Most Over/Under Rated Ski Resorts

[Smellytele]

Before planning a trip this past year to NY I never even heard of Gore or at least if I did I never even thought of it. then I went there and was impressed with the terrain (although the pod layout was a little wacky). So UNDERRATED.

People mention Saddleback as underrated but I wouldn't say that because I have never really heard anything but praise for the place and it lived up to it.

Most of the other places people have mentioned are not either over or under because people are always fighting for them one way or they other.

 

[snoseek]

over (east)-
Sunnapee, Waterville, Attitash, most of southern VT


Under- Smuggs, Saddleback, Burke


Over (west) Vail, Wasatch back

Under-Loveland (way less people, cheap beer, real people, more snow)
Kirkwood
Heavenly-gets lots of shit from all the cool kids. I'll show you long shots out of bounds that tracks up much slower than the rest of Tahoe. There is steep stuff to be found also. Tough place if you board or just want to lap chairs and ski the obvious.
Taos

 

[EPB]

People mention Saddleback as underrated but I wouldn't say that because I have never really heard anything but praise for the place and it lived up to it.

Great call as it pertains to this site at least. I'd bet that the general consensus here is that Saddleback in the tier below the top NoVT areas with places like Cannon, Wildcat and Magic, which is about fair.

My addition to this list is Black Mountain (NH). Some have mentioned Bretton Woods and Cranmore as being somewhat overrated, but assuming there's a couple feet of snow on the ground, I would be hard pressed to pass up Black for either of BW or Cranmore without very good reason.

As for Sunday River... The place is quickly turning into the most overrated mountain mentioned so far now that everyone is coming out of the woodwork in its support :wink:. In all seriousness, I've wondered what the place is like on a good mid-winder day when most of its stashes are filled in. There are certainly some steep off-map sections across the resort, but I have never had a chance to experience the place for all its got. The crowds and layout keep me from checking the place out very often and I tend to think of SR as a good early season option either before other places open, or when SR already has 200+ acres open by Christmas when most places in NH only have a couple top to bottom runs open.

I'd be curious to know what the place's natural off map offerings are like considering that SR does not get great snowfall and is not particularly well elevated (~165 inches and 900 to 3200 feet, respectively). Its peripherals are hardly better than those of Attitash at ~150 inches and 600 to 2300 feet, respectively. Does SR really get enough snow and have the ability to retain it long enough to ski off piste for a substantial amount of the season?

 

[EPB]

over (east)-
Sunnapee, Waterville, Attitash, most of southern VT

This isn't directed to you, specifically, but what makes Attitash so overrated? It doesn't draw crowds like Sunapee, Waterville, Loon and Sunday River in the Boston market (with which I'm more familiar), and it doesn't get much attention on this forum. In full disclosure, I learned to ski there and appreciate it for what it is: a mid-sized cruiser's mountain (too much grooming, IMO) with mediocre natural snowfall and above-average length runs.

I don't think it deserves to be ranked particularly highly, nor do I think that it is.

 

[snoseek]

This isn't directed to you, specifically, but what makes Attitash so overrated? It doesn't draw crowds like Sunapee, Waterville, Loon and Sunday River in the Boston market (with which I'm more familiar), and it doesn't get much attention on this forum. In full disclosure, I learned to ski there and appreciate it for what it is: a mid-sized cruiser's mountain (too much grooming, IMO) with mediocre natural snowfall and above-average length runs.

I don't think it deserves to be ranked particularly highly, nor do I think that it is.

Not great snow, way overgroomed and annoying lift layout. The runs are good cruising and the place is far from flat. Definitely would rather ski there than Sunnapee but unless there's crazy weather or something I would keep driving to Wildcat every time. I know its not poular with posters on here

 

[snowmonster]

Underrated? By whom?

Both mountains are super-expensive. And I don't know about DV, Canyons are mobbed on weekends! Both are reasonably nice mountains but holy cow they're expensive (compare to the mountains in the Cottonwoods and rest of the state, hint: Snowbasin/Powder Moutain). For that alone, I'd say they're OVER rated!

My criteria for over/underrated is not based on cost or off-hill amenities. Rather, it's a ski area's reputation versus how it actually skis. For DV, I expected wall to wall groomers but was surprised by its offerings off the Lady Morgan chair and the Daly Bowl. Pretty good actually. As for Canyons, I actually had low expectations of it based on what I had been hearing but again, there was a ton of great terrain to explore. We went on a holiday week and had entire pods to ourselves. Untracked deep powder runs with no competition almost.

All this discussion has made me place Snowbasin on my to-do list.

As for Sunday River... The place is quickly turning into the most overrated mountain mentioned so far now that everyone is coming out of the woodwork in its support :wink:. In all seriousness, I've wondered what the place is like on a good mid-winder day when most of its stashes are filled in. There are certainly some steep off-map sections across the resort, but I have never had a chance to experience the place for all its got. The crowds and layout keep me from checking the place out very often and I tend to think of SR as a good early season option either before other places open, or when SR already has 200+ acres open by Christmas when most places in NH only have a couple top to bottom runs open.

