Friday at Sugarbush...ME or LP?

[xwhaler]

Hi Everyone,
It's been 15+ years since I was at Sugarbush so I hardly remember it at all. Wife and I are going to be there on Friday with our Warren Miller all-mtn vouchers.
Given that the slide brook chair doesn;t run on weekdays, I wondered how efficient or a PITA the shuttle would be to go ski both sides.

I realize there is plenty of terrain to keep us occupied if we just stick to one or the other but curious on people's opinions on where we should go.
Considerations:
-Terrain Options within lift pods. I know both have great terrain that I'm really looking forward to skiing. I'm comfortable skiing anything while my wife likes nice blue cruiser terrain. She can handle herself on some groomed diamonds but I won;t be taking her up the Castlerock chair.
Ideally, I'd like to have the most options where we can ride the lift together and then meet at the bottom. I wonder how she would fair on Middle Earth? Does that get groomed? If so, seems we could both ski together off any lift at LP or ME with groomed blacks or blues.

Parking: I've heard the LP lot is a steep up hill walk. Doesn't really bother me but is ME access a lot easier.

Lunch: Any lodge or pub for lunch that would be better than the rest? Dont need something real fancy, standard ski bar serving food and cold beer is perfect.

Intermediate Glades: I'm trying to get my wife started on some easy low angle woods. Anything with tight trees or steep is not what I want to start her out with. Does ME or LP offer better choices in this area?

Crowds; Guessing that since it's a Friday on a non powder day expected do I need to worry abt any crowds at either peak?

Looking forward to it. Thanks for the local/insider knowledge!

 

[thetrailboss]

Mount Ellen actually has the steep uphill parking lot (it is tiered). I can't speak to conditions, but Mount Ellen will be cheaper and less crowded with more options to do as you want (i.e. ski your own runs, meet at the lift).

Lincoln Peak is more of a resort with a much larger base area so if she gets bored that will be better.

Glades: Mount Ellen has nice glades off of Inverness Quad (Semi Tough Woods). I don't know if there is enough base to open them.

Lunch: Lincoln Peak has more options, but the Green Mountain Pub at Ellen (upstairs) is pretty cool and has a nice relaxed vibe.

And Middle Earth is generally not groomed....

 

[steamboat1]

Taking the shuttle bus between the two areas is easy & it runs on a regular schedule. Might be best to check what the schedule is so you cut down on wait time. Otherwise what I've done sometimes is take off one boot & drive from one area to the other. Both mountains have an uphill walk to the base from the parking lot but as TB said ME has a steeper incline.

If your wife likes cruisers my favorite cruising trail in all of VT. is off the summit at ME. Rim Run into Elbow down into Cruiser. Both mountains offer both expert & intermediate terrain off most of there lifts so meeting up at the bottom shouldn't be a problem if you go separate ways. There is enough base in the woods as of this past week when I was there to put them into play but with the rain/freeze cycles the snow could be a little hard. Don't overlook the lower part of ME off the GME lift as the trails off either side & down the middle offer some of the best skiing on the mountain for advanced skiers. Sugarbush is one of my favorite ski areas in the north east. I think you'll have a good time.

ps: I have seen Castle Rock groomed at times but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[rocojerry]

Taking the shuttle bus between the two areas is easy & it runs on a regular schedule. Might be best to check what the schedule is so you cut down on wait time.

It runs every half hour- - supposedly from Mt Ellen at 15 past and 45 past, and supposedly at 00 and 30 from Lincoln. I say supposedly, because the bus driver seems to think its cool to leave earlier than schedule. So last weekend I just missed one, drank a beer quick, and the proceeded to miss another one and sit around for 30 minutes...

In short, just show up and wait up to 25 minutes or risk missing it.

After that -- I told myself I'll probably just pick one mtn or the other -- or drive my wheels over during lunch.

 

[jimmywilson69]

It runs every half hour- - supposedly from Mt Ellen at 15 past and 45 past, and supposedly at 00 and 30 from Lincoln. I say supposedly, because the bus driver seems to think its cool to leave earlier than schedule. So last weekend I just missed one, drank a beer quick, and the proceeded to miss another one and sit around for 30 minutes...

In short, just show up and wait up to 25 minutes or risk missing it.

After that -- I told myself I'll probably just pick one mtn or the other -- or drive my wheels over during lunch.

That is why when I skied there last spring we didn't take the shuttle. The Slide brook was open, but I didn't want to have to deal with catching the shuttle back to LP after the closing bell. I guess I should've just drove over as others have mentioned. It's like 5 miles or something.

 

[rocojerry]

Terrain Options within lift pods. I know both have great terrain that I'm really looking forward to skiing. I'm comfortable skiing anything while my wife likes nice blue cruiser terrain. She can handle herself on some groomed diamonds but I won;t be taking her up the Castlerock chair.

Ideally, I'd like to have the most options where we can ride the lift together and then meet at the bottom. I wonder how she would fair on Middle Earth? Does that get groomed? If so, seems we could both ski together off any lift at LP or ME with groomed blacks or blues.

Parking: I've heard the LP lot is a steep up hill walk. Doesn't really bother me but is ME access a lot easier.

Lunch: Any lodge or pub for lunch that would be better than the rest? Dont need something real fancy, standard ski bar serving food and cold beer is perfect.

Intermediate Glades: I'm trying to get my wife started on some easy low angle woods. Anything with tight trees or steep is not what I want to start her out with. Does ME or LP offer better choices in this area?

Crowds; Guessing that since it's a Friday on a non powder day expected do I need to worry abt any crowds at either peak?

Based on what I just saw over the weekend -- go to Lincoln Peak.
Come back to Ellen on any thursday for 30$, or St Pats for 17$.

Castlerock- Did you see the signage in my last TR additions to billski's report?

Parking - I think you have the lots reversed -- LPs is flat. Either place should be a breeze on a weekday.

Glades -- Both have good intermediate glades if they are skiable.

 

[thetrailboss]

Re: Shuttle. You have summed up my experience as well...it comes when it wants to and leaves when it wants to sometimes with no regard to the schedule. I wish that they ran the SBX more, but I understand why they don't.

 

[WWF-VT]

If you are just there for one day I suggest Lincoln Peak based upon the current conditions and what you will likely have for options on Friday. I wouldn’t take the time off the mountain to shuttle between LP and Mt Ellen.

Terrain options: If your wife likes blue cruisers she’ll be good to warm up on anything off the Gate House chair. Be sure to take the North Lynx chair for the view of the mountain and a cruise or two on Birch Run. There’s a big variety of blue runs off the Super Bravo chair and you can also access Steins Run off the Valley House traverse if you’re looking for a challenge. Most of the natural snow trails are firm and challenging these days – maybe try Moonshine. Jester is the only blue option off the Heavens Gate chair. Take a look from the HG chair or ask a local or patrol on the conditions for Spillsvillle, Organgrinder and Ripcord before you give them a try. The good news is that you can mix a black and blue trail off the same chair and meet for the ride back up.

Castlerock offers very technical skiing these days - there’s nothing groomed and everything is firm under foot.

Lunch: Castlerock Pub or Gate House Lodge. Gate House has a daily special or two that isn’t too expensive and chef made – not cafeteria crap.

Intermediate Glades: there’s nothing really worth skiing right now – especially for your wife.

Crowds: don’t worry about it at either LP or Mt Ellen this Friday

 

[xwhaler]

Thanks everyone. Looks like LP it is. The 3/17 $17 deal for a Sat to go ski ME looks awesome....I think we'll be in for that as well.
LP on Friday, Smuggs Sat...should be a good wknd in No VT.

 

[HowieT2]

I agree with the other posts. LP is the place for you on friday.

I would recommend starting the day off the gatehouse quad and up to the north lynx triple. Birch run is great in the morning. After that I would head over to Snowball/spring fling where you could do steins while the wife does the blues. Those runs all got snow made this weekend so they will be groomed and skiing nice. moonshine, the mall, and twist are natural and in need of fresh snow. same thing for castlerock. I skied it saturday morning with 3-4" fresh and it was good, but it needs a refresher.

As far as glades are concerned, the base is there but firm. If by some chance, they get fresh snow before friday, try out Eden. it is good for beginners. but, again, I wouldnt do it without more snow.