Saddleback Mountain-Best Value Around?

[tipsdown]

$40 for standard lift ticket
$400-450 for a Season Pass
Unless there's somewhere in Vermont that I'm overlooking, I can't imagine there being a better ski value out there.
Factors that come to mind:
Elevation, Vertical, Terrain, Variety, Base Lodge

 

[salsgang]

They are certainly keeping lift tickets prices low. Peak Prices Just in Maine - Sunday River $77, Sugarloaf $75, Shawnee $52, Mt. Abram $49, Saddleback $40.

From what I can tell and hear / their financial model hinges on the success of selling real estate. So low ticket prices are probably part of the marketing program to get people to visit the mountain.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

i think PICO is $49 for a weekend ticket....and PICO is a great mountain, uncrowded, some nice terrain....

 

[riverc0il]

Depends how you define value. Value is not necessarily the lowest price. I think Pico at $49 is an excellent value and very comparable to Saddleback at $40. Saddleback has a few issues that effect its value proposition. The first of course is distance (drive time, gas expense, likely stay over versus day trip for some skiers). Less snow fall, chances of upper mountain being on wind hold (doh! never used to be an issue!), and not as big of a mountain as other mountains also impact the value proposition.

Not trying to be negative against Saddleback. I LOVE the mountain and highly recommend it to everyone, especially upper level skiers that value the classic laid back skiing vibe. But the proof is in my days skied at Saddleback. Much as I love the mountain and as cheap as it is... I have only skied there twice in the past three years.

Black in NH offers really good value too. Burke used to be a value ski area but is now on par with Cannon, Wildcat, Mad River, etc. Pico is a good value as previously mentioned. Magic is a great mid-week value area. I would put Magic above Saddleback for mid-week value.

Saddleback is definitely up there for value. Definitely top five in New England, likely top three. But number one? Not sure about that given comparisons to other areas that may charge a little more but you get a little more (or don't increase the total cost through gas).

 

[deadheadskier]

It is a great value, but I almost think they have to charge so little given their location and expansion plans. I went there last year and even driving from Portland it was a stretch for a day trip at just under three hours. Perhaps some make it quicker, but the road getting there for the last 50 miles makes the road going to Sugarloaf seem like a highway. If they charged say $60, I think people would just assume go to SR or Sugarloaf. I'm not saying those two are necessarily better mountains, but their lift, lodging and off hill activity infrastructure is more appealing to the average Joe.

I'd give it a definite top 3 for non season pass value. I'd rather pay $559 for Smuggs than $450 for Saddleback.

 

[tipsdown]

RivercOil
Distance is a pretty subjective argument because it depends on the origin of your trip. But for the sake of argument, let's use Portland Maine as the origin. Either way, it's maybe 10 minutes longer than Sugarloaf. I have both drives down to a science and it takes me almost the exact same time (I know a couple of shorcuts to both locations that make a difference). Keep in mind those 10 mintues are the Saddleback Access Rd itself. Having said that, even with improvement to the roads (which some works has been done for this winter) it will never be an easy place to get to, but doesn't the lack of crowds add value to the mountain?

I think Pico is a reasonable comparison but take location from Boston out of the equation and Saddleback is a superior mountain in almost every other "ski" category. Another example, Stowe, which is one of my favorites, is about 20 minutes closer than Saddleback from Boston. All I'm saying is that distance shouldn't be as big of a factor as your implying, especially with dropping gas prices.

 

[deadheadskier]

Good point tipsdown, however, distance is a factor even with lower gas prices, especially when you look at the fact that Saddleback is out of weekend range for the NY market. I would put the drive to Stowe at closer to an hour closer than Saddleback. You can make Stowe in 3:15 if you're moving from Boston and it's an easy highway drive. Saddleback I think you'd be pushing it to get a sub 4 hour drive time.

 

[tipsdown]

Deadheadskier,

I would agree that it's out of range for NY, no question....And you're probably right about the Stowe drive but for North Shore, Mass and up, it's got to be # 1 if distance is the driving factor.

 

[riverc0il]

RivercOil
Distance is a pretty subjective argument because it depends on the origin of your trip. But for the sake of argument, let's use Portland Maine as the origin. Either way, it's maybe 10 minutes longer than Sugarloaf. I have both drives down to a science and it takes me almost the exact same time (I know a couple of shorcuts to both locations that make a difference). Keep in mind those 10 mintues are the Saddleback Access Rd itself. Having said that, even with improvement to the roads (which some works has been done for this winter) it will never be an easy place to get to, but doesn't the lack of crowds add value to the mountain?

I think Pico is a reasonable comparison but take location from Boston out of the equation and Saddleback is a superior mountain in almost every other "ski" category. Another example, Stowe, which is one of my favorites, is about 20 minutes closer than Saddleback from Boston. All I'm saying is that distance shouldn't be as big of a factor as your implying, especially with dropping gas prices.

