Got two days in Northern VT - Where should I go?

[JBYRD22]

I'm staying at my friends place near Smuggs Sat Feb 17 & Sun 18th. I'll ski Smuggs sunday and have saturday to go somewhere else. I love skiing in the woods. Who has better conditions...Jay? Stowe? Sugarbush? Smuggs? Mad River? Any advice?

 

[Jay's Dip Powcher]

I'm staying at my friends place near Smuggs Sat Feb 17 & Sun 18th. I'll ski there 1 day and have another day to get my fix. I love skiing in the woods. Who has better conditions...Jay? Stowe? Sugarbush? Smuggs? Mad River? Any advice?

Jay was looking great last weekend and they are looking at an additional 14" by tomorrow so that would be my choice. Seconded only by Stowe.
Either way you are looking at the best of the season up there. Smuggs has some good out of bounds as well, real good!

 

[JBYRD22]

Thanks Dip Powcher

Been to Jay a lot - its one of my favorite mountains. Got the trail map permanently etched in my brain. I'm pretty sure thats where I'll go. I miss my Jay Peak Ale! :beer:

 

[CapeSkier]

Come to Sugarbush. If you want snow, we've got it. Period.

 

[Newpylong]

If they get the snow and you're into that Jay, otherwise Sugarbush hands down.

 

[JBYRD22]

How long of a drive - timewise that is - is Sugarbush from Smuggs? I've been to the Bush twice and loved it.

 

[ccskier]

How long of a drive - timewise that is - is Sugarbush from Smuggs? I've been to the Bush twice and loved it.

If you are at Smuggs, the ride to Jay is actually about the same drive to Stowe, maybe even less, if you are heading back home right afterwards, Stowe may be a better choice travelwise being right near 89. It will take you about 45 minutes to get to Jay. Skiing wise, Jay may be a better choice. Take 109 through Waterville, Belvedere to 118 into Montgomery Center then up to the mountain. Sugarbush would be a hike, but again if you were going there on your way home, it is in the right direction.

I believe Smuggs has their own version of Tram Ale, LT makes on for them also. It is the same with a different lable. Just what I heard.

 

[JBYRD22]

Thanks Newpylong & Ccskier... some good advice.
I should have been more specific. (just changed my original thread) I will probably ski somewhere other than Smuggs on Sat. Then I will Ski Smuggs on Sunday and take that nice long 5 1/2 - 6 hr ride home to Long Island. (I'll take my time and drive carefully)
Looking forward to the Smuggs version of Tram Ale. :beer: (Sat night) Of course there will be skiing the next day.

 

[SKIER4LIFE1281]

bush

go to the bush

 

[Newpylong]

I think you will find the drive a touch over an hour from Smuggs to Sugarbush if you go there, its roughly 40 miles. As for conditions, I haven't been farther north than Killington this year but from what I hear and read Stowe, Smuggs and Sugarbush all have similar conditions... I personally love the Bush but I am sure you will have a blast anyway.

 

[JBYRD22]

Thanks all! I have a big decision ahead of me. Jay, Stowe, or the Bush. I love all three mountains. Just wish I had more time.

 

[Birdman829]

This might help you make your decision

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76399

 

[JBYRD22]

WOW!!! Now thats what I'm talkin' about. What trails are those pic's of???
:beer:

 

[ski_industry_enthusiast]

Absolutely hit the Bush. Unquestionably. Especially given the interior NE storm possibility Wednesday, conditions will be unbelievable. Bush is 100% open, and current conditions are incredible, with packed powder and still some untracked along the edges and plenty in the trees (especially the trees above mid mountain. Mt. Ellen actually appears to have more snow than Lincoln Peak right now, so that might be your best bet.

 

[JD]

way more snow at Big J. The resort was hammered, but the snow on BJ was significantly deeper. $ .02

 

[JBYRD22]

Thanks ski enthusiast! Its gonna be hard to get to sleep this week. Cant wait for the weekend! :smile:

 

[JBYRD22]

Looks like I have to wait until the last minute...decisions, decisions...

 

[dropKickMurphy]

You mentioned that you're staying near Snuggs Friday and Saturay night, and skiing w/ your friend at Snuggs on Sunday.

The obvious answer for Saturday would be to buy a single ride lift ticket ($10) at Smuggs on Saturday, then skiing from Sterling over to Stowe's Spruce and buying a Stowe lift ticket when you got to the bottom. Now that they have the lift connecting Spruce with Mansfield, it would be very convenient for you.

My understanding, though, is that they've closed off the connecting trail between Sterling and Spruce. Does anyone know if this is strictly enforced? As long as you'd be buying a Stowe lift ticket for the day, I don't understand why they'd care if you had skied over from Smuggs rather than driven in your car.

 

[JD]

You can go back and forth all you want. They used to be nice and let folks have 1 ride back up at either resort. Now they don't.

 

[win]

I can say that we have the best conditions anywhere! Everyone who has skied around the past several weeks has told me so! Even my friends who have recently been in Utah and Colorado the past couple of weeks say it. We have made great snow, and we have been very fortunate that the Lake Effect snow of the past few weeks has settled on The Bush more than anywhere else. Tonight we had another 6" up top, and I personally measured it on my AC-4's. Check out Skimrv.com to see what it being said!