Most over and underrated ski resort in NE?

[skiNEwhere]

Tremblant

 

[Downhill Threads]

here's a pic of the village in Tremblant. It's really unique and looks like it should be in Europe. Beautiful buildings. Cool little shops. Amazing food and atmosphere at the restaurants & bars. And the ski lift runs all the way through the village, so once you park you never have to go back to your car. You can ski down to any of the hotels in the village. Plus there's a great indoor pool/hot tubs building with a rock wall and a rope swing. (great for when the mountain closes)

 

[C-Rex]

Most overrated: Okemo. The place is just boring. There's no challenge at all to be found anywhere on that mountain. The lift system sucks. There's no reason it should take 2 lifts to get from the lodge to the top of any eastern mountain. And they don't serve Jaeger in the lodge bar because it's a "family mountain". However, I can have all the shots of whiskey I want. I don't get it.

Underrated is tougher. I'd say Mount Sunapee is pretty underrated. They have some pretty good glades and I like how the park is in it's own area with it's own lift. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with conditions, but I always seem to have a good day when I go to Sunapee.

Pico is definitely another one. A few years ago I went up with my ex wife and stayed at the Vermont Inn right up the road. We were planning on hitting killington the next day but the inn keeper suggested we try Pico instead. I'm so glad we did. We ended up getting 13 inches in a freak storm over night. We never waited more than a couple minutes in a lift line and the place never got tracked out. The terrain was great and it never got crowded. We talked to a couple that had come over in the afternoon from Killington and they said the place was jammed and tracked out by 11.

 

[Nick]

Okemo does have a new waffle house though.

 

[fbrissette]

Tremblant

About 50 restaurants/bars all within a pedestrian zone (+ casino, movie theater). A year-round activity center where they will book you to one of about 70 activities (you will be picked on site).

You can spent a few weeks there and do a different activity every day, eat in a different restaurant every night, without the need of a car.

Having said that, I hate what they did to the mountain of my youth. If you are a tourist, yes, it can be a fabulous place to spend a week, but being part of that madness every ski week-end is of no interest to me.

 

[mriceyman]

those waffle houses sure do smell good lol

 

[Downhill Threads]

I just realized that Killington has been probably the most bashed on here for being overrated, and there's a big "THE BEAST" banner ad on the top and bottom of this site. not sure if that's just targeted advertising or if everyone sees it, but just thought that was funny.

btw... had one of the best ski weekends 2 seasons ago at Killington. powder galore and great on-mountain condo.

 

[riverc0il]

I have seen many people here knock Stratton. Last time I saw it was in a recent thread about where to go for a ski vacation in NE. I suggested Stratton and the slew of negative comments started. Some obviously had to do with the village, but others had to do with the terrain.

The negative comments weren't about Stratton, they were about your recommendation itself. Most posters agreed North Conway or Lake Placid would be best and you took issue with that. No one agreed with Stratton being the best option because they didn't feel like Stratton met the OP's preferences and request. I don't recall any one in that thread saying that Stratton wasn't a good option because it sucks but rather because it didn't meet the OPs needs of having a lot of stuff to do to entertain a non-skiing for an extended stay. You may disagree but the comments weren't negative against the mountain itself.

Actually, Riv, I think I recall you writing in your blog some time ago that you visited Gore with Harv and being pleasantly surprised. When I read your post it seemd like the hill had exceeded your expectations. Which is what "underrated hills" do.

I disagree regarding your definition of underrated. You are equating underrated with individual opinion. But being over or under rated has nothing to do with a singular experience but rather the general consensus of a large population. I don't see a large segment of the population panning Gore. I think most people would agree that it is the second best ski area in NY (many might prefer it more than Whiteface, if both were fully open, I would prefer Gore over Whiteface unless the slides were open due to Gore's extensive glade system and more pod orientation). Any ways, I don't see Gore as being underrated. It certainly isn't rated at all by many New England skiers because it is difficult to drive twice as far as closer mountains that are as good or better. I like a little variety but crap, it is a five hour drive and I can get almost any where in New England except the Loaf in 2.5 hours from where I live.

 

[riverc0il]

Gore beats all of south Vermont ski areas for sure.

*cough* Magic *cough*



Otherwise, I agree.

