The "Sugarbush Thread"

[VTSkiBike]

I suspect Ikon didn't sell as many full access passes as past years so they need to cram more people into the resorts to buy food, booze, lessons, etc. on holiday weekends this year.

It's a bummer because holiday weekends at Sugarbush were suspiciously quiet last year.

 

[cdskier]

I’m sure there are a significant number of locals and homeowners who bought the full IKON primarily to ski Sugarbush. If I were one of those people I would justifiably be upset about the (now unnecessary) extra expense of going full IKON.

Exactly...if we want to ski SB on holidays, we have no choice other than to buy full Ikon. I don't think I've ever used more than 1 Ikon day at another resort per season (and some years it is 0). I probably should try to get to K/Pico more, but not always easy to convince myself to drive 1 hr vs 5 minutes.

Now all that said, there are also plenty of people that bought Base that won't be able to take advantage of this offer. My dad has a base pass and has no plans to ski early season. I'm sure he's not the only one.

 

[HowieT2]

I suspect Ikon didn't sell as many full access passes as past years so they need to cram more people into the resorts to buy food, booze, lessons, etc. on holiday weekends this year.

It's a bummer because holiday weekends at Sugarbush were suspiciously quiet last year.

Whatever, they should get into the cannabis business and sell joints on the lift lines. talk about happy customers

 

[Hawk]

Just another strike against IKON and Altera. I'm not quite full on Trail Boss but I am getting there. LOL

 

[mikec142]

Exactly...if we want to ski SB on holidays, we have no choice other than to buy full Ikon. I don't think I've ever used more than 1 Ikon day at another resort per season (and some years it is 0). I probably should try to get to K/Pico more, but not always easy to convince myself to drive 1 hr vs 5 minutes.

Now all that said, there are also plenty of people that bought Base that won't be able to take advantage of this offer. My dad has a base pass and has no plans to ski early season. I'm sure he's not the only one.

The true value of the Ikon Pass is realized for us East Coasters when you get your days in at Sugarbush and/or Killington/Stratton and you take a trip out west. The past couple of seasons, I haven't gotten as many east coast days as I would like, but I've managed to get in days out west.

 

[cdskier]

Just another strike against IKON and Altera. I'm not quite full on Trail Boss but I am getting there. LOL

I think I'm still a few steps behind you lol, but decisions like this do not help one bit.

 

[fulgoreXC]

The true value of the Ikon Pass is realized for us East Coasters when you get your days in at Sugarbush and/or Killington/Stratton and you take a trip out west. The past couple of seasons, I haven't gotten as many east coast days as I would like, but I've managed to get in days out west.

Which is why I went with the local pass. No need for an IKON. Rarely do I travel out west and all of the east coast resorts I ski are not IKON. and this year... no blackouts with the local pass. Sure I can't ski south on saturdays, but that's not really a sacrifice is it?

 

[Getskied]

I’m sure there are a significant number of locals and homeowners who bought the full IKON primarily to ski Sugarbush. If I were one of those people I would justifiably be upset about the (now unnecessary) extra expense of going full IKON.

I am, and this is super annoying. Mostly buy the full pass because prepaid child ski program doesn’t cease on blackout weekends, and because I have learned that blackout days are decently empty on mountain and especially empty in tree lines that normally get tracked to death by 9am after a storm otherwise. I’d absolutely accrue myself a sufficient cache of blackout ski days over the next 5 weeks to serve me for this season.

 

[cdskier]

I am, and this is super annoying. Mostly buy the full pass because prepaid child ski program doesn’t cease on blackout weekends, and because I have learned that blackout days are decently empty on mountain and especially empty in tree lines that normally get tracked to death by 9am after a storm otherwise. I’d absolutely accrue myself a sufficient cache of blackout ski days over the next 5 weeks to serve me for this season.

Agree, although keep in mind the max blackout days you could accrue would be 5. That would cover just over half of the 9 potential black-out days. I'm more likely to ski MLK and Presidents and maybe not all the days (or some years any days) between Christmas and New Years. So for me 5 likely would have covered my needs...

 

[jonnyco14]

Totally agree that it kinda stinks that they are just announcing this now but I do agree that Ikon doesn't have a great east coast option for the base pass.....everything is blacked out which is why it has been so quiet on the holiday weeks/weekends the last few years. The Ikon base is $1,099 today but the epic local is $920 and you can ski everything but Stowe. Basically families make the choice between a $1,500 full Ikon or a Epic Local pass for $900. If I didn't have a full Ikon already, I would just go to a different mountain like Smuggs or Jay those weekends....It is cheaper than upgrading to the full Ikon. You could buy a base Ikon + Indy Pass for less money than the full Ikon pass.

They need to figure out a better option....

 

[Getskied]

Agree, although keep in mind the max blackout days you could accrue would be 5. That would cover just over half of the 9 potential black-out days. I'm more likely to ski MLK and Presidents and maybe not all the days (or some years any days) between Christmas and New Years. So for me 5 likely would have covered my needs...

Would easily cover me as well. Who wants to ski in the rain during Xmas week?

 

[fulgoreXC]

Did I miss something... Just checked the bravo cam. they started loading at 11. HG cam confirms skiers to the summit. perhaps I leave work and go get some turns. I love this forum, but would rather ski now and complain later

 

[mikec142]

Did they change the aspect of the Super Bravo lift gate? Used to face perpendicular to the lodge, now it's parallel to the lodge. Is it moveable like that? I woulda thought it's anchored to the ground somehow.

 

[cdskier]

Did I miss something... Just checked the bravo cam. they started loading at 11. HG cam confirms skiers to the summit. perhaps I leave work and go get some turns. I love this forum, but would rather ski now and complain later

I assume some sort of staff appreciation/preview/test operations day?

Did they change the aspect of the Super Bravo lift gate? Used to face perpendicular to the lodge, now it's parallel to the lodge. Is it moveable like that? I woulda thought it's anchored to the ground somehow.

It is anchored on the left side and rotates/swings.

 

[Plowboy]

Did I miss something... Just checked the bravo cam. they started loading at 11. HG cam confirms skiers to the summit. perhaps I leave work and go get some turns. I love this forum, but would rather ski now and complain later

I did hear a rumor yesterday about employee skiing/riding today.

 

[Hawk]

yup those bastards did an audible. LOL I heard whispers also.

 

[djd66]

Maybe its the base pass people skiing today?

 

[Lotso]

There goes the snow on the natural-snow trails. Have fun tomorrow, folks!

 

[fulgoreXC]

There goes the snow on the natural-snow trails. Have fun tomorrow, folks!

that was my thought as well.

 

[Mak]

I did hear a rumor yesterday about employee skiing/riding today.

Soft opening for employees from 11-2