Just how good is Magic?

[madskier6]

Magic is a great mountain. I'll be skiing there at least 5-10 times this season.

Marc: for $400 it's a great deal. Here's the latest from Magic's website on the snowmaking issue. Looks like they're doing all they can to beef up that historical shortcoming. Let's hope they can execute on these plans this Summer & Fall. A new mountain manager (as they say below) should give a fresh perspective. It's good to see that they at least are trying to shake things up a bit.


Latest Magic Updates


- Planning and scheduling is well underway for the pond project of 2007. We will be quadrupling the size of the snowmaking pond this summer to provide plenty of water when we turn the system on next winter.

- The plans to complete the mid-mountain Green Chair have begun and we are eagerly anticipating opening the chair for the 2007-2008 season. The Green Chair will provide much needed access to novice and intermediate terrain on the East Side of the mountain.

- SNOWMAKING....the all important factor to get us through the low snow times and open up more terrain earlier in the season is also at the top of our list. This summer we will be repairing pipes, putting in new valves and commencing a general overhaul of the system in order to utilize all of our new water supply. We have also hired a new mountain manager with extensive experience blowing the best and most snow possible. We are excited to see what he can produce and fully expect a massive improvement in both the quality and quantity of snow at Magic.

 

[Mad Skier]

Go on TGR(tetongravity.com). find bluebird. ask any ? you want. I think he's management at Magic. Great lil mtn and one that you should be proud to support. Good luck.

 

[riverc0il]

I would consider a season pass at Magic a risky investment even with the new owners. Although we have seen a huge amount of improvements, the new owners have yet to fully prove themselves as a destination location for a season pass holder. I love Magic and am the last person to speak negatively of the mountain but until I saw at least one season of solid snow fall and reliable mid-December to late March coverage with a decent amount of terrain, I would be skeptical. Magic is a great mountain especially if SoVT gets a good hammering so it just depends if you want to roll the dice on the snow making.

Ideally I'd like a pass to a place where a day trip is at least feasible, if not comfortable. I've done several day trips to Killington.

The Mad River Valley isn't much further than Killington but with Mad River you also have variability of snow fall which could dictate the worth of a Season Pass.

 

[mtl1076]

Sorry for not chiming in sooner. My internet browsing time has been restricted due to that pesky thing called work. I will keep it short but here are my/Magic's thoughts on the topics discussed in this thread.

1) Snowmaking- As stated in my bi-weekly email, we have started an overhaul of the system to better utilize our new water supply (4x the size of the previous pond). The biggest and most noticeable improvement will be in the personnel and decision making processes that will take place when the snowmaking season starts. I can't even describe how poorly the previous management made snow and ran the mtn ops. Bass Ackwards doesn't even do it justice. Our new mountain manager is going to be able to do great things with the system that I believe will shock long time Magic skiers. We still won't be able to compete on the same level as the big boys in the area, but we are aiming to open mid December and will be able to open more terrain faster than ever before.

2) Terrain availability- Yes, we do have a boundary to boundary policy and encourage everyone to explore the mountain. We will also be very aggressive in opening terrain. It might be thin, but if it is skiable, it will be open. As others have stated, we have (IMHO) the best terrain in Southern VT.

3) Moguls- I love 'em!! Can't get enough! Last season was my first at Magic and I was disappointed in the lack of bump lines. Sooo...we will have a bump trail at Magic next winter. I don't know where yet (any suggestions) and we haven't decided if it will be seeded or not, but rest assured, there will be at least one good bump line on the mountain. I own bump skis and didn't even pull them out until some great spring days at the former "King of Spring". That won't be the case next season.

4) Season Pass or not?- Some posters here are very right in that we still need to prove that we can make snow early and often. I can sit here and blow smoke all day, but the proof will be in the pudding. I am confident we will deliver on our promises. I hope our longtime passholders think so and also hope that some new potential passholders decide to give us a chance. For only $400 I don't think you can lose. Magic is truly a special place. We are looking forward to a new beginning and what we hope will be a bright future for Magic.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask them here or shoot me an email at info@magicmtn.com.

