Best Ski area in Maine Channel 6 207 poll

[DoublePlanker]

I'm not sure how you get to the top, but I take SuperQuad and then Timberline. The former is fast (without taking into account standing in line).

This is still less than optimal. I have to ski the run out to the bottom, usually wait in line for the quad although not a very long wait usually, ride the fast quad (good,) ski a very boring run to the bottom of timberline, take the extremely slow timberline quad to the summit often getting cold. Sometimes I take spillway to timberline which I guess has the same amount of run out skiing just more timberline area than the base.

I'd rather ride 1 lift that serviced just the expert terrain from the summit. I guess I can dream. The owners have mentioned a "signature" lift to the top. Not sure what that would be. Wind is obviously an issue.

How about a monorail?

 

[snowmonster]

So, who won last night?

 

[riverc0il]

I love the terrain at Sugarloaf and Sunday River. The lift system at Sugarloaf really sucks. I HATE that you have to take that stupid Timberline quad to get to the summit. 2 extremely slow lifts to just ski the expert runs from the top. Why can't they at least just put a surface lift in from the top of spillway to the summit?

You won't see another top to bottom lift there. If the summit is honking, that can shut an entire lift down. It just doesn't make sense from a practical stand point. I imagine a surface lift from Spillway would be too steep for most skiers to rider and goodness knows most boarders wouldn't appreciate it. The current lift setup at the Loaf actually makes a lot of sense, IMO.

 

[DoublePlanker]

You won't see another top to bottom lift there. If the summit is honking, that can shut an entire lift down. It just doesn't make sense from a practical stand point. I imagine a surface lift from Spillway would be too steep for most skiers to rider and goodness knows most boarders wouldn't appreciate it. The current lift setup at the Loaf actually makes a lot of sense, IMO.

The Sugarloaf 2020 propaganda mentions a signature summit lift. It also mentions a t-bar to the summit. http://www.sugarloaf2020.com/Lifts.html I understand the wind issue and maybe it will will never happen. That's why I joked about a monorail.

Why can't the t-bar parallel the Timberline but just be a short traverse from Spillway? Then its not steep at all.

 

[riverc0il]

Gotcha. When you said a T-bar from the top of Spillway, I thought you meant straight up from right there, LOL.

 

[powpig2002]

maine sucks. don't go there. go to killington

 

[wa-loaf]

Why can't the t-bar parallel the Timberline but just be a short traverse from Spillway? Then its not steep at all.

Timberline replaced a T-bar.

 

[thetrailboss]

Boy in one week we have trashed two polls--this one and the Ski News one. A pretty good week I'd say :lol:

 

[thetrailboss]

How about a monorail?

There you go! Or a funicular!

 

[soposkier]

put a T-Bar back up misery whip for when King Pine goes down.

 

[The Sneak]

This is insanity.

Sugarloaf > all. Fact. Sunday River has its positives (excellent lifts, for one), and sure its better for day trips from southern new england, for families, and for those that dream of endless blue groomers...but Sugarloaf is a bad motherfucker.

You know how awesome it is to be confronted with it as you round oh my gosh corner on RT27, how massive it is relative to all those 'well if you measure from the top of our highest point to the parking on the other end of the ridge we have a ton of vertical' places.

You know how epic April often is. Reggae Weekend or not.

You know how gnarly the backside snowfields can be.

You know the T bar is always an option.

Stop complaining. I'm sure spillway chairs will be replaced by a heated, bubble shield 6 pack with bum ticklers.

Just my incredibly scientific and objective opinion...

 

[deadheadskier]

I can see the appeal of Sunday River over Sugarloaf if you prefer groomed terrain. Sunday River has better cruising terrain than the Loaf. As great as Sugarloaf is, they never get much flack for how much they trashed the terrain over the years. Place has some of the widest trails in the East. Yn Yang kinda place. It's got some awesome steeps, glades, the snowfields etc, but they really effed up in how wide they made most of their groomed terrain.

 

[wa-loaf]

this is insanity.

Sugarloaf > all. Fact. Sunday river has its positives (excellent lifts, for one), and sure its better for day trips from southern new england, for families, and for those that dream of endless blue groomers...but sugarloaf is a bad motherfucker.

You know how awesome it is to be confronted with it as you round oh my gosh corner on rt27, how massive it is relative to all those 'well if you measure from the top of our highest point to the parking on the other end of the ridge we have a ton of vertical' places.

You know how epic april often is. Reggae weekend or not.

You know how gnarly the backside snowfields can be.

You know the t bar is always an option.

Stop complaining. I'm sure spillway chairs will be replaced by a heated, bubble shield 6 pack with bum ticklers.

just my incredibly scientific and objective opinion...

This

 

[Cannonball]

Boy in one week we have trashed two polls--this one and the Ski News one. A pretty good week I'd say :lol:

Yeah, and there's a third one on this board that's ready for a good trashing.

 

[billski]

Where's Saddleback?

It's in Iowa, right near Sundown. :-o

 

[bigbog]

Didn't check the article...Shawnee Peak is often off most radars, especially for the evening hours....

 

[riverc0il]

I agree with those saying that Loaf is the overall better mountain. And I get why people rave about it. But I also get why folks love the River. Very different mountains, very different experiences. Folks love them both for very different reasons. I think overall, Loaf has much more to offer. But I can totally see why many people like the River more. Its nice that they are both there, folks can pick which one is better for them.

And for the rest of us, we can pick even better mountains else where. :beer:

 

[ChileMass]

Titcomb Hill in West Farmington rules!!!!!!!!!

 

[Magog Fishy]

For terrain (and vertical), no question the Loaf over the River – I probably have the Loaf at about 7th best in New England for terrain/snow combo, and would be higher if they got more of the N. VT blower powder although the Loaf seems to do better with Spring skiing. Most of my days at the Loaf were in the mid/late 80’s when my older sisters were in college in the area (did though hit an epic storm there a few years ago), so it is not fresh in mind/have not fully experienced all it has to offer which could boost it up in my book. IMO the River terrain is not a top 10, although from what I remember Spruce Cliffs is pretty gnarly (albeit short vertical; no longer on map, which is probably good) if you're fortunate to get first tracks.

For nightlife and drive, I much prefer the River. I can understand and appreciate why a lot of families would choose the River – sure beats the S. VT zoos (Magic aside). Had 35 days at the River Winter 00/01 -- certainly an epic snow year.

I thought I would get to the Saddle this year, but it is looking unlikely – one of only two New England 2,000’ verticals I haven’t been to. Man, still trying to figure out the best way to get to it…and I though the Loaf and the Balsams was a bad drive!

As great as Sugarloaf is, they never get much flack for how much they trashed the terrain over the years. Place has some of the widest trails in the East. Yn Yang kinda place. It's got some awesome steeps, glades, the snowfields etc, but they really effed up in how wide they made most of their groomed terrain.

+1