Most Over/Under Rated Ski Resorts

[xwhaler]

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

How often does that chair actually run? I grew up skiing Attitash during high school/college...my parents had a condo 1 mile from the base from 1998-2006. I probably have 125 days logged at Attitash and can remember that chair running only a handful of times. I agree with you that it's not a bad option to avoid the Summitt triple...you can't ski Humphrey's Ledge or Wilfred's Gawm (one of the best trails on the mtn) however.

DHS I think you will like it...Attitash is high speed groomer heaven with good continuous vertical. Some decent low angle trees off the Abenaki chair and some steeper trees off Wandering Skis on Bear that are fun.

 

[hammer]

^^^^

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?

When I went there in January most trails were groomed...which was a good thing since the ungroomed was practically bulletproof. Was a day when the blacks skied easier than the blues and it was good to have sharp edges.

 

[bobbutts]

Was it because of conditions?

Well it was a long time ago and I remember Wildcat had more snow than Attitash, but the big factor was Wildcat Express vs. Summit Triple. Bear Peak and a few quads exist at Attitash now that didn't then, so maybe things would be different.

 

[Conrad]

How often does that chair actually run? I grew up skiing Attitash during high school/college...my parents had a condo 1 mile from the base from 1998-2006. I probably have 125 days logged at Attitash and can remember that chair running only a handful of times. I agree with you that it's not a bad option to avoid the Summitt triple...you can't ski Humphrey's Ledge or Wilfred's Gawm (one of the best trails on the mtn) however.

They should do "Top Notch Tuesdays" or something like that. Since it really isn't worth riding the triple unless you want to do the one or two runs you can get to off of the top.

 

[bigbog]

i love this concept! Competitive conversationalsim. How are conversations scored?

lol....

 

[EPB]

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.

I'd tend to agree with Attitash being underrated as opposed to overrated on alpinezone, if nothing else, because of the reasons you cited and because it seems like people are suggesting that even hitting Cranmore or BW is a better MWV alternative. For the record, I ski Attitash about half the time on a pair of 181 GS skis because of how few good bump options there are there. It is most certainly a cruiser-first mountain, and perhaps one of the better mountains for cruising terrain given the low capacity (and yes, its a long ride) triple chair and relative lack of crowds compared to any area in the East of its size and vert.

I also tend to think they have a tendency to let the wrong trails bump up i.e. trails with no real double fall line and then leave the more interesting potential bump runs to get groomed out every night. The snowfall and quality isn't the best at 600 to 2300 feet, but I've found that the near due north exposure allows Attitash to preserve snow much better than one might expect. My biggest complaint with the trees is that the developed runs tend to be exclusively on the bottom half of the mountain, save the one off of Wandering Skis. There are a few fairly obvious upper mountain off map glades that come to mind though. If you want the snow / classic NE terrain, Wildcat will still be a far superior option.

Enjoy the season pass there, though. I've had about 20 there in my lifetime. The pass is a great option for those in the Seacost area, as I can make it to Attitash from Portsmouth in a hair under 2 hours.

 

[catskills]

Plattekill can be BOTH overrated and underrated. If it hasn't snowed in weeks Plattekill can be overrated with not much to show for your efforts to get there. On the other hand Plattekill can be extremely underrated for two days after a 24+ inch powder dump when you would swear you were out west after paying $400+ airfare and $80+ a lift ticket skiing un-tracked powder all day and the next.

 

[andyzee]

Plattekill can be BOTH overrated and underrated. If it hasn't snowed in weeks Plattekill can be overrated with not much to show for your efforts to get there. On the other hand Plattekill can be extremely underrated for two days after a 24+ inch powder dump when you would swear you were out west after paying $400+ airfare and $80+ a lift ticket skiing un-tracked powder all day and the next.

I was tempted to go with Platty as well, just uncertain about it recently. I've always been the first to yell praise for this mountain. Bu lately they've changed quite a bit, IMO, from what they were a few years ago. Granted, for financial purposes they have, but then for me, it's just not the same place anymore.

 

[ScottySkis]

I was tempted to go with Platty as well, just uncertain about it recently. I've always been the first to yell praise for this mountain. Bu lately they've changed quite a bit, IMO, from what they were a few years ago. Granted, for financial purposes they have, but then for me, it's just not the same place anymore.

