Ascutney Ski Area.

[mountainman]

Any one been there recently? Or Skied or snowboard there? Heard they have made some changes there. Any one have any plus deltas on Ascutney. Looking to try some smaller resorts this season, wondering if its worth going there. How about any other smaller resorts worth trying in New England.:flag:

 

[Greg]

Haven't been since the mid-90's. We knew a kid who's father owed an A-frame right on the mountain back in college. Tough to justify bypassing Magic for it now though. Where are you from, mountainman, and what type of terrain do you enjoy? I'm sure we can recommend several smaller places to try. Finally, welcome!

 

[tcharron]

Any one been there recently? Or Skied or snowboard there? Heard they have made some changes there. Any one have any plus deltas on Ascutney. Looking to try some smaller resorts this season, wondering if its worth going there. How about any other smaller resorts worth trying in New England.:flag:

From where?

Crotched kicks ass.

So does Pat's Peak.

 

[snoseek]

my list of smaller mt's that are I personally like (by small i mean less people, condos, ect..)

magic-for natural steeps
burke-away from the tourist
saddleback-get it while its still small
balsams-usually the best powder anywhere, no competition, good scenery.
black-sunny, cheap, laid back, lots of mellow stuff, some gnarly stuff too.
ragged-if they bring it back.
tenney-if they bring it back.
crotched-kick-ass snowmaking, good park scene, well run.
shawnee-pretty steep, good night skiing, good bar.


bolton valley- i hear they get a lot of snow
beast looks pretty good.

 

[threecy]

Ascutney has some fun terrain. While having an HSQ is nice, the additional vertical it serves vs. the triple is rather poor right now (basically one trail that filters to the top of the triple). From there on down, there's a nice variety of intermediate and expert terrain.

 

[SnowRider]

If they have snow the mountain is a lot of fun. The HSQ is very nice and gets you right to the summit. The glades are not that great just OK. If they have snow they don't groom much so the entire mountain gets bumped up.

P.S. Never take cabin chute. It may look good but it leads to a huge gully and a long hike out. And when the trail turns, dont go straight it leads to a huge cliff.

 

[bobbutts]

The terrain is nice but layed out oddly and the high speed quad chair accesses the whole place. It is in a bad location for snow and their snowmaking grooming is a couple steps down from Okemo and Sunapee. The hill surely has more "teeth" than those places though. I'd recommend it for mid-season when the natural snow is good.

Here are some pics from 02/22/07

 

[deadheadskier]

Outside of it's limited natural, I've always felt that Ascutney has HUGE potential, but unfortunately, it will never be realized. It's a hulking mountain with lots of steep pitches. I imagine in a good snow year the locals have a lot of BC options that are great.

 

[twinplanx]

I've always thought that as well, deadhead. Last I checked there was a nice piece of property on the back side of the mntn.(on rt. 131) with a sweet A-frame/cabin? type place on it. Anyone have more info on the backside of Asc...utney?

 

[AdironRider]

shawnee-pretty steep, good night skiing, good bar.

You really think Shawnee is steep? Is that a joke?

 

[snoseek]

You really think Shawnee is steep? Is that a joke?

i think shawnee has pretty good pitch for its size.

 

[deadheadskier]

i think shawnee has pretty good pitch for its size.

I'll second that emotion


Shawnee does have decent pitch for it's stature. There's not a tremendous run out at the bottom. Some of the terrain that's undeveloped to skier's right actually looks pretty darn steep for five hundred vert or so.

 

[AdironRider]

Just because it doesnt have a runout doesnt mean its steep. Not trying to bash the place, as its a pretty fun mtn for what it is, but steep it is not.

 

[tcharron]

Any one been there recently? Or Skied or snowboard there? Heard they have made some changes there. Any one have any plus deltas on Ascutney. Looking to try some smaller resorts this season, wondering if its worth going there. How about any other smaller resorts worth trying in New England.:flag:

Best question which hasn't been asked.

What kind of terrain are you looking for? Since small mountains have limited terrain, they tend to be targetted more twards one type of boarder/skier then another. Some smalls have many moocho greens, others, a whole lotta blue midsized cruisers.

 

[mountainman]

Any thing small.

It'a a family thing. Type of terrain makes no difference. Good mix of groomed and un-groomed. Base lodges don't really care. Base is out of the RV. Just looking for small areas that service mom and pop style. Family does not like the big resorts. No Frills. Just a place to hang and enjoy some skiing and riding.

 

[threecy]

Just because it doesnt have a runout doesnt mean its steep. Not trying to bash the place, as its a pretty fun mtn for what it is, but steep it is not.

Its not flat though either...it's no Bretton Woods, thank gosh.

 

[AdironRider]

True, my gf's family loves BW so I always am stuck with at least a few days there every season. Talk about a yawn fest. Even riding goofy Im bored.

 

[tcharron]

It'a a family thing. Type of terrain makes no difference. Good mix of groomed and un-groomed. Base lodges don't really care. Base is out of the RV. Just looking for small areas that service mom and pop style. Family does not like the big resorts. No Frills. Just a place to hang and enjoy some skiing and riding.

Where do you live?

 

[reefer]

Love Ascutney! Try to get there a couple times/year. Must be natural snow however and pretty much 100% open before I go. No one there during the week. Haven't been there on a w/e in a while!