Just how good is Magic?

[mtl1076]

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:

full time trails conditions tester.....sorry, position filled. I think that is the first item on my job description.:grin:

Perfectly understandable. We look forward to your visit. Plan on visiting a Tuesday in mid winter with your touring gear. I don't want to release too many details just yet, but we will have a touring program out to some fun areas on Tuesday afternoons. Free to anyone willing to earn it. Led by yours truly.

 

[2knees]

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.

what about half of lucifer or even a 1/3 of it. Talk about a signature run. In full view of the base lodge and base area. Under the black lift, which hopefully crowds dictate that you need to run more this year. Long and steep and i believe it has snowmaking.

 

[mtl1076]

what about half of lucifer or even a 1/3 of it. Talk about a signature run. In full view of the base lodge and base area. Under the black lift, which hopefully crowds dictate that you need to run more this year. Long and steep and i believe it has snowmaking.

That is another good option...skiers right half. The skiers left half has all those fun little drops. It does have snowmaking too. We never groomed it last year so it was bumped up pretty well. Definitely an option.

FYI, Black will run at least every weekend, crowds or not. You guys are paying, so if we have the chance to shorten a lift line (I know, they aren't long to begin with) we will do it. No more fiasco's like the some days last season.

 

[Greg]

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?

It sounds to me like you need to start a thread in T&E this season!

 

[thetrailboss]

We need to get Matt for the AZ Challenge if he is not signed up. :wink:

 

[JimG.]

I will certainly ski Magic a few times next season. Judging from the post 2knees made, this may be your best bet. It's too far for me to make it my season pass, but $400 for a mountain like Magic is a great deal Marc.

Why not contact the new ownership via e-mail and present your case for natural/seeded bumps; reference the discussions we have had here. I assure you your chances there will be very good.

Just wanted to bump this reply I made a few weeks ago. When management visits and makes a ton of posts about everything we're discussing, you know the $400 is well spent. FOR ME, THE ISSUES LIKE SNOWMAKING BECOME ALMOST SECONDARY BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR MY BUSINESS IS VALUED. And that is why I would choose a hill like Magic over any of the McMountain resorts, even those who offer cheapo passes and snowmaking on every trail.

I apply the same thinking to MRG...I bumped into Eric Freidman and introduced myself and the guy invited me to ski a few runs with him the next day. And there he was the next day and off we went into the trees. Those are the places I want to ski at.

 

[Greg]

what about half of lucifer or even a 1/3 of it. Talk about a signature run. In full view of the base lodge and base area. Under the black lift, which hopefully crowds dictate that you need to run more this year. Long and steep and i believe it has snowmaking.

That is another good option...skiers right half. The skiers left half has all those fun little drops. It does have snowmaking too. We never groomed it last year so it was bumped up pretty well. Definitely an option.

I was going to suggest Lucifer, but what about access to it? I thought the point was to offer a bump trail with snowmaking early in the season or when the natural trail conditions aren't quite there. I think you can only access Lucifer from the Red chair via Witch, Master or Broomstick, all three of which are susceptible to being closed unless there's a fair amount of snow. Unless of course Witch gets a bunch of snowmaking and we all know that trail needs it. Then you're golden.

 

[2knees]

That is another good option...skiers right half. The skiers left half has all those fun little drops. It does have snowmaking too. We never groomed it last year so it was bumped up pretty well. Definitely an option.

FYI, Black will run at least every weekend, crowds or not. You guys are paying, so if we have the chance to shorten a lift line (I know, they aren't long to begin with) we will do it. No more fiasco's like the some days last season.

I'd love to ride the black lift just to scope out blackline. I really want to hit that next year.

Your enthusiasm and willingness to listen here is awesome. Personally, I don't get too emotional over ski areas but magic has always been special for me. Been skiing there for a long time. Had friends with a house in the little area just below the base area. went there for years until you closed which absolutely stunk. I have managed a visit every year since 03 but i would like to make it a regular haunt. The place has terrain and a skiers mentality you just don't find at many areas anymore. Its the one place I would be HAPPY to wait in a liftline for 20 minutes or so.

 

[mtl1076]

Yes, access would be a problem. Magician and Broomstick won't see snowmaking anytime soon (Well, we are thinking about blowing snow onto the top of the rocks on Magician from Wizard when the wind is right). Witch will see snowmaking in some form to at least better access Red Line and Goniff.

The Black Line (ie lucifer) snowmaking debate is hotly contested around here. I like its natural character, but I also see the need to put some snow on it. There is a happy medium....and we will find it.

