Best ski area for early season skiing?

[Northeastskier293]

What is the best New England ski area for early season skiing, and by "early season" I mean November.

Thanks for any answers.

 

[BigK]

Killington

 

[snowmonster]

Sunday River -- Extensive snowmaking. Lots of terrain should be open by November.

 

[riverc0il]

Another vote for Sunday River. Though Killington is tough to beat if they get a loooong and cold start to snow making and can really bury the place, especially the run out area which is historically a shit show and hit or miss on having cold enough temps during the early season. Sunday River has the mid-station load option which Killington is lacking and once the River gets snow top to bottom, it is better top to bottom skiing than Killington.

 

[bigbog]

Agreed...Killington, SundayRiver are it for lift-served unless there's the early-season dump somewhere else. The River's mtn_crew is great....once temps stay they get some top-to-bottom happenning = lots of snowguns...but it doesn't take the Sugarloaf crew long either.

 

[Johnskiismore]

Sunday River, mid station on Locke Mountain is clutch

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Sunday River, mid station on Locke Mountain is clutch

Killington historically, although I will agree it can be shitshow on the runouts....however that is usually really early season, gets much better as mid November comes around. Sunday River is really good as well. I would also throw Sugarloaf in there.....although they can lack varied terrain early season I have been there in mid November with perfect courdroy and around 2000' of vertical........so Sugarloaf can be good for nice long run or two. Killington and Sunday River typically have short runs, but more variety. Oh and Sugarloaf is far with epic conditions, but it is really far when there are only a couple runs open....but having parents in Maine I can hit Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Visit the folks in a day. Makes the long trip worth while.

my 2 cents

KG

 

[bvibert]

I've never been to SR, but I had a great time at Killington on the 21st of Nov last year. I wouldn't mind starting my lift served season like that again this year. The previous year I had a kick ass first day at Mount Snow on the 12th of Nov.

 

[deadheadskier]

If you're talking late November, Okemo should be thrown in that mix. Every year by the end of November, they'll have as much terrain open as anyone. They don't shoot for first open, usually the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, but then they pour it on when it's cold.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

If you're talking late November, Okemo should be thrown in that mix. Every year by the end of November, they'll have as much terrain open as anyone. They don't shoot for first open, usually the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, but then they pour it on when it's cold.

Except the place sucks.............flat and crowded.

 

[riverc0il]

Except the place sucks.............flat and crowded.

Everyplace is in November.

 

[deadheadskier]

Except the place sucks.............flat and crowded.

for an intermediate skier looking for good cruising terrain (probably 90% of the market) Okemo is as good as they come in New England and most definitely superior to Killington. Maybe not that early, but it also has perhaps the greatest quantity and quality of seeded bump runs in the east.

Only thing Okemo lacks is serious steeps and slack country nor the snow to support those terrain types. Other than that, it is the best run ski operation in the East. Not the best mountain, but the best run operation over the past 20 years kangfirmed.

 

[Greg]

Okemo.... it also has perhaps the greatest quantity and quality of seeded bump runs in the east.

I dig Okemo. I made a pilgrimage for the bumps the last two Aprils:





I know the OP's question was early-season, but I have to jump in and defend Okemo every now and again...

 

[tcharron]

What is the best New England ski area for early season skiing, and by "early season" I mean November.

Thanks for any answers.

Totally Sunday River.

 

[Ski Diva]

for an intermediate skier looking for good cruising terrain (probably 90% of the market) Okemo is as good as they come in New England and most definitely superior to Killington. Maybe not that early, but it also has perhaps the greatest quantity and quality of seeded bump runs in the east.

Only thing Okemo lacks is serious steeps and slack country nor the snow to support those terrain types. Other than that, it is the best run ski operation in the East. Not the best mountain, but the best run operation over the past 20 years kangfirmed.

Agree with this completely.

Okemo really knocks itself out to get as much terrain open as early as possible. They usually open around November 15.

 

[bigbob]

Everyplace is in November.

I can never figure out why people ski on rocks and grass in early November, but give up by early April with the whole mountain open with deep, soft bases!

 

[Rogman]

Early season? That could be anything up to Christmas. However the first few days of the season your choices will be very limited. SR and Killington will most likely open within a few days of each other. Sunday River has an edge due to latitude and attitude, as well as the ability to open up on just upper T2. On the other hand, Killington has a significant elevation advantage, however their current opening plan requires them to blow open most of Great Northern. Not really an efficient use of resources that early in the season.

Past those first few days, I'd give the edge to Killington; they seem to be able to put more guns into play. I think they had about 265 to SR's 225 last year, and as a result tend to get more terrain open faster. Also, with the Canyon, I think they are able to open more challenging terrain earlier, and the K1 gives them an uphill capacity edge, definitely a double edge sword. They also have a lot of flat connectors they have to get open, and it leads to an inflated numbers on trails, acres, and miles of skiing in the early going.

Of the others, Mt Snow is in the mix. With 250? fan guns they can make a lot of snow fast. I believe they are still water limited, and their lower altitude and latitude puts them at a significant disadvantage in marginal conditions.

Once you get deep into November, options open up. Okemo is aggressive early, however they tend to wait a bit for more consistent, colder temps, but once they decide to go, they put the pedal to the metal. The mountain is what it is, they make the most of what they have.

 

[Vortex]

Homer here. SR does not get the crowds of K early season. The locke mid station on a hinge lets them open early and then just drops the rest of the season. The down loading is slow. I just walk down. Early season is early season though. I go for a few hours and watch football. They expand quickly. The vibe of the River early season is great. Folks hanging in the lot doing a BBQ. They do a tin mountain round up early.... , so tickets are disounted. bring cans of food get a discounted ticket. Early season prices.

Hey I ski rocks in Oct and November and dirt and grass in May. Had the gouges removed. No proof.

 

[WWF-VT]

What is the best New England ski area for early season skiing, and by "early season" I mean November.

Unless you're into doing laps on a few open trails there is no "best" area in November. Everyone is anxious to start the season as ealry as possible, too bad that same enthusiasm doesn't extend into April when skiing is much better at the end of the season

 

[billski]

Hey I ski rocks in Oct and November and dirt and grass in May. Had the gouges removed. No proof.

Watch the video over at MRG. There is a guy who hikes up and skis down on the frost! That's a little over the top for me!