Magic Mountain ...

[snafu]

Pics or it didn't happen..... :-o

I think he was talking about the outfit.:grin:

 

[madskier6]

The Red Chair, while it's had a few isolated problems, is generally fine. The Magic Business Plan says it's "in good working order. Routine maintenance is required and will be completed annually to maintain the chair's reliability. . . ."

The Black Chair is the one that needs the work to make it a dependable chair for overflow. Again, from the Business Plan: "In its current state there are some significant repairs and upgrades which need to be made as mandated by the State lift inspector. The short term plan calls for investing the time and money necessary to assure that the Black Chair will pass all safety inspections and eventually operate as a triple chair. The long term plan calls for replacing the Black Chair with a newer lift or designing a new lift layout servicing mainly the West Side."

The reference to "operate as a triple chair" refers to the fact that the Black Chair currently is a triple, but the State lift inspector requires Magic to only load a max of 2 riders per chair, I believe.

This nonsense about the lodge really amused me coming from people who haven't skied there. I love the lodge in its current state & don't believe it needs upgrading. Goniif's Den is a great bar!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It's the final countdown..come on guys..send Magic your money if you want to see them stay open..

 

[thetrailboss]

The reference to "operate as a triple chair" refers to the fact that the Black Chair currently is a triple, but the State lift inspector requires Magic to only load a max of 2 riders per chair, I believe.

:blink: What? What is wrong with the lift?

 

[RustyGroomer]

The Black chair was originally the Blue chair which was a double. In the 80's when everything was bigger, Magic changed the double & added triple chairs.

Don't know much about lifts but it was meant to be a double.

www.chairlift.org

I'm sure you guys have seen this site but it tells you everything you need to know about lifts in New England & it's the work of my friend & VT housemate Orangegondola.

 

[deadheadskier]

what was the reason again for taking out the beginner double? That was a great little beginner area; was where I learned to snowboard back when Stratton and Magic were the only areas in New England that allowed boarders, but you had to get certified to ride lifts to the top.

That fact in of itself is a reason to NEVER consider banning snowboarding at Magic. It's one of the original two areas that allowed it.

 

[Sorcerer]

what was the reason again for taking out the beginner double? That was a great little beginner area; was where I learned to snowboard back when Stratton and Magic were the only areas in New England that allowed boarders, but you had to get certified to ride lifts to the top.

That fact in of itself is a reason to NEVER consider banning snowboarding at Magic. It's one of the original two areas that allowed it.

When Magic closed in the early 90's the beginner double was sold.

 

[roark]

When Magic closed in the early 90's the beginner double was sold.

Many of the current problems seem to be a direct result of times when the mt closed - which is yet another reason why it's crucial that it opens this season.

 

[thetrailboss]

Many of the current problems seem to be a direct result of times when the mt closed - which is yet another reason why it's crucial that it opens this season.

+ 1. As I said, a ski area really deteriorates fast if not maintained. Look at Maple Valley. Sad It would be great to see either a Saddleback or Crotched situation here. They need a complete revamp, sad to say. Snowmaking and lifts. All lifts. I won't say lodge....but hell, that sure did stir the pot! :lol:

 

[roark]

All lifts.

Not really. Despite my emotional attachment... if the black were to be replaced (as in the master plan several years in the future) the red should make a serviceable backup/overflow for many years. They both go to essentially the same place anyway. As has been stated several times - the red is perhaps the best chair on a windy day in New England - fixed grip, over a narrow trail - well protected by trees, and unloads in a relatively protected area.

Have you ever even skied Magic TB? Some of your comments do make me wonder...

 

[OldsnowboarderME]

what was the reason again for taking out the beginner double? That was a great little beginner area; was where I learned to snowboard back when Stratton and Magic were the only areas in New England that allowed boarders, but you had to get certified to ride lifts to the top.

That fact in of itself is a reason to NEVER consider banning snowboarding at Magic. It's one of the original two areas that allowed it.

Is that when there was a rope tied on to the front of the snowboard so you had something to hold on to? :wink:

 

[2knees]

Not really. Despite my emotional attachment... if the black were to be replaced (as in the master plan several years in the future) the red should make a serviceable backup/overflow for many years. They both go to essentially the same place anyway. As has been stated several times - the red is perhaps the best chair on a windy day in New England - fixed grip, over a narrow trail - well protected by trees, and unloads in a relatively protected area.

Have you ever even skied Magic TB? Some of your comments do make me wonder...

I agree about the red chair. If it could be overhauled and used as a secondary or wind problem lift, it would be ideal. Like you said, and many of us who have skied there have experienced, no summit lift in vermont is better suited to handle wind then the red chair. Its death, taxes and the red chair on a windy day. Not to mention, riding above redline provides some serious entertainment.

as far as replacing the black, i would love to see a fixed grip triple. Definitely not any high speed lift, that would suck. my days would be over by lunch time without the rest.

 

[2knees]

Have you ever even skied Magic TB?

No, but he did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night......

 

[deadheadskier]

Is that when there was a rope tied on to the front of the snowboard so you had something to hold on to? :wink:

Actually yes, the Burton Woody was still being sold and it had a rope. I had a Burton Elite 150, the tail was split and there was a metal fin on the bottom like a surf board. There were no snowboard boots at the time, people wore Sorels and the hard plastic bindings would dig into your ankles. Then someone got the bright idea of taking a ski boot liner and putting inside Sorels, which gave Burton the idea to make snowboard specific boots.

I rode about 5 a year versus 60-70 skiing for a few years, but gave it up. Just never found myself enjoying it as much as skiing.

 

[billski]

Of all the "marginal" areas, the one that suprises me the most is Whaleback. It's essentially transformed into a teen hangout. Somehow they are making it, though it's usually dead at night when I drive past and the time I skied there. it would be interesting to see how they are surviving. I think the 10 minutes to the punkers of Lebanon helps.

Magic has too much competition too close by. I see what you guys are trying to do - suggest a niche market. The only niche that readily comes to mind is windholds - there are none. "Cold? Too Windy? Come to Magic!"

Other than that, they need to start attracting teems of people - if they can't get the overnighters, well, maybe they can start with on-snow events. How about bargain basement learn-to-ski programs? Incessant demo days. Free clinics. Steal away skiers from the other resorts nearby (hell, they're competing for the same skiers).

I like the lodge. No need to invest further until they get the crowds. Ditto for the lifts. It's this critical mass think. Like the ski shop that's never open cause not enough people come.

By the way, where's the best, cheap but clean lodging near Magic? The on-premises b/b has got a bad rep. They need to get that rep cleaned up, even if it's not their op.

 

[ts01]

Magic has too much competition too close by. I see what you guys are trying to do - suggest a niche market. The only niche that readily comes to mind is windholds - there are none. "Cold? Too Windy? Come to Magic!"

OR - Less crowded, great views, relaxed atmosphere, and challenging terrain easily accessible in southern VT. Everything that Stratton and Okemo are NOT. I brought a family of groomer-oriented resort skiers (faves = Okemo, Stowe, Park City) to Magic one day over a crowded holiday weekend when the Mom just about lost it the day before at Okemo for all the reasons you'd expect (crowded slopes, dust on crust conditions, lengthy lift lines, etc.) Next day at Magic was truly "magic" for her -- she stuck to the easier side of the hill with her younger kid, had tons of space, nicer conditions, and cruiser paradise. Plus, her older kid was all over Talisman and Goniff Glades on several runs with our group. In other words, the segment "is skiing that doesn't suck" as in Alta, MRG, Berkshire East, Plattekill, Taos, A-Basin, etc. The "niche" is accessible for the weekend from Boston to NYC metro sprawl, or a side trip from Stratton, Okemo, Mt Snow, etc. Oh, and less windy.

Other than that, they need to start attracting teems of people - if they can't get the overnighters, well, maybe they can start with on-snow events. How about bargain basement learn-to-ski programs? Incessant demo days. Free clinics. Steal away skiers from the other resorts nearby (hell, they're competing for the same skiers).

YES! Bus trips from UMass / UConn would? Show yesterday's lift ticket from Snow, Okemo, Stratton etc., and get $10 off today's ticket at Magic. Put the butts in the chairs...

By the way, where's the best, cheap but clean lodging near Magic? The on-premises b/b has got a bad rep. They need to get that rep cleaned up, even if it's not their op.

Londonderry Inn is certainly in the running. Big comfortable old inn, nice people running it, 5 minutes from the hill. http://www.geocities.com/wiccanblessings/londinn2.html

 

[deadheadskier]

OR - Less crowded, great views, relaxed atmosphere, and challenging terrain easily accessible in southern VT. Everything that Stratton and Okemo are NOT. I brought a family of groomer-oriented resort skiers (faves = Okemo, Stowe, Park City) to Magic one day over a crowded holiday weekend when the Mom just about lost it the day before at Okemo for all the reasons you'd expect (crowded slopes, dust on crust conditions, lengthy lift lines, etc.) Next day at Magic was truly "magic" for her -- she stuck to the easier side of the hill with her younger kid, had tons of space, nicer conditions, and cruiser paradise. Plus, her older kid was all over Talisman and Goniff Glades on several runs with our group. In other words, the segment "is skiing that doesn't suck" as in Alta, MRG, Berkshire East, Plattekill, Taos, A-Basin, etc. The "niche" is accessible for the weekend from Boston to NYC metro sprawl, or a side trip from Stratton, Okemo, Mt Snow, etc. Oh, and less windy.



YES! Bus trips from UMass / UConn would? Show yesterday's lift ticket from Snow, Okemo, Stratton etc., and get $10 off today's ticket at Magic. Put the butts in the chairs...

Londonderry Inn is certainly in the running. Big comfortable old inn, nice people running it, 5 minutes from the hill. http://www.geocities.com/wiccanblessings/londinn2.html

so what you're saying is Marketing? :lol:



Other lodging option would be the Inn at Weston. Not too far and very nice.

 

[RustyGroomer]

By the way, where's the best, cheap but clean lodging near Magic? The on-premises b/b has got a bad rep. They need to get that rep cleaned up, even if it's not their op.

The Blue Gentian? I never stayed there but always heard it was pretty nice & affordable. The Inn @ Magic is a little pricier but was redone a few years back & i've been in the rooms & they're nice. Again never stayed there either.

Also heard good things about the Magic View Motel right down the road on RTE 11.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

The Blue Gentian? I never stayed there but always heard it was pretty nice & affordable. The Inn @ Magic is a little pricier but was redone a few years back & i've been in the rooms & they're nice. Again never stayed there either.

Also heard good things about the Magic View Motel right down the road on RTE 11.

I stayed at the Magic View Motel last winter and liked it. It's pretty spartan but very adequate. There is a game room with a pool table downstairs from the rooms for apre billiards and beer drinking. Room cost includes a basic, cooked breakfast in a community breakfast room that lends a cool vibe to the lodging experience. Barbara, the innkeeper, even arranged for discount lift tickets to Magic for me when I told her I planned to ski there on of the days I stayed at her property.

 

[Marc]

I hope they open so I don't have to wait until natural snowfall to do some touring.




Ok, and I'd probably buy a lift ticket now and again too, just out of principle.