SKI Magazine Top 10 Eastern Resorts 2011-2012

[UVSHTSTRM]

I have skied stowe one weekend 2 days saturday sunday last febuary and i liked it but the Vibe just wasnt for me.... to many people for my liking. Im a mainer i like less crowds so i can pick and choose where i want to go. Maybe thats why i like sugarloaf and saddleback so much... less people more powder

Seriously, just stop it.

 

[Smellytele]

No we actually own it (the U.S. taxpayer).

AIG owned Stowe for years. They still do but it was spun off to a different derivative of the company.

It was a rhetorical question.

 

[gmcunni]

I do not like Mont Tremblant. The problem I have with Tremblant is that the village is extremely fake. The terrain is crap and it's extremely icy most of the time.

As well, it's pretty expensive to comparable areas around Montreal.

where do you like in that area? working on a trip up that way this winter and looking for options/opinions.

 

[gmcunni]

Then go to Whiteface instead if options allow. Non-skiing spouses flock there like flys on ....

this has come up as an option a few times over the years.. but this season we picked canada as our "destination" vacation. probably our last year for a "family ski vacation" as son goes off to college following year.

 

[Mr MRG]

Interesting thinsg I saw is that Mad River Glen actually won more categories than any other ski area including; Overall Experiences, Terrain-Challenge, Terrain-Variety, Character and Skier's Mountain. My question is how does an area win more individual catgories yet doesn't crack the top 10 overall - kind of makes you wonder!

 

[WWF-VT]

Interesting thinsg I saw is that Mad River Glen actually won more categories than any other ski area including; Overall Experiences, Terrain-Challenge, Terrain-Variety, Character and Skier's Mountain. My question is how does an area win more individual catgories yet doesn't crack the top 10 overall - kind of makes you wonder!

You need to score higher in the most important categories for serious skiers - Lodging, Digital Presence, On Mountain Food, Off Hill Activities, Access, Grooming. Once MRG builds a faux village I'm sure you'll rocket to the top of the rankings !

 

[Smellytele]

Interesting thinsg I saw is that Mad River Glen actually won more categories than any other ski area including; Overall Experiences, Terrain-Challenge, Terrain-Variety, Character and Skier's Mountain. My question is how does an area win more individual catgories yet doesn't crack the top 10 overall - kind of makes you wonder!

Categories are weighted differently? They should have a ski area poll not a resort poll.

 

[skiersleft]

this has come up as an option a few times over the years.. but this season we picked canada as our "destination" vacation. probably our last year for a "family ski vacation" as son goes off to college following year.

I love Whiteface and Lake Placid, but Tremblant is better from a family perspective. The convenience of the ski in ski out village for families is unbeatable. Lake Placid is a 15 min drive from Lake Placid. If spouse or kids get tiered of skiing by mid day someone loses out. Other spouse has to stop skiing to drive back to Lake Placid or kids and other spouse get bored to death waiting in the lodge.

Also, though Whiteface's terrain is more challenging, Tremblant is much, much bigger. You can get bored in Whiteface because all runs funnel back to the same pod, whereas Tremblant has different mountain faces with different lodges. They also have much tree skiing and a great lift system. Skiing is not bad. So, all in all, Tremblant is IMO better for a romantic ski getaway than Whiteface unless all you want to do is ski steeps.

 

[tt431]

Interesting thinsg I saw is that Mad River Glen actually won more categories than any other ski area including; Overall Experiences, Terrain-Challenge, Terrain-Variety, Character and Skier's Mountain. My question is how does an area win more individual catgories yet doesn't crack the top 10 overall - kind of makes you wonder!

Only snowboarders voted.:lol:

 

[Cannonball]

Only snowboarders voted.:lol:

....actually.....I did score MRG way low on the current AZ poll because of the snowboard thing. I used to ski there a lot. But now with usually at least one snowboarder in my group I haven't been to MRG in about 20 years.

 

[x10003q]

this has come up as an option a few times over the years.. but this season we picked canada as our "destination" vacation. probably our last year for a "family ski vacation" as son goes off to college following year.

