Magic Mountain

[highpeaksdrifter]

I’ve never been there, but reading about it here and in other forums it seems that most people who have been have very strong feelings about the place. Some seem to dislike it, but most seem to love it. The thing about it I read the most is that it has the best terrain in Southern New England. I believe it, but IMO that ain’t saying too much.

So anyways, those of you who have been there, what other mountains that you’ve skied would you compare it to?

 

[loafer89]

I would say that it roughly compares with Hunter Mtn, especially Hunter West and a bit like Berkshire East. They have been running on a shoestring budget from what I understand and alot of the extensive snowmaking that the mountain has is not used or inoperable.

I have skied there only twice, but it had extemely steep terrain in spots, and is far more challenging than Stratton, Bromley and most of Mount Snow. The new owners have promised to upgrade the on mountain facilities and we plan to visit there again next year.

 

[riverc0il]

The thing about it I read the most is that it has the best terrain in Southern New England. I believe it, but IMO that ain’t saying too much.

You are right, HPD. Comparing Magic to other mountains in VT certainly doesn't mean having the best terrain is much better than having better than average terrain. However, Magic Mountain is indeed the real deal. Red Line and Master Magician are no joke. I would easily put Red Line right up there with Chute at MRG as a demanding steep lift line under a crowd. Overall, MRG certainly is a tougher mountain, but it is legit to consider Magic the MRG of SoVT. People can say whatever they want about Magic, they can't shake a stick at Magic's terrain options (at least when there is natural snow enough to ski them, which is more often than most people believe, but this was a terrible year).

 

[loafer89]

I skied Redline on my first visit there in February 1998, and it was very steep. It is a mountain that is alot like Plattekill in that it has seen it share of good and bad days, but hopefully will be revived and still remain a skiers/riders mountain and not become a resort type place.

 

[2knees]

I wouldnt compare it to any other mtn. I guess MRG but i havent skied there. Magic makes virtually no snow and doesnt do alot (any?) trail maintenence. Its as steep in areas (redline, master magician, slide of hans) as anything in vermont i have skied, including sugarbush and stowe. If you really want to push yourself, the top of the black lift, above lucifer, is supposedly nuts. It's out of my league. About 10-15 feet wide tops and mandatory air. The beauty of magic though is the abundance of decent size cliffs and hucks. They're everywhere. You dont even have to look for them. Dont take anyones word for it though. Go and check it yourself. They could use the cash. Just pick your day right and i bet you wont be at all disappointed.

 

[riverc0il]

Magic makes virtually no snow and doesnt do alot (any?) trail maintenence.

This is very much exagerated. They certainly could stand to boost their snow making, but they do make a lot more snow than say MRG does. Magic actually does a really good job of grooming and their groomers are under rated for good cruising terrain. Since the mountain does not see a lot of traffic, the groomers never get skied off like at most popular areas that have a huge infrastructure for snow making and maintainance. An ounce of prevention, right? If the snow never gets beaten to a pulp, maintainence isn't as much needed, but like I said the groomers are good quality and the machines make the rounds frequently. I do not mean to sugar coat things though, Magic is definitely best with natural snow and the current/previous management used a fairly low budget for snow making. This past season was a total train wreck from what I heard but previous seasons have been quality, especially when the natural is there. Ideally, new management comes in and kicks the snow making into high gear and cleans the place up (literally and figuratively). Obviously, lack of snow making investment is the biggest hurdle to over come. If you blow it, they will come (ummm, that sounds terrible!).
:lol:

 

[2knees]

This is very much exagerated. They certainly could stand to boost their snow making, but they do make a lot more snow than say MRG does. Magic actually does a really good job of grooming and their groomers are under rated for good cruising terrain. Since the mountain does not see a lot of traffic, the groomers never get skied off like at most popular areas that have a huge infrastructure for snow making and maintainance. An ounce of prevention, right? If the snow never gets beaten to a pulp, maintainence isn't as much needed, but like I said the groomers are good quality and the machines make the rounds frequently. I do not mean to sugar coat things though, Magic is definitely best with natural snow and the current/previous management used a fairly low budget for snow making. This past season was a total train wreck from what I heard but previous seasons have been quality, especially when the natural is there. Ideally, new management comes in and kicks the snow making into high gear and cleans the place up (literally and figuratively). Obviously, lack of snow making investment is the biggest hurdle to over come. If you blow it, they will come (ummm, that sounds terrible!).
:lol:

