Sugarbush mid-week

[gmcunni]

taking advantage of son home from school and time off from work, going to hit Sugarbush Monday/Tuesday.

having not been up there recently, nor ever mid-week, was wondering if there were any unusual/unexpected differences that i might need to know.

basic plan:
- drive up Monday AM ski Sugarbush all day
- american flatbread for dinner
- golden lion lodging Monday night
- Sugarbush North Tuesday (warmer of the 2 days based on current forecast)
- head home Tuesday night

i have a 4 pack of sugarbush tix i got pre-season for $200, even at mid-week pricing it is less expensive to use these now as i don't have any solid plans to return later in the season on a weekend (tho i'd love to). as i write this perhaps i'd buy tix at mt. ellen and hold 2 tix for a weekend return trip on pres weekend....

critique of plan? 3rd day @ mad river jumps out at me but not sure we can swing it. and a 4th day @ stowe is probably out of the question....

 

[steamboat1]

Only major difference between weekdays & weekends besides crowds is that they don't run the Slidebrook connecting lift during the week or the Valley House chair, everything else is usually running. I'm planning on being at Sugarbush myself Tuesday, (black & grey Bogna parka with black pants & orange boots) say hi if you see me. In case you're interested Stowe is running ski club appreciation days next Wed, Thurs. Fri. If you belong to a ski club & can show a valid membership card you can purchase a 1 day ticket for $45, 2 days for $68 or 3 days for $98. I'm planning on skiing Stowe Wed & Thurs. next week. I'll be at Killington Mon. & Fri. Have fun.

 

[o3jeff]

Where are you eating Tuesday night?

 

[thetrailboss]

Unless things have changed, American Flatbread in Waitsfield is only a weekend affair.

 

[dmw]

This may sound dumb, but any idea if Slidebrook runs on Thursdays? I was surprised to find a bus trip I may take there this Thursday.

 

[thetrailboss]

No Slidebrook Express on midweek, non-holiday. The shuttle bus, though a PITA, works if you time it right.

 

[gmcunni]

Where are you eating Tuesday night?

mc donalds if we are driving home, looking for recommendations if we stay up an extra night

 

[gmcunni]

Unless things have changed, American Flatbread in Waitsfield is only a weekend affair.

thanks, will check on that one.

 

[gmcunni]

Only major difference between weekdays & weekends besides crowds is that they don't run the Slidebrook connecting lift during the week or the Valley House chair, everything else is usually running. I'm planning on being at Sugarbush myself Tuesday, (black & grey Bogna parka with black pants & orange boots) say hi if you see me. In case you're interested Stowe is running ski club appreciation days next Wed, Thurs. Fri. If you belong to a ski club & can show a valid membership card you can purchase a 1 day ticket for $45, 2 days for $68 or 3 days for $98. I'm planning on skiing Stowe Wed & Thurs. next week. I'll be at Killington Mon. & Fri. Have fun.

thanks for the Stowe tip, i do belong to a club and a $45 would be sweet!

if plans hold we'll be at mt ellen on tuesday, royal blue TNF shell and son likely in a green jacket with a white storm trooper looking helmet. tho i'm thinking of swapping ME to monday since we're driving up and arriving a bit late. being smaller might be better choice for first day, give us more time on Tuesday to explore the larger mountain.

 

[gmcunni]

confirmed, adding Stowe for day 3. need a cheap place to stay Tuesday night up that way, recommendations welcome!

 

[steamboat1]

Stay wherever you're staying at Sugarbush for another night if you have a good deal, Stowe is only 45 min. away. If you want to stay at Stowe I'm sure with all the options in the area you could find a reasonably priced bed during the week.

 

[steamboat1]

thanks for the Stowe tip, i do belong to a club and a $45 would be sweet!

i'm thinking of swapping ME to monday since we're driving up and arriving a bit late. being smaller might be better choice for first day, give us more time on Tuesday to explore the larger mountain.

No problem with the Stowe tip, glad you might be able to take advantage.

ME is not smaller, it has the most vertical in VT. Lot's of good terrain there, many options are usually overlooked. Forecast is calling for a little wind Mon. Sugarbush, both north & south, is notorious for putting lifts on wind hold. Hope that's not a problem for you Mon.

 

[billski]

I agree with steamboat on all counts. ME can easily entertain you for an entire day. Golden Lion is great given your criteria. The drive to Stowe is easy and painless (one of the beni's of midweek skiing). If you want more pizza, check out The Pizza Joint, Moscow Road near Stowe. It's cheaper and has lots of regulars. Definitely a local's place, off the main drag. Not big or fancy, used to operate out of an old gas station on 100. Ask for the home made birch beer. A real treat.

 

[gmcunni]

my son and i are NOT morning people so being 45 minutes away from stowe would likely mean starting skiing 45 minutes later than if we stay local. i found some places up that way for similar pricing to Golden Lion so perhaps we'll drive up tuesday night, try Bill's recommendation for pizza and stay there.

my comment on ME being smaller was a poor choice of words, just based on the google map view ME appears to less spread out and fewer trails. i like to bounce around mountains so less to bounce @ ME was what i was trying to say.

 

[steamboat1]

Maybe I'll run into you either Tues. or Wed. I'm debating whether to leave this afternoon or early in the morning. I was planning on the morning but the forecast is for some snow today/tonight. I don't like driving long trips in the snow especially early in the morning when it's still dark.

 

[Razor]

When we go to Stowe, we stay at Commodore's Inn. You can often get last minute rates of $88 which includes breakfast.

 

[twinplanx]

When we go to Stowe, we stay at Commodore's Inn. You can often get last minute rates of $88 which includes breakfast.

I've stayed there. Nice bar on site might just be open on weekends though...

 

[thetrailboss]

my comment on ME being smaller was a poor choice of words, just based on the google map view ME appears to less spread out and fewer trails. i like to bounce around mountains so less to bounce @ ME was what i was trying to say.

There's more than meets the eye there! Feel free to PM me if you want ideas or have not been there.

 

[gmcunni]

When we go to Stowe, we stay at Commodore's Inn. You can often get last minute rates of $88 which includes breakfast.

just on their site looking at that. calling now because the $88 doesn't indicate types of beds. with son prefer the 2 doubles.

their dinner buffet looks pretty nice too

 

[gmcunni]

There's more than meets the eye there!

guess we'll flip a coin then, we plan to ski both mountains. is one affected less if it is windy?