I'd be curious to know what the place's natural off map offerings are like considering that SR does not get great snowfall and is not particularly well elevated (~165 inches and 900 to 3200 feet, respectively). Its peripherals are hardly better than those of Attitash at ~150 inches and 600 to 2300 feet, respectively. Does SR really get enough snow and have the ability to retain it long enough to ski off piste for a substantial amount of the season?

In my experience, assuming that it's not a below average snow year (2012, for example), SR's glades start skiing nicely from late-January to mid-March. In some years, like this year, you can stretch that to late March. Heck, we were skiing off-map stuff on the western side of the resort when they had already stopped running the Jordan chair. Admittedly, the snowfall is not Northern Vermont-esque, but when they're good, they're great. As I said, you can spend an entire day in the trees up there. Ski the stuff that's on map first then poke around. The kids in the ski school know some of the best stashes.

 

[Conrad]

Ski the stuff that's on map first then poke around. The kids in the ski school know some of the best stashes.

That's because they have cut some of them. I've met some people at UMF who were involved with the Gould Academy ski teams and during the summer they went out and cut these stashes. I have also met someone who is particularly involved with cutting A.S. and other trails you wouldn't believe where. Maybe I can send you a message to let you know what I have been hearing.

 

[ScottySkis]

If I'm not mistaken, don't most people consider Snowbasin to have one of the most efficient lift systems around? I'm sure there are numerous places that have just as good of a lift system as DV and strive to deliver the same quality product. Deer Valley (as does Stowe in the East) doesn't charge the prices they do because they have something other places don't (in terms of a skiing product - not resort amenities), they charge what they do because that's what people are willing to pay.

They have great ( about 1.5 hour from SLC) terrain, lifts, food is excellent and don't forget about the huge bathrooms( studio bedroom). I remember locals saying that a lot of people don't go because it so far from SLC ( A little more 1 hour) not far by our standards on east coast. Food was amazing!!! Olympic committee had a lot of money put into the mountain several years ago I hear.

 

[skiadikt]

Both - Killington. Those who love the place WAY overrate it at an irrational level. The fandome for the place is more similar to a city sports team than a ski area. Those who dislike it, WAY underrate it an irrational level.

where were you the last 10 yrs or so when when every other thread turned into k bashing. the transformation this season has turned around most of the "whiners" and i guess made them fanboys (myself included). but i do agree it's both underrated and overrated. the issue of crowding for example is overrated. other than k1 and skye peak quad, we rarely wait on a liftline even on a saturday. i think it's like vail, when you're the biggest, of course you're gonna be overrated or have a lot of folks not liking you cause you're the biggest.

haven't read the entire thread but out west would include beaver creek as underrated for the same reasons as deer valley. plenty of steeps & glades that barely get skied by the regular clientele. can find pow a day or two after a storm unlike vail which is tracked by noon.

 

[deadheadskier]

where were you the last 10 yrs or so when when every other thread turned into k bashing. the transformation this season has turned around most of the "whiners" and i guess made them fanboys (myself included). but i do agree it's both underrated and overrated.

I was right here. I'm a veteran viewer of and participant in numerous K bashing threads. :lol:

I was speaking about the physical aspects of the ski area, not how it's managed now or historically. It's a very polarizing ski area. Many people tend to love it or hate it, hence the over/under rated thoughts.

 

[snowmonster]

That's because they have cut some of them. I've met some people at UMF who were involved with the Gould Academy ski teams and during the summer they went out and cut these stashes. I have also met someone who is particularly involved with cutting A.S. and other trails you wouldn't believe where. Maybe I can send you a message to let you know what I have been hearing.

When I said "kids," I literally meant the little kids in the learn-to-ski school. You won't believe the wormholes that they ski through. SR has a lot of gardeners too.

I would be interested to know what you've been hearing.

 

[bobbutts]

I stayed right at the base at Attitash once, after the first day we drove to Wildcat.

 

[KevinF]

Under rated:

Copper Mountain: I always debate over whether I like this place better than Vail!! Its way cheaper but yet still has fast lifts (looking at you Loveland), good cruising terrain on the tree portion (looking at you vail), is easy to get to every part of the mountain (looking at you Breckenridge).

It also has that epic poma lift that goes up the ridge and then you can sneak to the back side with some awesome old double chairs without safety bars. It also has the best mid mountain lodge.

I like Copper for a variety of reasons.

As for Loveland and its slow lifts. Yes, they're slow. You can also find gobs of untracked powder there days after a storm without hiking or traversing forever to get to it. Also, with a summit elevation of almost 13,000 feet, I don't mind a slow ride up. Lets you catch your breath a bit.

