billski
Active member
On Saturday, we hit Bolton for our annual family and friends trip. It's a low-key day, with skill levels ranging from high to low, but predominantly on the lower end of the scale. So we aim to make fun. Bolton simply rocked. 5" of new snow overnight and 2" during the day, with the usual weekend crowd, made for 2 minute lift lines all day. The green groomers were perfect for those of lesser confidence.
The little woods diversions were a delight for all, with packed powder everywhere
Mid day the big boys and girls broke off for a run through Vista Glades. Packed powder and powder made a quick blast through these bumps a lot of fun for everyone.
Later in the day, the big boys snuck off by themselves for a run through Devil's Playground and Preacher - Why did we miss these woods all these years. They were challenging, in GREAT shape, lots of pillows to smash and no ice anywhere.
STOWE
The next morning, the big boys snuck off for a few hours at Stowe while the lovelies slept late. Hitting the quad at 7:30, we found the place quite pounded out. I can only guess at how crowded Stowe had been on Saturday (sorry deadheadskier), even with 5-8" of fresh Sat. and 1" on Sunday. Some trails like Nosedive were rather scratchy and unpleasant, Chin Clip was hugely bumped up it's entire length, with solid ice foundations, make it a real rock and roll ride. The Chin Clip glades had a lot of PP, but the bumps in there were quite solid and much less fun than those at BV. Gondolier was groomed to perfection
Octagon
The blues were in very good "proper packed powder" (to steal a phrase) shape, but due to the Stowe Derby, certain trails were closed or restricted put 100s of our closest friends all on the same trail - Lord. We paused a the Toll Road "hairpin turn" astride of Lord for a little entertainment. Imagine XC skiers doing the Derby run, cruising mach schnell, and then needing to execute a 150 degree turn in short order. Well, needless to say, several don't make it. Two Patrol were stationed at the curve and a third Patrol was positioned downhill in the woods to assist the poor souls who did not successfully navigate the turn. Quite a crowd assembled at this point to watch the fun. Apparently the winning time was an amazing 45 minutes from the top of Mansfield to the the church in Stowe Village, a 10-mile journey. Most people complete it in 1.5-1.75 hours.
The crowds swelled by 10:00, and we exited stage right at 11:30am. In my book BV won for overall experience, price, crowds and snow quality.
The little woods diversions were a delight for all, with packed powder everywhere
Mid day the big boys and girls broke off for a run through Vista Glades. Packed powder and powder made a quick blast through these bumps a lot of fun for everyone.
Later in the day, the big boys snuck off by themselves for a run through Devil's Playground and Preacher - Why did we miss these woods all these years. They were challenging, in GREAT shape, lots of pillows to smash and no ice anywhere.
STOWE
The next morning, the big boys snuck off for a few hours at Stowe while the lovelies slept late. Hitting the quad at 7:30, we found the place quite pounded out. I can only guess at how crowded Stowe had been on Saturday (sorry deadheadskier), even with 5-8" of fresh Sat. and 1" on Sunday. Some trails like Nosedive were rather scratchy and unpleasant, Chin Clip was hugely bumped up it's entire length, with solid ice foundations, make it a real rock and roll ride. The Chin Clip glades had a lot of PP, but the bumps in there were quite solid and much less fun than those at BV. Gondolier was groomed to perfection
Octagon
The blues were in very good "proper packed powder" (to steal a phrase) shape, but due to the Stowe Derby, certain trails were closed or restricted put 100s of our closest friends all on the same trail - Lord. We paused a the Toll Road "hairpin turn" astride of Lord for a little entertainment. Imagine XC skiers doing the Derby run, cruising mach schnell, and then needing to execute a 150 degree turn in short order. Well, needless to say, several don't make it. Two Patrol were stationed at the curve and a third Patrol was positioned downhill in the woods to assist the poor souls who did not successfully navigate the turn. Quite a crowd assembled at this point to watch the fun. Apparently the winning time was an amazing 45 minutes from the top of Mansfield to the the church in Stowe Village, a 10-mile journey. Most people complete it in 1.5-1.75 hours.
The crowds swelled by 10:00, and we exited stage right at 11:30am. In my book BV won for overall experience, price, crowds and snow quality.
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