Killington is going to open before Sunday River this season.

[Terry]

I made it to both opening days myself, and the River's was a joke compared to what Killington rolled out. Perfect example of how people just like to hate on Killington, when its still the best thing the East Coast has in terms of length of season.

If you didn't like it, stay away and it will be less crowded for those of us that enjoy early turns at the River!

 

[JimG.]

I made it to both opening days myself, and the River's was a joke compared to what Killington rolled out. Perfect example of how people just like to hate on Killington, when its still the best thing the East Coast has in terms of length of season.

Tend to agree here. No matter what K does the haters seem to have issues with it.

I didn't get to K until T-giving and that weekend was primo.

Hunter does the same thing now...they wait until they can open a large part of the mountain to skiers. They open alot later now, but the upside is that you can ski alot of the mountain first day out.

 

[lmgrnjeep]

I made it to both opening days myself, and the River's was a joke compared to what Killington rolled out. Perfect example of how people just like to hate on Killington, when its still the best thing the East Coast has in terms of length of season.

I wouldn't say the best thing in the east..... When you can ski Sunday River in October and then Sugarloaf in May on the same pass I would say that is the best thing in the east in terms of length of season. And so wouldn't a lot of Boyne pass holders. With the new spillway/skyline lift going in, I wouldn't doubt if Sugarloaf gets it crown back this coming season. There was still plenty of snow on Skidder, Kings Landing and Hayburner 2 weeks after they closed, you just couldn't get to a lift. With the New Spillway/skyline I can see Sugarloaf blowing up those three trails plus the cross cut with a lot of snow and ski till mid may.

BOYNE Resorts owns the East. Dropping millions into their resorts and resurrecting the ski industry in Maine where some, if not all, the best terrain in New England can be had. Steep snowfields, Steep Trees, Great atmosphere. cannot beat it.


Livin Laughin Loafin

 

[Riverskier]

Although Killington did have the longest ski season last year. Opening for a day then closing is weak sauce compared to opening, then staying open.

Im all for the open and stay open model they have running.

I have heard this argument before and I don't understand it. I skied Oct. 23rd at SR last year and had a blast! I wasn't sitting at work Monday morning thinking that it was all a waste because they were closing mid week. Opening weekends only early helps the cost/benefit of early season operations, and if it lets me ski a few week earlier than I would otherwise, great!

 

[Riverskier]

If you didn't like it, stay away and it will be less crowded for those of us that enjoy early turns at the River!

+1

After a long off season, I will take wall to wall snow on T2 any day! For people that require multiple top to bottom routes to make it worth their while, then they can simply wait, but judging by the lift lines and smiles at SR in October there are certainly others like me!

 

[deadheadskier]

I don't think there's a right or a wrong way to start a season. Whether it's opening when you can with one WROD or waiting to open up multiple terrain routes.

Whichever strategy a particular resort decides their customer is looking for is the right decision.

 

[AdironRider]

I wouldn't say the best thing in the east..... When you can ski Sunday River in October and then Sugarloaf in May on the same pass I would say that is the best thing in the east in terms of length of season. And so wouldn't a lot of Boyne pass holders. With the new spillway/skyline lift going in, I wouldn't doubt if Sugarloaf gets it crown back this coming season. There was still plenty of snow on Skidder, Kings Landing and Hayburner 2 weeks after they closed, you just couldn't get to a lift. With the New Spillway/skyline I can see Sugarloaf blowing up those three trails plus the cross cut with a lot of snow and ski till mid may.

BOYNE Resorts owns the East. Dropping millions into their resorts and resurrecting the ski industry in Maine where some, if not all, the best terrain in New England can be had. Steep snowfields, Steep Trees, Great atmosphere. cannot beat it.


Livin Laughin Loafin

Comparing two mountains to one, especially when one is basically in Canada, is pretty unfair. Not saying they arent good hills, but having to travel three hours further to get to the loaf is a stretch.You might as well argue Sunday River plus flights out to Snowbird would give you the longest season. (And if you drive an SUV, a flight to SLC from Boston is not that much more expensive than driving to Sugarloaf where you would most likely still need a hotel).

Killington is still the longest season in the East for one hill. That is the debate.

Besides, Killington has added the walkway, new gondola, new Peak lodge, snowmaking improvements, further lift replacements to come. To say the Powdr hasnt been investing on a similar level to Boyne is a stretch as well.

 

[thetrailboss]

Killington is still the longest season in the East for one hill. That is the debate.

Jay and SB beat them (at least on the spring end). I don't recall the time difference between openings.

 

[thetrailboss]

I have heard this argument before and I don't understand it. I skied Oct. 23rd at SR last year and had a blast! I wasn't sitting at work Monday morning thinking that it was all a waste because they were closing mid week. Opening weekends only early helps the cost/benefit of early season operations, and if it lets me ski a few week earlier than I would otherwise, great!

