Arrive at Ragged on Thursday at 9:30 liftopia coupon in hand, to find the parking lot nearly empty, nothing unusual in that. Then I look up to see the lifts aren't turning. Amble into the lodge to find a small crew of idle skiers and riders and find out they are on wind hold and it doesn't look good. At 10 they announce that they aren't going to open so after checking in at the ticket desk and learning that they will honor my liftopia ticket on any subsequent weekday I set about putting together plan B. Sunapee is the closest option, half day ticket is 53 and their lifts are spinning (smart enough to call in advance this time. I ain't too clever but I can be trained). I like Sunapee so off I go and a mere 40 minutes later I am.
At Sunapee I found beautiful blue skies, windy as hell but a fully functional lift system and no lift lines. Odd thing about the crowds -- top lot was full -- at least a couple of hundred cars but slopes weren't crowded and lifts were ski on all afternoon.
The conditions? RFF (really freaking firm). A less generous soul might call it icy. As it was still white I hesitate to do so. Maybe the Mantras weren't the right choice but at least my quads got a workout. No real gripes I had a great time. Seems like the lifts are pretty well sheltered so I stayed pretty comfortable. Sun bowl was the place to play.
At Sunapee I found beautiful blue skies, windy as hell but a fully functional lift system and no lift lines. Odd thing about the crowds -- top lot was full -- at least a couple of hundred cars but slopes weren't crowded and lifts were ski on all afternoon.
The conditions? RFF (really freaking firm). A less generous soul might call it icy. As it was still white I hesitate to do so. Maybe the Mantras weren't the right choice but at least my quads got a workout. No real gripes I had a great time. Seems like the lifts are pretty well sheltered so I stayed pretty comfortable. Sun bowl was the place to play.