They groom trails yes but not the ones i think HPD is looking to ski. I've never seen a groomer or snowmaking on any of the hairy stuff. Actually, i was talking to an employee in the lodge this year and he was telling me that they cant get their groomers up the good stuff. He was actually lamenting it a bit because it keeps alot of people away. I guess i shouldve qualified that. Yes they blow snow and groom video boulevard, but i dont really put that into the category of a must ski run.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

10-15 feet wide tops and mandatory air. The beauty of magic though is the abundance of decent size cliffs and hucks. They're everywhere.

Wow, that's supprising to me and impressive. Not exactly Stratton and Bromley is it? I do like Bromley though.

Go and check it yourself. .

You're right of course, it's on next seasons to do list.

 

[Greg]

The first mountain that came to mind that I'd compare it to is Berkshire East, but far sicker. I only skied there once, but didn't hit Redline as I didn't think I could really ski it that well. Master Magician? Forget about it. I'll save that one for riverc0il. If you like gnarley ungroomed natural terrain, Magic is for you. Here are some pics from my visit:

http://www.alpinezone.com/gallery-archives/album43

Pics from an AZ meetup:

http://www.alpinezone.com/gallery-archives/album64

 

[JimG.]

Perhaps Sledhaulingmedic will see this and give us a more detailed opinion...he's a patroller at Magic.

 

[loafer89]

I was suprised at how extensive the snowmaking system is at Magic, but it looks like most of it has not been used for quite some time. If they can get it back into action and cover some of the steeper stuff, It will blow the competition (if you want to call them that) in Southern Vermont out of the water.

I may even buy a season pass there for the 2007-2008 season if the new owners get things going in good shape on a consistent basis. I will have to ski there next season to try it out, but I really like the mountain. It had that hard core feeling that Saddleback, Plattekill, and Mad River have, with little sugarcoating.

 

[Marc]

Wow Greg, those picks make me want to ski there in a bad way...


That's on next year's hit list for sure.

Damn... how long til the '06/'07 season starts again?

 

[skibum1321]

Wow Greg, those picks make me want to ski there in a bad way...


That's on next year's hit list for sure.

Damn... how long til the '06/'07 season starts again?

This season isn't even over yet...

 

[Greg]

Wow Greg, those picks make me want to ski there in a bad way...

Another AZ Magic gathering...?

 

[skizilla]

Magic berkshire

I think the comparison to berkshire east is an apt one. Similar attitude. Similargrooming and snowmaking although I would definately give bershire the edge there. Similar style trails although magic is yes much sicker.
I love magic however they really really need to make more snow to be a reliable destination. They are not up in the snowbelt like mrg or the bush and have a realtively low altitude so they need the snow. Especially when they are surrounded by places like okemo or stratton who make it their bread and butter. I am not even asking magic to make as much snow or groom as well as okemo or stratton that would ruin the place. They need to do a much, much better job than they are doing though. People are looking for a reliable ski experience and at least a 80 percent trail count and magic has simply not accopmplished this most of the times in the past couple seasons.

Who are the new owners? Is this recent or are you talking in the next ten years? I thought talks of recent new owners was a rumor.

 

[AdironRider]

How much vert does Magic have and how many total trails?

 

[Greg]

How much vert does Magic have and how many total trails?

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/resorts/detail.htm?resort=magic

 

[freeheelwilly]

HPD, I haven't skied Magic since the late 80s but it is the best of the bunch down there. Although that's not saying much, its actually quite good. Don't really know what other mountain I'd compare it to because I don't remember any details. The only thing I "remember" is the impression I was left with which was quite positive. It's 10,000,000 times better than flatton.

 

[Phildozer]

Another AZ Magic gathering...?

Magic the Gathering? Is that a kids card game?

 

[Marc]

This season isn't even over yet...

Sorry, let me rephrase.... how long until my 06/07 season starts again?