Bretton Woods Expansion

[cannonist]

Stickney Back Country
New Hampshire's largest ski area just got bigger with the addition of 30 gladed acres on Mt. Stickney. The new glades are the start of the long-awaited Mt. Stickney expansion and will offer a classic New England back country experience. A traverse off Two Miles Home will provide access a variety of terrain sure to delight skiers and riders, with secret powder stashes and steep tree shots, along with the classic manicured glade skiing that Bretton Woods is renowned for. "We are very excited to be able to offer our guests even more tree skiing this winter. The Mt. Stickney expansion has been on the table for many years, and it feels good to get it started." says Chris Ellms, director of ski operations. "Everyone at the Resort is looking forward to the 2010/11 season, and with the addition of new terrain to our top ranked snowmaking and an exceptional staff, we are ready to greet our guests with the best ski experience possible."

-Bretton Woods Website

 

[riverc0il]

When did "manicured glade skiing" become "a classic New England back country experience"? I love the recent boundary pushing but this concept of lift serviced "back country" BLOWS MY MIND. I guess as long as areas keep expanding gladed terrain, they can call it what ever the heck they want. :-?

 

[thetrailboss]

BW is what it is. I recall it being a fun place to ski that was not challenging at all. I have not been since the expansion, but the terrain does not magically change. The mountain is flat and it is best for the baby boomer cruiser crowd. Their glades really are easy to ski in my experience. They know that.

It is too bad that the management changed. A few years back folks like me were going to give them another chance in part because they stayed open later and were trying to get more diehards in the door. Guess not anymore.

 

[AdironRider]

For the average Bretton Woods skier, just looking at some trees off the trail qualifies you as a backcountry skier.

If I were Bode Id be pissed at the run they chose to name after me. That 500 foot long high speed that services it has to be the best example of ski area excess in the Northeast. Hmm lets drop a mill and cut 30 seconds of a lift ride. Great plan!

 

[thetrailboss]

For the average Bretton Woods skier, just looking at some trees off the trail qualifies you as a backcountry skier.

If I were Bode Id be pissed at the run they chose to name after me. That 500 foot long high speed that services it has to be the best example of ski area excess in the Northeast. Hmm lets drop a mill and cut 30 seconds of a lift ride. Great plan!

Bode was a BW "Athlete Ambassador" for a season or two and received some money for it. He doesn't care...he was smiling all the way to the bank! It was sacrilege considering that he is a CANNON skier at the core!

 

[AdironRider]

I know, Cannon and the Franconia area in general is definitely Miller territory.

And Id take the money and run as well. So yeah, I guess my point really isnt all that strong.

That lift though does crack me up.

 

[cannonist]

I know, Cannon and the Franconia area in general is definitely Miller territory.

And Id take the money and run as well. So yeah, I guess my point really isnt all that strong.

That lift though does crack me up.

I could never understand why they didn't just install a base to summit lift.

 

[Cannonball]

Yup BW terrain is generally flat and unchallenging. On the other hand NO ONE skis the trees (or even the sides of trails) there and the snow quality can be excellent. With the Canonn/BW combo pass I feel no shame heading over there 2 days post storm and finding fresh lines when all the Cannon stashes have been poached.

 

[billski]

Our family went to BW for a couple of years when the kids were quite little. We stayed in condos near the base (not slopside, but walk-able. It was perfect for what we needed. Not too long ago their marketing motto was "low stress skiing". Nothing wrong with that. Long, gentle-sloping groomers on predictable perfect terrain. For someone who has had a bad first experience, or you want to have a perfect first time experience, this really cannot be beat. For someone terrified of skiing, this is the place. Most people know this is not the place to go for and uber-challenge, so the crowd tends to be self-selecting. My wife liked it because she would rather ski greens, and this is the first place we went after 10 years of not skiing.

It does have a tendency to get crowded on Saturdays, which while normal for most areas, can pose a challenge for those who are looking for "low stress skiing."

 

[Edd]

The snow quality there is excellent and seemingly more plentiful than nearby ski areas. Because of the snow and the general pitch of the place the tree runs there tend to be open when the glades at other ski areas are closed. I skied there last year a few times with a group of good skiers and riders and we always had fun.

