Most Exciting and Most Boring Drives to Mountains

[Zand]

I've always liked driving route 9 to Mt. Snow because of all the hairpin turns, views, etc. While not exciting, Loon and Cannon are convienent because they're literally at the bottom of their respective exits off 93.

Killington's ride gets boring after a while due to driving an hour up 103 and 100. Also found out today that the ride to Jay Peak is more like being in Kansas than Vermont... gets quite flat and smells like manure most of the way with very small "western style" towns. Only difference is there's a big mountain looming in the background.

 

[Trekchick]

Most boring is the drive across Nebraska on my way to Colorado.
Most Exciting is well........any time I'm going on a ski vacation. I particularly love the drive between Vail and Glenwood Springs.

 

[MrMagic]

really like the drive to magic , passing all the other ski area the drive to bolton valley is cool too, while right off the Highway, its a monster acc. road and you get nice views up 89.

not cool:
drive to Jiminy peak from Ct mass pike though Ny... yawn
drive to burke up 91 off the HW to mtn... yawn

 

[deadheadskier]

most exciting: final approach to Sugarloaf. They don't call it Oh My Gosh corner for nothing

most boring: getting to VT from NH on 89. I don't know what it is, but that 60 miles of road bores the heck out of me.

most annoying: Wildcat - worth it, but even with the short cuts, getting around N. Conway is a pain. It's also very disappointing as it's turned from somewhat quaint 25 years ago, to chain restaurant, home depot, walmart USA.

 

[riverc0il]

I feel for all you CT skiers that need to drive up I-91. Worst highway driving ever, hands down. So anything that involves 1-2 hours on I-91 in VT tops the worst list easily.

Loon is not right off the exit ramp and getting through Lincoln can be a pain in the butt at times. Not quite as easy as Cannon.

Saddleback and Sugarloaf have got to be up there for worst drives. Saddleback especially due to frost heaves.

I can't really say I have ever had an "exciting" drive to the mountains unless you count white knuckle driving through a snow storm.

Good points from DHS on Wildcat and I-89. I-91 is worse than I-89, IMO, though.

 

[Glenn]

I feel for all you CT skiers that need to drive up I-91. Worst highway driving ever, hands down. So anything that involves 1-2 hours on I-91 in VT tops the worst list easily.

Mrs. Glenn and I have done that every weekend since 3/20....with the exception of one weekend. I can do it with my eyes closed. A lot depends on when you leave. It bunches up around Fartford on Fridays. Springfield always slows down because some genius decided to to make the highway two lanes.

I miss the backroads to Mt. Snow via Greenfield and Rt. 112 up through Colrain, MA...Halifax VT and Jacksonville. That's always a nice ride. It's a really senic ride after a good snowstorm too.

 

[Trekchick]

most exciting: final approach to Sugarloaf. They don't call it Oh My Gosh corner for nothing

.

I think nearly ever ski resort has one of those spots
I call that the foreplay spot. You know that the real excitement is......errrr......coming!!!

 

[deadheadskier]

I think nearly ever ski resort has one of those spots
I call that the foreplay spot. You know that the real excitement is......errrr......coming!!!

you need to go to Sugarloaf sometime.

Most resorts do have that first initial view, but no where that I've been is so in your face as when you round that corner and Sugarloaf comes into view.

 

[snowmonster]

The drive to Sugarloaf is actually very boring -- until you get to Oh My Gosh corner. Ditto with Sunday River. It's pretty flat and you only see the mountain as you're getting ready to pull into the parking lots. Actually, for me the best drive is to Cannon -- 93 between Boston and Concord is featureless but, as you get into the Whites, the views of the mountains are pretty awesome.

 

[Talisman]

you need to go to Sugarloaf sometime.

Most resorts do have that first initial view, but no where that I've been is so in your face as when you round that corner and Sugarloaf comes into view.

Agree with the "Oh My God Corner" going to Sugar Loaf. After driving through the boonies of Maine and dodging log trucks, it is a great moment even when you know what to expect.

I think the drive to Sunady River from I-95 is boring. The back roads from 302 north to Sunday River are a better drive.