I see your point, and yes I seen the lodge crowed with people and family of ski kids but the slopes are still empty compared to any other area,close by on a weekend.

 

[andyzee]

I see your point, and yes I seen the lodge crowed with people and family of ski kids but the slopes are still empty compared to any other area,close by on a weekend.

So, do you consider it overrated or underrated. For me, up until three years ago it was underrated, now I'm not so sure.

 

[ScottySkis]

So, do you consider it overrated or underrated. For me, up until three years ago it was underrated, now I'm not so sure.

For mass population I still considered it under rated, but more people are going which over all is good other wise they could end up like so many closed hills, and I don't want that. I think their on a learning curve with the more visitors they get and hopefully they learn soon how to keep up.

 

[andyzee]

For mass population I still considered it under rated, but more people are going which over all is good other wise they could end up like so many closed hills, and I don't want that. I think their on a learning curve with the more visitors they get and hopefully they learn soon how to keep up.

Agreed, it's just that I miss the Plattekill of old, even though I do realize they need to move ahead.

 

[x10003q]

Agreed, it's just that I miss the Plattekill of old, even though I do realize they need to move ahead.

What do you miss?

 

[andyzee]

What do you miss?

Believe it or not, their snow making capacity. They had less before so when you hit it on a good day, it was good due to the fact it was natural snow. Their policy where the half the mountain was left ungroomed, still may be true but I find they groom the whole mountain more. Prices have increased a hefty % IMO. Don't get me wrong, still like the place and I can understand them moving forward, but still miss the old Platty.

 

[ScottySkis]

Believe it or not, their snow making capacity. They had less before so when you hit it on a good day, it was good due to the fact it was natural snow. Their policy where the half the mountain was left ungroomed, still may be true but I find they groom the whole mountain more. Prices have increased a hefty % IMO. Don't get me wrong, still like the place and I can understand them moving forward, but still miss the old Platty.

They usually have good deals through liftopia.com This pass season Some of times I went especially after the big X mas snow I to was expecting great conditions, but it wasn't so as good as what I was expecting especially after couple feet of natural feel that week.

 

[steamboat1]

They usually have good deals through liftopia.com This pass season Some of times I went especially after the big X mas snow I to was expecting great conditions, but it wasn't so as good as what I was expecting especially after couple feet of natural feel that week.

I got it.

No translation necessary.

 

[canobie#1]

I'd say
Underrated: Ragged Mountain, Mount Abram
Ragged is just a great place with friendly locals, a six pack, great ski school and kick ass glades. Plus, NO LINES!
And the waffle cabin!
Mount Abram is an awesome place with good steeps, no lines, nice people and a relaxed setting. It's a nice get a way from waiting in lines down the road.

Overatted: Mount snow, Attitash and Bretton Woods.
Mount Snow just simply sucks.
Attitash has a terrible lay out with walking everywhere and no high speed to the summit.
Bretton isn't even that big. The stuff all there trails together and there all short and flat. The couple good things are the high speeds and glades.
But only one, crowded lodge!

 

[ScottySkis]

I'd say
Underrated: Ragged Mountain, Mount Abram
Ragged is just a great place with friendly locals, a six pack, great ski school and kick ass glades. Plus, NO LINES!
And the waffle cabin!
Mount Abram is an awesome place with good steeps, no lines, nice people and a relaxed setting. It's a nice get a way from waiting in lines down the road.

Overatted: Mount snow, Attitash and Bretton Woods.
Mount Snow just simply sucks.
Attitash has a terrible lay out with walking everywhere and no high speed to the summit.
Bretton isn't even that big. The stuff all there trails together and there all short and flat. The couple good things are the high speeds and glades.
But only one, crowded lodge!

Mountable has some great glades and expert stuff on Northern Face.

 

[Smellytele]

Mountable has some great glades and expert stuff on Northern Face.

Mountable? Is that the mountain that only has rear entries for rentals?

 

[ScottySkis]

Mountable? Is that the mountain that only has rear entries for rentals?

Yes lol, I meant MountSnow.