Hills near NW Connecticut for this weekend

[Catul]

I'm trying to figure out where to ski this Saturday (12/17) - it's going to be a quick half-day trip, I'm about 15 minutes West of Hartford, and don't quite want to drive over two hours to Southern VT.

Ski Sundown is close, barely 20 minutes door-to-door, but I'd like something a little bigger than its 600' vertical. Ski Butternut and Catamount appear to be the ones to consider, both being a little bigger and just about an hour's drive. Anyone ski these, and can compare them with Sundown?

Looking at their snow reports though, Butternut barely has half the mountain open while Sundown is 100% open. The other variable is this crappy wintry mix forecast for Friday, which will change the beautiful packed powder that's on these hills. I wonder if Butternut will have much different snowfall than Sundown?

So, where are you guys going this weekend?

 

[bvibert]

I've never been to Butternut, but I can recommend Catamount. Its a fun laid back type of a place.. Depending on how much is open they have a nice variety of trails.

 

[Greg]

Ski Sundown is close, barely 20 minutes door-to-door, but I'd like something a little bigger than its 600' vertical. Ski Butternut and Catamount appear to be the ones to consider, both being a little bigger and just about an hour's drive. Anyone ski these, and can compare them with Sundown?

My stomping grounds...

Butternut is a bit flat but it's a nice hill with good grooming and snowmaking. Probably perfect for your daughter. Catamount is a bit steeper and more of a throw-back type mountain. I like it though. Catapult is a fun steep run, but it's not open yet. Due to the additional vert, they both ski bigger than Sundown, but Butternut's steepness is similar to Sundown. Have you considered Mohawk too? More trails than Sundown, but a bit flatter.

Two other options are Jiminy Peak and Berkshire East. Both are relatively steep, roughly 1,150' vertical, provide enough terrain for a full day of skiing, and are well within your 2 hour window. Both ski much bigger than either Catamount or Butternut. They are two completely different ski areas though. Jiminy has more of a resort feel - large base area, faster lifts and better early season snowmaking (i.e. more is open, in fact the B-East is not going to re-open until the 17th while Jiminy is running at 44% today). However, it gets more crowded and has more "boulevard" type trails. I enjoy Jiminy a lot though and to me it's the best the Berks have to offer right now. Berkshire East is best saved for a post-dump day when the mountain is 100% open. Tons of classic windy runs, some glades, limited crowds. The B-east has the best natural runs in southern New England without question.

If you're skiing with your daughter, try Butternut. If going solo, hit Jiminy. Save Catamount for when they open Catapult and ski B-east in February.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Where?

Go to Jiminy. They have excellent conditions, and BOTH you and your daughter can ski there. I don't know what age/ability your daughter is, but there is a beginner lift right next to the Berkshire Express (the six-pack) that she might be able to take all by herself a few times while you hammer some runs from the top. You can watch her ride up and ski down as you make your own runs. And, you can meet up easily at the base anytime.

 

[Catul]

My stomping grounds...

...

If you're skiing with your daughter, try Butternut. If going solo, hit Jiminy. Save Catamount for when they open Catapult and ski B-east in February.

Thanks for all the replies, guys! Greg, I know you know these mountains well, so I'm glad you replied too.

I'm skiing by myself; with my daughter I'd just go to Sundown, the Sunnyside Learning Area is more than enough for her, and she can't ski alone just yet anyway.

So basically I'd like a little more than what Sundown offers ("more" meaning not challenging, just more terrain). I'm not really up for making a long drive though, so it would seem that Jiminy Peak is the one to check out at this point. Considering that it is over an hour and a half's drive though, is that worth the extra half hour versus say Butternut? And, more important, is it worth driving that much when Sundown is only 20 minutes considering Sundown is 100% open?

I also have a coupon for a free ticket at Sundown (from the Warren Miller movie this year), so that might make the decision for me. It's good to hear all your opinions on B'East, Jiminy, Catamount and Butternut - I guess those are the four largest hills in these parts.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Where?

If you are by yourself, go to Jiminy. As someone said: "The mountain skis much bigger than it is." It is in fact, considerably larger than Sundown. Also, check out their VALUE CARD deal. It is a "NO BRAINER" to pick one up. You get your money back the first time you use it with the "freebie" lift ticket. I copied their ad to his posting. They even give you the discount on top of your particular "State Day" discount (Mine is Tuesdays since I am a NY resident.


