Favorite Base Lodge

[thetrailboss]

I'm surprised that no mention of Crotched's lodge has been made yet.

While I don't mind the lodge at Crotched, I doubt it would make any "best lodge" lists...

Haven't been yet....it is on my "must ski" list :wink:

 

[dmc]

Never really thought about it...
To me a lodge is just a place to get a beer...
I generally put my boots on in the car... Get a ticket and hit the chair..
When I'm out west - I pack lunches so I can eat them in the gondolas...

Only time I hit the lodge is at beer:30

I like the lodge at MRG... they have good beer...
The lodge at Hunter's good... They have good beer and shushi...
I liked the upper lodge at Vail before it burnt down...

 

[RISkier]

I'm surprised that no mention of Crotched's lodge has been made yet.

While I don't mind the lodge at Crotched, I doubt it would make any "best lodge" lists...

It's very functional but to say it lacks alpine charm is gross understatement. Has the feel of heated machine shed.

I agree with Trailboss on the atmosphere at Pats. While there are no outstanding features it's just a very inviting place. I also love the big fireplace at Gunstock.

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm surprised that no mention of Crotched's lodge has been made yet.

While I don't mind the lodge at Crotched, I doubt it would make any "best lodge" lists...

It's very functional but to say it lacks alpine charm is gross understatement. Has the feel of heated machine shed.

That's what I've heard from more than one person. Nice and modern but kind of klunky.

Word has it that Crotched is only doing OK this season :-? Too bad...I've only heard good things.

Did I mention that one of my Alma Mater's new Dining Halls has a new "ski lodge" kind of atmosphere?

 

[stomachdoc]

I know it's not a BASE lodge, but the Schwendi Hutte near the top of Waterville for a chocolate fondue and a "Mochalicious" on a Sunday afternoon when I'm gettin' tired can't be beat!

 

[Vortex]

The tile they have on the tables in that hut is the same as my house. Orange on the kitchen floor the Green is in the bathrooms. Tile sale :idea:

 

[hiroto]

WORST for room: Nashoba. I couldn't figure out where to go with my stuff and brown bag lunch :blink:

Good question. I've skiied there in the evening a lot but went there for the first time on a weekend
a few weeks ago with my daughter. I couldn't figure out where to put our lunch either and ending up
placing it awkwardly on the window sill. Does anybody know better place to stash things there?

 

[thetrailboss]

WORST for room: Nashoba. I couldn't figure out where to go with my stuff and brown bag lunch :blink:

Good question. I've skiied there in the evening a lot but went there for the first time on a weekend
a few weeks ago with my daughter. I couldn't figure out where to put our lunch either and ending up
placing it awkwardly on the window sill. Does anybody know better place to stash things there?

Yeah...it was weird...they had a small cafeteria area downstairs and the restaurant upstairs. I ended up parking my stuff beside the vending machines...felt more like a restaurant/hotel lobby than a ski lodge. :-?

 

[Zand]

Best overall: Jackson Gore Base
Best for Finding a Seat: Wachusett (I always find a seat, no matter the crowd size)
Best in Terms of Crowds: I guess Bear Base at K-Mart
Best for Food: Mt. Snow
Best Atmosphere: Berkshire East
Best View: Okemo Summit
Best Layout: Wachusett's Base Lodge (One long room)
Best Table Setup: Octagon at Sunapee (Lots of Room)

Worst Overall: Sunapee's Spruce Lodge
Worst for Finding a Seat: Cannon's Base Lodge
Worst in Terms of Crowds: Loon's Gov. Adams
Worst for Food: Sunapee's Spruce Lodge
Worst Atmosphere: Sunapee's Spruce Lodge
Worst View: Sunapee's Spruce Lodge (Where are the windows in this jail?)
Worst Layout: Mt. Snow Base
Worst Table Layout: Sunapee's Spruce Lodge (The thinnest person in the world couldn't fit in between the tables LOL)

 

[Ig ODC]

MRG's Basebox is pretty sweet.

One more category to add, and I think this place wins hands down:

Best Lodge Taxidermy:

Bobcat (they have 15 heads of deer, one Elk, a pheasant, a huge brown trout, and one Bobcat). It's awesome.

 

[patricsaint]

Best food: Blue Mtn (PA) - where else can you get pierogies at a ski area?

