MF’er you’ve ever seen, these things will change the game and are worth every penny.

https://abom.com/goggles

Doing these for sure, today was so fun
Long lift lines do to wind holds but worth the wait, Lawson’s brewery and American flatbread FTW!


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[mbike-ski]

On 3/22/2019 at 8:31 PM, mbike-ski said:

Yea man skiing tomorrow and Sunday. I need to hook up with the family mid morning but would be interested in a game plan to make the best out of the early am for some fresh tracks. I guess north is Ellen - we’re based out of Lincoln on the access rd some that might be tough, I’ll pm in any case

On to today, so sick! The reason we’re here is my oldest daughter has a friend with a place her so her and their peeps are here for the weekend and invited us up. We got or own place and this morning I dropped mrs snobunski off with them and Niko and I headed to MRG to check a box off my bucket list. Got their e a few minutes after opening a and headed for the single chair, maybe 3-4” dense by then, started with antelope and ran a bunch of stuff through glorious cream cheese bumps before I started sweating
like a pig and and lost viz with the gogs. Swapped lenses and worked the trails and woods skiers left of the single chair - paradise was roped off. gogs effed up again - fuck this shit getting me some of those fancy fan thingy’s NMSKI has! Snow is boot deep and drifting to knees up top and getting lighter.

Third goggle swap to Nikos spares, the kid has to eat which is the kiss of death fo me. Eat/beer and head back up and paradise I’d open so we hit it. I’m stoked (haha autocorrect but really soaked) to the bone and stiff as shit and tumble the first section, shit was DEEEEEEEP, ankle to thigh over rocks, moss and ice. I quickly get my shit together only to get separated from JR and get choked out in some steep(!) bramble, find a escape chute and let ‘em run to catch up with the kid. We’re hootin it up in the trees left of Moody’s when Jr catches a snow snake and takes a scary fall. I hoof up and get his skis and poles, seems to be ok but shakin up for sure. 3rd pair of gogs fucked though...

Jr wanted to sit down and check out his knee /ankle, I ran back to the car for another gog swap and watch a Honda lose his exhaust on the parking lot woo de doo formed in front of our car. Kid was toast so we called it at 1:45 - quality over quantity.

Met the mrs and kids at their place for beers and laughs, then dinner at mad taco. A top ten day for sho’


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Video edit from Jr's GoAmatuer (Motion Sickness Warning!)

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2019 by mbike-ski

[Ride Delaware ?]

I’m less active on PASR more than ever, but if you’re back up in VT this year, give me a heads up. My schedule will be limited again, but I’d love to take some runs. That goes for anybody who is up in North Central VT.