The "Sugarbush Thread"

[fulgoreXC]

Interesting about the fireworks. although they really aren't my thing.

 

[djd66]

from the webcam, they were running Slidey-b,... not loading though. Nice to see it actually turning.

 

[solar]

We go to almost every fireworks show and was always impressed. This NYE display was definitely shorter than prior years but still fun. I'm pretty disappointed they're taking away yet another thing. When do we see the so called benefit of Alterra's ownership?

"We are delighted that Sugarbush will join the Alterra Mountain Company family, knowing that Alterra Mountain Company will continue to maintain our culture, values and commitment to our community, while bringing additional capital and other resources to make Sugarbush even better in the years ahead,” said Win Smith (November 2019)

Perhaps we'd be in an even worse spot if Alterra hadn't purchased. Anyone have an example of something that's better under Alterra ownership, even if just behind the scenes?

 

[SkiTheEast]

They usually do fireworks on Presidents Day Week too, right? - maybe too early to announce but I don't see that on the events calendar or any announcement. Def feels like more austerity

 

[1dog]

We go to almost every fireworks show and was always impressed. This NYE display was definitely shorter than prior years but still fun. I'm pretty disappointed they're taking away yet another thing. When do we see the so called benefit of Alterra's ownership?



Perhaps we'd be in an even worse spot if Alterra hadn't purchased. Anyone have an example of something that's better under Alterra ownership, even if just behind the scenes?

I'd be 'delighted' too after a profitable sale, just before Covid scam. . . timing is everything, how could they have known - and of course, I'm certain SV expected that as I'm sure that was part of the sales conversation.

Better might simply be economies of scale having a larger pot of cash to spend- just spending on DV instead. I'm grateful a lot hasn't changed and most of the big changes I am hoping are in future- improved Allyns and Walts, replace a couple of lifts, steadily improve snowmaking.

With probably one of the highest rates in the country with regards to electricity, thats gotta hit hard.

I do think no matter how much Alterra says they let each operate their own way, they hold purse strings- the amount cash is coming into certain resorts they operate, determines distribution of it. That's how they delineate who gets what. Kinda like Mars- far exceeds Hershey, but because its private, no one knows, no one's business.

 

[Plowboy]

 

[Lotso]

Snowmaking to be turned off HS/WF by Saturday morning.

 

[Newpylong]

Nights look fair (in the case of tomorrow) to optimal to get everything else done in ~10 days. It's only 1/16... Any reason they would not pivot to Sunrise next since the gear is just below there on HS/WF? After HS/WF there would just be Birdland and Sunrise. Not a ton of acreage to finish out by end of month with some time left to build the spring base.

 

[1dog]

View attachment 67396

It's a Christmas miracle

 

[Hastur]

awww yeaahh!!....slidey B up in this bitch!!!

 

[Hawk]

Right on que!

 

[cdskier]

And another largely useless State of the Mountain post:

State of the Mountain 1/16/26 - SugarBlog

Let's start this one off with a banger: Slide Brook opens tomorrow.

blog.sugarbush.com

They really seem to be going out of their way at this point to communicate less and less information and details...

 

[teleo]

Yea, that was an infomercial. Waste of time reading it. Meanwhile, fireworks replaced by burning a few thrown out xmass trees. More alterra austerity.

 

[mikec142]

I thought today was pretty, pretty good!

FWIW, while riding Bravo, someone told me that today was the first time in three years that every lift was running. No idea if it's true. But Slidebrook hasn't run in a long, long time so it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[1dog]

I'd be 'delighted' too after a profitable sale, just before Covid scam. . . timing is everything, how could they have known - and of course, I'm certain SV expected that as I'm sure that was part of the sales conversation.

Better might simply be economies of scale having a larger pot of cash to spend- just spending on DV instead. I'm grateful a lot hasn't changed and most of the big changes I am hoping are in future- improved Allyns and Walts, replace a couple of lifts, steadily improve snowmaking.

With probably one of the highest rates in the country with regards to electricity, thats gotta hit hard.