Pierogies!
Yeah, they're pretty good there. But they rule at the lodge at the top of Camelback in PA.

 

[deadheadskier]

Re: priorities change

When you get older and your body slows you down, you are forced to change priorities. I'm learning to appreciate the fine art of relaxation that the Austrians do so well. They quit around 11am, get the best chair on the deck, brew in hand and catch some rays.

I'm a bit slower to start, never hit the first chair up anymore and never make it to the last chair. I'm not as fast as I think I am, but I still have a lot of fun.

Old Fart

well, I certainly don't have a problem relaxing in a beach chair in the parking lot with a cooler full of beer and a grill going. Its a very common site at Stowe. Very similar to 'the beach' at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado

Nothing wrong with that. Different strokes for different folks and I'll take the other road. As I age, "hassle factor" becomes a critical language component. Ever wonder why you don't see too many over-60 skiers out there? I plan to buck that trend.

I've lived and worked long enough to be entitled to some benis and don't need to be cheap anymore - Let someone else provide the chairs, make my lunch, provide the heat and pickup the garbage. I like the view and the entertainment at the lodge, rather than a muddy lot full of exhaust fumes. Come to think of it, I prefer a porcelain toilet too. I only hold short at valet parking.

Parents sing a different tune too. If you "are one", you will always recall the days when it's 10:30 and you're still in your street clothes. You've attended to several iterations of: "my boots hurt", "I can't find my gloves", "Jimmy spilled hot cocoa on my pants", "I have to go to the bathroom", "I'm hungy", "I'm too hot", "My helmet doesn't fit". Not the kinda stuff you want to do in a parking lot, while keeping the 3-year old from being run-over. If not, you've got these precious days to look forward to.

So, I salute you deadheadskier and your crew for your vigor and tailgating, You've freed up an extra table for me in the lodge. Thanks!

Haha, understood 'Old Fart' with a young heart. Hope your passion brings you many fine turns into your 80's

and if you need any advice bucking that trend of skiers over 60, come on up to Stowe and chat up the brethren of skiers who seem to never get old. Kim Brown would be a good one

http://www.stowereporter.com/Sections/Features/SkiBumCorner/SkiBumCorner.html

you'll find him either at the top of the Gondola getting ready to hike the Chin for a run down Hourglass or Hellbrook

or....


....in the parking lot, bbq'n and sippin' some brews with 4 generations of diehards

 

[MsMtSnow]

Best for Food: Mt. Snow

Are you kidding me?? I work at the mountain, get 50% off on food and the prices are still above what people should be paying! Plus, the prices vary, along with food quality on which lodge you go to at Mt. Snow! Main Base is the cheapest, Summit Lodge is a dump, plus they usually charge slightly more, Caranthia never has enough tables, and Sundance is always full of bus trips.

J.

 

[Talisman]

Best Lodge Taxidermy:

Bobcat (they have 15 heads of deer, one Elk, a pheasant, a huge brown trout, and one Bobcat). It's awesome.

I bet Bromley has a better collection of dusty taxidermy head mounts of deer, elk, goats and sheep, though Bobcat may have more stuffed birds, fish and cats.

 

[andyzee]

The lodge at Plattekill, small, not crowded, friendly, and a great view looking straight up Blockbuster.

 

[trackbiker]

The lodge at Plattekill, small, not crowded, friendly, and a great view looking straight up Blockbuster.

Skied there for the first time this year. Had to head out right afterwards so I didn't get to experience the apres ski. That bar upstairs looks like a great place to spend some apres ski time with some real skiers. Making a point of spending some time there next season.

 

[andyzee]

The lodge at Plattekill, small, not crowded, friendly, and a great view looking straight up Blockbuster.

Skied there for the first time this year. Had to head out right afterwards so I didn't get to experience the apres ski. That bar upstairs looks like a great place to spend some apres ski time with some real skiers. Making a point of spending some time there next season.

The best thing is, it doesn't get crowded!

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

Best Spring Lodge

Killington Base Lodge.

Superstar is right off the deck...

 

[amf]

Best Lodge Taxidermy:

Now there's a great category... Get away from the corporate cowsheds of ASC & Intrawest & who knows what you may find!

 

[teqeeler]

I liked the upper lodge at Vail before it burnt down...

After it burnt down they replaced it the next year.
Have you seen the new lodge? the new one is AWEsome.