Mohawk v. Sundown

[highpeaksdrifter]

I adhere to the biggest heresy of heresies around here. The one so abhorrent, so repugnant to orthodoxy that if AZ were Inquisition Europe they'd be forced to excommunicate you for even reading this post, while rewarding me with a tour of the dungeon followed by a burning at the stake. Shield your eyes if you want to save your soul (you have been warned):

I prefer Mohawk to Sundown.

Since all I know about skiing in Connecticut I learned here, I always assumed that everyone thought Sundown was far and away the best ski area in the state until I read the above post. For those of you who have skied both, please tell us why you prefer one over the other.

 

[jarrodski]

I prefer Mohawk to Sundown.

Since all I know about skiing in Connecticut I learned here, I always assumed that everyone thought Sundown was far and away the best ski area in the state until I read the above post. For those of you who have skied both, please tell us why you prefer one over the other.

Taking the fact that the place pays my bills out of the equation, I grew up skiing Sundown. Always have found a smile on the hill and can't imagine my skiing life without it. With the re-found focus on snowmaking, it seems like an obvious choice for those looking for consistancy in surface conditions, as well as in-consistancies such as bumps and parks.

by the way, the new cat is in.

 

[drjeff]

I prefer Mohawk to Sundown.

Since all I know about skiing in Connecticut I learned here, I always assumed that everyone thought Sundown was far and away the best ski area in the state until I read the above post. For those of you who have skied both, please tell us why you prefer one over the other.

Sundown, just plain and simple skis and feels like a bigger area to me than Mohawk.

 

[severine]

I like the layout of trails at Mohawk better. At Sundown, most of the trails empty out in the same cluster-f*ck, which is quite intimidating to new skiers. At Mohawk, when looking at the mountain, it basically goes easy on the right, intermediate in the middle, advanced on the left; and they don't merge as much. Less opportunities for irritation, IMHO.

Mohawk is cheaper.

Mohawk tends to hold snow better based on it's exposure/elevation. (Though for night skiing, that also means it tends to be windier and colder; but I don't mind.)

I prefer Mohawk, but ski Sundown b/c that's where Brian grew up skiing and it's his preference.

 

[migs 01]

I like the layout of trails at Mohawk better. At Sundown, most of the trails empty out in the same cluster-f*ck, which is quite intimidating to new skiers. At Mohawk, when looking at the mountain, it basically goes easy on the right, intermediate in the middle, advanced on the left; and they don't merge as much. Less opportunities for irritation, IMHO.

Mohawk is cheaper.

Mohawk tends to hold snow better based on it's exposure/elevation. (Though for night skiing, that also means it tends to be windier and colder; but I don't mind.)

I prefer Mohawk, but ski Sundown b/c that's where Brian grew up skiing and it's his preference.

+1 except for the Brian part.

 

[2knees]

Mohawk tends to hold snow better based on it's exposure/elevation.

yeah that 1600 foot summit is a real advantage during marginal storms. :wink:

 

[greenmtnsrider]

mohawk was always better, i used to frequent mohawk for night riding when i lived down there in my highschool daze...

 

[Greg]

Mohawk and Sundown are almost equi-distant from my house. For me, the bumps at Sundown make it a no contest. Not even remotely close. Sundown has a bit more pitch as well. The only thing remotely steep at Mohawk is a short stretch on Wildwood. Mohawk has more ways down, but they all ski very similarly for me. Sundown has less options, but each trail is unique and once their expansion gets underway, the area will double in size. I hope to get a look at the plan this winter. Sundown also does a better job of holding events and if you're a park rat, they build a pretty damn impressive terrain park. They squeeze just about everything a good ski area needs into a small package.

Still, lots of history at Mohawk and it's definitely a less crowded and more laid back ski area. I'll be skiing there a few times with my wife and daughter this season.

But it all comes back to the moguls at Sundown for me. I can easily kill 4 hours hitting the bumps at night once or twice a week, just lapping the same run over and over. I don't think skiing groomers would hold my interest for 4 hours every week. With that said, the mighty Sundown feels like home to me now. Sure, it's small, but most people that I ski with there seem to really enjoy it. Several AZers bought passes this year as a result.

 

[severine]

yeah that 1600 foot summit is a real advantage during marginal storms. :wink:

Bite me. I said hold, not get more.

 

[2knees]

god must prefer sundown cause he threw a tornado at mohawk.

 

[bvibert]

I grew up skiing Sundown through weekly school trips. I never even visited Mohawk until a few years ago. Sundown just seems bigger to me, even though it's technically has a bit less vertical drop on paper. There's not much with any pitch at Mohawk and the times I've been there they've all been boring groomers that all skied the same. The lack of crowds, especially at night is nice though. Not that it matters to me, but I can't figure out why they don't offer any sort of terrain park stuff. Seems like they're missing out on a rather large segment to me...

 

[deadheadskier]

Senseless Thread

The mighty Woodbury is where it's at!!

Because we all know that first to open in a given geographic area is where it's at

 

[powhunter]

wildwood used to be a decent bump run....now it sucks


steve

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

the 1st place i ever skied was mohawk, if you like bumps stick to sundown, if not then id take mohawk, this is almost like comparing stratton/okemo just on a smaller scale

 

[Greg]

god must prefer sundown cause he threw a tornado at mohawk.

:lol:

Like I said, no contest:

2006-07:


2007-08:


I forgot how big and funky those Nor'easter bumps were in 2006-07; before they "rolled" them out that is.

And don't forget, in late February this season, skier's right of Gunbarrel gets seeded. that's 1,800 linear feet of decently pitched bumps that will probably offer the most challenge in SNE, outside of maybe something at Berkshire East. A T2B bumped up Gunny is on par with a run like Beartrap at Mount Snow. Can't wait!

 

[bvibert]

Bumped up Gunny is gonna be RAD! 8)

 

[severine]

Some of us don't ski bumps and could give a rat's a$$ about whether or not there exist any.

Seriously... cheaper lift tickets, better layout, less crowds... opened 1 week earlier last year, too!

 

[Greg]

Some of us don't ski bumps and could give a rat's a$$ about whether or not there exist any.

Can't argue with that. If you prefer groomers, Mohawk is better because they have more terrain, and god knows you better have multiple options when skiing groomers so you don't get bored as fast. :razz:

One good bump run > 24 groomers

Seriously though, they each serve a different niche and purpose.

Seriously... cheaper lift tickets, better layout, less crowds... opened 1 week earlier last year, too!

How late did they stay open last year? Sundown closed on the 30th with full side to side coverage.

 

[2knees]

I googled Mohawk Mtn tornado and it brought up a link to snowjournal from 2004. These were posted in a thread started by our very own Woodcore who had pre tornado pictures. anyway, although these arent the highest quality, it shows the destruction the tornado caused.

 

[LonghornSkier]

If Mohawk had a nice bump run would you still go to Sundown?