Advice From Sugarloafers Please!

[gdoan]

Hey all,
My girlfriend and I are debating coming to try sugarloaf this year. We have looked into a trip arriving late december and skiing over new yrs weekend. Could someone offer some info about the snow conditions at that time of the year, from some trip reviews ive seen some pretty nice powder days, but im not sure if that was just a fluke.
Were deciding between Whiteface and Sugarloaf, both big mountains with pretty good prices, but from what I gather sugarloaf gets more snow. Were relatively advanced skiers who like glades, steeps, long runs, and deep snow when we can find it.
Would the snowfields be open at that time of year?
How are the crowds around new years?
Is there enough terrain to be stimulated for 4 days of skiing?
Any input about what we could expect is appreciated as we would be driving from Toronto.

Cheers!

 

[Angus]

see this thread - same kind of question and advice/recommendations probably similar if you realize it's 3 weeks later than your planned trip

http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=82912

welcome.

skied there during XMAS break with deep snow but was raining by days end.

 

[jerryg]

Boyne tests to be pretty agressive with snowmaking when they can. In som eyears, theyt have the snowfields open by Christmas vaca, but it all depends on Mother Nature. A couple years ago SL saw 100 inches by x-mas and last year, not so much. If I were you, I would go to SL over WF.

Both are very good mountains, both are cold, and both are windy. WF has more total vert, but SL has more continuous vert. SL's grooming and snowmkaing is better than WF.

Crowds should be too bad at SL over x-ams break.

There is more to do at WF than SL when you're not skiing. (Have family? Then it's more of an issue)

Day trips to Saddleback and Sunday River may be good from SL. You could ski Gore from WF, but it's much further.

SL has had a lot of Olympians and a couple of gold medalists, but WF has the Olympics! (Big points on that one)

I think there are pluses and minuses to each, but in my biased opinion, I think that SL is the better place to go for skiing and hanging out with your sig other. For an overall things to do, proximity to where you are now, and nightlife, Whiteface is your better bet.

Whatever you decide to do, you're going on a ski vaca - can't go wrong. Enjoy!

 

[thetrailboss]

Hey all,
My girlfriend and I are debating coming to try sugarloaf this year. We have looked into a trip arriving late december and skiing over new yrs weekend. Could someone offer some info about the snow conditions at that time of the year, from some trip reviews ive seen some pretty nice powder days, but im not sure if that was just a fluke.

It really can vary from snowmaking runs only to deep snow. Hard to say.

Were deciding between Whiteface and Sugarloaf, both big mountains with pretty good prices, but from what I gather sugarloaf gets more snow.

Actually, I think both are pretty close in terms of snow averages.

Would the snowfields be open at that time of year?

NO. They are generally open later in the season after snow has accumulated up there. However, White Nitro Extension and Gondi Line Extension have snowmaking.

Is there enough terrain to be stimulated for 4 days of skiing?

I think so.

And welcome to the boards!

As to other choices, have you considered Jay Peak?

 

[gdoan]

It really can vary from snowmaking runs only to deep snow. Hard to say.



Actually, I think both are pretty close in terms of snow averages.



NO. They are generally open later in the season after snow has accumulated up there. However, White Nitro Extension and Gondi Line Extension have snowmaking.



I think so.

And welcome to the boards!

As to other choices, have you considered Jay Peak?

thanks for the welcome and info!
jay was one of the first on our list. we looked into it but cant afford it (were grad students), weve been to grampa grunts before for cheep lodging but we were hoping for lodging a little less crazy this time hahah

 

[thetrailboss]

I can appreciate being on a budget. Skiing during the holiday period can be hard and expensive. In my experience, sometimes the best skiing can be had in early to mid January if you dress warmly and can swing the time. No crowds and cheaper rates...except for MLK weekend of course.

Other options that might fit the bill: Saddleback, Maine; Smuggler's Notch (maybe) and Burke if there is snow.

 

[gdoan]

hmm never heard of saddleback until now.. looks pretty cool based on the website, is it comparable to sugarloaf ?

 

[Edd]

hmm never heard of saddleback until now.. looks pretty cool based on the website, is it comparable to sugarloaf ?

I'd say it is. Sugarloaf feels (and is) bigger, perhaps, but there is plenty of terrain and challenge at Saddleback. It is a big eastern mountain. The wild card is natural snow in December. If there is plenty then you are going to love the gladed terrain at Saddleback. The cruisers are actually pretty good too.

Saddleback is cheaper, too.

 

[SLyardsale]

I've been a weekend and holiday week warrior at SL for many years now. Total crap shoot that time of year in Carrabasset Valley. For example - Xmas week 2007 was way better than Feb vaca week 2008 during the same season. Since then, the last 2 xmas weeks have been rain/freeze events there. And no matter what, rain in Dec at SL requires almost 3 snow making days to recover. And while Saddleback is a great take, they are not going to recover faster than SL. Just know the probability of crappy weather during Dec and the time it takes to recover. But, if you will ski while it rains, you lose one less day.. some of my best days at SL in Dec is sking the rain while everyone else stays inside... (point of reference, Nov/Tgiving 2006 was way better than xmas week 2006 - you just never know).

That said, huge storm at SL new years day last year that provided exceptional conditions for 3 weeks with no snow after the storm. Because it stayed cold - that storm carried them for that long. I wouldn't go as far as saying snowfields open in Dec. Hardly ever happens - and don't count the snow making trails (Nitro & Gondi ext) as the snowfields - if you want the real experience you need the stuff east of Nitro and/or the backside and you most likely won't get that during xmas week. ... funny MLK weekend has been consistently good (but cold) the past few years at SL, while other NE areas have struggled with MLK weather.

SL is great place, but just like every other area in the east, December is a flip of the coin.

Good luck.