 

[abc]

They have great ( about 1.5 hour from SLC) terrain, lifts, food is excellent and don't forget about the huge bathrooms( studio bedroom). I remember locals saying that a lot of people don't go because it so far from SLC ( A little more 1 hour) not far by our standards on east coast. Food was amazing!!! Olympic committee had a lot of money put into the mountain several years ago I hear.

When there're so many other mountains within easy driving distance, Snowbasin had to offer something above and beyond for people to go for a longer drive!

To me, its lack of crowds is a major appeal. We pulled into the parking area at 9:30 on a Saturday mid-season, we got to park at the 2nd row from the lodge! Now that's "quiet" by ANY standard!

Other than that, the terrains are good but not outstanding. Most lifts are fast and lines non-existing which is good. Except that is, the little cabin gondola which serves the expert terrain does have a bit of a line. Still, it's the lack of crowd that makes Snowbasin standout.

Oh, and the low price too.

(Snowbasin's competing with Solitude, Brighton, Powder Mountain, all of them un-crowded and low key, some has better snow record, or shorter drives.)

My criteria for over/underrated is not based on cost or off-hill amenities. Rather, it's a ski area's reputation versus how it actually skis. For DV, I expected wall to wall groomers but was surprised by its offerings off the Lady Morgan chair and the Daly Bowl. Pretty good actually. As for Canyons, I actually had low expectations of it based on what I had been hearing but again, there was a ton of great terrain to explore. We went on a holiday week and had entire pods to ourselves. Untracked deep powder runs with no competition almost.

You're looking at Canyons and DV using east coast standards so they far exceed your expectation. By SLC standard, Canyon and DV are really nothing special both in terrain and snow record.

Canyon in particular, is really a bunch of small ridges thrown together. Short vert as a result. Also, most of its terrains are more advance intermediate, a bit shy on advance & expert terrain. Not usually an issue for me since I'm often there for short 3-4 day trip so huffing and puffing at the altitude the whole time. But if I'm there for a week, I might find it a bit limiting.

So it'll exceed your expectation only if you expect it as a minor league mountain. But it's day lift prices are major league prices. That's why I don't believe it's underrated at all. At best, justifiably pricy for a second tier mountain. At worst, overrated (or over-priced for the goods offered).

That said, it's great for families. For them, it's priced/rated correctly. Just not underrated

 

[laxski]

Well I own a place at Mt Snow but last Friday stopped by and got my gear thru the Top Down on the Jeep and drove to Killington.The weather on May 10th was 72 and Sunny and was able to Ski spring bumps on Superstar for 5 hours while occasionally stopping for a beverage at the umbrella bar.Had not been there in 13 years but what a Great Day so in my opinion this part of K is way underrated

 

[MadMadWorld]

When I said "kids," I literally meant the little kids in the learn-to-ski school. You won't believe the wormholes that they ski through. SR has a lot of gardeners too.

I would be interested to know what you've been hearing.

Amazing to watch them fearlessly goes through those small spaces. I just smile and shake my head. I wish I had half the courage that some of these kids do!

 

[deadheadskier]

I stayed right at the base at Attitash once, after the first day we drove to Wildcat.

Was it because of conditions?

I skied Attitash this year for the first time since the mid-80s. I had very low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. Steepest trail terrain in the MWV if not all of New Hampshire. The runs there are pretty long and many had great character. They had a ton of trails that were ungroomed with decent bumps even though it had been a couple of weeks since the most recent storm. I didn't really mind the summit triple all that much. I found it similar to the FG Quad at Burke, long for sure, but not painfully slow a la a Spear Mountain Triple at Ragged.

For me, I'd put Attitash in the "Underrated" category......at least on Alpinezone. It might be the least discussed Northeastern Mountain over 1500 vertical feet on these forums. I'm really looking forward to having a pass there next season. I'll probably spend more time at Wildcat, but I definitely want to get in a good amount of time at Attitash to see what it has to offer in the woods.

 

[snoseek]

^^^^

As far as that triple is concerned I could roll one up, smoke it, get the munchies, make a sandwich and be totally straight by the offload


You're right though, the trails are plenty steep. As I remember they groom heavily. Maybe some of that has changed with peaks?

 

[ScottySkis]

^^^^

As far as that triple is concerned I could roll one up, smoke it, get the munchies, make a sandwich and be totally straight by the offload

?

Another great thing that I have done at Platty, slow chairs are awesome for this, although I always come down after I eat my munchies unfortunate.

 

[gregnye]

^^^^

As far as that triple is concerned I could roll one up, smoke it, get the munchies, make a sandwich and be totally straight by the offload


You're right though, the trails are plenty steep. As I remember they groom heavily. Maybe some of that has changed with peaks?

Hint: Always take the "Top Notch Double Chair" It runs slightly faster and is actually better!