Think Snow!
Matt Lillard
Marketing Director

 

[Greg]

Sorry for not chiming in sooner. My internet browsing time has been restricted due to that pesky thing called work.
...

Think Snow!
Matt Lillard
Marketing Director

Awesome! Thanks for making the time for us, Matt.

3) Moguls- I love 'em!! Can't get enough! Last season was my first at Magic and I was disappointed in the lack of bump lines. Sooo...we will have a bump trail at Magic next winter. I don't know where yet (any suggestions) and we haven't decided if it will be seeded or not, but rest assured, there will be at least one good bump line on the mountain. I own bump skis and didn't even pull them out until some great spring days at the former "King of Spring". That won't be the case next season.

Very cool! I'm all for seeded bumps, but leave some of the classics alone - upper Redline, TZ, Goniff, Slide, etc. (not that you can really seed any of those anyway...) Perhaps Lower Redline after the last really steep section/that crossover, but if seeding bumps you'll need snowmaking in that area so I'm not sure how well that works with the red chair right overhead. Maybe Jim's Way, Talisman or Sourceror? A nice long seeded run would go a long way to compliment Magic's edgy terrain, especially in a lean snow year when all the really good stuff isn't open as often as we'd all like.

 

[Marc]

Thanks Steve and everyone else for their input.

And a special thank you to Matt. It's nice to see a little candor instead of a lot of fluff from a marketing position at a ski resort. I still haven't decided on a place for a season pass. I like the promise of a bump run, but more than one would be nice too. I know you have to cater to the cruisers but these days a 50/50 split gives you a reputation of being a skier's mountain.

I may have cheap or free lodging somewhere near MRV, so that will play into it. But this by no means marks the end of the thread. Anyone else with any inside info or suggestions, please, keep posting away.

 

[mtl1076]

We wouldn't dare touch the classics. We let those bump up as traffic and natural snow permit. Possible bump trails, in my mind, are Trick, half of Talisman, sorcerer (tough to blow snow on), Heart of Magician. I don't think they necessarily need to be seeded if they are skied in correctly. A crew of 10 people and about 5 runs can set up a line nicely.

The best bump run last year was broomstick a couple days after the last grooming. Due to its narrow width it basically required a natural zipperline.

 

[Marc]

We wouldn't dare touch the classics. We let those bump up as traffic and natural snow permit. Possible bump trails, in my mind, are Trick, half of Talisman, sorcerer (tough to blow snow on), Heart of Magician. I don't think they necessarily need to be seeded if they are skied in correctly. A crew of 10 people and about 5 runs can set up a line nicely.

The best bump run last year was broomstick a couple days after the last grooming. Due to its narrow width it basically required a natural zipperline.

Thanks again Matt. I know you're still in the very early stages of the snow making improvements and new management... and I know this thread isn't the AZ Challenge or anything... but has the idea of a southern VT Superstar been considered? Or maybe do like they used to on OL and pick a nice wide trail for bumps, seed half and let the other half go au natural?

 

[Greg]

A crew of 10 people and about 5 runs can set up a line nicely.

I'm sure I can put a crew of ten together. Just give me 24 hours notice!

 

[Greg]

Or maybe do like they used to on OL and pick a nice wide trail for bumps, seed half and let the other half go au natural?

You forgot also grooming up the middle, effing up the whole damn thing... :roll:

 

[mtl1076]

Thanks Steve and everyone else for their input.

And a special thank you to Matt. It's nice to see a little candor instead of a lot of fluff from a marketing position at a ski resort. I still haven't decided on a place for a season pass. I like the promise of a bump run, but more than one would be nice too. I know you have to cater to the cruisers but these days a 50/50 split gives you a reputation of being a skier's mountain.

I may have cheap or free lodging somewhere near MRV, so that will play into it. But this by no means marks the end of the thread. Anyone else with any inside info or suggestions, please, keep posting away.

Marc,

When talking about just one bump run it can be a little misleading. Most of the trails Magic is known for bump up with snow and traffic; Red Line, Black Line, Broomstick, Twighlight, Goniff, etc. The last thing Magic is known for is cruising. By bump run I am talking more about a run that used to be groomed but we will let bump up instead. It will also probably be on a snowmaking trail so we have some bumps before the natural arrives.

