Goat vs. Starr

[Greg]

Never been to Stowe, but out of the front four, it's my understanding that these two are the real deal. I'd like to get others' comparison between these two runs. As always, pics are welcomed and encouraged!

 

[JimG.]

Never been to Stowe, but out of the front four, it's my understanding that these two are the real deal. I'd like to get others' comparison between these two runs. As always, pics are welcomed and encouraged!

Both have short but genuinely steep headwalls for the first 50 yards or so, then both become classic old New England bump trails with about 2000 foot vertical drops. The bonus on both trails is that there are nice glades on the sides of either. Plus, natural snow only for these bad boys.

What else can you ask for?

 

[koreshot]

Yes, Yes. Me no ski these trails either, though me want to. Someone post some pics damnit!

The only time I was at Stowe, both Starr and Goat were closed though the locals were pointing out the "Old Goat" to me which they said was really worth skiing. I don't know if they were pulling the "There is a pool on the roof" trick on me or what. Is there an old goat? Is it better than the new goat? How do you get to it?

 

[ChileMass]

It's been a while so brain damage/memory loss are taking their toll, but one of them (I believe it's Goat) was a nasty double fall line that wants to keep throwing you into the trees on the right as the trail bends slightly down tot he left. Actually, as the trail careens down and to the left. Both have cool cornice-like dropoffs at the top which throw you right into the steepest part.......tough, bumpy and icy most days.....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

My last memory of Goat was a scary one. The trail was blue ice and the only way we could stop was to do some turns and then dive into the scrub trees along the side. When we got down to the bottom we literally kissed the ground.

 

[cbcbd]

It's been a while so brain damage/memory loss are taking their toll, but one of them (I believe it's Goat) was a nasty double fall line that wants to keep throwing you into the trees on the right as the trail bends slightly down tot he left. Actually, as the trail careens down and to the left. Both have cool cornice-like dropoffs at the top which throw you right into the steepest part.......tough, bumpy and icy most days.....

My memory of it is also similar. I think I cut into the middle of Goat thru the trees though and possibly went of out it thru the trees also

Narrow, double fall... but I remember it bending to the right... I don't know, I guess I'll just have to refresh my memory this season.

 

[thetrailboss]

I've skied Goat, but Starr was closed when I was there. It got the thumbs up. Really like the feel and the snow was better than Liftline. And since someone blew the cover on the trees, yes, Goat Woods were some of the best I have ever skied...amazing last season on one of the days I was there.

 

[2knees]

both were closed when i was there. found these pics on the web.

http://mikespad.com/pictures/photoblog/1/8/381.jpg
http://www.angio.net/~reagan/images/stowe-narrow.jpg

 

[Greg]

How do they compare to other trails? I thought the Castlerock Liftline was pretty tricky with its double fall line:

How does Starr compare?

 

[JimG.]

Liftline at SB has 3 relatively steep sections, one near the top and 2 nearer the middle of the trail. Starr/Goat are steepest at the top, then consistent but not as steep and bumpy to the bottom. Where they are steep, both Starr and Goat are steeper than any part of Liftline.

Starr does not have as pronounced a double fall line as Liftline at SB; Goat's double fall line compares favorably to Liftline.

Now go ski them!

 

[Greg]

Now go ski them!

I hope to, someday!

 

[AHM]

Steeper ?? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I think SB's liftline is a bit steeper than either if you ski the skiers right double cliff drop. Neither Starr or LL have that feature. When you then drop Rumble into the mix, Rumble makes both LL and Starr pretty tame, especially if you ski Rumble non-stop and launch the big rock. I'll take Rumble over just about any single run for genuine Eastern, twisty turny, with some nice air potential.

 

[koreshot]

So is Old Goat a non-existent trail?

 

[RISkier]

An instructor at Stowe told me that he considered Bypass the most difficult trail on the mountain. I wouldn't know, they're all beyond my limited ability. That said, liftline (at Stowe) looks very skiable to me and I certainly don't think it's in the Goat or Starr category.

 

[awf170]

Bypass is a glade IIRC. Goat is a lot better and harder than Starr and Bypass IMO. Personally I liked Hacket's Highway a lot more than either of them.

 

[JD]

Bypass is a trail, although very short. It is rocky and steep, and ussually blows in more then almost anything on the Mtn. Starr and Lookout are very similar, although Starr is steeper at the top. They all fill in very well on the skier's left side when it snows. Goat, Starr, and Lookout are my favs, and the amount of fresh snow determins which one I ski. Real deep fresh snow, Starr. A good dump, Goat from the top. Descent snow with some wind action, Lookout (watch the waterbars at the bottom). less the 12 inches fesh, Goat from the Hay Chute. (cut thru off of the lift line cat walk). It all about matching the pitch with the cover for a real floaty experience, for me. They are all fun trails with good woods early season. After mid, January the woods get pretty bumped and you have to look elsewhere for the goods, IMO.

 

[snowkiter]

Really, let's all beat our chests. I've skied all these trails because they were on the he-man, king of the hills >>must do<< list. However, conditions varied dramatically on one to the other day. The most interesting event I can relate considering Goat and Star was that when I skied them some 15 years ago, they were passing out blankets for the lift ride. I saw big icy bumps and a very slick headwall section on the toughest of the two. When I took a long break in the Lodge, an old timer told me after asking which trails I had skied that he worked on the crew that cut both trails back in the day.

 

[2knees]

Really, let's all beat our chests.

lol, discussing these two trails is beating our chests? I have found this thread interesting and devoid of ego.

 

[koreshot]

lol, discussing these two trails is beating our chests? I have found this thread interesting and devoid of ego.

Oh yeah?? I have skied Denton, and its way harder than anything else out there, period.

 

[2knees]

Oh yeah?? I have skied Denton, and its way harder than anything else out there, period.

I heard that trail was used for rock climbing in the summer. Its so steep its actually inverted at points.