 

[WWF-VT]

"classic manicured glade skiing "

"Classic manicured" and "glade skiing" should not be used in the same sentence

 

[billski]

"classic manicured glade skiing "

"Classic manicured" and "glade skiing" should not be used in the same sentence

Gives me vision of mountain ops being in there with a shovel and rake filling in all the bumps

 

[4aprice]

I've been there several times and always found the West Glade to be a really fun run. I wouldn't consider it manicured. The bumps weren't huge but they weren't tiny either. It was a great place for us when the kids were younger and will always have a place in my heart because of the fun times we had there, and yes I would go back. Nothing is classier then going to the Mt Washington Hotel for a meal and cocktails after skiing.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[The Sneak]

No love for Rosebrook Canyon?

 

[Edd]

Nothing is classier then going to the Mt Washington Hotel for a meal and cocktails after skiing.

Sir, you have clearly denied yourself a luxurious stay at the Carrabassett Inn, a short drive from Sugarloaf. No valet is needed as you conveniently park in front of your room in the dirt lot before taking in the strippers in the "lobby" on a Friday night.

I stayed at the Mt. Washington Hotel as a birthday gift last March. Way out of my economic league but we really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[Anklebiter]

I've only skied BW once (last season) and had a great day. It was the only place we skied that had fresh snow. They had 9", over two days prior to us skiing their. There was plenty of good snow in the woods. Cannon was great, but we had no fresh the entire week we were their (just flurries). Sunday River hadn't had snow a week or two. the trees were nothing but ice. In fact, that was the week two skiers were killed at SR (the week after the super bowl). Now, all three places had nice groomed trails and I loved cannons bumps. Plus, coming from the poconos any resort in the Northeast is going to ski well for me.

I think BW is a prefect for my family. My wife likes to stay on the greens and my daughter, although getting close. Still isn't ready for the harder blues and blacks. Plus, I can ski the trees and bumps with my son and not worry as much.

 

[WakeboardMom]

We used to ski BW all the time when my two oldest kids were little before any of the high-speed lifts and before the expansion. It was always fun.

My favorite story about BW involves the lodge (pre-renovation). We were there with another family who also had four kids and were sitting at two big tables eating our brown-bag lunches. Yuppie mother approaches our two dads/husbands and says, "That's my backpack," pointing under the table. My husband says, "Oh...okay..." and starts to grab it to hand it to her. "That's my bag and my table." The other guys starts to apologize and wants to gather up 6 of our party to give her back "her" table. My husband looks at the two of them like he can't believe this is happening. He graciously says, "Oh, sure. We'll be finished here shortly as soon as all the kids have had their lunch." Hilarious. She took her bag and stomped away.

Dan Egan was a hero to my boys back in the day. They met him in the lodge and he took a poster of himself off the wall and autographed it. It's still hanging the 28-year-old's apartment in Seattle.

 

[deadheadskier]

My favorite story about BW involves the lodge (pre-renovation). We were there with another family who also had four kids and were sitting at two big tables eating our brown-bag lunches. Yuppie mother approaches our two dads/husbands and says, "That's my backpack," pointing under the table. My husband says, "Oh...okay..." and starts to grab it to hand it to her. "That's my bag and my table." The other guys starts to apologize and wants to gather up 6 of our party to give her back "her" table. My husband looks at the two of them like he can't believe this is happening. He graciously says, "Oh, sure. We'll be finished here shortly as soon as all the kids have had their lunch." Hilarious. She took her bag and stomped away.

Big Pet Peeve of mine is people 'claiming' tables. It happens a lot at Ragged, especially on junior race program days, and can be a real nuisance. They leave the tables covered with their bags, garbage from their snacks, etc. why they go out to make their runs.

I prefer lodges that have separate storage areas for bags. That seems to help curtail this problem.

 

[WJenness]

Big Pet Peeve of mine is people 'claiming' tables. It happens a lot at Ragged, especially on junior race program days, and can be a real nuisance. They leave the tables covered with their bags, garbage from their snacks, etc. why they go out to make their runs.

I prefer lodges that have separate storage areas for bags. That seems to help curtail this problem.

Agreed...

Claiming table space for the entire day smacks of the entitled attitude that seems to find its way into all corners of our society these days.

Didn't these people learn to share in kindergarten?

-w

 

[gmcunni]

Big Pet Peeve of mine is people 'claiming' tables. It happens a lot at Ragged, especially on junior race program days, and can be a real nuisance. They leave the tables covered with their bags, garbage from their snacks, etc. why they go out to make their runs.

I prefer lodges that have separate storage areas for bags. That seems to help curtail this problem.

me too.. i know there are a lot of hard core folks here who never see the inside of a lodge but i ski with my kids often and breaks (especially for my 11 YO) are part of the day. nothing sucks the fun out of a great day on the slopes like walking around in a loop for 20 minutes balancing a tray of food & hot chocolate while waiting for a seat open up