Mad River Valley, Vermont Appreciation Thread

[andyzee]

First and foremost, I agree with you on MRV. Guess the biggest point may be that what is "shiznit" for you, may not be for someone else. For someone else it may be a Burke, or Smuggs/Stowe or or Whiteface/Gore, a Plattekill, Mt. Peter, etc... Bigger isn't always better, we've heard that enough about Killington.

 

[riverc0il]

Having said that, there's one thing that hasn't been said about the MRV. There's nowhere else that I know of where you can stay and realistically ski so many places on consecutive days.

This is really stretching it. As an example off the top of my head, how about Twin Mountain, NH area which is right next to Bretton Woods and extremely close to Cannon. But then within an hour's drive is Burke, Wildcat, Attitash, Cranmore, Loon, Mount Washington, Waterville Valley, Black Mountain, Tenney, Balsams, and just slightly longer than an hour to Sunday River. Not the same caliber mountain to mountain, but certainly more options within an hour drive than MRV. It is certainly an excellent central location to many areas... but "nowhere else?" How about Manchester, VT?

 

[MikeTrainor]

Having said that, there's one thing that hasn't been said about the MRV. There's nowhere else that I know of where you can stay and realistically ski so many places on consecutive days. In addition to the three valley mountains, you're an hour or less from Stowe, Bolton, Snow Bowl, Killington. You could stay seven days and never ski the same place twice.

The only other place I could think of would be the Mount Washington Valley and perhaps ski 93.

EDIT: you beat me to it riv

 

[MonkeyBrook]

dont you think you should ski Stowe and Jay before granting the title to MRG. Your experience seems kind of broad to make such claims. I like the MR valley, but thing there are many advantages / disadvantages to the various darea.

 

[Greg]

dont you think you should ski Stowe and Jay before granting the title to MRG.

No. This thread is just based on my personal experience. And I didn't solely give MRG the "title" and even if I did, so what? It's just a personal opinion. My point was the MRV when considered as a single ski region (Sugarbush+MRG) offers some pretty impressive skiing opportunities within an area that is less than 6 linear miles end to end. I suspect Stowe and Jay do as well, but individually how do they stack up against the MRV as a whole? I have to imagine the Stowe/Smuggs combo is the most comparable, but again, I haven't skied there so enlighten me. I still haven't seen anyone come out and specifially say that from a strictly skiing quantity/quality perspective, Jay or Stowe or Whiteface is better than SB/MRG...

 

[riverc0il]

So if there is indeed another Northeast ski region which offers up the quantity and quality of terrain that you can find in the MRV, with ski areas within 15 minute drives of each other, post it here cuz I want to go there....

While not quite within 15 minutes due to the notch issue, JD brings the Stowe/Smuggs locale as a reasonable consideration for a region that offers quantity and quality equal or greater than the MRV. Certainly better snowfall and the quality and quantity of terrain is definitely there. Add in Jay being an hour away and it is a serious contender for one of the best locations for skiing in the region. Also, I believe it would be a similar drive time if you are doing the 89/91 thing.

You can have a thread strictly based on the love, but when people start throwing out superlatives, it is open for debate. I dislike any ski area or region being suggested as the "be all and end all" and I think many here that call people out on the "Shilling" are not doing so to put down the MRV (far from it, my thoughts on MRG are well known), but rather to bring to the table experience that suggests certain superlatives may not be accurate. Best to state personal preference or opinion without the overly broad superlatives which may not line up with other people's experiences. It isn't a put down, it isn't bashing. But rather folks speaking from experience that differs from some claims being thrown around...

BTW, not calling any one out, but just saying why I think the thread quickly went in the direction of debate...

 

[riverc0il]

I still haven't seen anyone come out and specifially say that from a strictly skiing quantity/quality perspective, Jay or Stowe or Whiteface is better than SB/MRG...

That is because you can't just say one area/ski area is strictly and fundamentally better than the other. Jay gets the most snow and has awesome powder and trees, MRG kills it on terrain, Bush has the entire package with huge amounts of terrain with great snow, Stowe has killed back country and second in powder to Jay, Smuggs has some sick terrain, etc. etc. etc. Which is better than the other? None of them, to each their own.

 

[Greg]

While not quite within 15 minutes due to the notch issue, JD brings the Stowe/Smuggs locale as a reasonable consideration for a region that offers quantity and quality equal or greater than the MRV. Certainly better snowfall and the quality and quantity of terrain is definitely there. Add in Jay being an hour away and it is a serious contender for one of the best locations for skiing in the region. Also, I believe it would be a similar drive time if you are doing the 89/91 thing.

