Mountains that "ski bigger" than they look...

[Greg]

Let's use this thread to discuss some ski areas that "ski bigger" or feel more spread out when skiing them than they look from the parking lot. Berkshire East is far more expansive than it looks from the lot or Route 8A:



I think Magic is similar in that you can't see much of it from the lot, besides the liftlines, but there are a lot of cool little areas spread throughout it. What other places have you skied that are like this?

 

[JimG.]

Dartmouth Skiway. Haven't been there since I graduated in 1980, but it was one of the main reasons I picked Dartmouth. It doesn't look like much, but the mountain skis much bigger than it looks and there are alot of hidden stashes spread out all over.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Hunter - when u pull into the parking lot u can't see the good stuff.

West - The Canyons - u need to take the base gondi up and when you clear the first ridge the whole place opens up everywhere you look. There use to be a sign on the lift tower there that just said WOW.

BTW - Whiteface has the best curb appeal in the east, it is hugh as it comes into view (well right there with Sugarloaf). Even CPR27 would have to admit that's true.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

No doubt in my mind, MRG comes first on this list for me. For one thing, when you're at the base, you can't really see the top, so it's hard to tell how large it is. Second, if you're looking at the official trail map or just the trails from far away, you are really only seeing about 1/3 of the actual terrain, probably less if you include all the variations within the 20th Hole. Finally, and most importantly, it skies bigger than it looks specifically b/c of the shape of the trails and the nature of the terrain. You won't find perfectly manicured boulevards where you screma down at Mach 3 and are at the lift in 2 minutes (though that certainly has its place sometimes). Rather, a typical run involves 15-20 turns and then a stop. Which band or arm of the trail should you head to next? How long do I need to rest before I catch my breath after what I just did. Do it again, stop to take in a gourgeous view. Where to now? Wash, rinse, repeat. Prior to an epic Monday two winters ago, my previous record for runs at MRG had been 7 (it's now a whopping 10). Truth be told, I've never been so tired as when I came off the hill on those days. That mountain skis bigger and tougher than you can imagine.

 

[riverc0il]

mrg definitely skis bigger an tougher than you could imagine, but i think mrg "looks" big. if i am interpreting the topic correctly, greg is going for ski areas that look small on paper or when you initially approach them. mrg on paper is 2k+ with lots of individual trails that are unique and follow the mountain's curves. to me, mrg was big on paper. also, when i first approached the mountain, i couldn't see many trials because they are rather narrow. knowing what the trail map looked like, that made the mountain seem even bigger to me since everything was so hidden. that may just be a difference of perception though.

black mountain skis bigger than it would look. top to bottom off every run and there are a lot of options. lots of fun narrow runs and a few interesting steeps and tree shots. i always look at black as magic's little kid brother (much better looking, managed, and run though). it skis bigger than it's "small mountain feel."

magic is a mountain who's vertical and trail count isn't staggering but skis pretty big considering those numbers. again, the top to bottom lift is a big contributor to the area skiing bigger than would indicate on the map or on approach.

it is hard thinking of areas that ski bigger than they look. it is a lot easier bringing to mind areas that ski smaller than they look. i will hold my comments on that subject to not hyjack this thread.

 

[deadheadskier]

Its not in New England, but Seven Springs in PA skis bigger than it looks. The backside offers some pretty decent 2/3 mile cruisers.

When I first went to ski there, I looked up at the hill and figured I'd be bored out of my mind, but I actually enjoyed myself for the day.

Killer apres ski afterwards. The lodge there is something to behold and it seems like the primary reason anyone goes there is to party.

 

[andyzee]

Plattekill

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

In the East, I'd go with MRG.

In the West, Taos. You drive up the valley and you can't see anything. From the base, you're staring at two slopes, and you can only see the bottom pitch.

It gets a little different higher up.

 

[thetrailboss]

Pats Peak is one...it spreads out and around out back...the vert is also quite steep in places.