 

[skiadikt]

probably the most exciting ride i've had is heading up rt 40 in colorado through berthoud pass to mary jane. spectacular! hairpin turns, huge dropoffs, avalanche zones surrounded by towering peaks with the plowed snow way over the roof of the car. the ride to steamboat up rt 40 though rabbit ears is also quite spectacular. even i-70 from frisco over vail pass to vail is pretty amazing.

back east still get a thrill when the k access rd makes the curve by the grist mill and you get your first oh my gosh view of killington.

another great ride is rt 23a on the way to hunter. that narrow winding part before pallenville and you get your first glimpse of hunter. pretty impressive.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

most exciting: final approach to Sugarloaf. They don't call it Oh My Gosh corner for nothing

most boring: getting to VT from NH on 89. I don't know what it is, but that 60 miles of road bores the heck out of me.

most annoying: Wildcat - worth it, but even with the short cuts, getting around N. Conway is a pain. It's also very disappointing as it's turned from somewhat quaint 25 years ago, to chain restaurant, home depot, walmart USA.

+1 on the "OMG Corner" and on NH 89 -> VT.

For some reason I always had it in me that Kingfield was essentially the end of my route. When I discovered there was still 15 - 20 minutes left in the car...ugh. That final corner makes it all worth the trip.

I have made the drive from NH to VT a million and a half times by now and it NEVER gets better. For me, the longest part of that stretch is from West Leb - Montpelier. Uuuugh. There isn't much to see or do. When I pass Whaleback, I always glance over and see what's happening there.

 

[vonski]

The Roxbruy Gap: From Roxbury to Warren to get to Sugarbush can and will be an adventure a few times a year. Sucks when someone screws up though and you have to go back to 89. Kills all the time possibly saved and then adds some. But nothing like coming over the top seeing the Mad River Valley and feeling the stress release from ones shoulders as fun and serenity abound.

 

[Philpug]

The road up to Huntah can be pretty exciting.

 

[4aprice]

I feel for all you CT skiers that need to drive up I-91. Worst highway driving ever, hands down. So anything that involves 1-2 hours on I-91 in VT tops the worst list easily.

No the worst section in CT is the 50 miles on I-95 between Stamford and New Haven. The Wilber Cross and I-84 to Hartford are no better. None of those roads are drivable on Fri nights. Now when I ski NH,(from NNJ) I take I-87 north to the Mass Pike East to I-91 north and avoid CT completely. Its a little longer mileage wise but I make Springfield Mass in the same 3 hrs it takes going through CT.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[4aprice]

Some of the roads out west are incredible. Along with Berthoud Pass I like to drive over Loveland if the weather is good. Loveland on one side A-Basin on the other. The canyons in Utah can be fun (especially if the flashers are on).

In the east I love a trip over Kamcamagus Pass. Nice pull over a the top to sit and take in the Whites. NH 118 has an awesome view of the Whites as you decend to the Baker Valley.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[skiadikt]

Some of the roads out west are incredible. Along with Berthoud Pass I like to drive over Loveland if the weather is good. Loveland on one side A-Basin on the other. The canyons in Utah can be fun (especially if the flashers are on).

In the east I love a trip over Kamcamagus Pass. Nice pull over a the top to sit and take in the Whites. NH 118 has an awesome view of the Whites as you decend to the Baker Valley.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

yeah the ride over loveland is pretty cool particularly rt. 6 to a-basin. also love the kamcamagus - probably one of the most spectacular rides in the ne.

 

[bvibert]

The road up to Huntah can be pretty exciting.

Yeah, I like that drive too.

 

[Trekchick]

What you're describing at Sugarloaf sounds like the approach to Abasin from the Loveland pass side.
You come around this twisty pass. (pictured here from Abasin)

And you see tons of mountainous beauty, then you round the bend,(the obvious one in the pic) and you see the front side of Abasin(palli included) and the massive East Wall imposing in the back drop.
At that moment you are IN the mountain, surrounded on all sides and you feel a presence like no other.

I think Carrie would agree. THAT is the moment when she got a big grin on and started to shake a little. I think she liked it. .........a lot

 

[deadheadskier]

made that trip over from Loveland. Is indeed a great in your face moment as well.