 

[2knees]

The Black Line (ie lucifer) snowmaking debate is hotly contested around here. I like its natural character, but I also see the need to put some snow on it. There is a happy medium....and we will find it.

Just to clarify, i always thought black line was the last shot above lucifer. The one that almost looks unskiable.

 

[mtl1076]

I'd love to ride the black lift just to scope out blackline. I really want to hit that next year.

Your enthusiasm and willingness to listen here is awesome. Personally, I don't get too emotional over ski areas but magic has always been special for me. Been skiing there for a long time. Had friends with a house in the little area just below the base area. went there for years until you closed which absolutely stunk. I have managed a visit every year since 03 but i would like to make it a regular haunt. The place has terrain and a skiers mentality you just don't find at many areas anymore. Its the one place I would be HAPPY to wait in a liftline for 20 minutes or so.

Thanks! Of course this is a lot more interesting than putting together a press kit

I am continually amazed at the passion that Magic provokes in some skiers. We can only hope to keep pleasing those people and our new guests and gain more and more visits. The character of this place can hang with the best in the East.

JimG.- We definitely value you and everyone's business, but if you don't mind we are going put snowmaking at the top of the list coming into next season.:grin:

 

[Greg]

Just wanted to bump this reply I made a few weeks ago. When management visits and makes a ton of posts about everything we're discussing, you know the $400 is well spent. FOR ME, THE ISSUES LIKE SNOWMAKING BECOME ALMOST SECONDARY BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR MY BUSINESS IS VALUED. And that is why I would choose a hill like Magic over any of the McMountain resorts, even those who offer cheapo passes and snowmaking on every trail.

Word. Honestly Marc. Magic has your name written all over it:



Be careful though. The place gets crowded:

All they have is a few crappy doubles to the top and the liftline trails have very little character:

They don't groom too much:

The views are just so-so:

Some of the trails have these pesky trees that just get in your way:

 

[Greg]

Sometimes you have powder to navigate around days after a storm:

And some of the trails can be downright dangerous:

Yup, probably best to find a different place for a pass...

[/SARCASM]

 

[JimG.]

JimG.- We definitely value you and everyone's business, but if you don't mind we are going put snowmaking at the top of the list coming into next season.:grin:

That's fine..don't mistake me making a point for not liking snowmaking. Where I ski regularly (Hunter in NY), there wouldn't be much to talk about without it.

All that you making more snow means is that there will be more incentive for me to make the drive when the suggestion is made.

I admit it...I prefer the old school resorts. I'll take my terrain ungroomed and full of obstacles and drop-offs. I wish I lived in an area that could have a decent season without alot of snowmaking.

 

[mtl1076]

Just to clarify, i always thought black line was the last shot above lucifer. The one that almost looks unskiable.

Yes you are right....except for the fact that the trail map has seen some yet to be released changes in the last couple of weeks. Nothing too drastic, but we feel it will help ease navigation on the mountain and the trail names will hold up for a long time. Lucifer as you know it is now Black Line. Former Black Line is now Black Magic (named after the challenge). It will take some getting used to, but it will be better in the long run.

A long time pass holder told me last season that back before Magic closed they had 35 trails. Since then, no more trails had been cut, but we somehow reached 48 trails. We (new management) are still chuckling at how the trail map was butchered over the past couple of years. It is fixed now, with the input from some longtime pass holders as well as mountain management. We can now safely say that we have a true trail count and a realistic trail map true to the essence of Magic. Yes, there are some upper and lowers, but only to ease snow reporting during the snowmaking season. 20ft cross overs and seperating trails into upper, middle, lower, middle lower is for the big boys to squabble over. We don't need to compete on quantity, we know we have the quality!

 

[Greg]

...except for the fact that the trail map has seen some yet to be released changes in the last couple of weeks.

When should we expect to see said trail map? Any chance for a special preview?

 

[mtl1076]

I would expect the new trail map to be on the website by the end of July. There are still a few wrinkles to be ironed out. Sorry, no special preview.

 

[pepperdawg]

I would expect the new trail map to be on the website by the end of July. There are still a few wrinkles to be ironed out. Sorry, no special preview.

Be sure to drop a line when its up!!!! Thx

 

[bvibert]

Wow! This thread really took off while I was at lunch. Thanks for all the insightful posts Matt.

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?

It sounds to me like you need to start a thread in T&E this season!

Count me in for this for sure! I had a blast there last year, even though I was on the crappy Mountain Dew rentals...

 

[2knees]

Count me in for this for sure! I had a blast there last year, even though I was on the crappy Mountain Dew rentals...

lol, you should be thankful they had those considering the super stiff gs skis you started the day with.

skiing powder with those looked like trying to swim with cement shoes.