Also when folks see Burke's map, they think it's small, but when you're climbing up the access road and straining your neck to see up, you really see how tall it is.

I also drove by Pico the other day and man, that mountain is huge as well

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

In the East, I'd go with MRG.

In the West, Taos. You drive up the valley and you can't see anything. From the base, you're staring at two slopes, and you can only see the bottom pitch.

It gets a little different higher up.

Sled, that looks nice. I've never been to Toas. I've heard sometimes they suffer from lack of snow and the good stuff is often closed. Looks like you hit it pretty good.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Pats Peak is one...it spreads out and around out back...the vert is also quite steep in places.

Also when folks see Burke's map, they think it's small, but when you're climbing up the access road and straining your neck to see up, you really see how tall it is.

I also drove by Pico the other day and man, that mountain is huge as well

Well, Boss I'll tell ya, by Eastern standards:

Pico - Summit Elevation - 3,967
Vert. - 1, 967 - pretty darn good

Burke - Summit Elevation - 3,267
Vert. - 2,000 - very nice

Whiteface - Summit Elevation - 4,867
Vert. - 3,430 - now that's hugh

 

[takeahike46er]

Looks small, skis big.

Gore Mountain is a great example of a mountain that doesn't look like much from the parking lot but offers a lot of skiing. The straightbrook area, the north side and topridge are all hidden from the base leaving only the lower mountain in view.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

In the East, I'd go with MRG.

In the West, Taos. You drive up the valley and you can't see anything. From the base, you're staring at two slopes, and you can only see the bottom pitch.

It gets a little different higher up.

Sled, that looks nice. I've never been to Toas. I've heard sometimes they suffer from lack of snow and the good stuff is often closed. Looks like you hit it pretty good.

Actually, that was a poor snow year. Katchina peak was closed and the Chutes off the ridge were bulletproof. We had a couple good days, and with the help of the help of the very friendly patrol, we found some good stashs. One of the lower ridges had some great pow (Loreli/Loreli Trees) and other sections were bare). This is the view looking down from the Highline Ridge (Down Jaurez, I think) and the 7A "Seventh Heven" Chair (a center pole Stadli w/o safety bars).

It can be hit or miss with snow, but it's a great place with a lot of soul (and Green Chile Cheeseburgers.)

 

[loafer89]

I think that Berkshire East looks even steeper in the summertime. This picture was taken on August 13th after kayaking on the Deerfiels River.

 

[awf170]

just looked at the Beasts website for the first time today, HS double??? whats with that, sounds like a cool idea but i bet it stops like everyone 30 seconds because of some stupid gaper.
Also it says the beast is one of the hardest trails in the east, looks pretty tight and cool, but one of the hardest in the east :blink:
http://www.berkshireeast.com/trails1.html

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

As far as "skied bigger than I might have guessed from the parking lot" I feel Gore & MRG surprised me more than any other mountains in the East...

 

[thetrailboss]

just looked at the Beasts website for the first time today, HS double??? whats with that, sounds like a cool idea but i bet it stops like everyone 30 seconds because of some stupid gaper.

http://www.berkshireeast.com/trails1.html

:lol: Yeah, high speed double...gotta love it...kind of like Burke's 'high speed POMA lift' that is advertised on their website.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I know this sounds cheesy, but mountain creek in NJ ski's much bigger than it looks. If you pull into the main parking lot, you have no clue what the other mountains at MC have to offer. They have some green trail called sojorner (or something like that) that goes from the middle peak to the former great gorge (bear mountain maybe?) peak that is long long long .... the lift takes an hour and a day as well.

 

[Greg]

With 1,600 feet of vertical, Hunter certainly skis bigger than the vert would imply, but it certainly looks impressive as you head up 23A and enter the lot.

 

[dmc]

Fernie looked pretty damn small when I went there first.. I was nervous...

You can't see half the terrain from the base...