Character Trails

[awf170]

Killington:
Superstar - when there's 20+ feet of snow, big mounds of snow on the trail

Hasn't happen in over 5 years.

no people

Happens about 10 times a year.

and a good tail wind coming off the peak blowing the snow around you as you ski down.

Probably once every few days.

So according to my calculations this combination has happened about 10 times ever.


And my favorate character trail is the longest, widest, steepest, most awesomeness trail in the east.

 

[andyzee]

Hasn't happen in over 5 years.


Happens about 10 times a year.



Probably once every few days.

So according to my calculations this combination has happened about 10 times ever.


And my favorate character trail is the longest, widest, steepest, most awesomeness trail in the east.

Let's throw one more stat into your calculations, how often have you been to McMountain?

 

[ALLSKIING]

We already have a K thread..lets keep this about character trails.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/9236-killingtons-like.html

 

[awf170]

Let's throw one more stat into your calculations, how often have you been to McMountain?

Once, and never again. But if they still made a 20 ft. base on superstar then it would still be open to june, no? And saying it is the most popular trail at Killington I really doubt that there is never anyone else on it. When I was there, there wasn't even a line on the superstar quad but there was still about 100 people on superstar. And I admit, I have no idea about the wind blowing down it.

 

[andyzee]

We already have a K thread..lets keep this about character trails.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/9236-killingtons-like.html

Good point,

 

[Newpylong]

If the idea of a trail's character not being related to snow and conditions, would Rumble be a good run in the summer? lol Common, it has a lot to do with everything.... a trail's character is driven by the way varying conditions can change its experience.

 

[riverc0il]

If the idea of a trail's character not being related to snow and conditions, would Rumble be a good run in the summer?

are you for real? :roll: i guess there are no good character trails in new england since they are not skiable in the summer. then again, i'll debate this rather bizarre statement by asking if you hiked up superstar and rumble in the summer, i think hands down most people would agree rumble has more character as a trail to hike.

 

[Newpylong]

My absurd comment is in response to the ridiculousness of the ongoing vibe of some of these sites, where if you have skied Castlerock and the Front 4 you are the end all source of knowledge when it comes to skiing and riding in the east. Goat, Starr, Rumble, Middle Earth, MRG, blah blah. If I didn't know any better I would almost say its a form of being snobby. It's getting a little old. Most people have skied them, yet happen to realize, wow, there are other trails in the east that are good as well, and don't feel as though they have to continue comparing. The word "Rumble" has almost become a buzzword. Every area offers a different experience. The problem with threads like this is someone always has to argue, instead of just accepting someone's opinion as just that, opinion, and not definitive.


And yes, I have hiked Rumble and Superstar. I lived at the base of Sugarbush for 4 years, I have hiked nearly every trail there multiple times sans snow. If your definition of character is narrow, steep, filled with stumps and boulders, then yes, Rumble has more character.

 

[takeahike46er]

If your definition of character is narrow, steep, filled with stumps and boulders, then yes, Rumble has more character.

I think Newpylong touches upon an interesting point regarding the subjectiveness of so-called "character trails". Must the archetype character trail be twenty feet wide? Must it always contain natural features? Trails with these characteristics are a blast to ski; however, let's not dismiss the trails that appeal to a different kind of skiing. Upper Cloudspin is a great example of a character trail that is wide and sometimes groomed yet doesn't feel predictable or bland.

 

[andyzee]

My absurd comment is in response to the ridiculousness of the ongoing vibe of some of these sites, where if you have skied Castlerock and the Front 4 you are the end all source of knowledge when it comes to skiing and riding in the east. Goat, Starr, Rumble, Middle Earth, MRG, blah blah. If I didn't know any better I would almost say its a form of being stuck-up. It's getting a little old.

I think Newpylong touches upon an interesting point regarding the subjectiveness of so-called "character trails". Must the archetype character trail be twenty feet wide? Must it always contain natural features? Trails with these characteristics are a blast to ski; however, let's not dismiss the trails that appeal to a different kind of skiing. Upper Cloudspin is a great example of a character trail that is wide and sometimes groomed yet doesn't feel predictable or bland.

