Current footage from the summit looks beautiful, but there seems to be some $#*! in the forecast. Doesn't bode well for top to bottom skiing for opening weekend. I also wonder why they've chosen Suntanner as the trail for the lower mountain...
-
Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!
You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!
Stratton Thread
- Thread starter ghughes20
- Start date
slatham
Well-known member
Suntanner has been the opening choice for several years IIRC. Shortest/quickest route down from the upper Mountian, and can be its own low intermediate run off of Amex. Also linked with mid mountain lodge. The next one is typically Old Log Road to allow a way down from Snow Bowl area, where they don’t always run the lift during the week.
I remember one season when the only trails they had open were black/polar then side of ursa to a narrow traverse across tamarack then to yodeler. My recollection is that Suntanner was one of the last to open after Yodeler, Tamarack and the trails under AM EX, but I could be wrong,
Never really cared for it especially since it takes an uphill climb to get to it.
I also assumed they named it Suntanner for a reason which would make it tougher to cover/maintain in warmer temperatures, but then again, I know nothing.
Never really cared for it especially since it takes an uphill climb to get to it.
I also assumed they named it Suntanner for a reason which would make it tougher to cover/maintain in warmer temperatures, but then again, I know nothing.
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
POWER!
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
Looks like they’ve cut back a bit from expectations 10 days ago. Pretty warm tomorrow then deep drop so should be interesting few days. Been jonesin’, heavy.
11/25 - We are officially back with top to bottom skiing on 55 acres and 10 trails kicking off our 65th season tomorrow morning!
You can find your way up the Gondola, American Express, Snow Bowl Express, and Ursa, all set to spin at 9am. Once you ride up to the summit you will find three options for your way down, Franks Falline, Mikes Way, and Janeway Junction. Franks to Suntanner will return you to base area; This will be the only way down so you must ride a black diamond trail to return, meaning there is no beginner skiing for opening day.
Mikes and Janeway will lead to West Meadow for a ride up Snow Bowl Express. Frank's Falline will split to Grizzly Access to reach Ursa and will connect to Suntanner. Suntanner will be the only option off American Express for riders who prefer not to go to the summit; Please keep in mind this is a blue trail recommended for intermediate and expert skiers and riders.
At the lower portion of Franks Falline, our Parks crew has set 3 features including 2 boxes and 1 tube ready to enhance the opening day fun!
Expansion is on the horizon as cold temperatures roll in early Thursday, through the weekend, and into the next coming week. With temperatures like these, you best believe snow guns will be roaring base to summit.
Nov 15 message
11/25 - We are officially back with top to bottom skiing on 55 acres and 10 trails kicking off our 65th season tomorrow morning!
You can find your way up the Gondola, American Express, Snow Bowl Express, and Ursa, all set to spin at 9am. Once you ride up to the summit you will find three options for your way down, Franks Falline, Mikes Way, and Janeway Junction. Franks to Suntanner will return you to base area; This will be the only way down so you must ride a black diamond trail to return, meaning there is no beginner skiing for opening day.
Mikes and Janeway will lead to West Meadow for a ride up Snow Bowl Express. Frank's Falline will split to Grizzly Access to reach Ursa and will connect to Suntanner. Suntanner will be the only option off American Express for riders who prefer not to go to the summit; Please keep in mind this is a blue trail recommended for intermediate and expert skiers and riders.
At the lower portion of Franks Falline, our Parks crew has set 3 features including 2 boxes and 1 tube ready to enhance the opening day fun!
Expansion is on the horizon as cold temperatures roll in early Thursday, through the weekend, and into the next coming week. With temperatures like these, you best believe snow guns will be roaring base to summit.
Nov 15 message
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
It’s pretty messy today, but I don’t care 
slatham
Well-known member
Friday might not be that great but with cold temps and maybe some upslope snow the weekend could be ok.
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
Looks like nothing else opening today.
Why don’t they slow the gondola and download too? My ski partner is disappointed she can’t hit mikes way and meadow without getting out down on franks.
Why don’t they slow the gondola and download too? My ski partner is disappointed she can’t hit mikes way and meadow without getting out down on franks.
Hastur
Well-known member
Bring a backpack with hiking boots In it.
Leave it at the snow bowl lift base. Hike out on old log road after. Or Cabot’s to wanderer. Unless they are making snow on those sections. It’s a 10 min easy hike.
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
Meanwhile, snowed pretty good, got windy so gondola and snowbowl lift went on hold. Way too many people for just franks, polar bear and suntanner. Lapped ursa and snow bowl for a while.
KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
I skied from 9-1230 and got out of there as soon as they closed the snowbowl side. Just 20k of early season groomer ripping and home by 3. Easy
Last edited:
slatham
Well-known member
Great storm skiing at Stratton on Tuesday. A surprise 5" at open up top was more than I expected. Continued to fill in and was circa 8-9" when I left early afternoon and heard they finished at 12". With limited terrain it did get skied off quickly, but sides - and especially skiers right on both Franks and West Meadow (with a couple sneaks into East Meadow) - kept the powder shots going all morning. With a bit more snow tomorrow and solid cold SoVT is now on a good run of skiing.
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
They’re expanding quickly now
12/4 2:30 PM- Another inch dropped today, and we're not complaining! Tomorrow we’ll be taking turns down 29 trails with the new additions of Mark's Run, Daniel Webster, Craig's Run, Lower Tamarack, and Village Walk. 5 lifts are set to spin at 9AM, with no anticipated delays. Temperatures are dropping overnight, so be sure to wear that extra layer and to wear your face masks! Passholder Appreciation and our first Ikon Stoke Event of the season kicks off tomorrow. Catch live music, apres scenes, fitness classes, and more to show appreciation to Stratton and Ikon passholders. Have a great night, Stratton. Let’s do it all again tomorrow!
Operations Update: With cold temperatures in the immediate forecast, expansion is also in the immediate future. This weekend’s tentative plan is to expand to 40+ trails, including a sizeable amount of green, beginner terrain off the Tamarack chair and Cub Carpet. The colder temperatures have allowed our team to make snow on the lower mountain at optimal production levels. On the west side, we’ll plan to add Get My Drift and Lower Switch Back. On the main face, we’re looking to open Lower Standard, Old Smoothy, White Birch, Village Walk, Yodeler, Tyrolienne, Lower Tamarack, Spillway, Duck Soup, Craig's Run, Daniel's Web, Mark's Run, Tink’s Link, Flukey’s Run, and Hemlock. Expect to hit some park features on Tyro this weekend, too.
With all of this snowmaking, our team has identified a needed snowmaking repair on the Black Bear trail. Repairs have already begun, and we expect to be up and running within 48 hours. We’re looking towards the weekend of December 13 & 14 as a potential opening for the Sun Bowl.
12/4 2:30 PM- Another inch dropped today, and we're not complaining! Tomorrow we’ll be taking turns down 29 trails with the new additions of Mark's Run, Daniel Webster, Craig's Run, Lower Tamarack, and Village Walk. 5 lifts are set to spin at 9AM, with no anticipated delays. Temperatures are dropping overnight, so be sure to wear that extra layer and to wear your face masks! Passholder Appreciation and our first Ikon Stoke Event of the season kicks off tomorrow. Catch live music, apres scenes, fitness classes, and more to show appreciation to Stratton and Ikon passholders. Have a great night, Stratton. Let’s do it all again tomorrow!
Operations Update: With cold temperatures in the immediate forecast, expansion is also in the immediate future. This weekend’s tentative plan is to expand to 40+ trails, including a sizeable amount of green, beginner terrain off the Tamarack chair and Cub Carpet. The colder temperatures have allowed our team to make snow on the lower mountain at optimal production levels. On the west side, we’ll plan to add Get My Drift and Lower Switch Back. On the main face, we’re looking to open Lower Standard, Old Smoothy, White Birch, Village Walk, Yodeler, Tyrolienne, Lower Tamarack, Spillway, Duck Soup, Craig's Run, Daniel's Web, Mark's Run, Tink’s Link, Flukey’s Run, and Hemlock. Expect to hit some park features on Tyro this weekend, too.
With all of this snowmaking, our team has identified a needed snowmaking repair on the Black Bear trail. Repairs have already begun, and we expect to be up and running within 48 hours. We’re looking towards the weekend of December 13 & 14 as a potential opening for the Sun Bowl.
Hastur
Well-known member
great first day for me today.
got out just before the crack of noon. waited for the sun to warm things up a bit.
liftline and standard were alot of fun today with no grooming. I dont think they'll take too much weekend traffic before they shut them down but who knows. there is not much base there.
otherwise standard frozen groomer stratton offerings.
visibility was amazing today.
got out just before the crack of noon. waited for the sun to warm things up a bit.
liftline and standard were alot of fun today with no grooming. I dont think they'll take too much weekend traffic before they shut them down but who knows. there is not much base there.
otherwise standard frozen groomer stratton offerings.
visibility was amazing today.
ColdRain&Snow
Active member
Main lot, lots 1&2 filled up today. They were parking cars at the sun bowl with shuttle service to the main base.
Webcams showed a lot of peeps for 40 trails.
Webcams showed a lot of peeps for 40 trails.
KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
Stratton on a Saturday after a big central New England snowfall at people’s homes in NY CT and MA is a big no no.
Hastur
Well-known member
jeebus. now im scared to go tommorow for early ups 10 laps and gtfo. I wish magic had more opened.
Eta-a friend on patrol said there were just shy of 6k people there today
Last edited:
