Your Top 3 Places to Ski & Ride

[mbedle]

Stowe, Stowe and Stowe!!! Only kidding, would have to say Stowe and since I don't live up in the northeast I gotta add in my local places. Elk followed by Blue (my backyard place).

 

[ALLSKIING]

MRG...Sugarbush.....Sugarloaf......Killington

 

[dlague]

Well this is interesting to think about we visit many places each season and first for us would Jay Peak, second would be Sugarbush and third it would have to be one of these Owls Head, Bretton Woods, Burke!

I have to say there others I would like to consider but have not skied there enough!

 

[crank]

Sure I like a lot of Western mountains better but I get to VT al lot more and in VT my top 3 mountains are Jay Peak, Sugarbush and Stowe.

 

[canobie#1]

Stowe is fun but the base is awful. It's all flat and long and the stupid gondola always had a line. I'd love to see a six pack replace it eventually.

 

[deadheadskier]

Stowe is fun but the base is awful. It's all flat and long and the stupid gondola always had a line. I'd love to see a six pack replace it eventually.

Not gonna happen. The Gondola is too important of an off season attraction. It's also used for fine dining and group events. I've never waited longer than 15 minutes in the singles line for the Gondola and that's on a busy weekend. Whenever the mountain gets crowded, I just ride the Lookout Double or Big Spruce.

 

[jimk]

Limiting to three is hard I like pretty much every place I visit and my answer could change frequently, but right now I'd say Aspen Highlands, Alta, and Taos. They all have great terrain and usually very good snow and are also pretty scenic. Aspen and Taos have cool towns nearby.

In the East I guess I'd have to say today: MRG, Wildcat, Saddleback or maybe Le Massif. They offer great skiing and aesthetics I really like.
But I am no ski snob and have a special place in my heart for the first area I ever skied back in the '60s: Blue Knob, PA.

 

[thetrailboss]

Good thread.

For the east:

1. Burke (it's home to me);
2. Sugarbush (was my second home);
3. Tuckerman's/Mount Washington: lots of good memories of spring skiing here and horsing around (that would be my bachelor's party weekend).

For the west (so far...)

1. Alta/Snowbird: my third home (I'm going to cheat and put them as one )
2. Deer Valley: I like getting pampered....I'll admit it.
3. Squaw Valley: first BIG western resort and it is pretty damn kickass.

 

[SnowBro]

lNice to hear Shawnee get some mention. It is my home mt and we have a lot of fun there. It is not always about the amount of vert, or the huge number of trails. It is more about the vibe, conditions, and good friends that make for awesome days there. I have also had a lot of fun nights there when it is absolutly puking snow and no one is there. Every run is untracked! Can't wait for this season.

Shawnee is an awesome place. The people there have always been welcoming and accommodating. Can't wait to get up there this season. Bridgton is my home away from home.

 

[dmc]

I meant ski resorts, but it's not limited to eastern U.S.

Cool..
Jackson hole WY
Gurlmarg India
Kicking Horse BC

 

[xwhaler]

Top 3
1) Saddleback----spent 2 seasons here with a pass with one season renting on Rangeley Lake for the winter. Love the vibe, terrain, value, views. If I could pick 1 place to be on a 12-18" powder day in New England I'd be here deep in their awesome glades.

2) Sugarloaf---the mtn I've skied the most. It doesn't have as many classic character trails as I generally like but I love Western Maine and always have great days here ripping around with my buddies.

3) Magic/Smuggs (tie) Only have skied Magic 6 or 7 times but I really love what they are all about. Great terrain, no attitude, and just a great value. Only skied Smuggs 3 times but love everything they are about...reminds me of a way bigger/steeper version of Magic in many ways.

 

[4aprice]

I have limited experience in Europe, but still consider the west to be the best, so in that mode I would say:

Solitude, Utah: Not the biggest or the hardest but a really fun mountain and when there is fresh snow the Honeycomb Canyon is great. Open shots on one side of the bowl and tree shots on the other.

Snowmass, Colorado: Haven't been in a while but this place was great when I haunted it back in the 80's and 90's. The Big Burn, High Alpine, and Elk Camp with their side shots The Cirque and Hanging Valley were more then entertaining day after day.

Loveland, Colorado: My 3rd day ever on skis was spent at the Valley and its just been a favorite of mine ever since, from the crazy logo to the open areas of lift 4 to Avalanche Bowl. Love the local Colorado flavor too.

My western experience so far has been limited to Colorado and Utah so there are plenty of places on the to do list and this list is subject to change. OTOH I have hit most of the northeast so for here my list would be:

Smugglers Notch, Vermont: My father was tipped off to this place back in the 60's by a co-worker. We rented a condo in the village (just under construction at that time) for 4 seasons and that's where I really learned to ski. Great snow and big vertical, never got bored of the place.

Loon Mountain, NH: I can hear the screams now. There is something about this place that I have always enjoyed and I'm not even sure what it is. Obviously its not the most challenging. My wife loves the cruisers so that's a big plus. Love the views off the top with Mt Washington in the distance. I don't get there during the main crush season so I never see the crowds that I have heard exist, but have had some really wonderful spring days there.

Magic Vermont and Plattekill NY: (tie) (Hi Scotty) Two areas that when the snow is right are just awesome. Good challenge and lots of fun in the woods at both and good value for the buck.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[C-Rex]

I'll stick with the East since I've only been to 4 places out west.

Jay Peak
Sugarloaf
Stowe

I love glades and those three are tough to beat in the North East. And I'll admit that Jay is probably my favorite simply because I've caught so many great days there. I just hope all the additions don't change the vibe too much.

 

[catsup948]

Top 3

1. Mount Ellen- Lots of vert. Less crowded than SB south. Steeps. Bumps. Trees. Snow is reliable.

2. Berkshire East- I ski there 3 days a week! Improved snowmaking. Hidden trees. Nice blend of terrain. One of the better mountains to ski after a storm.

3. Magic- It is just different which makes it great.

I have skied almost every mountain in New England but like these three best. I think it is merely because I've spent the most time at these mountains and they are very fun. Who doesn't like fun?

 

[Warp Daddy]

Gore , Whiteface and Tremblant

 

[Domeskier]

1. Gunbarrel at Sundown

2. Nor'Easter at Sundown

3. Exhibition at Sundown.

 

[C-Rex]

1. Gunbarrel at Sundown

2. Nor'Easter at Sundown

3. Exhibition at Sundown.

You need to get out more.

 

[Domeskier]

You need to get out more.

I thought about leaving a placeholder for Xanadu, but that seemed a bit too presumptuous. #4 on the list is the Cliff at Hunter, circa 1989. I don't get back there that often.

 

[jimk]

And I'll admit that Jay is probably my favorite simply because I've caught so many great days there. h.

I think it is merely because I've spent the most time at these mountains and they are very fun. Who doesn't like fun?

When you ski a place a lot and familiarity breeds love you know it's a good mtn.

 

[The Sneak]

Berkshire East - esp after a storm. Had a really great day there at the end of march 2013. The summit triple liftline is one of those trails I can just do over and over and not get sick of it. Great glades there too.

Jay - esp the Jet triple-served stuff.

Sugarloaf - went to college nearby, it will always be a special place to me.