Ascutney

[Angus]

Any ideas/experiences about what the conditions will be at Ascutney this weekend. I went back thru the ski reports and didn't see any from this year.

I have not skiied there in near 30 years and thinking about going there this weekend - ahhh, the draw of 1/2 off tickets.

specifically, how do they make snow and groom - assuming the natural snow will be nil. thanks.

 

[ChileMass]

Moved to skiing/riding discussion.

Personally, I always liked Ascutney. Haven't been there in a few years, but I remember it fondly as a "skiers mountain" where the majority could really ski well as opposed to one of the more resort-y hills like Okemo. I would call ahead for conditions, but they'll of course tell you it's wonderful and to please bring your wallet......

 

[Paul]

I was there on Jan 7-8. No report because I hate to write. It was okay, they had 24 trails open, I think they've gotten up to 29 now. There was some FGR which was scraped off by 2pm Sat. They didn't groom Sat. night, so it was all boilerplate on Sun. What kind of terrain are you looking for? There was basically nothing for beginners/novice except the small hill from the Lodge to the learning area. Mostly good for Adv. Intermediates.

 

[schifty]

Ascutney has limited snowmaking ability (10-14 guns at best) combined with limited money for grooming and the worst managment make's 1/2 price about what it's worth. I have a trail side house but a killington season's pass.

 

[Angus]

yeah, i've got some of those 1/2 price tickets and just not that motivated to spend full $ for man-made conditions.

I ski with my son who is a 9 year old intermediate so I tend to put a premium on conditions.

sounds like this may be a case of "penny wise pound foolish"

interestingly, this is the only place I've ever come close to seriously hurting myself. skiied off a trail went airborne, got my skis up before I hit a tree - broke the ski but escaped with just a few scratches - I remember liking the terrain. several people have told me in the past, it's a fun place to ski when there are good conditions - i.e. natural snow.

 

[thetrailboss]

Not really much interest in here for Ascutney. I did see their half-price promo. Their magazine that I looked at made me want to uke: though because it was a lot of puffery about the owners, hotel, and not really about the skiing.

FWIW, I have never skied there, but I live 30 mins from there and know NOTHING about Ascutney and hear nothing. Local buzz is not good.

I'd refer you to the AZ Challenge for more info, but they've "forgotten" to respond :roll:

You may do better by talking to Twin Tips. He has a place there and has had good luck.

 

[schifty]

let me add i've skied Ascutney for the last 30 years having a season's pass for all but the last 5 years.
when natural snow is good the mountain is great much like Magic Mtn the powder will last all day. unfortunately Ascutney stands alone along the CT river out of the snow belt often
getting mixed storm's when others get all snow.
lately the mountain has turned timeshare, with a captive hotel crowd they no longer have to worry about the product.

 

[TwinTips21]

I'm an ascutney regular as I go there almost every weekend except the one coming up. The conditions at Ascutney are not great right now. Although they recently upgraded thier snowmaking capabilities and are pumping out a lot more snow than in years past the rain is killing them. Everytime they catch up with the previous rain storm, they get hit again. I was up there last weekend and on Friday I was the only person to ride the quad to the top all day (besides ski patrol). The conditions were soft but it was incredibly foggy. On saturday it all froze up and it was definitely unskiable. With a little bit of snow and continued snowmaking, conditions will be ok but not great. Hope I was of help, if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

 

[TwinTips21]

To show case our 60th Season, we’re making lots of capital improvements all around the resort.

Including...

* 100 New Snowguns
* New Compressors
* Additions to the grooming fleet
* Complete Resort Village Renovation
* Refurbished Fitness Center
* New Spa
* New Trails
* New Snowboard Development Team
* NATO Telemark Clinic

More Snow!
In our ongoing efforts to create optimum snow conditions we recently completed negotiations with the Central Vermont Public Service whereby they will increase the capacity of the transmission lines serving Ascutney and provide us approximately twice as much electrical power as we have had available in the past. Based on this we will be purchasing electric compressors which will significantly increase our fire power in our snow making efforts. We have also purchased 100 additional snow guns to complement the compressors and have purchased a new groomer.

That may answer some of your questions too

 

[schifty]

and dont forget the golf course that's been coming every spring for the last 10 years. :beer:

 

[TwinTips21]

Yea I know people who actually bought a house by the future sight thinking they would sell it and make a profit, turns out they sold it for only a little bit more considering the golf course has never come.