 

[bobbutts]

The board almost always likes the more challenging and rugged choice in a region while the public strongly prefers the more developed.
Cannon over Loon, Bretton Woods, Waterville
Magic over Stratton, Okemo, Sunapee
Some places appeal to both crowds.
Stowe, Sugarloaf, Sugarbush, Killington, etc

For underrated here, I'll have to go with Whaleback and if it were still alive, Ascutney. More rugged and challenging than their nearby competitors and nobody going to either very often.

 

[HowieT2]

Most overrated: Okemo. The place is just boring. There's no challenge at all to be found anywhere on that mountain. The lift system sucks. There's no reason it should take 2 lifts to get from the lodge to the top of any eastern mountain. And they don't serve Jaeger in the lodge bar because it's a "family mountain". However, I can have all the shots of whiskey I want. I don't get it.

Underrated is tougher. I'd say Mount Sunapee is pretty underrated. They have some pretty good glades and I like how the park is in it's own area with it's own lift. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with conditions, but I always seem to have a good day when I go to Sunapee.

Pico is definitely another one. A few years ago I went up with my ex wife and stayed at the Vermont Inn right up the road. We were planning on hitting killington the next day but the inn keeper suggested we try Pico instead. I'm so glad we did. We ended up getting 13 inches in a freak storm over night. We never waited more than a couple minutes in a lift line and the place never got tracked out. The terrain was great and it never got crowded. We talked to a couple that had come over in the afternoon from Killington and they said the place was jammed and tracked out by 11.

I agree with you about Okemo, but the two lifts to the summit system works really well at sugarbush. Unlike Okemo, where the base lift doesnt get you anywhere except to another lift, the base quads at SB take you 2/3rds of the way up the mtn. this provides plenty of terrain off the base quads and keeps the the beginners/novices on those lifts. This reduces the traffic on the upper mountain lifts and limits the skier traffic on the upper mountain. The system allows me to take a base quad in the morning before there is any line whatsoever and then I can do laps on the upper mtn without having to go all the way down to the base.

 

[ScottySkis]

*cough* Magic *cough*



Otherwise, I agree.

I have to try Magic this season.

 

[MadMadWorld]

Overrated -
Mt. Snow - terrain options are few and far between. Trails have no character whatsoever. Unfriendly and very crowded.
Gore - always crowded and gets skied off every weekend. Unless you are lucky enough to go midweek it's just not fun.
Killington - takes too much from it's customers and doesn't give enough back in recent years.
Stowe - terrain access is the best in the east but price gauging is ridiculous. don't bother going on a long weekend or holiday vacation
Attitash - terrible conditions and weather. terrain variation is boring as well.

Underrated
Berkshire East - great value. friendly people. lots of terrain variation for all levels of skiers.
Magic - terrain that gives the mountain tons of character. atmosphere is the best of any mountain I have ever skied....If you are new to the mountain or skiing alone it is very easy to find others to ski with or someone to show you around. Prices for day and season passes are some of the best deals out there.
Smugglers Notch - Just a short drive around Stowe, you can find a place to stay for half the price of places in Stowe. Lift prices are very good. Podded off beginner area and great kids program makes this a great learn to ski mountain. Terrain has plenty of character and have a handful of trails that are as hard (if not harder) then the Front Four at Stowe.

 

[ScottySkis]

Overrated -
Mt. Snow - terrain options are few and far between. Trails have no character whatsoever. Unfriendly and very crowded.
Gore - always crowded and gets skied off every weekend. Unless you are lucky enough to go midweek it's just not fun.
Killington - takes too much from it's customers and doesn't give enough back in recent years.
Stowe - terrain access is the best in the east but price gauging is ridiculous. don't bother going on a long weekend or holiday vacation
Attitash - terrible conditions and weather. terrain variation is boring as well.

Underrated
Berkshire East - great value. friendly people. lots of terrain variation for all levels of skiers.
Magic - terrain that gives the mountain tons of character. atmosphere is the best of any mountain I have ever skied....If you are new to the mountain or skiing alone it is very easy to find others to ski with or someone to show you around. Prices for day and season passes are some of the best deals out there.
Smugglers Notch - Just a short drive around Stowe, you can find a place to stay for half the price of places in Stowe. Lift prices are very good. Podded off beginner area and great kids program makes this a great learn to ski mountain. Terrain has plenty of character and have a handful of trails that are as hard (if not harder) then the Front Four at Stowe.

Gore is crowded not compared to any resort in Southern VT.

