Zand
Well-known member
A lot of times I chase powder, but this year after a couple failed attempts I was determined to get to Sugarloaf when I could actually see the mountain, the lifts were actually running, and cell towers weren't being blown in half by 145 mph winds. The forecast was looking beautiful and I decided this would be a fine few days to pull it off.
With the wife in tow I got a late start this morning, but I just wanted to be here in time for 2:30 cat skiing. Arrived at 1 to cars parked way down the access road and every lot full, but at that hour there were spots in the top lot available.
Had about 30 minutes once I booted up before I had to head to the log yard so I hit Broccoli Glade off Whiffletree. Plenty of ice and rocks to welcome me back to the east but it was actually decent as long as you were careful. Just couldn't bomb through like I grew used to doing last week.
Followed up that run with two runs down Haul Back off King Pine to kill another 15 minutes. Scary when Sugarloaf feels flat and small but holy hell did I get spoiled last week. Actually some nice soft snow skiers right and a fun run but it was weird skiing a run in 90 seconds again.
Headed off to the Log Yard down a well signed snowmobile trail which was nice and smooth for the most part but theres one crappy area near the end that I had to throw on the brakes for followed by an uphill area but made it in plenty of time.
After the roughly 10 minute cat ride up a steep and scenic road, I made my way down Androscoggin Glade. Started off wonderful with lightly tracked glade lines. Some,debris and fallen trees, not really unlike Brackett Basin but just a lot less skied and it was like silk. Toward the bottom it got crunchy. The long cat ride made it feel like you had a longer run than you did as it was a pretty quick run down.
2nd run I did Little Androscoggin which is quite a bit steeper and also had a lot more debris to deal with. Still really enjoyed my run. Not sure it's worth $45 to ski that terrain on a day like today but I'd do it again for sure on a powder day.
The run out put a real bad taste in my mouth. Ski Patrol said go back through the Log Yard, about a quarter mile down the same trail that you take in, then hang a left down a trail. I did all that and then ended up on a cross country trail which was very much in use. The run into the Log Yard has all kinds of signs but there are no signs whatsoever to get you back. The flat trail went on forever and I finally came out at some condos. I asked someone how close I was to Snubber and they said it was across the parking lot of the next condo building.
It was almost 3:45 at this point and I had no idea Sugarloaf closes lower mountain lifts at 3:45. I finally got to the other end of the condo parking lot and as I was skiing up to the lift the liftie comes out and puts the closed rope up. I told him I needed to get to the base and he said I had to ski down to the road and wait for the bus. What a dick. Guess they need to save money by not running the lift an extra 25 seconds so their lifts stop popping out of the ground.
The bus finally came by after 20 minutes and after a nice tour of the condos and sitting in traffic I finally got to the base at 4:25. Thanks lifty.
Of course I figured a nice Bag Burger would wash the taste out of my mouth and as usual the food was great. However a drunk couple sat right next to us at the bar and fought the ENTIRE time we were there. Correct me if I'm wrong but no other ski area in New England has even close to as much of a "drunk locals" problem as Sugarloaf. Every time I go to a restaurant or even just ride the bus here I always see them.
Looking forward to a great day of skiing tomorrow and hopefully no bus rides or drunk locals.
With the wife in tow I got a late start this morning, but I just wanted to be here in time for 2:30 cat skiing. Arrived at 1 to cars parked way down the access road and every lot full, but at that hour there were spots in the top lot available.
Had about 30 minutes once I booted up before I had to head to the log yard so I hit Broccoli Glade off Whiffletree. Plenty of ice and rocks to welcome me back to the east but it was actually decent as long as you were careful. Just couldn't bomb through like I grew used to doing last week.
Followed up that run with two runs down Haul Back off King Pine to kill another 15 minutes. Scary when Sugarloaf feels flat and small but holy hell did I get spoiled last week. Actually some nice soft snow skiers right and a fun run but it was weird skiing a run in 90 seconds again.
Headed off to the Log Yard down a well signed snowmobile trail which was nice and smooth for the most part but theres one crappy area near the end that I had to throw on the brakes for followed by an uphill area but made it in plenty of time.
After the roughly 10 minute cat ride up a steep and scenic road, I made my way down Androscoggin Glade. Started off wonderful with lightly tracked glade lines. Some,debris and fallen trees, not really unlike Brackett Basin but just a lot less skied and it was like silk. Toward the bottom it got crunchy. The long cat ride made it feel like you had a longer run than you did as it was a pretty quick run down.
2nd run I did Little Androscoggin which is quite a bit steeper and also had a lot more debris to deal with. Still really enjoyed my run. Not sure it's worth $45 to ski that terrain on a day like today but I'd do it again for sure on a powder day.
The run out put a real bad taste in my mouth. Ski Patrol said go back through the Log Yard, about a quarter mile down the same trail that you take in, then hang a left down a trail. I did all that and then ended up on a cross country trail which was very much in use. The run into the Log Yard has all kinds of signs but there are no signs whatsoever to get you back. The flat trail went on forever and I finally came out at some condos. I asked someone how close I was to Snubber and they said it was across the parking lot of the next condo building.
It was almost 3:45 at this point and I had no idea Sugarloaf closes lower mountain lifts at 3:45. I finally got to the other end of the condo parking lot and as I was skiing up to the lift the liftie comes out and puts the closed rope up. I told him I needed to get to the base and he said I had to ski down to the road and wait for the bus. What a dick. Guess they need to save money by not running the lift an extra 25 seconds so their lifts stop popping out of the ground.
The bus finally came by after 20 minutes and after a nice tour of the condos and sitting in traffic I finally got to the base at 4:25. Thanks lifty.
Of course I figured a nice Bag Burger would wash the taste out of my mouth and as usual the food was great. However a drunk couple sat right next to us at the bar and fought the ENTIRE time we were there. Correct me if I'm wrong but no other ski area in New England has even close to as much of a "drunk locals" problem as Sugarloaf. Every time I go to a restaurant or even just ride the bus here I always see them.
Looking forward to a great day of skiing tomorrow and hopefully no bus rides or drunk locals.