 

[mtl1076]

Thanks again Matt. I know you're still in the very early stages of the snow making improvements and new management... and I know this thread isn't the AZ Challenge or anything... but has the idea of a southern VT Superstar been considered? Or maybe do like they used to on OL and pick a nice wide trail for bumps, seed half and let the other half go au natural?

That would be the idea if we were to let Talisman bump up. Seed part of it and let the rest bump up. We might need to groom a lane or two as well. We would need to knock it down occasionally for races, but it would make a great bump trail.

 

[Greg]

That would be the idea if we were to let Talisman bump up. Seed part of it and let the rest bump up. We might need to groom a lane or two as well. We would need to knock it down occasionally for races, but it would make a great bump trail.

Just be sure to selectively groom the area with the crappiest bumps. I get the feeling I don't need to tell you that though. I think you get it. I wish more mountains did.

 

[madskier6]

Marc,

When talking about just one bump run it can be a little misleading. Most of the trails Magic is known for bump up with snow and traffic; Red Line, Black Line, Broomstick, Twighlight, Goniff, etc. The last thing Magic is known for is cruising. By bump run I am talking more about a run that used to be groomed but we will let bump up instead. It will also probably be on a snowmaking trail so we have some bumps before the natural arrives.

I was going to say that most of the classic runs at Magic get naturally bumped up. It is not a cruisers mountain although there are some nice blue & green runs for the less skilled. All the runs that I like at Magic are usually bumped. This idea of a "single" bump run at Magic to me is ludicrous. There are many! Now, if you're talking about a single seeded bump run, that's a different story.

 

[mtl1076]

Just be sure to selectively groom the area with the crappiest bumps. I get the feeling I don't need to tell you that though. I think you get it. I wish more mountains did.

Don't get me started other mtns poor bump trail maintenance. I can't even count the number of disappointed mornings I have had at other areas in the past couple of years. Just when an line/trail was getting good they go and flatten it out. :angry:.

sorry...end rant..

 

[Greg]

Don't get me started other mtns poor bump trail maintenance. I can't even count the number of disappointed mornings I have had at other areas in the past couple of years. Just when an line/trail was getting good they go and flatten it out. :angry:.

sorry...end rant..

Please don't stop ranting. I absolutely love what you're saying. I wish more mountains had the same philosophy...

 

[mtl1076]

I was going to say that most of the classic runs at Magic get naturally bumped up. It is not a cruisers mountain although there are some nice blue & green runs for the less skilled. All the runs that I like at Magic are usually bumped. This idea of a "single" bump run at Magic to me is ludicrous. There are many! Now, if you're talking about a single seeded bump run, that's a different story.

You are right, it is a tough conversation to have over the internet. For the sake of this thread I am talking about the kind of bump run you would want to pull out a bump specific ski, ie volkl dragon slayers and rip the same line time and time again. When the snow comes and the classics open give me a pair of fat skis and let them fly..bumps, powder, drops, bring it on.

 

[Greg]

You are right, it is a tough conversation to have over the internet. For the sake of this thread I am talking about the kind of bump run you would want to pull out a bump specific ski, ie volkl dragon slayers and rip the same line time and time again. When the snow comes and the classics open give me a pair of fat skis and let them fly..bumps, powder, drops, bring it on.

You are killing me. I think a few trips to Magic are in order this season...

 

[Marc]

Well Matt, I can't promise I'll buy a pass to Magic this year. Being a recovering ASC addict, I feel I should shop around a bit, plus I want to tour a lot more this year, however, based on what you've said here, I will come to see what Magic has to offer for sure, and if what you say is true, I will be back several times.

The $400 is tough to beat though. Kudos to all at Magic.

Let me know if you're looking for a full time trail conditions tester. I'm your guy. :dunce:

 

[madskier6]

You are killing me. I think a few trips to Magic are in order this season...

It sounds to me like we have to organize an AZ Magic outing. Count me in as a participant!

I know some of you guys hit Magic in Feb but that was a last minute change when Mt. Snow was on wind hold. I'm talking about an all-out, full-blown AZ Gathering at Magic. Any other takers?