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Mountains that have grown on you

Greg

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Let's talk about some of the ski areas that you really didn't like the first time(s) you've been there, but then you grew to like. I wasn't impressed with Berkshire East or Catamount the first time I went to each; probably around 1999. Since then, I've grown to like both a lot. There's no better place in SNE than the Beast after a dump, and Catamount offers some decent (although limited) terrain for a mountain within an hour's drive for me.
 

ChileMass

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Nov 10, 2003
Messages
2,482
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Location
East/Central MA
Sunapee. Not a bad mid-sized mountain at all, conveniently located (1:45 from my house) and the new owners have made a lot of terrific improvements (new lodge, snowmaking, etc).
 

loafer89

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Apr 21, 2004
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Location
Enfield, C.T
Belleayre- I started skiing there 20 years ago and was not overly impressed with the place
at first, but they have great snowmaking/grooming and the place is fairly uncrowded so I keep going back.

Saddleback - Same story really, but they have built the place up alot lately, with great customer service. In 1989 when I first visited it, the place was run down and only got worse with time. Now I like the mountain alot more and have yet to explore alot of the glade system.

Ski Plattekill - I skied there the first season that they reopened (1995?) and the place was in bad shape with overgrown trails and broken lifts. I did not think that the mountain would survive, but it has been renovated and is a great place to ski and be away from crowds.
 

RISkier

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Dec 3, 2003
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Location
Rhode Island
Wachusett. Really hated it my first time there. But we've kind of learned how to beat, or least better negotiate, the crowds. And the relative proximity is a major draw. It'll certainly never be among my favorite places but I can go there and have an enjoyable day. And the Black Diamond (I think that's the name) cafe that's upstairs in the lodge is not bad.
 

andyzee

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Sep 14, 2004
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Home
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Killington :) It's been a love/hate thing. At first I was really impressed by the terrain, then got bummed by the crowds, and now found my way around the crowds, got to know the good crew from KZone and fell in love with the place again.
 

ALLSKIING

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Jan 6, 2005
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Location
East Setauket,NY/Killington,VT
I would say all the small local hills. I used to think that it would not be worth it to hit those places and I should just go north. But as the years go on and I want to ski as many days a season as I can I found the local hills are great for getting some skiing miles in.
 

Terry

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May 9, 2004
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2,215
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Location
Fryeburg Maine
Attitash. The first time I skied it I hated it. But then I went back with a guy who skis it regularly and showed me how to ski it to the best advantage and I have been enjoying it more each time I go there.Last winter I had a ball up there!:beer:
 

riverc0il

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Jul 10, 2001
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Ashland, NH
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jay. i first visited the mountain before i was into trees and powder. there really isn't much there for someone who skis mostly groomers and bumps, you really have to love powder and trees to appreciate jay considering how long of a drive it is and how many other places that do groomers and bumps better that you pass along the way. three or four years ago i wouldn't have believed i would eventually be a frequent jay visitor, let alone a pass holder.

that is about it. i usually get a really good initial feel for a mountain and it usually sticks. even with jay, i knew it was tree and powder heaven when i took my first trip to jay, and i knew it wasn't for me at the time. my impression has not changed but the mountain has grown on me as my level improved. gotta wonder if any one else had similar correlations with mountains more well known for advanced terrain?
 

skier90

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Aug 23, 2006
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Watervill valley, went their when i was first learning to ski, got board with thier valley run and went to the intermdet trails on the right side of the mountain....wrong choice. I still dont like the mountain but i can now bear going their. The true summit trails are thre best on the mountain. They really need more intermedit crusers. Over all to narrow for me.
 

stomachdoc

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Sep 17, 2004
Messages
194
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Location
Wayland, MA
You are right about the need for trails to bridge the transition from Valley Run to the more difficult intermediate trails on the North Side at Waterville Valley. They are actually permitted to put in several intermediate trails on the peak above Stillness, but given the flow of Booth Creek $$$ to Loon at this point and the lack of developable on-mountain real estate at WV, it's unlikely we'll see that anytime soon.

Back to the thread; the first time I skied Burke it was bitter cold and I was cursing the slow lifts; subsequent times with nicer weather Burke has certainly grown on me...
 

kingdom-tele

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Mar 23, 2006
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618
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Location
Newport Center, VT
big rock in mars hill maine

we had to move there for two years - it broke my heart to leave the kingdom and i thought i would hate living in northern maine, missing all the powder mornings here- as it turned out the little mountain was great- only 1000 vert but good pitch and ravines and some great back/slack country- great views to katahdin- and black bear watching- its no jay or burke but it made to the time there enjoyable
 
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