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[steamboat1]

For underrated here, I'll have to go with Whaleback and if it were still alive, Ascutney. More rugged and challenging than their nearby competitors and nobody going to either very often.

I agree about the challenge. Problem with both areas is low elevation & lack of natural snow. When they are good they both were/are very good.

 

[Madroch]

Over- okemo

Under- smuggs and sundown. - someone had to say it- season long bumps on a small hill that gets no natty

 

[steamboat1]

Overrated -
Killington - takes too much from it's customers and doesn't give enough back in recent years.
Stowe - terrain access is the best in the east but price gauging is ridiculous. don't bother going on a long weekend or holiday vacation


Underrated
Smugglers Notch - Just a short drive around Stowe, you can find a place to stay for half the price of places in Stowe. Lift prices are very good. Podded off beginner area and great kids program makes this a great learn to ski mountain. Terrain has plenty of character and have a handful of trails that are as hard (if not harder) then the Front Four at Stowe.

Killington - Can't argue if you pay walk-up prices, as far as giving back between there extended season on both ends & competitive season pass prices is a good deal. I've been getting my daily pass price down to roughly $20 for a few years already, when ASC owned the place I could get it down to $12 with a lot more ski area options. 2 for 1's early season are a bargain for the general public. They give me a floating weekend day on my mid-week pass this year. End of season last year I was able to get discounted tickets for my friends in addition to a free weekend day pass for myself. I'd say they gave back.

Stowe - I can ski there for 10 days this season for $33 a day with a ski club membership discount not to mention a couple of $40 days with a VT. Pass any other time except holiday periods. Again if you pay walk up prices you're screwed.

Smuggs is not around the corner from Stowe. Yes they are adjacent to eachother but it's an hour drive between the 2 during winter. Smuggs isn't a bargain with pricing either.

 

[x10003q]

Overrated -

Gore - always crowded and gets skied off every weekend. Unless you are lucky enough to go midweek it's just not fun.


Underrated

Smugglers Notch - Just a short drive around Stowe, you can find a place to stay for half the price of places in Stowe. Lift prices are very good. Podded off beginner area and great kids program makes this a great learn to ski mountain. Terrain has plenty of character and have a handful of trails that are as hard (if not harder) then the Front Four at Stowe.

Delusional on Gore. Your description of Gore tells me you have not been there since before 1992.

As for Smuggs you forgot to add the wonderfully long weekend liftlines on those freezing slow double chairs.

Maybe you just switched these 2 in your post. ;-)

 

[MadMadWorld]

Delusional on Gore. Your description of Gore tells me you have not been there since before 1992.

As for Smuggs you forgot to add the wonderfully long weekend liftlines on those freezing slow double chairs.

Maybe you just switched these 2 in your post. ;-)

Here comes the angry NY/NJ people! Gore hasn't gotten less crowded, the lines have just gotten shorter because of faster lifts. The trails are still crowded and still get skied off all the time. Smuggs does have long liftlines but it keeps the crowds down on the actual trails. Plus, it's the only mountain that I know that offers coupons (at local ski shop) that not only offers buy one get one free lift tickets but also allows you to use them on weekends (as long as its not school vacation or holiday). Two adults can ski a Saturday for a grand total of $66! Lastly, Gore can't even come close to the terrain off of Madonna

 

[MadMadWorld]

Killington - Can't argue if you pay walk-up prices, as far as giving back between there extended season on both ends & competitive season pass prices is a good deal. I've been getting my daily pass price down to roughly $20 for a few years already, when ASC owned the place I could get it down to $12 with a lot more ski area options. 2 for 1's early season are a bargain for the general public. They give me a floating weekend day on my mid-week pass this year. End of season last year I was able to get discounted tickets for my friends in addition to a free weekend day pass for myself. I'd say they gave back.

Stowe - I can ski there for 10 days this season for $33 a day with a ski club membership discount not to mention a couple of $40 days with a VT. Pass any other time except holiday periods. Again if you pay walk up prices you're screwed.

Smuggs is not around the corner from Stowe. Yes they are adjacent to eachother but it's an hour drive between the 2 during winter. Smuggs isn't a bargain with pricing either.

Well, you are making the assumption that someone is coming from Stowe to get to Smuggs (in reality it's more like 40-45 minutes). But if someone is coming from the South, it's only about 20 min further than Stowe.