Most underrated ski trails

[loafer89]

Binder at sugarloaf is also underrated, it's kind of hidden and not easily found by most skiers on the mountain, the same applies to double bitter.

Muleskinner at Saddleback is also underrated, it's a long slog to get there, but the trail is narrow, steep and alot of fun, with 100% natural snowcover.

Roundabout at Killington is also a hidden, underrated gem that is steep and very narrow.

 

[Terry]

I think binder is my favorite trail at the loaf. Narrow and twisty and very seldom anyone on it! Lots of fun.

 

[Newpylong]

Ledge at Mount Snow. A mile of Old school New England goodness tucked inbetween a world of wide groomers.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I was going to say the same about One More Time at Mt. Snow. Not especially steep but relatively thin trail with natural cover that's a fun blast. Glades parallel it if you're so inclined.

 

[jerryg]

I think binder is my favorite trail at the loaf. Narrow and twisty and very seldom anyone on it! Lots of fun.

Not only will you ski, but you will be a dominent force for the race team you have pictured in the avatar! 8) I will have to pick it up in the speed department. Perhaps I can get some tips from Bobr. I hear he's lightning on the course!

And I agree about Binder. I used to love it back in the 80's when it was even narrower and went all the way to the bottom. I miss the old Timberline t-bar next door. It was often one of the best powder stashes after a storm.

 

[pepperdawg]

....and Smuggs in general is mostly overlooked as a great mountain

Seconded........

 

[snowmonster]

And I agree about Binder.

Another vote for Binder. I like twisty narrow trails with a stand of trees on both sides. You really have to pay attention to what you're doing.

Another trail that is Binder-like that gets my vote is Southpaw at Sunday River. You go down Uppercut, which is already somewhat narrow, and bang a left to Southpaw. It's narrow, curves to the right and has a moderate pitch to keep things interesting but not too hairy. You end up on Agony where there are some nice bimps at the end of the run. Southpaw is best on a sunny day.

 

[loafer89]

Not only will you ski, but you will be a dominent force for the race team you have pictured in the avatar! 8) I will have to pick it up in the speed department. Perhaps I can get some tips from Bobr. I hear he's lightning on the course!

And I agree about Binder. I used to love it back in the 80's when it was even narrower and went all the way to the bottom. I miss the old Timberline t-bar next door. It was often one of the best powder stashes after a storm.

I am guessing that the service road that is now in place at the top of chicken pitch on Tote Road was the extension of Binder? I am really tempted to ski that road despite the warning signs. My son get's annoyed when the trail stops, as he really likes the section above Bulwinkle's

It's a fun hidden gem

April 16th, 2007:

 

[snoseek]

I am guessing that the service road that is now in place at the top of chicken pitch on Tote Road was the extension of Binder? I am really tempted to ski that road despite the warning signs. My son get's annoyed when the trail stops, as he really likes the section above Bulwinkle's

It's a fun hidden gem

April 16th, 2007:

that pic brings back some good mid april memories. daaaaamn you got a good week!!!

 

[loafer89]

Yeah we got a couple inches of snow that week:

Unlike what happened at Killington and Central New England, the storm stayed nearly all snow except for 3-4 hours of freezing rain on the 16th, but then we had another 2-3' on top of that. There where no power outages and very little wind.

 

[snoseek]

i was there for that. i'm still in awe over it.

 

[jerryg]

Another vote for Binder. I like twisty narrow trails with a stand of trees on both sides. You really have to pay attention to what you're doing.

Another trail that is Binder-like that gets my vote is Southpaw at Sunday River. You go down Uppercut, which is already somewhat narrow, and bang a left to Southpaw. It's narrow, curves to the right and has a moderate pitch to keep things interesting but not too hairy. You end up on Agony where there are some nice bimps at the end of the run. Southpaw is best on a sunny day.

Good call, Snowmonster. Granted, I have a little bias towards Southpaw, or at least the name! :wink:

 

[Greg]

Any others?

 

[twinplanx]

Anything in southern VT. Come on guys you really don't think the berkshires/catskills are better do ya?

 

[nhski]

Been there, not really worth the hike as it is only more difficult and more interesting than regular Beaver for a very short drop. Definitely the better option though but I still remain unimpressed with that area in general.

But, Steve, we will be back in there for those nice rock drops.

 

[Greg]

Anything in southern VT. Come on guys you really don't think the berkshires/catskills are better do ya?

Aside from Magic and TNF at Snow, I think Hunter has SoVT beat based on terrain, hands down. I would put Berkshire East above most of SoVT (again sans Magic, TNF) as well.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Aside from Magic and TNF at Snow, I think Hunter has SoVT beat based on terrain, hands down. I would put Berkshire East above most of SoVT (again sans Magic, TNF) as well.

Is Okemo considered Southern Vermont...some great long cruisers that you can't get in the catskills..

 

[Greg]

Is Okemo considered Southern Vermont...some great long cruisers that you can't get in the catskills..

I consider anything south of Killington as SoVT. I haven't skied Okemo in probably 10 years, but I would take Magic or Killington over it any day. If I want long cruisers, I would save myself 30 minutes of driving and just go to Snow.

 

[reefer]

Southern VT

All right you forced me into it - bashing on Southern VT, but Ascutney can be a fun underated hill. Upper Exhibition has nice pitch, and Free Fall and Touch and Go, can leave you in those states........ (free fallin' and a little touch and go).....
also Cabin Chute to Dark side is always fun. Plus no people. Go mid-week and ski with (20) or so others............

And to risk further ridicule by all the Stratton bashers, I find my once or twice a year visits there very rewarding because of underated trails like Bear Down (they always leave it bumped), Spruce, Slalom Glade, (which they tend not to groom often) World Cup, (always seems to be bumped), and in the woods Shred Wood Forest, Diamond in the Rough, Free Fall Gully, and Moon Dance are all underated in my opinion. Any expert can have fun at Stratton on those trails. (And by not taking that Gondola).

Magic always will rule Southern VT, and as someone stated, there is some good stuff on the North Face at Snow, and Ledges on the Main Face.

Even Okemo leaves a few trails bumped up that can keep you going. But I really go there because they got the most underated cranberry chicken-salad roll-up I know of, (along with a Long Trail on tap it is to die for -and one of the things I look most forward to at Okemo - lunch)

I would take any of these over any hill in MA, though the Beast is nice. I may have to see about Hunter on 12/14.

 

[Greg]

All right you forced me into it - bashing on Southern VT...

I would take any of these over any hill in MA, though the Beast is nice. I may have to see about Hunter on 12/14.

Not really bashing on SoVT. I've skied Ascutney quite a bit (been 10+ years though) and it's a nice hill. My point is if I'm going to drive the 2-3 hours to SoVT, I'm going to Snow or Magic. At 2 hours, both Hunter and Beast offer a reasonable terrain:drive ratio.

Don't let a visit in mid-December to Hunter define it for you. The best stuff ('Purna, K27, Upper Xover, etc.) probably won't be open by then. Hopefully, we'll have a cold few weeks leading up to 12/14 and we should have some good terrain. They do know how to make snow, no doubt. If you like what you see, make a revisit later in the season to try out the rest of the hill.