Magic Mountain - West Side

[urungus]

Hi everybody. Longtime lurker, first post.

Looking for advice on what you think is the "easiest" (or maybe it is better to say, least difficult) way down the west side of Magic Mountain, for someone who is ready to venture off Wizard?

Also any comments you have about the reasoning behind your choice are most appreciated!

a) Broomstick / Heart of the Magican / Lower Magician
b) Talisman
c) Sorcerer
d) other

Thanks.

[NY DirtBag]

I'd say talisman this year since its the one with the best coverage and you are less likely to have to turn around a stick or a rock or something. Sometimes that stuff freaks intermediate level skiers/riders out.

Otherwise I see little difference in a or b

[Savemeasammy]

I'd say talisman this year since its the one with the best coverage and you are less likely to have to turn around a stick or a rock or something. Sometimes that stuff freaks intermediate level skiers/riders out.

Otherwise I see little difference in a or b

Talisman was bumped up yesterday.


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[slatham]

Talisman IF groomed. If everything is bumped up Broomstick/Heart of Magician is best route as it is not as steep, though Broomstick is obviously very narrow - though at least you can look down it before committing.

Couple other things to keep in mind.

Sometimes Broomstick is groomed all the way down to Black Line, and sometimes that grooming continues down skiers left of Black Line and cuts down Link back into Lower Heart of Magician. That would be the easiest way as that section of Black is not that steep, and if groomed would not be too difficult (though its probably only two groomer widths wide).

Also, there is another "Link" like trail that cuts from Backline into Heart of Magician right where Broomstick ends at Black Line. Not on map but its there. I haven't skied it recently so a recon trip might be order. But this route avoids the first and steepest section of Heart of Magician.

Finally, often when Tali is groomed so is Bailout into Lower Heart of Magician all the way down. This will eliminate about half the steepest pitch on Tali.

Best to seek out Mark Lynch, Head of Ski Patrol or one of his colleagues to get the rundown on what Brownie actually groomed up the night before. The level of detail you will need is not likely on the snow report.

[urungus]

Thanks for the comments everybody, keep 'em coming.

I was out there today and had a great time, but I chickened out at the top of Talisman and made the "walk of shame" back up to Wizard... Talisman was pretty bumped up and I get a little woozy when the trail is so steep I can't see over the edge.

I think I should have taken Broomstick, which was groomed and didn't look gut churningly steep. Then follow slathams directions from there. Try to observe if there is any grooming when I am taking the Black Chair over the section of Black Line that slathom mentioned, between Broomstick and Link. Broomstick didn't look all that narrow from the top, especially after going down the short "Potter" trail a little further down Wizard.

Hopefully next time...

[jrmagic]

Thanks for the comments everybody, keep 'em coming.

I was out there today and had a great time, but I chickened out at the top of Talisman and made the "walk of shame" back up to Wizard... Talisman was pretty bumped up and I get a little woozy when the trail is so steep I can't see over the edge.

I think I should have taken Broomstick, which was groomed and didn't look gut churningly steep. Then follow slathams directions from there. Try to observe if there is any grooming when I am taking the Black Chair over the section of Black Line that slathom mentioned, between Broomstick and Link. Broomstick didn't look all that narrow from the top, especially after going down the short "Potter" trail a little further down Wizard.

Hopefully next time...

If you were comfortable enough on Potter then broomstick will be ok for you. I have found people are more nervous on broom than Tali or Sorcerer but YMMV

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[bdfreetuna]

Heart of Magician can be kinda tough due to double fall line and the way the trail turns into it. Not that steep but requires you to ski differently than usual at times. This with Broomstick is the toughest way down of your listed options.

Talisman is not a hard trail, if you find it tough just take your time it's not overly steep and doesn't have any surprises.

Sorcerer isn't a hard trail either and probably the easiest of the 3 options, it's a little less steep than Talisman.

Any of these trails can be tough under less than ideal conditions though

[KustyTheKlown]

Talisman

Magic was so fun yesterday. Lots of snirt and rocks but that makes magic fun.

I skied red line like a goddamn champ. Drew some cheers from the chair. Dropped a cliff at the red line/witch intersection and a ~13 year old kid on the lift gave me a "woah dude you're good at skiing" which made me smile

[Savemeasammy]

Dropped a cliff at the red line/witch intersection

My kid loves that one. There are a few others a bit further down redline, too 👍


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[bdfreetuna]

Dropped a cliff at the red line/witch intersection and a ~13 year old kid on the lift gave me a "woah dude you're good at skiing" which made me smile

Timed it just right with the one 13 year old kid at Magic still afraid to take a 4 foot drop