And the winners are . . .

[Warp Daddy]

Bristol 1200 vert , mostly ridge line skiing is south of Rochester NY near Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes Region. Its billed as the highest vert east of the Rockies and West of the 'Dacks . Draws from Greater Rochester , Syracuse , Finger Lakes regions ---------------that's the skinny on Bristol its OK but nuthin special

 

[riverc0il]

I notice that Black Mountain, NH was left off the voting due to a technicality due to the fact that it is neither Over 1100' feet nor Under 1100' but rather exactly 1100'. I am sure if they had a best ski area that is exactly 1100', then Black would be #1. Which is essentially snark to say that people voting have either not been to Black Mountain, are crazy, or both.

Always fun to poke fun at the annual pole results that ask people to list their top ten when the average pole respondent probably has not even likely skied ten different mountains.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

While I do agree that these polls are generally a popularity contest rather than based on any fact, howeverI think you can take a few things away from such polls. In this case I think Saddleback showing up is pretty impressive considering a few years ago people probably didn't know where Saddleback was, what it was, didn't care about the place, etc.

 

[thetrailboss]

Maine did well this year. Period. Sunday River got the buzz going and Sugarloaf ended the season on a high note. There were many reports about Saddleback and folks know about it. From what I've read and seen, Saddleback is really turning around.

 

[mondeo]

A lot of people don't like the same things I do.

Some people like goat milk and/or cheese...

 

[deadheadskier]

No question, fact or fiction, Boyne has done the best job of all operators in New England at establishing themselves as the most 'trusted' brand. I know the Peaks skiers have been very impressed with the Mt. Snow product. Haven't heard much buzz about Attitash and Crotched is what it is. I can appreciate what Powdr has improved at K, but they still blew a lot of trust with their marketing screw ups.

As Andre Agassi famously said, "Image is Everything"

Boyne clearly gets that and has put out a great product since they've entered the market.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

One last comment on Saddleback, although they have had to slow down their plans (I hope they are not in trouble), if Saddleback continues to improve snowmakiing, and upgrade lifts, and selling properties (to fund these improvements), they could if they choose to become the King of Spring. They have the altitude, the northern location, and get consistently good amounts of snow. I really hope they keep this going. Another thing they have that is a big plus is that they have a four season tourist town in Rangeley.

Disclaimer: I have never skied Saddleback, but making the above comments on other peoples post.

 

[Riverskier]

Saddleback definitely created a lot of buzz this year, and it sounds like they had a successful season. I skied there for the first time this year and loved the place. The new Casablanca Glade definitely lived up to my expectations. However, I do hope they come up with the funds to replace the Rangely Double soon, or they could become a victim of their own success. I was there on the Saturday of Marin Luther King weekend and the lines were probably pushing 30-45 minutes at times. I have heard reports of simliar lines on other busy days. I loved the mountain and will definitely be back at some point, but that definitely left me questioning whether I would return at a busy time.

 

[SIKSKIER]

One last comment on Saddleback, although they have had to slow down their plans (I hope they are not in trouble), if Saddleback continues to improve snowmakiing, and upgrade lifts, and selling properties (to fund these improvements), they could if they choose to become the King of Spring. They have the altitude, the northern location, and get consistently good amounts of snow.

Saddleback and Sugarloaf have pretty much the same snowfall,however,Sugarloaf has more elevation and is actually further north.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Saddleback and Sugarloaf have pretty much the same snowfall,however,Sugarloaf has more elevation and is actually further north.

I wasn't really comparing Sugarloaf and Saddleback, but Saddleback vs. all NE ski area's. That being said, in regards to elevation, I should have said base elevation. As for snow totals, during most storms SB always got a little extra snow, and they actually report their season numbers. From what I understood, when SB closed they had very good base depths (I could be wrong).

 

[billski]

Anyone ski Bristol before? seems like the people who took this survey liked it quite a bit.

Yep. My second and third seasons on skis. Closest area to Rochester NY and largest in WNY @ about 1000 feet. When I was there all the runs were pretty much straight shots, top to bottom. Not much trail personality, but sure good for a workout. Looks like they expanded but kept the straight shot mentality.

I notice they don't give the response statistics. Looks like Yawgoo only needed one vote to get on the list!

 

[tipsdown]

Saddleback and Sugarloaf have pretty much the same snowfall,however,Sugarloaf has more elevation and is actually further north.

Theyare within about 100 ft. in top elevation of each other. Although Saddleback is slightly south of the Loaf, they definitely get a bit more snow. I skied both quite a bit this year and although the difference wasn't drastic, SB certain;y had more snow.

 

[ta&idaho]

Perhaps Butternut hired jaywbigred to handle their online PR this season.
http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=76893