Good first time Black trail at Sugarloaf:

[salsgang]

We are heading up to Sugarloaf on Wednesday and my son is itching to ski a Sugarloaf Black. He is 11 years old doing a good job on Sugarloaf Blues and stays in control.

Any suggestions on a good 'expert' trial that he could cut his teeth on for the first time? It probably should be a wide trail that is groomed consistently. Is Hayburner a good choice? Others?

 

[snoseek]

narrow guage early in the day.

 

[KevinF]

The stuff off the King Pine chair (as far to skier's right as you can get) -- i.e., Haulback, Widowmaker -- are usually groomed out. Choker has been bumped whenever I've been there. Hayburner (off the Superquad) is good as well.

The "steep part" of Narrow Gauge is pretty steep; not real long, but it can be an intimidating sight. I'd save that one until you've explored some of the others above.

 

[wa-loaf]

Narrow Gauge is good. The headwall is a little intimidating, but I always felt good about making it down it when I was younger.

 

[Birdman829]

I'd say Hayburner or Spillway. Both are wide and not that steep. Wedge could be a good option as well. I have never been able to figure out what makes Wedge a diamond since its probably less steep than a lot of the blues (certainly less than Sluice).

 

[salsgang]

Excellent. My son actually did Sluice last time up so I think he is ready! Thanks for the suggestions. Let me know if any others come to mind.

 

[Birdman829]

Excellent. My son actually did Sluice last time up so I think he is ready! Thanks for the suggestions. Let me know if any others come to mind.

If he did fine on Sluice then he can probably do just about any groomed black on the mountain but the three that I mentioned would be a good starting point.

 

[salsgang]

My boys nailed Gauge second run of the day. KILLER! They did great. Smoked Upper Spillway / Sluice and Hayburner. They well on their way to outskiing the old man.

We did Kings Landing too. Hadn't done that trail before. I though that was a pretty strong blue!

Anyway - thanks for the suggestions all.

 

[Birdman829]

Glad to hear it. I remember when I was in second grade I spent a week at the Loaf and started tackling tougher trails. I felt like I was the king of the world. I probably improved more in a week stretch than I had in 4 years prior to that. Gotta push yourself.

 

[Skier75]

My boys nailed Gauge second run of the day. KILLER! They did great. Smoked Upper Spillway / Sluice and Hayburner. They well on their way to outskiing the old man.

We did Kings Landing too. Hadn't done that trail before. I though that was a pretty strong blue!

Anyway - thanks for the suggestions all.

I love that trail, Kings Landing, one of my favorites at Sugarloaf.

 

[The Sneak]

Hayburner is a sweet trail. I think he'll be fine with it.