AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge: Sugarbush Resort

[Greg]

Jeremy McKittrick from Sugarbush Resort also agreed to take the AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge! This is your chance to get official answers to your ski-related questions direct from a Northeast ski resort representative! Please post some suggested questions in this thread and I'll select ten to present for official responses.

As always, please be respectful of Jeremy and keep it civil. Also, please refrain from asking specifics about skier visit numbers, financials, demographic information, etc. Sugarbush needs to be discrete about certain information.

Ask away!

 

[thetrailboss]

Thanks for taking the challenge, Jeremy. Like everyone else here, I am a passionate 'bush skier.

Let me get the most obvious question out of the way (at least for most of us). Rumors have been abound, but if you can say, what are the latest developments with regards to "The Lodge?"

I also was quite interested to see that you are working on some new glades on Mount Ellen. Where are these glades? What will they be named? Any other plans in the works?

I'm looking forward to visiting next season.

 

[Joshua B]

The Slide Brook Express quad that joins Mt. Ellen and Lincoln Peak is one of the greatest developments to happen to New England skiing in years, but when it's not running it's a major inconvenience. Would you consider running the lift more often?

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

The folks at Sugarloaf stated that they were pleased with the relationship with ASC and stated some merits. How has Sugarbush faired since the split from ASC?

 

[Joshua B]

Does an official affiliation with Mad River Glen ever seem likely? What is the history of the trail cut between MRG and Mt. Ellen?

 

[jlangdale]

Here are some ?''s...

Is the Valley House and Mushroom really going to close? If so, what is going to replace the Valley House should it close?

Is NASTAR being moved from Spring Fling next year? If not and it is staying on spring fling, are they going to close it totally off? I heard a rumor Spring Fling might be totally closed off.

Will the Ben & Jerry's festival ever return to Sugarbush?

Is pass/ticket scanning going to continue like last season?

 

[pepperdawg]

A question regarding the new Mt Ellen only pass this year. Will it be honored at Lincon peak early/late season (e.g. when Mt Ellen isnt yet operational/closed for the season)?? Or will Mt Ellen be the 1st open, last to close? Thanks

 

[Greg]

Great questions, all! I sent them to Jeremy...

 

[Greg]

The Sugarbush responses are in (well, all but #8 which will be forthcoming):

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/response.htm?resort=sugarbush

 

[riverc0il]

excellent responses! not sure if we would have gotten the frankness and detail five years ago...

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Valley House and New Glades

I'm got something of a bittersweet feeling about the new glades. On the one hand it will probably draw more people to Mt Ellen and help SB overall. OTOH, those were some of the nicest spots on the mountain in years past. Deep snow that lay untouched for days after a storm. Progress can be a real b1tch.

Anyway, here's hoping that SB doesn't move forward with its silly plans to replace the Valley House double with a HSQ. That side of the mountain is busy as it is with skiers from both the double and the Super Bravo quad. If they put a quad there in place of the double, it will be an absolute mob scene. The SB lift network is brilliant as it is b/c the trail layout naturally speads skiers/riders out in varying directions and on the upper and lower mountains. The quad simply isn't necessary. Blow up the Valley House lodge and extend the double down to the parking lot? Yes. (while expanding the base lodge) But the HSQ isn't the answer.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

I've got a follow up question if you're still sending them to JJ. Does Sugarbush have any plans to match or compete with ASC's new deeply discounted season pass offerings?

 

[thetrailboss]

I agree that the answers are very honest, straight forward, and the real deal (as opposed to Tenney's.

Now if SB could drop the pass rate and compete...

 

[thetrailboss]

Yes, they had free skiing (or for like $5.50) last season on Christmas Day to celebrate the resort's birthday. I doubt that they will do it again anytime soon.