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Ragged reviews?

barristan2

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Oct 14, 2006
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Anyone ever been to Ragged Mt? Dumb question of course. I have never been and was wondering what it was like.
How does it compare to Sunapee? Sunapee is my favorite place as long as I can find cheap tickets.
Thanks
 

hammer

Active member
Joined
Apr 28, 2004
Messages
5,493
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Location
flatlands of Mass.
Only been there twice...nice place, decent trail variety, but it is best to go there when there is a good amount of natural snow (i.e., not right now). Drive can be a bit longer because you have to go off of the interstates a bit.

If the weather's not cooperative, Sunapee has the snowmaking capability and would be a much better place to go. In better weather, Ragged is a nice alternative because it's much less crowded.
 

riverc0il

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Jul 10, 2001
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Location
Ashland, NH
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www.thesnowway.com
i enjoyed ragged when i went there. really nice mountain, they do what they do really well and have some nice low angle natural snow and glade trails. when i lived in MA, it would definitely tops on my list if a northeastern slammed into new england but the major mountain ranges didn't get hit.
 

thebigo

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Joined
May 15, 2005
Messages
2,006
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Location
NH seacoast
Ragged is a hidden gem.

Few things I like about the place:

-never any crowds
-all the trails ski differently, for a small area there is a good variety of terrain
-generally the place skis larger than its vertical

Few weaknesses:

-more difficult to get to than it would seem
-price has risen in recent years, still a decent value but used to be a great value
-snowmaking is lacking


Overall it is a great place to go to on a weekend when there is natural snowfall. Price is reasonable, the mountain holds snow and you will not find a crowd. However in the lean times we are currently suffering through sunapee or the other big boys would be a better option.
 

Zand

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Joined
Dec 30, 2003
Messages
4,421
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Location
Spencer, MA
I've been wanting to go there for a couple years now. However, their snowmaking capacity is pretty bad and there hasn't been much natural, so I keep having to put it off unfortunately. Hopefully we can get some good snow sometime this winter and I can get there. They only have one trail open right now. o_O
 

hiroto

Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
514
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16
Location
Newton, MA
I've been there several times and always enjoyed it. The runs I like are:

  • Glades (as a name of a trail) - Gentle and wide open natural snow trail with modest bumps. Good practice run for novice bump skier.
  • Upper/Lower Exhibition - Top to buttom along the 6 pack. Cruse it down fast in one shot and it is quite a buzz.
  • Joe's Ravine, Devil's Den - Glades off the slow triple chair. Slow to get up there comparing to the fast 6 pack but lots of fun when they are open.

I've been there only after a good amount of snow, and as others have mentioned, they don't have much of snow making capacity.
 

billski

Active member
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
16,207
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Location
North Reading, Mass.
Website
ski.iabsi.com
many times

I skied there many times when my kids were growing/learning in the 90s (ages 5 to 11). Here's the pros.cons from a parent's perspective:
pros:
- a "mid level mountain" as I call them. Medium challenge. Good for my progressing learning kids. No need to pay for terrain you won't use.
- private lessons are cheap(er) than big mts with the same quality instruction.
- no worry about it being crowded. Good for learners who still freak when they see anothe r skier.
- no worry about weekend skiing - can always count on an uncrowded experience - slopes, rental, lifts, lodge. Come and go as you please. "dad, I'm cold, hungry, gtg bathroom....)
- really pretty, scenic
- the "new" barn part of the lodge was a much-needed addition.
- discount tix can be had in advance from ski shops.

cons:
- kinda out of the way. takes as long to get to from metro boston as it does to get to wv or loon, for example.
- damn lower parking lot - you have to hoof up a somewhat significant h ill to get to the lodge. Not so bad if your're singe, but if you're with your kids... "daaaaad, carry my boots, poles, bag...ooops, I dropped my hat, gloves, chapstick....) Get there early and park in the upper, if your kids allow.
 
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