You can have a thread strictly based on the love, but when people start throwing out superlatives, it is open for debate. I dislike any ski area or region being suggested as the "be all and end all" and I think many here that call people out on the "Shilling" are not doing so to put down the MRV (far from it, my thoughts on MRG are well known), but rather to bring to the table experience that suggests certain superlatives may not be accurate. Best to state personal preference or opinion without the overly broad superlatives which may not line up with other people's experiences. It isn't a put down, it isn't bashing. But rather folks speaking from experience that differs from some claims being thrown around...

BTW, not calling any one out, but just saying why I think the thread quickly went in the direction of debate...

Well said. And I like the fact that you sacked up and said, yes that Stowe/Smuggs is on par. Nobody else did; but rather focused in on my "quite arguably the best region" comment; key points in bold... :lol:

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, I think that MRV is a great place. I really dig it. When I was in College, I drove over old App Gap many days to go to SB. I had a pass at SB for two seasons...would have been three had I been there Junior year. Senior year was split between SB, Jay, and Burke. The dream team of sorts.

SB is a great resort with great variety. Gotta give credit where it is due...the SV Crew has done a good job with lifts, infrastructure, and bringing it around. Better service. If it was closer to me and an easier drive, we would be there.

And Greg...you do need to ski Stowe. It is nothing like Sugarbush. In a league of its own...with Forerunner and all.

 

[Greg]

That is because you can't just say one area/ski area is strictly and fundamentally better than the other.

Sure you can. At least on a personal level. For example, Berkshire East is a cool hill, but Magic is better, and out of the three MRG is the best. Many would probably disagree with me, but I get a similar vibe from all three. I guess such a delineation is more difficult when you start discussing what most people would rank as the top six or seven NE mountains. I get that point.

 

[Greg]

And Greg...you do need to ski Stowe. It is nothing like Sugarbush. In a league of its own...with Forerunner and all.

On the list along with Whiteface, Jay, Burke, Cannon, Wildcat and from what I've read lately Saddleback.

 

[marcski]

Man, what a can of worms you opened with this thread, Gregg...and I'm sure all you were thinking about when you started it was what an awesome day you had at MRG.

(I read this once this afternoon after you first started it and now look what developed )

 

[snoseek]

I guess i'm a powder slut, because i am not loyal to any one mountain. i get as a couple of passes that geographicaly spread me out as far as possible. i also buy affordable day tickets to low key places during storms. mrv is indeed awesome terrain (really as good as e.c. gets imo) but whoever has the best snow with the least crowds (think different than the herd) is where i go.

 

[Terry]

For variety of terrain choices, you can't beat the Mount washington Valley. I just counted in my head, and probably missed some, 13 ski areas within 1:15 ride from my house! Plus Tuckermans. Not a bad set of choices.

 

[riverc0il]

I am with snoseek. Couldn't have said it better myself regarding spreading days out and going to the places with the best snow and least crowding. That was a concern when I bought my season pass (being tied down to one particular mountain), but I managed to ski six different mountains this season and some of my best days of the season were not at my season pass mountain. I learned from my love affair with Cannon that when you are crazy go nuts about one particular mountain, you miss out on better skiing at other mountains. Now I have my favorites and spread my days around depending upon conditions and crowds when ever possible.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Well said. And I like the fact that you sacked up and said, yes that Stowe/Smuggs is on par. Nobody else did; but rather focused in on my "quite arguably the best region" comment; key points in bold... :lol:

There should be a rule that when you start a debate thread you have to read all the posts in it.:wink:

If this is a ski areas close together catagory then I can't believe no one has mentioned Stowe/Smuggs. To bad they never got together with an interchangeable ticket where you could ski back and forth between areas. IMO if they did it would be hands down the best in the Northeast.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

. There were no real attacks or put downs just a good honest discussion. Isn't that the purpose of a forum?

It's what keeps me coming back.

 

[andyzee]

For variety of terrain choices, you can't beat the Mount washington Valley. I just counted in my head, and probably missed some, 13 ski areas within 1:15 ride from my house! Plus Tuckermans. Not a bad set of choices.

Holy crap, ski areas in NH? Great point Terry, people seem to forget NH, some nice variety.

 

[castlerock]

Holy crap, ski areas in NH? Great point Terry, people seem to forget NH, some nice variety.

Yes BUT....much less snow. And in most cases, the terrain is not on par.

IMO, I take the alpine regions of the Presidentials out of the discussion as they aren't lift served, and aren't in the typical skier's vernacular. (Now If we could just move them and put them right next to lake Champlain...............)

 

[andyzee]

Yes BUT....much less snow. And in most cases, the terrain is not on par.

IMO, I take the alpine regions of the Presidentials out of the discussion as they aren't lift served, and aren't in the typical skier's vernacular. (Now If we could just move them and put them right next to lake Champlain...............)

Hey, I like that idea. Move them next to Lake Champlain and let's give them Killington in return, since it wants to move to NH anyway Good point with the snow and as skiers we do love that nice fresh powder, but what happens when you don't get it? In that case we have snow making, how much snow does MRG make?