+ 1.

 

[AdironRider]

I have heard this argument before and I don't understand it. I skied Oct. 23rd at SR last year and had a blast! I wasn't sitting at work Monday morning thinking that it was all a waste because they were closing mid week. Opening weekends only early helps the cost/benefit of early season operations, and if it lets me ski a few week earlier than I would otherwise, great!

Good for you, but clearly your just a little biased, given your name is Riverskier after all.

Lots of people ski midweek, myself included. Im not knocking you guys for opening first, but Killington, once they did open had a better early season product, and stayed that way until winter was in full swing and everyone was pretty much equal.

Cant comment on midseasons as I only ski the east these days early and late season once JHole closes.

 

[thetrailboss]

Good for you, but clearly your just a little biased, given your name is Riverskier after all.

Lots of people ski midweek, myself included. Im not knocking you guys for opening first, but Killington, once they did open had a better early season product, and stayed that way until winter was in full swing and everyone was pretty much equal.

Cant comment on midseasons as I only ski the east these days early and late season once JHole closes.

It is true that there is something to be said for opening more of the mountain early and keeping it open. That takes more $$$ and time.

 

[Geoff]

Besides, Killington has added the walkway, new gondola, new Peak lodge, snowmaking improvements, further lift replacements to come. To say the Powdr hasnt been investing on a similar level to Boyne is a stretch as well.

New gondola? The only change to the two gondolas under the new ownership is that they removed the kerosene heaters and battery-operated blowers.

Under the new owners, one lift has been replaced. They've added one terrain park. All the improvements have been invisible. You don't notice new roof, paint, carpet, and new tables in a base lodge. You don't notice miles of replaced snowmaking pipe. Few notice a few fan guns and some new low E snow guns.

 

[lmgrnjeep]

a three hour drive from where? its an hour and 45 min from Sunday River to Sugarloaf... and its definitely worth the drive. You have the most acres of boundary to boundary skiing in the east and with burnt mountain opening this winter it will be epic. You have snowfields that opened in January and closed in late April.

Killington opened November 2nd and closed May 1st. Sugarloaf opened the weekend before thanksgiving November 21 and stayed open until May 9th but could have gone longer if they didn't have to start the construction on spillway.

Sugarloaf is the better mountain, might not have all the gondolas and big attractions like Killington but I'm glad they don't keeps the mountain spread out and skier traffic down on the trails. If you wanna have a full day of skiing and not do the human slalom down the trails make a trip up and see if you can handle it.

 

[deadheadskier]

Thread

[X] Delivers
[ ] Dijourno

 

[thetrailboss]

a three hour drive from where? its an hour and 45 min from Sunday River to Sugarloaf... and its definitely worth the drive. You have the most acres of boundary to boundary skiing in the east and with burnt mountain opening this winter it will be epic. You have snowfields that opened in January and closed in late April.

What route do you take to get 45 minutes?

And I agree that Sugarloaf, terrain-wise, is a better mountain than Killington. Killington was the King of the East under Pres Smith because of the snowmaking and efforts to deliver a great product for such a long season. Sugarloaf is just completely different. Big, steep, intense. But that is my opinion. Killington has the better scene obviously with more to do apres ski.

 

[lmgrnjeep]

"an hour and 45 min" at Sugarloaf you make your own apres.... or you go to the Rack. Sugarloaf is the best skiing experience in the east, followed closely by Saddleback... hmmm weird how they are an hour apart

 

[thetrailboss]

"an hour and 45 min" at Sugarloaf you make your own apres.... or you go to the Rack. Sugarloaf is the best skiing experience in the east, followed closely by Saddleback... hmmm weird how they are an hour apart

Got it. I was reading it quickly....makes sense now.

 

[Geoff]

"an hour and 45 min" at Sugarloaf you make your own apres.... or you go to the Rack. Sugarloaf is the best skiing experience in the east,

when it's not on wind hold and when the whole hill isn't wind-scoured.

 

[Riverskier]

Comparing two mountains to one, especially when one is basically in Canada, is pretty unfair. Not saying they arent good hills, but having to travel three hours further to get to the loaf is a stretch.You might as well argue Sunday River plus flights out to Snowbird would give you the longest season. (And if you drive an SUV, a flight to SLC from Boston is not that much more expensive than driving to Sugarloaf where you would most likely still need a hotel).

This statement is just plain false. Sugarloaf is only an hour further than Sunday River from points South, and about 4 hours from Boston.

 

[Highway Star]

All the improvements have been invisible.

Most of the lifts look much better than 5 years ago. Paint helps alot. Lol.