Should Mad River Glen install snowmaking?

[RIDEr]

As I accept that I will never snowboard MRG, I respect the mountain for what it is and its tradition... there are plenty of mountains in VT that snowboarders are allowed to enjoy and experience its naturual terrain (Stowe, Jay and even where I haven't been... Burke).

As for the addition to snowmaking recommendation, I agree with the skiers and say absolutely not. MRG is known for their natural tendency's and to install additional guns would make it no more of a standard mountain than any other.

 

[PowderDeprived]

I agree that MRG doesn't need any significant snowmaking, and they shouldn't have it where they don't need it. But I think they could expand it to cover more of the "high traffic base areas" and currently they have 1 or 2 guns, and adding a third wouldn't turn it into K-Mart with their thousands.

Just having snowmaking on the lower quarter of 1 trail, could help MRG make it well into the spring, because they rely on things beeing top to bottom.

I don't know the exact details of thir current system, but it seems to be perfect for what they use it for. I think they also have pipes going up the practice slope so they can cover that, I don't know for sure, I just know they advertise they make snow on it.

Here are the 2 snowmaking possibilities I would support.

1. Extend the reach of the current system a few hundred feet up the hill.

2. Run a few burried water and electrical lines to stratigic mid/lower mountain locations and then have 1 airlless snowcannon that can be moved arround to make piles of snow for the groomers to push arround.

The first one, is probably the simpilist, and would have the least impact. The second would probably be to big.

Installing a wide spread system or upper mountain snowmaking would be a disgrace. However I think MRG could just extend the reach of their current system just enough to insure decent top to bottom coverage. Possibly just up the bottom 3/4 of "bunny".
Just to help the late season coverage.

Though I do have to say that I don't support installing snowmaking anywhere else then where it is absolutely needed, and arguably one could say it might be needed a little further up then where it is. But Snowmaking anywhere above the 500 foot vert mark above the base would be a mortal sin.

As far as snowboarding, I think the co-ops stance is a little extreme but they haven't banned snowboarders just snowboards themselves. Snowboarder's can hike, or enjoy mad river on a pair of boards.

I can't wait to have a little fun on Paridise and Lower Antilope next season, with all natural snow!!!!!

 

[kcyanks1]

I can see your point about putting a little more snowmaking on Bunny, but I disagree that MRG is very dependent on top-to-bottom skiing. They have a near-perfect arrangement with the mid-station on the single chair, as it allows for easy access to upper mountain only terrain with downloading to get back to the base. It requires leaving some empty chairs at the bottom, but I'd suspect when the conditions get that thin, the lines won't be long enough that skipping some chairs at the base will be too much of an issue.

 

[riverc0il]

Just having snowmaking on the lower quarter of 1 trail, could help MRG make it well into the spring, because they rely on things beeing top to bottom.

they already do make it to spring. april 1st, in this bad snow year. high traffic areas? the highest traffic areas on the mountain don't receive snow making, i wouldn't call the few groomed trails at mrg high traffic areas. it is completely un-nessicary. what extra income would all that money invested in pipe and electricity and snow making equipment gain MRG? nothing. how many more people would show up? none. how much longer would they bother keeping the mountain open? not a day.

also, the top to bottom arguement is moot. they closed this year on april 1st with beautiful conditions above the mid-station. they didn't use it for upload/download and i doubt they would. mrg is very much a top to bottom mountain, no need for upload/download. open the whole thing or not at all and mrg skiers are fine with that.

 

[deadheadskier]

I say no and yes

No because au natural' is what MRG is all about - its old school skiing the way things were decades ago. Even on days where the mountain hasn't seen snow in weeks, the sense of adventure skiing there is like no other in the East and I would hate to go skiing there someday and find the experience like any other McSkiarea in the East.

Yes if current global warming trends continue and its necessary for the resort to remain open, be a source of employment for the valley and provide access (even if it will be somewhat distorted from the true representation the mountain strives for) to some of the most badass terrain on the East Coast.

 

[JimG.]

NO!

And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Phildozer]

They used to. Back when Vermonters were as open-minded as they believe themselves to be.
[flame suit on]

Zing!

 

[Phildozer]

But should they allow snowboarding?

No.

 

[thetrailboss]

They used to. Back when Vermonters were as open-minded as they believe themselves to be.
[flame suit on]

We're not going there again.

:roll:

 

[AdironRider]

I think itd be cool if they had like 1 or 2 days a year that allow snowboarding, just a tease and you skiers can just stay away that day.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

I think itd be cool if they had like 1 or 2 days a year that allow snowboarding, just a tease and you skiers can just stay away that day.

Is it just me, or do visions of the Bushwood Country Club Caddy Day scene from Caddyshack start dancing through your head when you read this.

 

[kcyanks1]

I think itd be cool if they had like 1 or 2 days a year that allow snowboarding, just a tease and you skiers can just stay away that day.

In a prior year's Challenge, Eric (MRG Marketing director) said that he suggested doing that (maybe even on April 1!) and the shareholders (board?) were (was) very much against it.

 

[PowderDeprived]

Look Snowboarders can enjoy MRG just on a pair of freaking skis.