I agree, and I really loved riding the lift with all of its terrain hugging ups and downs. I don't know of any other old Hall double that covers 2k of vertical. I just hate waiting in long lines, not my cup of tea.
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SKI Magazine 2014 Best Ski areas in the East
- Thread starter deadheadskier
- Start date
I agree, and I really loved riding the lift with all of its terrain hugging ups and downs. I don't know of any other old Hall double that covers 2k of vertical. I just hate waiting in long lines, not my cup of tea.
drjeff
Well-known member
More likely the folks at Ski who compiled the article have never been to Mount Snow and didn't do much more than just grab one of the stock press photos off of the Mount Snow website (they have about 100 of various vintages and photo topics/subjects from snowmaking to lifts to ski school to golf course to apres ski) and never consulted anyone from Mount Snow.
That picture was actually taken in the '10-'11 season by then marketing department head (now GM at Mad River Mountain in Ohio, Greg Fisher) who went through about a week long phase where a bunch of the pics he shot were "snow level" of fresh corduroy.
A pic of the Bluebird would of been way more appropriate IMHO, but then again the majority of the folks at Ski aren't exactly who I would call credible ski related writers as much as they're "lifestyle" writers
steamboat1
New member
Pico has two HSQ's, 1967' vertical.
Don't see that mountain getting scraped off.
Probably came in 49th place.
Don't see that mountain getting scraped off.
Probably came in 49th place.
let's keep it that way. That's what makes Pico; Pico, and why it's so great.
SAY NO TO THE INTERCONNECT!!
MadMadWorld
Active member
Comparing the terrain at Pico and Smuggs is silly. Almost all of Pico's terrain is groomable so if things get scraped off no big deal. Most of the expert terrain off of Madonna is ungroomable.
Boy I don't know about that. I never saw them groom Upper Giant Killer or Sidewinder and some of the trails in the Outpost area. They do groom Upper KA, Sunset '71, and some of the Summit Glades.
I agree with you on Smuggs though...some of their terrain is pretty gnarly.
So as for the poll, very interesting. Saddleback beats Stratton, Sugarbush beats Killington, Sugarloaf is #2, Jay at #3. As to Smuggs: they have old infrastructure but damn good customer service and programs. I think we see what folks really preferred here.
And with the change of regime at SKI/SKIING, I hope that the content does improve.....
steamboat1
New member
Wasn't comparing terrain, comparing uphill capacity. Pico does very little grooming on the upper mountain. Yes they groom 49'er & the lower part of upper Pike regularly but the rest see's very little grooming if any. The terrain seems to hold up even with the extra uphill capacity.
Their lift ticket prices are the same or lower than Smuggs.
snowmonster
New member
I understand your point but, by this logic, I should not be surprised if Buck Hill, MN ends up in the Top 10 of the western resorts ranking. I think I only saw MRG on this list once.
MadPadraic
Active member
Based on my only trip there, I'd put Smuggs somewhere in 10-20, but not top 10. Long lift lines, inability to cope with a thaw/freeze or dry spell, poor accessibility (i.e. drive time from Boston or other cities), and mediocre dinner choices all count against it for me.
I'd expect Wildcat to be higher, and wonder how Bretton Woods is ranked higher than Stratton, Okemo, and Loon (within their collective table).
I'd expect Wildcat to be higher, and wonder how Bretton Woods is ranked higher than Stratton, Okemo, and Loon (within their collective table).
Pure popularity contest. This poll, IIRC, is based on reader feedback and polling. Holiday Valley has a lot of skiers and riders and I think that they, like other resorts, really *encourage* their loyal guests to rank them in this poll. So I think that the ranking reflects that and the fact that they draw from a large (flat) region with not much competition. I'd be more surprised if it did not make it. It's been in the ranking every since I can remember.
As to other flukes, I think that it reflects that more ballots came in for one as opposed to the other. E.g. Stratton vs. Bretton Woods.
MadMadWorld
Active member
I think UGK makes my point. The trail is rarely open and when it is open it tends to get skied off very quickly. Pico also has a limited operation which also helps with preserving snow pack.
There actually is snowmaking on UGK but I think that ASC did not maintain it at all and the pipes are in pretty bad shape. That is different from a lot of the expert terrain at Smuggs which has no snowmaking.
steamboat1
New member
I think Morse makes my point. Why don't they at least have a HSQ on Morse?
Answer: there is zero investment in on mountain infrastructure.
Answer: there is zero investment in on mountain infrastructure.
MadMadWorld
Active member
I don't think Morse would warrant that. They have plenty of lifts to service that area it seems. I would rather put a quad on Sterling. But there is definitely some truth to your statement. Increasing uphill capacity even on Sterling would ease a lot of the congestion even on Madonna.
snowmonster
New member
Having skied a lot of Quebec last season, I think Le Massif de Charlevoix, Mont Saint Anne, Orford and Sutton deserve some consideration. I know that SKI's readership is mostly from south of the 45th parallel but that doesn't seem to stop Tremblant from ranking. In particular, given the kind of skiing, food and service at Le Massif, it could only be a matter of time.
fbrissette
Well-known member
I would pick 'Le Massif' over Tremblant any day, not even close. If you like shopping, I suggest Tremblant.
I think the issue is cost...not just of installation, but operation. A HSQ costs significantly more than a fixed grip to operate and maintain. Smuggs has been able to get around it through their customer service and programs.
steamboat1
New member
Unless you are a kid there is nothing special about customer service at Smuggs. If watching a clown do tricks in the cafeteria at lunch time is your thing then you might not agree.
steamboat1
New member
I agree with the posts about eastern Canada. Lots of great skiing up there. Quebec City has lots of shopping. There's even a huge mall up there with an indoor ice skating rink & amusement park. That should keep the shoppers happy to.
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