Mountain Improvements summer 07

[ERJ-145CA]

If I'm not mistaken Belleayre is supposed to be replacing the discovery (lower) lodge during the summer but I haven't seen anything about it on their website.

[adamti91]

No chance they rebuild the lodge this year, and I have no idea why they are rebuilding the lodge less people use. Use the money to buy Highmount, or cut some trails, or replace 7, or Tomahawk, or something that acutally will make the mountain more interesting to ride.

[trusty]

Just diving in bc I can't find the answer to this, so sorry if I am repeating something -
has anyone seen Gore? We drove up a few weeks ago, and it seems the are trying to
rebuild at least the lodge.

And ... for, anyone who has skiied Gore, how does it compare to southern VT skiing or why Gore is so ignored on everyone's fave list? Never skiied there, so I'd love to know the deal.

[kcyanks1]

Originally Posted by trusty

Just diving in bc I can't find the answer to this, so sorry if I am repeating something -
has anyone seen Gore? We drove up a few weeks ago, and it seems the are trying to
rebuild at least the lodge.

And ... for, anyone who has skiied Gore, how does it compare to southern VT skiing or why Gore is so ignored on everyone's fave list? Never skiied there, so I'd love to know the deal.

I'd say it has steeper and more interesting terrain than Okemo, Stratton, and Bromley. I haven't skied at Mt. Snow. It gets less snow than the Okemo area. Not sure how much snow Stratton, Bromley, or Mt. Snow average. The steep portions of the runs are short. When it has snow, it has some nice glades and lift-lines. It doesn't get as much snow as central-northern VT though, so you can't reliably have the glades open even mid-season. They also groom too much on the trails.

Overall I would place it above southern VT places I've been too (I'll exclude Magic which I have been too but only once and not enough was open for me to make a fair comparison). But I prefer any area in VT that I have been too north of and including Killington.

One reason why it doesn't get much attention here is that for people who live in CT or MA, it's easier or just as easy to go to VT. For those of us in NY Gore is a somewhat shorter ride than central VT, but if it's going to be a weekend trip anyways, the extra time to central or northern VT is often worth it.

[millerm277]

Also, Blue Mtn in PA is finishing up the new intermediate trail between Razor's Edge and Paradise, and it's supposed to be ready for the start of the season.

[takeahike46er]

Originally Posted by trusty

Just diving in bc I can't find the answer to this, so sorry if I am repeating something -
has anyone seen Gore? We drove up a few weeks ago, and it seems the are trying to
rebuild at least the lodge.

Between Gore and Whiteface there is a LOT happening at NY's state-owned areas.

Gore '07-'08:

BURNT RIDGE
Gore starts cutting new trails that are slated to open December 2008. Five new trails, totaling approximately six miles. This new terrain will increase our vertical drop to 2,300 feet and add about 60 acres of skiing, with a blend of intermediate and expert terrain serviced by a high-speed quad.

NEW LEARNING CENTER
The old gondola building is being transformed into a new Learning Center. This new area will house the Kids Klub children's program, daycare, and rentals.

BETTER BASE LODGE
The addition of the Learning Center and relocation of several services to there means a much more spacious Base Lodge... more lockers and storage space.

SKI BOWL START-UP
A new triple chairlift at the North Creek Ski Bowl, servicing a terrain park with half-pipe.

INCREASED SNOWMAKING
More snow than last season through increased capacity and efficiency.

In addition, another new groomer (the fourth in just three seasons) will offer an even stronger fleet.

MORE PARKING
An additional parking lot for the 07/08 season .

Originally Posted by trusty

And ... for, anyone who has skiied Gore, how does it compare to southern VT skiing or why Gore is so ignored on everyone's fave list? Never skiied there, so I'd love to know the deal.

Kcyanks did a good job summing up Gore.

I find it to be a better mountain than anything in S.Vermont (including Magic). On most days I prefer it to Killington because the crowds and lines are minimal, and the runs have more character. When there is snow it ranks up there with the coveted Northern Vermont areas (although it falls short in a few areas). The snow isn't as consistent in quality or abundance as those in N. Vermont so bypassing Gore in between significant snowfalls can pay off, especially when Northern Vermont is getting hammered with clippers.

Gore is ignored on fave lists for a variety of reasons. Kcyanks pointed out some good reasons. I'd add that Gore lacks significant nearby lodging, and the majority that is there is fairly spartan when compared Southern Vermont. For that reason, the mountain is primarily a day-trip mountain for those living in the Capital district. With all the investment taking place in North Creek, this could change in the coming years.

[bigbog]

Originally Posted by ski_resort_observer

...........It's ironic that even tho people have complained about how crowded the new Gatehouse Lodge is they still have no interest in walking the extra steps to use the Valley House Lodge which was open during busy weekends/holidays. Go figure.

Same old story....people who don't enjoy the exercise....don't go for the exercise.....

[ts01]

Originally Posted by MarkC

Plattekill is making some snowmaking improvements. They put in air / water piping up the upper face and ordered some new tower guns to phase out some of the older fan guns. There will also be a few more tower guns going in on the old t-bar line on northface. Powder Puff is getting some more snowmaking pipe to connect the bottom half to the top half. There is also a lot of cutting and cleaning up the sides of trails that have overgrown in the past few years. Also rumor has it that there is a winch cat on the way that can make it up blockbuster. This will help to keep a more consistent surface on the steeps.

Happy to hear they're ramping up the snowmaking, I'd love to see them open more. And snowmaking on northface would be great, just having upper / lower face for manmade is not enough.

So, all good news .. up to a point. That point being a winchcat on blockbuster. You're kidding right? That's such a good bump run ... I'd rather bang up the bases than have a consistent surface.

[JPTracker]

Jay has applied for the ACT 250 permit for their Tram house renovation and expansion.

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/site/cfm/...l.cfm?ID=23569

All the plans and layouts for the new lodge are on the web site. If they get the permit approved then I think they will be breaking ground this fall.