Big Burke announcement

[VTKilarney]

I think he meant that he was coming on December 20th, but it was definitely not clear.

I'm starting to rethink whether or not I will ski this weekend. My wife is out of town, so I will have my sons with me for the whole time. They are just beginning to transition from green trails to blue trails. But this would only be their second time out this season, and I was hoping to stick to the lower mountain. The problem with this is that the only trail available is High Meadows Pass. Lapping High Meadows Pass would be only slightly better than an all-expenses paid trip to Guantanamo Bay.

I guess I need to figure out if there is a route off the main mountain that will work for us. Time to pull out the trail map.

I would take them to Jay, but unfortunately I have commitments in the afternoons that make the drive not really worth it.

 

[xwhaler]

I'm planning to ski Burke next Saturday 12/20, yes.

 

[VTKilarney]

I just made this map of trails that they anticipate being open this weekend.




.

 

[Smellytele]

I just made this map of trails that they anticipate being open this weekend.

View attachment 14592


.

Nothing on the lower MTN? Not that I am going or would ski down there anyway but families usually do

 

[VTKilarney]

Nothing on the lower MTN? Not that I am going or would ski down there anyway but families usually do

I'm assuming that you can ski from the top of the Sherburne Express to High Meadows Pass. But as we all know that involves some skating.

The one caveat is that they have not listed Midway as being open, which is the trail that connects the Sherburne Express to High Meadows Pass.

 

[Masskier]

They did do some more grading between the top of the Sherburne and the MBex. You may still need to skate, just not as much.

 

[VTKilarney]

They did do some more grading between the top of the Sherburne and the MBex. You may still need to skate, just not as much.

That is EXCELLENT news!

 

[from_the_NEK]

I had heard rumor about the Bear Den being spared the wrecking ball. It sound like they are going to move it. I wonder where?

 

[VTKilarney]

I had heard rumor about the Bear Den being spared the wrecking ball. It sound like they are going to move it. I wonder where?

Assuming it is moved to a reasonable location, let's give credit where credit is due. This was a very good decision on the part of management.

 

[Smellytele]

I had heard rumor about the Bear Den being spared the wrecking ball. It sound like they are going to move it. I wonder where?

nice

 

[VTKilarney]

Does anyone have a link to a diagram of the new hotel that shows where the common areas will be?


.

 

[from_the_NEK]

FU FAIRPOINT!!! :angry:

Had a LONG post speculating about where the Bear Den would end up and lost it due to hitchy internet.
http://www.wcax.com/story/27604684/widespread-fairpoint-outage-in-vermont-new-hampshire

 

[from_the_NEK]

Does anyone have a link to a diagram of the new hotel that shows where the common areas will be?

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/imaging/planning/7C0206-13-5/Plans/Plan A - Commercial Layout.pdf

 

[VTKilarney]

Is it just me or does construction seem to be focusing on the eastern wing of the hotel?

 

[from_the_NEK]

Let's try this again...

Assuming it is moved to a reasonable location, let's give credit where credit is due. This was a very good decision on the part of management.

Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY happy they (finally) decided to keep the Bear Den.
Now we can speculate where they will move it.

Current setup:

Top 3 new locations -

1. After the Lodge portion is demolished, the Bear Den (orange block) is moved over near the bathrooms (blue block). Decks are added on three sides of the building.

Pros:
- Good central location for: watching races (Warrens Way) and rail jams (Open Slope), getting to car after apres is over.
- The filling and regrading of the parking area below allows skiers to easily ski around both sides of the building to access the MBX.
- Close to existing plumbing.
- Easier permitting.
- Generally better weather for outdoor events, i.e. sitting outside on the deck with a beer.

Cons:
- Too close to the new Hotel/Lodge
- Local fire department may require a plowed road to the building (making skiing around both side of the building less feasible).

2. Top of the Poma.

Pros:
- Great View
- Easy access from top of lifts
- Access to electricity
- Can serve as top of course warming hut on race days

Cons:
- Upper mountain weather is often not good for outdoor relaxation (wind, fog, etc)
- No access to septic (possible downloading via portable holding tanks?)
- Resupply requires snow cat
- Operation after lifts close (patrol sweep) is unlikely.


3. Near the Pavilion (Lower Dipper)

Pros:
- Great View
- Easy access from major trails (central location on that side of the mtn).
- Access to electricity
- Can serve as indoor area for weddings that are held in that area during non-snow months.

Cons:
- Upper mountain weather is often not good for outdoor relaxation (though slightly better than #2 above)
- No access to septic (possible downloading via portable holding tanks?)
- Resupply requires snow cat
- Operation after lifts close (patrol sweep) is unlikely.




Other options:
The roped off area above the Sherburne Express (likely requires extensive blasting).
The top of Upper Dipper (may be too close to the wind turbine).
Bottom of East Bowl lift ;-)

 

[SkiRaceParent]

Great work, NEK. Thank you.

 

[VTKilarney]

If they move it (yes, I said "if"), I doubt that option #1 will be the new location. My feeling is that they want to showcase the new hotel, and that they won't want this structure in front of it.

Option #2 is a non-starter. It's a permitting nightmare, and a logistical nightmare.

Option #3 would make a lot of sense.

In order to capture the skier traffic off of the Sherburne Express, is there a spot just below the entrance to High Meadow Pass that would work?

IMHO, the bigger question is why has there been a change of plans regarding the Bear Den? I've got a theory based on data that was recently presented to me, but it's still a work in progress.

 

[from_the_NEK]

If they move it (yes, I said "if"), I doubt that option #1 will be the new location. My feeling is that they want to showcase the new hotel, and that they won't want this structure in front of it.

Option #2 is a non-starter. It's a permitting nightmare, and a logistical nightmare.

Option #3 would make a lot of sense.

In order to capture the skier traffic off of the Sherburne Express, is there a spot just below the entrance to High Meadow Pass that would work?

IMHO, the bigger question is why has there been a change of plans regarding the Bear Den? I've got a theory based on data that was recently presented to me, but it's still a work in progress.

Why would the permitting and logistics be any different between 2 and 3? They are both right near the Toll Road and are above the 2000' in elevation.

 

[from_the_NEK]

In order to capture the skier traffic off of the Sherburne Express, is there a spot just below the entrance to High Meadow Pass that would work?

Sherburne Express traffic is kind of what I was thinking with "Other options #1.
Easy to get to from SX.
Can get upper mtn traffic off of Lower Willoughby.
Easy to get back to the MBX.
Decent views.

Down near High Meadows Pass starts to get too close to the Hotel again.
Can't get to MBX.
There would be crap for views.

 

[SkiRaceParent]

I feel like a great location would be at the top of the Sherburne lift, accessible from the lift and also from the trails coming down from the top in that area (Willoughby etc)