The "Sugarbush Thread"

[foofy]

Maybe could have sold more Ikon passes with some of those updates before the price increases.

 

[Julius]

RIP, Sandy Macys. I had stayed in touch with him fairly regularly, though I didn't get to see him on his recent visit to Vermont (in his love/hate RV). We worked side by side at the mountain for 4 seasons, '08-'12. Saks and Macys (only missing a Bloomingdales). The Sugarbush and Patrollers' community has lost a good man.

So sorry to hear the news about Sandy. Many years ago I blew my knee out top of FIS. I remember looking down to see blood everywhere and thought I compounded my leg. I had cut my wrist instead from the ski edge. Sandy was the first patroller there and quickly took care of matters as I was fading in and out.

Later he jokingly said “ya had to do that at the TOP of FIS?”. Can only imaging maneuvering a sled down that. Yes Sandy was a good man indeed over the years.

 

[Boxtop Willie]

A good 3-4 inches at the top of Rt 17 this morning...and a bit of a breeze.
Heard a rumor that the Ski School director is leaving. Going out west to Mt. Bachelor or Mt Hood.

 

[Newpylong]

This may be true but if so is it buried? Admit I’ve never come across it and have skied through the woods there more times than I can count.

Given ski patrol’s liberal policy around thin cover openings I’m not sure there is any reason to bother making snow on that section anyway. If the rest of the trail is skiable then there is pretty much always a way down through it. An icy rollover would be less interesting.

It's not just a may, that's how it's done. It's across the cutover. They would run jumper hoses from Elbow to these. Then at the other end run hoses down to above the rock face on Bravo.

 

[fulgoreXC]

It's not just a may, that's how it's done. It's across the cutover. They would run jumper hoses from Elbow to these. Then at the other end run hoses down to above the rock face on Bravo.

Confirmed. Two small pipes run from Elbow through the trees covered by the forest litter. If you don’t know where they are you’ll never find them. If you look closely there’s an extra set of hydrants next to the snowgun towers at the cutover.

 

[Plowboy]

Confirmed. Two small pipes run from Elbow through the trees covered by the forest litter. If you don’t know where they are you’ll never find them. If you look closely there’s an extra set of hydrants next to the snowgun towers at the cutover.

They've been there for over 35 years. Looks like they're blowing the top of Elbow.

 

[Mak]

Blowing snow on Organ Grinder this afternoon. I didn't see any on Gate House so it looks like they're pushing for opening up top. Psyched.

 

[Plowboy]

Nice Alpineglow this morning. If you look close you can see snowmaking on Rim Run and the top of Elbow.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

While looking for SB Youtube, I stumbled on this gem: 1998 CR Extreme

Love the skis as well as the skiing

That's a gem! Thanks for posting. I also love the visuals of the old chair. Also, no helmets far as I could tell (I started wearing one myself only 2 seasons ago)

 

[Lotso]

Nice pic!

 

[slatham]

Blowing snow on Organ Grinder this afternoon. I didn't see any on Gate House so it looks like they're pushing for opening up top. Psyched.

Snow report and blog indicates they’ll make snow where temps allow and opening will be based on what they can get done. Summit is an option, but my read is they prefer Gate House. Too warm on GH yesterday and last night the window was too short.

Personally I hope summit but I don’t have a horse in the game.

 

[Lotso]

Should have temps for GH Monday night through Wed. Could get something done: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-72.9&lat=44.14

 

[tumbler]

The GH opening is the way for them to open the quickest besides First Time. The route down from top of HG is long and takes a while. I would prefer they go Snowball-Fling first when the temps are down low. I know it's wide but it's the most enjoyable WROD. They can also bring on Lower SB- racers Edge to add to it. They opened with SB-SF a few years ago and it was pleasantly nice.

 

[fulgoreXC]

The GH opening is the way for them to open the quickest besides First Time. The route down from top of HG is long and takes a while. I would prefer they go Snowball-Fling first when the temps are down low. I know it's wide but it's the most enjoyable WROD. They can also bring on Lower SB- racers Edge to add to it. They opened with SB-SF a few years ago and it was pleasantly nice.

That year a women’s FIS team came to train. Inverness wasn’t ready. It was a nice pivot. And from my perspective should be considered every year. The crux of opening with HG is getting Downspout in. Sure from a lifelong expert skier opening up high is great. But they already have our pass $. Regardless of the terrain we will be back. With GH there’s a higher potential for pass sales to the never-ever and along with that lessons, meals, lodging, equipment rentals/sales, etc. Gotta keep the pipeline of new pass buyers full.

 

[Lotso]

I miss early and late season on Summit at ME....there, I said it. I know all the reasons not to but I still think it was great.

 

[Mak]

The crux of opening with HG is getting Downspout in. Sure from a lifelong expert skier opening up high is great. But they already have our pass $. Regardless of the terrain we will be back. With GH there’s a higher potential for pass sales to the never-ever and along with that lessons, meals, lodging, equipment rentals/sales, etc. Gotta keep the pipeline of new pass buyers full.

Im curious what you think the actual number of "never evers" show up early season? I don't think there's any evidence that your thesis is correct. I believe the opposite is trued. My experience (greeting people as an ambassador working the cow) is that the vast number of people that show up early season are pass holders interested in getting their day count started. I've rarely had people show up as newbies asking where where they should go, where can they get their ticket, where can they rent equiment etc. Although I have no actually revenue evidence, I think newbies show up when they see snow around their house, and realize its time to think about skiing.

 

[cdskier]

Im curious what you think the actual number of "never evers" show up early season? I don't think there's any evidence that your thesis is correct. I believe the opposite is trued. My experience (greeting people as an ambassador working the cow) is that the vast number of people that show up early season are pass holders interested in getting their day count started. I've rarely had people show up as newbies asking where where they should go, where can they get their ticket, where can they rent equiment etc. Although I have no actually revenue evidence, I think newbies show up when they see snow around their house, and realize its time to think about skiing.

I have a hard time buying the "we need beginner terrain for newbies first thing" argument as well. The "we know we can open this terrain faster since it requires less snow" argument seems much more plausible with the "beginner terrain" argument just being a PR talking point...

 

[1dog]

I have a hard time buying the "we need beginner terrain for newbies first thing" argument as well. The "we know we can open this terrain faster since it requires less snow" argument seems much more plausible with the "beginner terrain" argument just being a PR talking point...

think same- and I've seen very very few 'never-evers' or even those who have means and want beginner terrain for them and the kids ( $$ for lodging, food, accessories, etc.) Now, I have seen a large newbie, Asian contingent at K-Mart early on in and around Thanksgiving weekend- a lot of them- they are not going to SB for one or two trails when they seen 10-15 open ( regardless of their ability to use more than 2 or 3). Like Lotso, I miss Mellen early and late - Spring on Elbow and FIS, were just GREAT! And newer skiers had Rim- and ( whatever it was prior to Walts) with the full larger deck - classic NE SPring skiing and great sun and great crowds.

Just one more reason they can't compete is that lack of on-mountain dining options- missing out there too. We still go- for the core- its all about the terrain and the local vibe- can't say that about some of the competition- but the core aren't gonna grow their revenues . . . Open the Octagon! Place a large deck on Walts! Stay open till 9! All easy to say when its not your capital, looking for ROI.

 

[MrGlen]

I’m skinning up tonight to get in my first turns of the season. I’ll report back on how conditions are looking.

 

[cdskier]

In other news, I see the mid-mountain temps are displaying properly on the website again! I feel like that was broken all last year. Baby steps