The "Sugarbush Thread"

[vtski802]

That is not good. Someone who has a lift-background: would running at a slower speed save electricity, and thus cost? Is it due to wind? Something else?

It's either a sensor issue (cable position probably) or curtailment required by GMP (or they are just being cheap).

But again, no communication about this to the public. Not even a note at the lift terminals.

 

[vtski802]

Not too busy for my standard. At least no real lift lines. The maze wasn’t even half full.

The slopes were a different matter. Quite a lot of barely in control yahoos. Add a fair number of over-terrained families. It’s far too crowded for my taste normally. But consider it’s a weekend, never mind the biggest holiday in winter, I would say it’s a lot better than what I can hope for.

I came around the corner at the top of Middle Earth yesterday to find approximately a dozen bodies littered throughout the moguls in various states of verticality.

 

[Newpylong]

It's either a sensor issue (cable position probably) or curtailment required by GMP (or they are just being cheap).

But again, no communication about this to the public. Not even a note at the lift terminals.

A sensor fault stops the lift and generally cannot be cleared (to restart the lift) short of resolving the issue.

When lifts are running slow it's due to wind or the operator wanting to reduce wear and tear.

 

[abc]

I came around the corner at the top of Middle Earth yesterday to find approximately a dozen bodies littered throughout the moguls in various states of verticality.

On busy weekends like that, I much prefer moguls over slick groomers. The “bodies” in the mogul fields are typically moving slowly (if at all). I can get around them. Or let them pass if they’re really good, then try to imitate them. It’s on the slick groomers that I worry about the unguided missIles.

 

[doublediamond]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought a malfunctioning rope position detector enabled the lift to operate but necessitated 600 fpm or slower? That was the issue back with the Ascutney HSQ.

 

[eastcoastpow]

Yeah I believe that’s correct. Super Bravo had the same problem a few years ago.

 

[Lotso]

On busy weekends like that, I much prefer moguls over slick groomers. The “bodies” in the mogul fields are typically moving slowly (if at all). I can get around them. Or let them pass if they’re really good, then try to imitate them. It’s on the slick groomers that I worry about the unguided missIles.

No traffic in Slide Brook itself. Snow was awesome and plentiful.

Was human slalom elsewhere, but busy is good.

I heard a stat that somw places out west are down over 50% as far as skier visits/ bed occupancy. Brutal.

 

[cdskier]

I came around the corner at the top of Middle Earth yesterday to find approximately a dozen bodies littered throughout the moguls in various states of verticality.

Maybe that's why they put up the sign at the entrance to the chute down to the CR lift explaining what CR is (they used to have that sign attached to a tree there years ago).

On a related note about holiday weekend skiers...saw someone walking down Lower Birdland this morning carrying their skis. You can literally see the trail from above while riding the lift before you ski it. If you don't want to ski bumps...don't take that trail.

And finally...where was everyone today? It was empty this morning despite the fact that the blackout is over and my condo complex was still packed this morning. I expected a few more people. Maybe they showed up later after I was done?

 

[Lotso]

Maybe that's why they put up the sign at the entrance to the chute down to the CR lift explaining what CR is (they used to have that sign attached to a tree there years ago).

On a related note about holiday weekend skiers...saw someone walking down Lower Birdland this morning carrying their skis. You can literally see the trail from above while riding the lift before you ski it. If you don't want to ski bumps...don't take that trail.

And finally...where was everyone today? It was empty this morning despite the fact that the blackout is over and my condo complex was still packed this morning. I expected a few more people. Maybe they showed up later after I was done?

We parked at the bottom of Lot E at 10:15. Lot F was nearly full by the time we left at 1:30. Birch Run was wall to wall people; lifts were full or close to it. GH was 15 minute wait except singles' line that was quick. Bus from Slide Brook was full to the gills.

 

[slatham]

We parked at the bottom of Lot E at 10:15. Lot F was nearly full by the time we left at 1:30. Birch Run was wall to wall people; lifts were full or close to it. GH was 15 minute wait except singles' line that was quick. Bus from Slide Brook was full to the gills.

Apparently it was a big Sunday night for most people and a late start resulted.

