The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Hawk]

I can't understand why so many limit themselves to Mt Ellen only. Pay a little more and go to Lincoln on the days there are issues. I don't understand what the big issue is. Be flexible. Skiing Lincoln will not kill you and you might actually have fun.....or maybe not. ;-)

 

[vtski802]

I can't understand why so many limit themselves to Mt Ellen only. Pay a little more and go to Lincoln on the days there are issues. I don't understand what the big issue is. Be flexible. Skiing Lincoln will not kill you and you might actually have fun.....or maybe not. ;-)

The issue is having options available. If Super Bravo were to open at 8 on weekdays (as GMX does), I'd go there for laps before work. But now I can't because there's an issue with GMX. I'm definitely not getting the full value out of my pass, which is predicated on all lifts working when scheduled.

 

[VTSkiBike]

I can't understand why so many limit themselves to Mt Ellen only. Pay a little more and go to Lincoln on the days there are issues. I don't understand what the big issue is. Be flexible. Skiing Lincoln will not kill you and you might actually have fun.....or maybe not. ;-)

I do go to Lincoln more these day due to lift issues but what bugs me is that they aren't providing what people are paying for. I pay for lift served access to Lincoln and Ellen and when the lifts at Ellen are not working a huge chunk of the time, pass holders are not getting what they pay for. Its a simple as that.

I won't sympathize with Alterra. We're paying for a service that they are not providing.

 

[Julius]

Several long time friends of ours prefer to stay at North even though they have a full pass. Guess growing their kids on that side after all these years the stakes drove deep.

I'm the one that usually trucks over when I want to ski with that crew..

 

[Hawk]

My issue with Ellen is that except for a few locations, you can't stay at the mountain and you have to commute. I would never leave the location I am in with the view and the access. I don't live in VT full time and don't have the ability to bang out a couple of runs before work. But if I did, my condo is set up for success at Lincoln peak.

Also, the kids in the program are a short blip in your ski journey. Maybe it's time to move on. I ski at ellen probably a dozen days. usually mostly as a cut through to some of my favorite spots. A few runs on in the trees, Tumbler, hammerhead, Back diamond, bravo, encore and exterminator and I am good. But the variety of both is what makes the mountain special with the other access it provides. Limiting myself has never been my mindset so It is hard for me to relate. I just see all the issues over there and think, wow I am glad I am not part of that shit show. Just my perspective as a Lincoln peak only person.

 

[jonnyco14]

I still think we have it pretty good. I spent a Sunday at Stowe and it was mobbed. Yes the lifts work but the lines and crowding were much more than I see at Sugarbush. I also spent a day at Stratton and the lift lines were ridiculous. Replacing lifts is a huge expense, especially if it is a hsq. I hope they replace it but it has been a great season in spite of a few lift issues. I do agree that if the lifts are down they should let people ski Lincoln if they have a Mt. Ellen pass. Seems silly not too. This is probably the worst season on record out west so I imagine money is tight right now. I do wonder if they are going to come out with a master plan like Stratton or other mountains...Seems odd they they don't have a long term vision that they are communicating.

 

[Newpylong]

The lifts are so bad that I'm tempted to just get an Epic pass just for Stowe next year but the Sugarbush Local Pass price and access to just too good to make the switch.

I'm just astounded that Alterra has let these lift issues persist for several seasons. It's just so embarrassing and an f--- you to the people who ski there regularly.

Not to defend Alterra, but short of replacing lifts, all these issues (lift maintenance, communication, snowmaking) fall on local management. Which from an outside view, has seemed incompetent since Win sold the place.

 

[Hawk]

I hear you about Stratton and Stowe. I went to Stratton last month and that config is crazy. 3 - 6 packs and the gondi dumping everybody at the top. I have never seen so many skiers on the trails at one time. I bet it is nice on a mid week day though.

 

[Blurski]

IKON Passes should be out for sale soon, last year they went on sale on 3/13, decision time is right around the corner for those deciding if you are jumping ship or just keep ridding the clunker.

 

[thetrailboss]

Not to defend Alterra, but short of replacing lifts, all these issues (lift maintenance, communication, snowmaking) fall on local management. Which from an outside view, has seemed incompetent since Win sold the place.

From my distant perspective and based on what folks are saying, I would have to agree.

 

[solar]

Ikon passes are on sale tomorrow (3/12)

 

[HowieT2]

There's a ton of equipment at the top of NRX. Right before unloading you can see a big box on the ground over there as well that says AT&T on it...

That said, I feel like I remember something mentioned months ago about a plan to relocate the cell equipment from the top of NRX. I'd try searching, but the search feature on this forum is still broken.

