3 most personally overrated ski areas you have skied.

[BenedictGomez]

I have my qualms with Stowe. Yes, they are expensive and cater to rich, gaper a-holes,

Very true on the weekends, but the locals in Stowe are anything but.

Here's where I jump ship from both of you.

The "rich" I generally encountered at Stowe were no different from the "poor" ski bums, or the middle-class masses. Some are jerks, some are average folks, and some are the absolute salt of the earth. Pretty much like everywhere else I've ever wandered on this planet.

Of the thousands of people I interacted with at Stowe, regardless of socioeconomic status, the vast majority, probably something like >=98%, seemed like good people, happy skiers/snowboarders, and all there to enjoy the mountain.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Wait, I thought you loved Whiteface?

I like Whiteface, I love Lake Placid.

When Whiteface is good, it's GREAT. The problem is, it isn't "good" that much due to its' being a relatively snow-starved area. The pejorative "Iceface" might be harsh, but it's fair. The vertical is palpably better than any area east of the Mississippi, they have some nice glades, the steeps are cool, the trail rating system is more difficult than any place I know, etc... problem is, you cant really enjoy any of this unless you hit the mountain just right, after a snowfall. You dont plan a trip to Whiteface, you GO to Whiteface.

 

[hammer]

Others might not agree with this approach but the first time I ski somewhere I like exploring...even if it means I don't get in as many runs. If an area is big enough I'll go for 2 days and spend the second day more focused on the areas I liked on the first.

 

[Farleyman]

Killington is the most over rated mountain in the country.


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[VTKilarney]

you had me at "autism spectrum"

That's worse than your phrase? You are one interesting dude. Grow up and move on.

 

[EPB]

Pretty common theme running here: big (wide) resorts are hard to navigate and require a lot of traversing.

Sounds like the layout of the proposed expansion at The Balsams.

 

[Cannonball]

I should have had MRG on my list. I got the feeling that MRG was best suited for people somewhere on the autism spectrum. Fine for those folks, but not for me.

I've read your defense of this comment, but you never actually explained what you meant? Do you mean because of the single chair? Or lack of crowds? Something else?

 

[VTKilarney]

I've read your defense of this comment, but you never actually explained what you meant? Do you mean because of the single chair? Or lack of crowds? Something else?

The single chair.


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[Cannonball]

The single chair.


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Makes sense. Since you deal with this in your family I'm surprised that you find it fine for them but not for you. Seems like it would work out really well for you to go there with them.

This is making be feel really bad for autistic snowboarders. The only single-chair won't allow them. And surface lifts really suck on a board.

 

[VTKilarney]

Makes sense. Since you deal with this in your family I'm surprised that you find it fine for them but not for you. Seems like it would work out really well for you to go there with them.

This is making be feel really bad for autistic snowboarders. The only single-chair won't allow them. And surface lifts really suck on a board.

It's more than we can feasibly handle for a day trip, unfortunately.


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[C-Rex]

Here's where I jump ship from both of you.

The "rich" I generally encountered at Stowe were no different from the "poor" ski bums, or the middle-class masses. Some are jerks, some are average folks, and some are the absolute salt of the earth. Pretty much like everywhere else I've ever wandered on this planet.

Of the thousands of people I interacted with at Stowe, regardless of socioeconomic status, the vast majority, probably something like >=98%, seemed like good people, happy skiers/snowboarders, and all there to enjoy the mountain.

I've had mostly the same experience. I said Stowe catered to those types not that that's who shows up.

 

[MMP]

That's worse than your phrase? You are one interesting dude. Grow up and move on.

I just can't type any slower, and I've already explained myself once. We should just agree that you don't understand and move on.

 

[Domeskier]

I've had mostly the same experience. I said Stowe catered to those types not that that's who shows up.

I wish ski areas would stop catering to people who don't event bother to show up (no sarcasm intended).

 

[VTKilarney]

I just can't type any slower, and I've already explained myself once. We should just agree that you don't understand and move on.

I guess you don't understand that using phrases such as the one you used in an attempt to be ironic or to make a point is still patently offensive. Hopefully you will give it some thought. Of the two of us, I am the one who admitted that my comment was ill conceived. I hope you get to a place where you are able to self reflect someday.

That's the last I have to say on this matter. It's closed.

 

[medfordmike]

I don't know if any areas are "overrated" but there are certainly a few which get hyped on this forum and even the mildest criticism tends to elicit strong emotions on behalf of some of the skiers here.

I think this is an interesting point. In my case I get why some people are so into Killington. I enjoy Killington but it is not my favorite place. I respect it but I tend to like more lower key kinds of places. I don't think any mountain can be all things to all people. I think being over hyped is the state of folks who think their favorite can be all things to all people and can't understand why you don't get it. Overrated is when a placed that is hyped doesn't fit your personal style and you don't get why it is hyped.