 

[cdskier]

We parked at the bottom of Lot E at 10:15. Lot F was nearly full by the time we left at 1:30. Birch Run was wall to wall people; lifts were full or close to it. GH was 15 minute wait except singles' line that was quick. Bus from Slide Brook was full to the gills.

I had almost 20k vert in by a little after 11...never waited more than 2-3 minutes in any lines. GH at 9 when it opened was empty. Did a couple runs over there before going back to the Super Bravo side as I figured GH might start to get more crowded if people started showing up.

 

[abc]

saw someone walking down Lower Birdland this morning carrying their skis. You can literally see the trail from above while riding the lift before you ski it. If you don't want to ski bumps...don't take that trail.

Well, well, well… yours truly was guilty of going down that trail by mistake yesterday (but without the walking with ski part)! How did it happen? Brain fade at the end of the day!

On the first ride up Super Bravo in the morning, I did make a mental note the coverage on that trail was poor and should avoid at all cost. But I didn’t bother to take the map out to get the name of the trail. After all, it’s under the lift, can’t miss, right?

Had been spending most of the afternoon on Heaven’s Gate. I was trying to get one more ride up on Super Bravo before calling it quits for the day. What better way than to go straight down under the lift? Totally forgot about the “mental note” I made earlier. A quick glance at the entrance to confirm it was “just” a single black. And the bumps look small and tidy. I felt good and didn’t mind doing the ‘easy bumps” visible despite it under the watchful eyes of the lift passengers.… That’s until I got to the choke point where there were brown dirts and exposed rocks! Came to a screeching halt! Looked around me and had to gingerly pick my way around to get past the 5 bump long “rock garden”.

 

[Julius]

...I heard a stat that somw places out west are down over 50% as far as skier visits/ bed occupancy. Brutal.

Ya, Solitude just announced $99 day tickets. Also, IKON full pass holders get 3 days credits of $20/day after registering from an email link. Skied there last wk and tday..still decent by my northeast mindset after last wks snowfall..and more comin in.

 

[vtski802]

A sensor fault stops the lift and generally cannot be cleared (to restart the lift) short of resolving the issue.

When lifts are running slow it's due to wind or the operator wanting to reduce wear and tear.

There are typically two types of tower sensors - cps (cable position system- magnets) and brittle bars. If there are repeated faults in the cps, it can be run at slower speeds with the brittle bar system as backup. We had to do this for the stowe gondi one time - brought the line speed down from 1100 to 600fpm.

If they did the summer line work like they said they did, wear and tear shouldn't be the issue

 

[Lotso]

I have given up on the snow report. Basically other than a few changed words, it's a cut and paste of wheat has been there for days.

I guess it's so good and bears repeating, making it a "fan favorite"....

 

[pinnoke]

I have given up on the snow report. Basically other than a few changed words, it's a cut and paste of wheat has been there for days.

I guess it's so good and bears repeating, making it a "fan favorite"....

Agreed. It's lazy, and barely a 'report'. I still cringe/chuckle when I listen on the snowphone and hear "RiemerGRASS"!

 

[Smellytele]

Yes

Ya, Solitude just announced $99 day tickets. Also, IKON full pass holders get 3 days credits of $20/day after registering from an email link. Skied there last wk and tday..still decent by my northeast mindset after last wks snowfall..and more comin in.

View attachment 67935View attachment 67936View attachment 67937

Yes 99 a day for spring some days starting 3/30

 

[Mak]

On a related note about holiday weekend skiers...saw someone walking down Lower Birdland this morning carrying their skis. You can literally see the trail from above while riding the lift before you ski it. If you don't want to ski bumps...don't take that trail.

It might have been an equipment issue.

It also might have been a case of "biting off more than one can chew"...which is different than "wanting to ski bumps". We all learn from experience as to what we can and can't handle, and there's no shame in finding that out while on a trail. Lets give them the thumbs up for deciding that it wasn't for them, rather than judging them for it.

 

[eastcoastpow]

*Slide Brook will be delayed due to maintenance*

Maybe it’ll be running regular speed afterwards

 

[thetrailboss]

Yes

Yes 99 a day for spring some days starting 3/30

Yeah, that is what I am seeing as well.

They are running this promotion though for passholders: https://www.solitudemountain.com/landing-pages/ikon-pass-holder-benefits