From a seacoast perspective, distance is not really a factor and Saddleback definitely becomes the best value in the area hands down. Once you travel from further west or south, it does become a factor because other "good value" areas are much closer and good mountains that cost more are often times significantly closer. Saddleback would not be a good value for someone from south western NE when you factor in total costs when they could be at Magic within two hours for only $5-15 more depending on time of the season.

I am really just encouraging people to look at more than just the lift ticket. Distance is subjective indeed, but it is part of the cost in both time and money.

Regarding Pico versus Saddleback... I haven't skied Pico since becoming an all mountain skier. Last time I skied there, I was pounding the groomers only as a racer. I have heard word on some amazing tree skiing there so I am not sold on Saddleback being a superior mountain in comparison. Pico has the edge in open trees and snow fall and I have to imagine Pico has better quality snow preservation near its summit compared to Saddleback which suffers a lot of wind buff up top on those "headwall" sections of the trails. Not taking anything away from Saddleback here... I am just saying it is debatable. I think everyone should give Saddleback a shot so they can join in the debate

 

[Greg]

Saddleback would not be a good value for someone from south western NE when you factor in total costs when they could be at Magic within two hours for only $5-15 more depending on time of the season.

If by SW New England you mean Western CT, then it's usually much more than 2 hours to Magic. Just about the only place in CT that's within 2 hours of Magic is the Enfield area immediately around 91. It really doesn't make your point any less valid; just wanted to clarify.

 

[Razor]

Pico has two high speed detachable quads; Saddleback still has the slow chair. I'll bet in the same amount of time, you could get twice the vertical at Pico as at Saddleback. And that's a big part of value to my mind.

 

[riverc0il]

If by SW New England you mean Western CT, then it's usually much more than 2 hours to Magic. Just about the only place in CT that's within 2 hours of Magic is the Enfield area immediately around 91. It really doesn't make your point any less valid; just wanted to clarify.

I should have used a bigger hour spread as I consider everything south and west of Jaffrey, NH SW NE :lol:

 

[kingdom-tele]

$40 is still less than $49 and saddleback usually has midweek deals that make that even less, is pico even open midweek?, personally never skied pico, mostly because I rarely get below rt 2, but I would gladly make the shock pounding drive to saddleback, skied last year after 20 inches and found steep/ fresh lines two days after the storm (granted there was some interesting events in getting to it), not many mountains can do that, be interesting to see what a mess the new lift creates, they really should have put the quad in to replace the double,

 

[Moe Ghoul]

I never skied Saddleback and am looking forward to hitting it opening day. I think they're opening the second week of Dec according to a friend were staying with in Rangeley.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I should have used a bigger hour spread as I consider everything south and west of Jaffrey, NH SW NE :lol:

Well I consider everything south of Sugarbush Massachusettes..

 

[trtaylor]

... I would gladly make the shock pounding drive to saddleback...

Rt. 4 with frost heaves is a beaut, isn't it?

 

[trtaylor]

I never skied Saddleback and am looking forward to hitting it opening day. I think they're opening the second week of Dec according to a friend were staying with in Rangeley.

December 13th is opening day.

 

[kingdom-tele]

rt 4 is a dream ride compared to rt 16 - hurt more from the ride than three days of skiing

would like to hook up with a local up there sometime, I am sure there is plenty of backside/slackcountry gems up there

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Deadheadskier,

I would agree that it's out of range for NY, no question.....

Some people consider that to be a good thing (Sorry, couldn't resist)

For me, Saddleback is the best ski value in NE. Yes, there are some caveats; namely the drive. It's not a place where you'd make a solo one day trip.

But, with 2 or more people sharing the gas and the driving; and staying overnight, it is a great value. There are inexpensive places to stay and eat in the Rangely area...just remember to bring the foam earplugs if the sound of snow mobiles bothers you.

Yes, Saddleback lacks high speed quads. To me, the quality of the terrain, the beautiful, uncrowded trails, the spectacular unspoiled views, the overall vibe of the place, more than make up for the lack of HSQs. The facilities appear to be very well maintained, and there seems to be a very upbeat attitude among the staff and customers. And,although I've only skied Saddleback 3 times, I never felt that the lifts kept me from getting all the vert I wanted.

The value goes beyond the price of lift tickets. For example, a 1 hour private at Saddleback goes for $60.00. At Pico, it's $79 on weekdays and $99 on weekends.

 

[tipsdown]

This is more how I was perceiving value:
Quality and variety of terrain, less crowds, best lodge anywhere, phenomenal views,. You hit the nail on the head with why I believe this place provides the best value. Food and lodging is also cheaper than any other resort.