I was on a lift with a guy at Magic earlier this season. To be blunt he didn't like it even thought it was a nice day, enjoyed the terrain, and there was great snow conditions. His remark "I like it but I don't like the one lift. I know this place has lots of believers but I just want to ski and not wait in line". He seemed like a normal guy he just didn't like Magic. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Savemeasammy]

I'm not sure I get all the hating on Killington because of the traversing... Ski something in the same area as this lift you are using. If you ride K1 to get to Needle's Eye, then you are wasting your time... Ride K1 and ski in that area. Ride Suoerstar and ski in that area... Much of the traversing can be done at the bottom...


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[abc]

I wish ski areas would stop catering to people who don't event bother to show up (no sarcasm intended).

That's call marketing.

Advertising sells products (hopefully on its strength). Marketing sells dreams.

The tricky part is it must not disappoint. Or the dreamer wakes up and goes elsewhere. Stowe does a good job of pampering the average folks for the duration of their stay at Stowe making them feel like millionaires for a few days. So they feel alright to have paid 30% extra "feel good" premium. Mind you, those are the folks who pay the bills and supported the ski-bum turned instructors, real estate agents etc.

 

[MMP]

I guess you don't understand that using phrases such as the one you used in an attempt to be ironic or to make a point is still patently offensive. Hopefully you will give it some thought. Of the two of us, I am the one who admitted that my comment was ill conceived. I hope you get to a place where you are able to self reflect someday.

That's the last I have to say on this matter. It's closed.

Your lack of comprehension is alarming, and you trying to explain something to me is comical.

Self reflect?

Idiot.

 

[xlr8r]

I'll stick to the East for my top 3, but Vail is overrated.

1. Okemo - First went there about 10 years ago and loved it on my first day. At that time my family usually only went to either Mount Snow or Sunday River and the only ski areas I had been to in VT were Sugarbush, and Jay. So in comparison to rundown Jay before EB5, and 3 rundown ASC areas at the end of ASC, Okemo seemed to be a well run mountain with new lifts, new trails at Jackson Gore, good grooming and snowmaking, with lots of trails to explore. Back then I was mostly an intermediate skier so I did not care about the lack of advanced terrain. But every visit in the years since, I realize how boring the trails there are. Its not just the lack of pitch, the trails are just too straight, and are all exactly the same width. It is hard to tell one trail from another, especially in the South Face area. Also they got way too carried away with building real estate two thirds of the way up the mountain. Skiing next to houses and condos constantly does not make you feel like you are on a mountain. Do not intend to go back now on my on will, only with others, just too boring.

2. Waterville - Similar to Okemo, but on a smaller scale. First went to WV about 15 years ago back when it was considered one of the three big resorts in NH along with Loon and Attitash. Back then it had two detachable chairs while Ragged, Sunapee, Gunstock, and Cannon had none. I initially thought it was ok as a ski area, but nothing really great. Since then WV has not changed at all, while their competitors have improved tremendously. Now WV just cannot compete with the others as a day trip area from Boston, and is blown away by Loon as a resort now that South Peak is built. It skis small on vert due to the summit layout, and is very narrow. All of the trails are wide and mostly straight similar to Okemo but with more pitch. In fact there is very little low intermediate cruising at all at WV so it is not good for beginners or families IMO. I have gone there now a couple times on my own, but that was only for $1 day April 1st one year and a $7 day after a Patriots blowout score day last year. No plans to ever go back until Green Peak is developed, but only if they put a detach there instead of moving their slow triple. Very poorly run moutain overall that just doesn't seem to get it. 15 years ago a lot of my classmates went to WV all the time, now I do not know of anybody who goes there at all.

3. Jay - Yes they get a ton of snow, but also gets a ton of wind. May have great glades but the trails mostly suck. Slow lifts except for the Freezer which is painful to ride. I cannot judge the EB5 improvements as I have not been to Jay since they have been built. Lets just say I think Jay has taken EB5 way to far that it is now a ponzi scheme scam and I refuse to give them or that Q guy any of my money. But even ten years ago I thought Jay was overrated. And they have been telling us West bowl is coming for like 20+ years now.

Runners up

4. Mount Snow - Spent way too many days there during the end of ASC when the place was very rundown. Need to give it another chance now that it is owned by Peaks. Just remember a lot of waiting in lines for slow lifts to ski overcrowded trails. But the trails there are fun even though there is not much pitch.

5. Cannon - I love it on a good snow day, but the last few times I have been there in the last several years it has lived up too its icy stereotype.

 

[Cannonball]

I'll stick to the East for my top 3, but Vail is overrated.

1. Okemo -

2. Waterville -



5. Cannon - I love it on a good snow day, but the last few times I have been there in the last several years it has lived up too its icy stereotype.

I'm not sure you know what overrated means.

1. Who rates Okemo highly?
2. Who rates Waterville highly?
5. If Cannon "lived up to it's reputation" how is that being overrated?