Some very good points, IMHO

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

My absurd comment is in response to the ridiculousness of the ongoing vibe of some of these sites, where if you have skied Castlerock and the Front 4 you are the end all source of knowledge when it comes to skiing and riding in the east. Goat, Starr, Rumble, Middle Earth, MRG, blah blah. If I didn't know any better I would almost say its a form of being stuck-up. It's getting a little old. Most people have skied them, yet happen to realize, wow, there are other trails in the east that are good as well, and don't feel as though they have to continue comparing. The word "Rumble" has almost become a buzzword. Every area offers a different experience. The problem with threads like this is someone always has to argue, instead of just accepting someone's opinion as just that, opinion, and not definitive.


And yes, I have hiked Rumble and Superstar. I lived at the base of Sugarbush for 4 years, I have hiked nearly every trail there multiple times sans snow. If your definition of character is narrow, steep, filled with stumps and boulders, then yes, Rumble has more character.

IMO, ur right on the money. Post of the freakin year. :beer:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Upper Cloudspin is a great example of a character trail that is wide and sometimes groomed yet doesn't feel predictable or bland.

Great point. I don't know anyone who is a good skier at WF who doesn't love that trail.

 

[ALLSKIING]

What defination are we using for character in a trail anyway?

I think from the look of the posts the defination of a character trail is different with each member. That makes for a good discussion as long as we don't start :flame:

 

[andyzee]

I think from the look of the posts the defination of a character trail is different with each member. That makes for a good discussion as long as we don't start :flame:

:flame::smash: :lol: I was thinking the same thing.

 

[riverc0il]

for the record, i have never skied rumble, goat, or starr. and just to keep the character thing from not exclussively going down the "narrow, steep, filled with stumps and boulders" route that Newpylong brings up, i neglected to mention some mellower character trails, so let me nominate:

polecat @ wildcat (green circle)
upper cannon @ cannon (blue square)
jester @ bush (blue square)
upper antelope @ mrg (blue square)
brookway @ loon (green circle)
willoughby @ burke (blue square)

i am highly opinionated but i am no snob. different strokes for different folks. i am only argueing for a specified definition of character which the dictionary defines as having characteristics that distinguish and make different. wide trails straight down the fall line have nothing different or distinguishing from any other wide trail straight down the fall line. and am still not convinced that conditions have anything to do with the trail itself. i never knocked these trails nor the folks that enjoy them, they are just bland in the character department.

 

[jack97]

I think from the look of the posts the defination of a character trail is different with each member. That makes for a good discussion as long as we don't start :flame:

Exactly!

I love to ski on a trail that’s wide open that is left ungroom with good bumps; best thing about them is that they change every time I go back. Did that last season when I couldn’t time my days off to chase the snow dumps.

However, in my book, if the place decides to mow them down, it would be a wide open cruiser or steep. Zoomer and Paully Follies at Cannon are examples of this, great if left ungroom but nothing unique after grooming. Trails that have character, has “it” in any type of skiable conditions.

 

[eatskisleep]

White Knuckle @ Black Mountain of NH.

 

[skibum1321]

i am highly opinionated but i am no snob. different strokes for different folks. i am only argueing for a specified definition of character which the dictionary defines as having characteristics that distinguish and make different. wide trails straight down the fall line have nothing different or distinguishing from any other wide trail straight down the fall line. and am still not convinced that conditions have anything to do with the trail itself. i never knocked these trails nor the folks that enjoy them, they are just bland in the character department.

I totally agree with you there. There is nothing wrong with liking these trails, but don't get confused and say that they have character. What distinguishing characteristic is there on Superstar? The lift is even off to the side, not that it would add any more challenge to put it in the middle of a 200 ft wide trail.

Here's my list:
Sugarbush - Castlerock, The Mall, Twist, Morningstar, Black Diamond, Hammerhead, Tumbler
Smuggs - Robin's Run, Liftline, Freefall, Doc Dempsey's
Stowe - Goat, Starr, Lookout
Jay - Powerline, Face Chutes, Tuckerman's Chutes

 

[bvibert]

I think from the look of the posts the defination of a character trail is different with each member. That makes for a good discussion as long as we don't start :flame:

Dave's right folks. Keep in mind that everyone's entitled to their opinion while you're replying/discussing.

It's hot enough around here without adding any flames to the fire...

 

[Lostone]

I think most of my fav's got hit. I would add Semi-tough and Walt's at Sugarbush North. And the only ones I don't think I've seen mentioned at South are The Mall and Morning Star. Both are liftlines, but they're nice liftlines. :wink:

And to me, having character means is was not widened or flattened, much. Not saying anyone else has to agree. I'll make my way down alone... again. :wink: