Best Mogul Skiing in Northeast

[skitownusa]

I'm new to the Northeast. Where are the best places to ski moguls?

 

[2knees]

Sugarbush, mad river (conditions pending i guess), killington. Okemo regularly seeds a few runs so those are usually a given. In connecticut, ski sundown seeds a run, believe it or not. Its mellow but fun. In new hampshire, Jack97 is, i believe, a boston guy and i know he has a one track mind for bumps so he would be a good source of information.

Best bet though, outside of mad river, would probably be sugarbush. In my opinion anyway.

 

[riverc0il]

Mad River Glen is tops for bumps in the East. Sugarbush and Killington have a large quantity of good mogul runs. In general, look towards Northern Vermont due to colder temps, more natural snow, and fewer NCP events which will translate into better quality mogul conditions.

Where are you coming in from? Any other interest or just moguls?

 

[St. Jerry]

Yup, I agree on MRG. Won't find better in the East.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Sugarbush, hands down. MRG a close second. Of course, it all depends on the type of mogul skiing you do. I'm a WC-style skier, so I post from that point of view.

Sugarbush is amazing, especially Mt. Ellen.

Lincoln Peak's best bump skiing includes Twist, Mall, Castlerock Run, Middle Earth, Liftline, and Paradise. There are a few others (Ripcord, Steins, etc.), but I've not had many enjoyable bump runs on them. Lincoln Peak's biggest bump problem is that that's where most of the recreational skiers go. Holidays are the worst, and I'm not talking about crowds. All too often, the bumps end up irregular, widely spaced, and not all that fun, IMO.

Mt. Ellen, on the other hand, usually holds up quite well for bumps. Top in class include Hammerhead, Tumbler, Bravo, Exterminator, FIS (skiers' left), Black Diamond, Cliffs (skiers' left), Lower FIS, Encore, and Semi-Tough (when they keep the cats off of it). Usually can find some pretty awesome lines.

MRG I rank second to Sugarbush, because of the number of tele-bumpers there. I mean no offense to tele-bumpers... I think it's cool. But the bumps can be a little funky sometimes.

Regardless, they have some of the most high quality bumping in the East. Paradise (for steep bumps), Chute, Liftline, Freefall, Antelope, Catamount Bowl, and so on. Some nice lines. But be sure to hit it on a decent snow day.

BTW, if you're into mogul skiing, check out my mogul skiing forum: http://forums.mogulskiing.net.

 

[2knees]

But be sure to hit it on a decent snow day.

BTW, if you're into mogul skiing, check out my mogul skiing forum: http://forums.mogulskiing.net.

which is why i would agree with bmm on sugarbush. Overall, given the fickle nature of winters in vermont, on a day to day basis sugarbush would have to be considered more conducive to finding a good bump run. And i say this without having skied mad river but i dont have to ski there to know it isnt gonna be that much fun after a hard thaw freeze event.


BMM's website is a treasure trove of knowledge. Some highly skilled people post regularly there. A bit over my head at times but very in depth discussions.

 

[tjf67]

Sugarbush, hands down. MRG a close second. Of course, it all depends on the type of mogul skiing you do. I'm a WC-style skier, so I post from that point of view.

Sugarbush is amazing, especially Mt. Ellen.

Lincoln Peak's best bump skiing includes Twist, Mall, Castlerock Run, Middle Earth, Liftline, and Paradise. There are a few others (Ripcord, Steins, etc.), but I've not had many enjoyable bump runs on them. Lincoln Peak's biggest bump problem is that that's where most of the recreational skiers go. Holidays are the worst, and I'm not talking about crowds. All too often, the bumps end up irregular, widely spaced, and not all that fun, IMO.

Mt. Ellen, on the other hand, usually holds up quite well for bumps. Top in class include Hammerhead, Tumbler, Bravo, Exterminator, FIS (skiers' left), Black Diamond, Cliffs (skiers' left), Lower FIS, Encore, and Semi-Tough (when they keep the cats off of it). Usually can find some pretty awesome lines.

MRG I rank second to Sugarbush, because of the number of tele-bumpers there. I mean no offense to tele-bumpers... I think it's cool. But the bumps can be a little funky sometimes.

Regardless, they have some of the most high quality bumping in the East. Paradise (for steep bumps), Chute, Liftline, Freefall, Antelope, Catamount Bowl, and so on. Some nice lines. But be sure to hit it on a decent snow day.

BTW, if you're into mogul skiing, check out my mogul skiing forum: http://forums.mogulskiing.net.

That is pretty detailed. Thanks much for the info. What did you move out of the area and wanted to po po on you buddies parade

 

[Greg]

First, welcome to the Northeast, and welcome also to AZ! You found a place with a pretty large bump lover contingent. The others covered it well; the Mad River Valley, Vermont (MRV) seems to be the place with the most consistent bumps.

I see you're from Boston and I hear Sunapee has some pretty good seeded bumps. Also consider Loon. In previous years, they've been known to offer some of the best seeded bump runs in the Northeast, although they seem to be slacking a bit in recent years. Not sure how the new ownership will run things, but they might be worth a look as well this season.

Have fun bumpin'!

 

[riverc0il]

which is why i would agree with bmm on sugarbush. Overall, given the fickle nature of winters in vermont, on a day to day basis sugarbush would have to be considered more conducive to finding a good bump run. And i say this without having skied mad river but i dont have to ski there to know it isnt gonna be that much fun after a hard thaw freeze event.

First: how do you compare the two if you have never skied MRG?
Second: Is Bush going to be any better after a hard thaw freeze event?

 

[wa-loaf]

Sugarloaf's got some great bumps. Skidder for a wide open steep trail with wall to wall moguls. Bubble Cuffer and Winters Way for tight twisty old fashioned New England bumps. Plenty of other natural trails that bump up.

 

[riverc0il]

In reference to BMM's comments, I guess it all depends what you are looking for. More irregular makes me happy. Zipper lines on a warm spring day are a hoot but I treasure irregularities in terrain. There is a fine line between irregular moguls and bad lines. Irregular moguls can offer up quality lines but keep you on your toes to find them. Additionally, much of the irregularities in Mad River's bumps are there because of what lies underneath the moguls. Mad River's terrain and topography dictate bump formation just as much as the type of turn being deployed.

Other alternatives you might consider would include Wildcat for Spring Skiing. Really nice moguls at the Cat but best served up as corn. Then again, what bumps don't ski good in Spring Corn?

 

[BushMogulMaster]

In reference to BMM's comments, I guess it all depends what you are looking for. More irregular makes me happy. Zipper lines on a warm spring day are a hoot but I treasure irregularities in terrain. There is a fine line between irregular moguls and bad lines. Irregular moguls can offer up quality lines but keep you on your toes to find them. Additionally, much of the irregularities in Mad River's bumps are there because of what lies underneath the moguls. Mad River's terrain and topography dictate bump formation just as much as the type of turn being deployed.

Other alternatives you might consider would include Wildcat for Spring Skiing. Really nice moguls at the Cat but best served up as corn. Then again, what bumps don't ski good in Spring Corn?

Yeah, I guess irregular wasn't quite the right word. In the sense you described it, I love irregular bumps to. I was referring more to crappy lines... you know, way spaced bumps, crazy shapes, no semblance of any kind of line anywhere, etc.

I love MRG's bumps, but I think the bumps at Mt. Ellen are better. I skied 112 days in the MRV last year. Most at ME, but enough at LP and MRG. ME is still the best bump skiing, imo.

 

[riverc0il]

Our experiences differ in regards to moguls at Mad River. Though the way spaced and crazy shape bumps are more often than not due to topography and terrain vesus type of skier or technique. They don't exactly flatter their trails out at MRG, that is for sure, especially on the upper mountain. The steeper pitches on the upper mountain are especially tough in regards to bump formation but then again there are very few quality bump lines once you pass a certain pitch regardless of mountain.

 

[2knees]

First: how do you compare the two if you have never skied MRG?
Second: Is Bush going to be any better after a hard thaw freeze event?

i am making the comparison based soley on the fact that sugarbush has snowmaking. I think i'm qualified to make that judgement call based on 30 years of skiing and knowing what a thaw freeze does to natural bumps without any mowing and resurfacing.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Our experiences differ in regards to moguls at Mad River. Though the way spaced and crazy shape bumps are more often than not due to topography and terrain vesus type of skier or technique. They don't exactly flatter their trails out at MRG, that is for sure, especially on the upper mountain. The steeper pitches on the upper mountain are especially tough in regards to bump formation but then again there are very few quality bump lines once you pass a certain pitch regardless of mountain.

I don't know, Riv. I was there right before Tele-Fest, and the lines were decent. I was there right after Tele-Fest, and I didn't enjoy the results from a WC-tech perspective. I know that was one isolated event, but I've noticed a trend with the actual formation of the moguls on that mountain that seems to have a relationship to the amount of tele-bumpers.

Don't get me wrong, it's definitely some of the best bump skiing in the nation. I guess I just get a little picky. Maybe I ski bumps too much :wink:

But you're certainly right about your last comment. Really steep pitches never form consistent lines. It's just the nature of the beast for the most part.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

i am making the comparison based soley on the fact that sugarbush has snowmaking.

Which is true, and certainly helps on some level. But I prefer natural bumps personally. Hammerhead, Tumbler, Bravo, Encore, Black Diamond. Those are the best bumps on the mountain.

 

[KingM]

I think MRG vs. Sugarbush is like asking whether you prefer Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide or Phish Food. I mean, reasonable people can disagree, but they're both damn good.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I think MRG vs. Sugarbush is like asking whether you prefer Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide or Phish Food. I mean, reasonable people can disagree, but they're both damn good.

Thanks for the reality check. Very good point.

The fact is, the best mogul skiing in the east is the Mad River Valley. Period.

 

[2knees]

Which is true, and certainly helps on some level. But I prefer natural bumps personally. Hammerhead, Tumbler, Bravo, Encore, Black Diamond. Those are the best bumps on the mountain.

I absolutely prefer natural bumps myself. Its possible that there is some hair splitting going on here. All that i'm trying to say, is that when comparing an area with great bumps that has snowmaking vs as an area that has great bumps without any snowmaking, the chances are that you'll find good bumps on a higher % of days open at the area with snowmaking. If someone were to ask, "under ideal conditions, which is better MRG or sugarbush?" i would fully admit i can not answer that question cause i've never skied MRG. But if the question were which area has better bumps throughout the course of the entire season, how could it not be the area with snowmaking?

 

[riverc0il]

i am making the comparison based soley on the fact that sugarbush has snowmaking. I think i'm qualified to make that judgement call based on 30 years of skiing and knowing what a thaw freeze does to natural bumps without any mowing and resurfacing.

How much of the bumps at the Bush get mowed and resurfaced? Natural bumps versus bumps with man made snow both suck pretty bad after a hard freeze. Bush does have the edge on the runs that it does knock down the bumps and let them regrow as MRG doesn't knock anything down.