Hey!! Old Rookies Wondering Where To Go...

[MICO]

Hi Guys -- first post. Please take a minute to give valued advice to a couple athletic 47 year old newbies. Wife and I downhilled (real word?) for the 3rd time last Sunday. We don't want the season to end! Got fully outfitted with good gear after our first time out, 3 weeks ago. The small places we've skied in the western Adirondacks are wrapping it up this weekend. The big question: Where is the best area with adequate snow cover on GREEN runs for next Friday (4/6)? We live in northern NY, so Adirondacks and all of VT are within reach. Have read lots of posts, and looked at trail maps.....Sugarbush is good? For "greenies"? How about Whiteface? We want to get out for one last hurrah, and have never seen snow go so fast -- damn rain!! Thanks!! Mike

 

[smowler]

It's further afield, but Bretton Woods has lots of greens open.

 

[Newpylong]

Greens? Okemo, Stratton....

 

[Rushski]

Best snow cover would probably be Okemo and North. Okemo aka. Flatkemo would be a great spot for newbies with their consistent grooming.

 

[RISkier]

First, I'd say welcome to AZ and to the sport of skiing. I started just before my 49th birthday and just love skiing. IMO, Bretton Woods is tough to beat for novices and early intermediates. My wife and I loved it when we were getting started. Nice green terrain off almost every lift and most blues are just a little step up. They typically do a great job with grooming and snowmaking and the views of Mt. Washington and the Presidentials are great. It may be more of a drive than you're willing or able to make. Keep in mind that Spring can present some pretty "interesting" conditions which can be very challenging for those new to the sport. Depending on temperatures and exposures conditions are often very variable. Often firm and crusty in the morning, then a period of soft sugary snow, followed by slushy conditions.

 

[Talisman]

Sugarbush is good? For "greenies"? How about Whiteface? We want to get out for one last hurrah, and have never seen snow go so fast -- damn rain!! Thanks!! Mike

I am a big Sugarbush and Whiteface fan, but you can do better for novice terrain. Both places have little high elevation novice terrain.

Stratton, Okemo or Mt Snow may be the best choices in Southern VT as there are greens off the top versus just at the base. The base area will turn to slush early at most resorts.

Bretton Woods as others have suggested may offer the deepest base and variety. The intermediate trails are BW are fairly tame.

 

[Newpylong]

I wouldn't point people towards Mount Snow for starting out... From the summit, there is only Long John and Deer run... which get dangerously crowded. The multitudes of Blue Squares there have some steeps pitches that I wouldn't send a novice down...

 

[tjf67]

THis time of theyear is tough. Keep an eye out on the sights web pages to see whats left. I would say whiteface do to your location. They have the face chair and if that is open everything off of it will suit your skiing ability. Its a high speed quad and there will be no line. Because of the lack of skiers you will probably get smoother conditions as well. The snow is so soft the trails bump up very quickly with a lot of traffic.
Off the hill there is always something going on in LP.
Okemo would be my second choice but you have an extra 45 minutes each way in travel time and I dont think it will be better.