Jiminy Ad for Value Card:

Value Cards Are Now On Sale!
Jiminy Peak Value Cards are now on sale! Value Cards cost $33 and are valid for $15 off the price of any lift ticket, every time you ski or ride at Jiminy Peak throughout the 2005/2006 winter season. Value Cards are also valid for extra discounts on Men’s and Ladies’ Nights and State Days! As an extra bonus, when you buy your Value Card before February 28, 2006 you will receive a free lift ticket, valid for skiing or riding any day in March. Purchase one for yourself or for that avid skier or snowboarder in your life. Value Cards may be purchased through our secure sever online at www.jiminypeak.com, over the phone by calling (413) 738-5500 ext. 3090, or in person at the resort at the Crane Lodge Ticket Window.

I'm an ASC Bronze Season Pass user. But there are times where I don't have time to hit VT from LI, or the people I want to ski with don't have time. They also have a great "Big Lift" Card deal you can check out...I used my freebie their last Thursday skiing with my daughter (age 22 and an expert who started at age 3).

 

[Greg]

Considering that it is over an hour and a half's drive though, is that worth the extra half hour versus say Butternut? And, more important, is it worth driving that much when Sundown is only 20 minutes considering Sundown is 100% open?

Yes and yes. 90 minutes is nothing. My ski:drive ratio needs to be at least 1:1, that is I need to be on skis at least as many hours as I'll be in the car to get there and back. Sundown at 100% open is like skiing Jiminy at 25% open.

Jiminy has great terrain. The high-speed six is a great lift, but seeing as you're going on a Saturday, it may get busy. I think they're now running the summit triple (slow as hell) so that's an option if it backs up. The Q1 quad may run which will give you access to Whitetail (probably the steepest black they'll have open). Jericho and Wild Turkey usually don't open until late December. They are pounding snow on Jericho as we speak so maybe that'll open this weekend though. The Widow White's Quad likely won't spin as there's not much on that side open yet.

Depending on what Friday's storm does, Jiminy may be great on Saturday. I may hit it on Sunday. Make the drive and get there early. You'll be smiling when making big arcs down Whitetail:

It skis a helluva lot bigger than both Butternut or Sundown...

 

[Catul]

Ok, Jiminy it'll likely be then, sounds like a nice "little" place! I guess I'll watch the weather Friday and make sure they don't get too much of this wintry mix, in which case I'll probably just stay at Sundown - no point making the drive for just icy trails.

Let's hope they get some snow, any snow, just no sleet/mix stuff!

 

[tirolerpeter]

Re: Where?

If you are by yourself, go to Jiminy. As someone said: "The mountain skis much bigger than it is." It is in fact, considerably larger than Sundown. Also, check out their VALUE CARD deal. It is a "NO BRAINER" to pick one up. You get your money back the first time you use it with the "freebie" lift ticket. I copied their ad to his posting. They even give you the discount on top of your particular "State Day" discount (Mine is Tuesdays since I am a NY resident.


Jiminy Ad for Value Card:

Value Cards Are Now On Sale!
Jiminy Peak Value Cards are now on sale! Value Cards cost $33 and are valid for $15 off the price of any lift ticket, every time you ski or ride at Jiminy Peak throughout the 2005/2006 winter season. Value Cards are also valid for extra discounts on Men’s and Ladies’ Nights and State Days! As an extra bonus, when you buy your Value Card before February 28, 2006 you will receive a free lift ticket, valid for skiing or riding any day in March. Purchase one for yourself or for that avid skier or snowboarder in your life. Value Cards may be purchased through our secure sever online at www.jiminypeak.com, over the phone by calling (413) 738-5500 ext. 3090, or in person at the resort at the Crane Lodge Ticket Window.

I'm an ASC Bronze Season Pass user. But there are times where I don't have time to hit VT from LI, or the people I want to ski with don't have time. They also have a great "Big Lift" Card deal you can check out...I used my freebie their last Thursday skiing with my daughter (age 22 and an expert who started at age 3).

Just re-read this post. I was referring to Jiminy as a good "day trip choice" and the last part should have referred to Hunter Mt. for the Big Lift Card, and where I skied with my daughter. Sorry.

 

[Greg]

Jericho at Jiminy opens this weekend. :beer: