09 king of spring

[skiing is life]

cast you votes ladies and gents'

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Sugarbush for Vermont
Sunday River for Maine

 

[mondeo]

I think with some more snow, Killington would be pushing to be the last to close. But with the early snowfall reducing snowmaking and no real snow in March, I'm thinking it's going to be a matter of whose snowpack holds out the longest, not when people stop skiing. So Sugarbush.

 

[deadheadskier]

Sugarloaf will be the last area to close in the east. I'd bet money on it.

 

[thorski]

Killington had all the snow in the world last year to keep going and they closed early. :uzi:
I wouldn't be suprised if killinton closed next weekend.
I will probably end my season at sugarbush like last year.

 

[andyzee]

Killington had all the snow in the world last year to keep going and they closed early. :uzi:
I wouldn't be suprised if killinton closed next weekend.
I will probably end my season at sugarbush like last year.

Killington's new management learned real quick that they did wrong. They have stockpiled snow on Superstar and will be taking their throne back.

 

[thorski]

Killington's new management learned real quick that they did wrong. They have stockpiled snow on Superstar and will be taking their throne back.

If they don't make it to the first weekend in may they will have failed again.

 

[deadheadskier]

If they don't make it to the first weekend in may they will have failed again.

I'd give them a pass if they make it to the 25th-26th. Given that it's been a ridiculously warm March, to expect anyone to get to May at this point in this economy is a lot to ask. Yes, I know Killington ALWAYS made it to May, sometimes June for YEARS. If they do I really would tip my cap, HUGE turn around.

The reason I say Sugarloaf is all the snow depth maps I've looked at recently point to Northwestern Maine having the deepest snow pack. Sugarloaf has that going for it, high elevation, it's been colder there than other parts of New England during this warm up, they traditionally get the most late season natural snow AND they showed last season their willing to go for it by staying open into May.

 

[Edd]

I agree with Sugarloaf. I wouldn't count out Sunday River matching them through sheer power of will. Say what you will, the River makes the most of what they have like no other.

 

[thorski]

I'd give them a pass if they make it to the 25th-26th. Given that it's been a ridiculously warm March, to expect anyone to get to May at this point in this economy is a lot to ask. Yes, I know Killington ALWAYS made it to May, sometimes June for YEARS. If they do I really would tip my cap, HUGE turn around.

The reason I say Sugarloaf is all the snow depth maps I've looked at recently point to Northwestern Maine having the deepest snow pack. Sugarloaf has that going for it, high elevation, it's been colder there than other parts of New England during this warm up, they traditionally get the most late season natural snow AND they showed last season their willing to go for it by staying open into May.

I wouldn't argue against sugarloaf going the longest.
The fact that killington probably won't have the snow to go late this year just reminds me how badly they blew it last year.
Do you think sugarbush will stay open later then Killington again this year?

 

[mondeo]

I wouldn't argue against sugarloaf going the longest.
The fact that killington probably won't have the snow to go late this year just reminds me how badly they blew it last year.
Do you think sugarbush will stay open later then Killington again this year?

Barring another large storm or two, I'm thinking Mount Snow, Killington, and Sugarbush all finish on the 26th. Give Sugarloaf another week.

Given their early season surprise opening, I was hoping for them to basically pull the same move for the spring and stay open at least long enough to claim the longest season and latest closing date. But with the recent lack of snowfall, I'm with DHS.

I don't see how they're going to fix BMMC when they're pubicly scaring everyone away again. Not like they can backtrack and say, "hey, we were just kidding, BYOB and get smashed."

 

[ski_resort_observer]

IMHO the motivation to be the last resort open will the resort that makes the decision to lose some money in the name of customer service to claim the honor.

While the northeastern resorts are fairing better this season in the economic crisis hanging over the current ski season than the western resorts, a big year businesswise it has not been for most.

After last years uptick in both Vt and NH, I think this season's final tally will be down from last year and once again, way down from the glory years of the late 80's. At least in Vermont. The west was down overall last season.

This year the balance sheets at most resorts are tight in the northeast, staying open until May will cost money, money no resort wants to spend. Which resort will decide that winning the crown is worth more than what it will cost them to stay open. If making/pushing extra snow on SS at kmart can be confirmed by someone than I say they will close last.

 

[drjeff]

I'm going to give the title back to K. I think that about certain things, Powdr got a harsh dose of reality last year and WON'T make the same screw up twice.

Mount Snow has the real potential to make a run for it, if not win it outright if they choose to ski/ride until melt out at Carinthia. Even if the cut the size of the hits in 1/2, they'll still have decent sized parks to attract the drive up park crazed teenage/Gen X business that will determine how late they keep spinning them

 

[mister moose]

Killington has some snow stockpiled on the top of Superstar, and a decent amount on the lower face, but the middle looks noticeably thin this year. If we don't get some help in the way of snow, snowmaking or extended cold temps, I don't think Killington will make it past mid April.

 

[andyzee]

I'm going to give the title back to K. I think that about certain things, Powdr got a harsh dose of reality last year and WON'T make the same screw up twice.

Mount Snow has the real potential to make a run for it, if not win it outright if they choose to ski/ride until melt out at Carinthia. Even if the cut the size of the hits in 1/2, they'll still have decent sized parks to attract the drive up park crazed teenage/Gen X business that will determine how late they keep spinning them

It's obvious that Killington has been making an all out effort to get business back this year, with various discounts throughout the season. Their incentive for staying open as late as possible is to boost season pass sales and business overall.


Mount Snow has to be given credit for doing a good job since being sold by ASC, but, they are too far south to compete if northern resorts such as killington want to make a run for the throne.

 

[andyzee]

Killington has some snow stockpiled on the top of Superstar, and a decent amount on the lower face, but the middle looks noticeably thin this year. If we don't get some help in the way of snow, snowmaking or extended cold temps, I don't think Killington will make it past mid April.

 

[RootDKJ]

Sugarbush for Vermont
Sunday River for Maine

Camelback for PA

 

[mister moose]

Nice Pics, Andy. This is from Easter week end, 2007. Check the temp.

 

[andyzee]

4/21/07 was the perfect spring weekend. Called work, told my boss it was just too nice to come in and I was taking Monday off

And that season ended on 5/6 :lol:

 

[loafer89]

The dusting of snow at Killington looks pretty, but 107" of snow at Sugarloaf in April of 2007 looked a bit different:

IMG]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/loafer89/Buriedsign.jpg[/IMG]IMG]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/loafer89/Buriedsign.jpg[/IMG]