I remember this as well (even though the search feature in my brain is still broken). I seem to recall that they may have moved it already.

 

[cdskier]

I still think we have it pretty good. I spent a Sunday at Stowe and it was mobbed. Yes the lifts work but the lines and crowding were much more than I see at Sugarbush. I also spent a day at Stratton and the lift lines were ridiculous. Replacing lifts is a huge expense, especially if it is a hsq. I hope they replace it but it has been a great season in spite of a few lift issues. I do agree that if the lifts are down they should let people ski Lincoln if they have a Mt. Ellen pass. Seems silly not too. This is probably the worst season on record out west so I imagine money is tight right now. I do wonder if they are going to come out with a master plan like Stratton or other mountains...Seems odd they they don't have a long term vision that they are communicating.

I’m 50/50 on whether they should let Ellen people ski Lincoln if the lifts are still down on Saturday (sat is the only day they can’t already ski Lincoln). On the one hand, it isn’t fair to people that paid for full access either to suddenly have more crowds (and K/Pico used this very logic when the summit chair was down on a holiday and they did not implement the “summit guarantee” that day). On the other hand, Ellen being almost entirely closed with GMx and NRX both down is not fair to Ellen passholders. Hopefully a moot point if they can get at least 1 of the 2 running before the weekend

 

[HowieT2]

Not to defend Alterra, but short of replacing lifts, all these issues (lift maintenance, communication, snowmaking) fall on local management. Which from an outside view, has seemed incompetent since Win sold the place.

Hate to say it but I have to agree. Although didnt the snowmaking issue work itself out (as usual when the weather cooperates)

 

[Hawk]

Yup the snowmaking issue worked itself out...... It snowed.

 

[solar]

With current management, it seems like 'buyer beware' for every purchase, i.e. giving Ikon Base skiers free blackout days for skiing before Christmas or, from last spring, heavily promoting tickets just before shutting down Heaven's Gate for the season. Just exploiting the last of the good will that prior management built up. I wouldn't be surprised if this Friday we see an email promo for 'unlimited ski days at Mt Ellen' for the rest of the season.

 

[NewEnglander77]

With current management, it seems like 'buyer beware' for every purchase, i.e. giving Ikon Base skiers free blackout days for skiing before Christmas or, from last spring, heavily promoting tickets just before shutting down Heaven's Gate for the season. Just exploiting the last of the good will that prior management built up. I wouldn't be surprised if this Friday we see an email promo for 'unlimited ski days at Mt Ellen' for the rest of the season.

Or offering day passes to the lounge and skip the line for $150 after people ponied up $2k. Insulting.

 

[cdskier]

Or offering day passes to the lounge and skip the line for $150 after people ponied up $2k. Insulting.

Offering the $150/day one doesn't bother me...I don't feel one bit bad for people that paid $2k for that nonsense in the first place.

 

[x10003q]

I hear you about Stratton and Stowe. I went to Stratton last month and that config is crazy. 3 - 6 packs and the gondi dumping everybody at the top. I have never seen so many skiers on the trails at one time. I bet it is nice on a midweek day though.

Stratton has going to the top:

The Shooting Star HS6 - which almost never runs on a 'normal' midweek. It runs as low as 550ft/min to 770ft/min
The URSA HS6 - which is the workhorse and mostly out of the wind - it runs in the 850ft/min range
The Gondola - which is not running 25-40% of the time due to wind. It runs similar speed to the AMEX which is in the 700ft/min to 800 ft/min, I never ride the gondi.
The Snow Bowl HSQuad (not six) - which is also down for wind issues almost as much as the gondi - it also runs in the 850ft/min range

Once in very blue moon, somebody must make a mistake and they crank the Snow Bowl HSQ up to 1000ft/min. You really notice it and everybody on the lift talks about it.

Midweek at Stratton is excellent.

 

[shadyjay]

I'm so glad I held off before purchasing a $49 Mt Ellen ticket for Thursday 3/12. I'd be pretty ticked off to only be able to ride the few trails off Sunny Q and basically just North Ridge Expressway to SS (Inverness closed until the afternoon for racing, unsure about conditions on Walt's and Semi... two great trails, if the snow is there). Yeah, I get it, buyer beware and all that, but still, something told me to wait... glad I did. A friend even offered me a free ticket for tomorrow... nope. Not wasting my time. Will save my energy for Friday at Lincoln, and endulge in some "valley" activities for tomorrow.

Stowe today (3/11) was a lot of fun, and stayed mostly dry. Super soft snow that was a lot of fun, but the loss of coverage in recent days is pretty substantial. Guess next year I'll try to schedule this trip for February, as this is 2 years in a row of getting skunked out of the "goods". Still fun though, regardless, and better than being at work!