I do think no matter how much Alterra says they let each operate their own way, they hold purse strings- the amount cash is coming into certain resorts they operate, determines distribution of it. That's how they delineate who gets what. Kinda like Mars- far exceeds Hershey, but because its private, no one knows, no one's business.

High electricity rates offset by:

I thought today was pretty, pretty good!

FWIW, while riding Bravo, someone told me that today was the first time in three years that every lift was running. No idea if it's true. But Slidebrook hasn't run in a long, long time so it wouldn't surprise me.

Skied Mellon 9-1; South thru end of day.

Place was empty for a holiday w snow- great upper woods skiing.

12:45 GH lift ski on, 2-4 mins at NR.

Where is everyone?
Light snow all day.

Over boot in much of upper woods.

 

[slatham]

High electricity rates offset by:

Skied Mellon 9-1; South thru end of day.

Place was empty for a holiday w snow- great upper woods skiing.

12:45 GH lift ski on, 2-4 mins at NR.

Where is everyone?
Light snow all day.

Over boot in much of upper woods.

Lots of tourists buy the base pass and are blacked out. Hence the pre-Christmas promo. But most tourists don’t ski before Christmas. So locals rejoice.

 

[elfnif1016]

I also noticed that they are not doing fireworks this weekend. Don't they usually do that MLK every year?

$$$$$$$

is my guess

 

[cdskier]

I thought today was pretty, pretty good!

FWIW, while riding Bravo, someone told me that today was the first time in three years that every lift was running. No idea if it's true. But Slidebrook hasn't run in a long, long time so it wouldn't surprise me.

Don't forget that Tommy's Toy also barely ran for years...so I believe that is 100% true. Wouldn't surprise me if it was even longer than 3 years.

Agreed that it was pretty damn good today though. I ventured into the woods skier's right of Lower Domino (Fisher Cat?) and Eden and both were quite nice.

Skied Mellon 9-1; South thru end of day.

Place was empty for a holiday w snow- great upper woods skiing.

12:45 GH lift ski on, 2-4 mins at NR.

Where is everyone?
Light snow all day.

It was certainly not empty at South this morning. I was thinking just the opposite. This was one of the more crowded MLK Saturdays that I can remember this morning. Seemed like not much of a blackout effect (the December promo to unlock blackout days could be a factor).

 

[1dog]

High electricity rates offset by:

Skied Mellon 9-1; South thru end of day.

Place was empty for a holiday w snow- great upper woods skiing.

12:45 GH lift ski on, 2-4 mins at NR.

Where is everyone?
Light snow all day.

Over boot in much of upper woods.

Don't forget that Tommy's Toy also barely ran for years...so I believe that is 100% true. Wouldn't surprise me if it was even longer than 3 years.

Agreed that it was pretty damn good today though. I ventured into the woods skier's right of Lower Domino (Fisher Cat?) and Eden and both were quite nice.



It was certainly not empty at South this morning. I was thinking just the opposite. This was one of the more crowded MLK Saturdays that I can remember this morning. Seemed like not much of a blackout effect (the December promo to unlock blackout days could be a factor).

Well, maybe time of day but I skied on GH 2x NL, SB had 5 min line at 2 , no lines at HG.
1-3. Never spend any time in NR. Summit had couple 5 min lines.

Zero at GMX.

Conditions probably better than expected but most people are booked months in advance .

Ellen lots jammed but not too far down road.

Just felt weird. ( happily so)

 

[NewEnglander77]

Great conditions at Mt. Ellen this morning! Elbow was excellent. Not too crowded until we left at 10:30. It was chilly out and a bit gusty early.

Went in to Walt's lower level to warm up and use the bathrooms just before 9. Trash cans overflowing with plenty of garbage on floor throughout the room. Bathrooms smelled and there were no paper towels to dry hands with. Water machine had an out of order sign on it. Pathetic and embaressing! Once open for the day, it becomes a lot harder to clean. Should have been done end of day yesterday or before opening in the AM. Selling a $2,000 lounge and leaving the trash filled rooms for the commoners. Good showing Sugarbush and Alterra!!