Quebec City is a good spot. There are 2 huge ski areas (Mt St Anne 30 min, Le Massif 45 min) and 2-3 slightly smaller places. Quebec City is a great place to visit and the food is awesome. Here is a recent review of the area from the Harvey Road NY Ski Blog:
HarveyRd Quebec City Visit

I was there a few years ago with my wife and we had a great time. We stayed in Quebec City at the Hotel Frontenac (the place that looks like a castle).

 

[gmcunni]

Quebec City is a good spot. There are 2 huge ski areas (Mt St Anne 30 min, Le Massif 45 min) and 2-3 slightly smaller places. Quebec City is a great place to visit and the food is awesome. Here is a recent review of the area from the Harvey Road NY Ski Blog:
HarveyRd Quebec City Visit

I was there a few years ago with my wife and we had a great time. We stayed in Quebec City at the Hotel Frontenac (the place that looks like a castle).

QC keeps getting great reviews like yours. i'm practically sold on it as where we'll sleep, just trying to figure out where to ski and how to get there (if i leave wife @ QC).

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Interesting thinsg I saw is that Mad River Glen actually won more categories than any other ski area including; Overall Experiences, Terrain-Challenge, Terrain-Variety, Character and Skier's Mountain. My question is how does an area win more individual catgories yet doesn't crack the top 10 overall - kind of makes you wonder!

You forgot about the biggest category, "Ad Space w/in Ski Mag".

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

I think the Ski Magazine polls have run there course. To prove what a joke they are you need to look Sugarloaf going from what 2nd or 3rd last year to nowhere to be found? I think this has happened to Killington, etc in the past. Plus I think it would be safe to say, a large portion of the readership of ski mags are the same who like to adourn their coffee tables at their slopeside condos at places like Stratton, SR, Okemo, etc.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

I think the Ski Magazine polls have run there course. To prove what a joke they are you need to look Sugarloaf going from what 2nd or 3rd last year to nowhere to be found? I think this has happened to Killington, etc in the past. Plus I think it would be safe to say, a large portion of the readership of ski mags are the same who like to adourn their coffee tables at their slopeside condos at places like Stratton, SR, Okemo, etc.

You're right. The fact that Okemo is top five blew away any legitimacy this one might have had. Okemo? REALLY??

 

[drjeff]

You're right. The fact that Okemo is top five blew away any legitimacy this one might have had. Okemo? REALLY??

Given that its a reader based poll, and that a majority of its readers tend to prefer plenty of groomed, intermediate and advanced terrain with some occasional tree/bump experiences, a good ski school and plenty of off hill ammenities/activities to do does tend to make this a valid survey of Ski's reader base.

Just like with any article that presents some data, you need to look at how the data was collected to figure out its relevance (or lack there of) for one's self

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

I think that can be explained by there distance from New York and Boston. Was this a reader survey? Not many SKI readers are willing to drive all the way to those great places. btw . . . 2 "best" mountains? Ever take an intermediate to Jay? I do not think you can be the best when you only cater to a portion of the skiing public (experts).

So did the mountains suddenly become too far away? If this was the case they never would make it on the list. I know for SL they generally are in the top 5 of such lists.

 

[deadheadskier]

You're right. The fact that Okemo is top five blew away any legitimacy this one might have had. Okemo? REALLY??

I'd be surprised if Okemo wasn't in the top 5 to tell you the truth. It's as good as it gets in the east for beginners and intermediate skiers. It's convenient to get to. Ludlow is one of the better mountain villages in the East.

Is it in my top 5? No, but only because of lack of challenge and natural snowfall. Other than that, great lifts, excellent commitment to snowmaking, great town. It is without question one of the best run areas in the Northeast. There's a reason it draws 600K plus people there every season.

 

[AdironRider]

I think the Ski Magazine polls have run there course. To prove what a joke they are you need to look Sugarloaf going from what 2nd or 3rd last year to nowhere to be found? I think this has happened to Killington, etc in the past. Plus I think it would be safe to say, a large portion of the readership of ski mags are the same who like to adourn their coffee tables at their slopeside condos at places like Stratton, SR, Okemo, etc.

SUGARLOAF HAD A LIFT COLLAPSE WHILE FILLED WITH GUESTS!

Jesus christ people, take the jaded goggles off and think of the facts. Sugarloaf cannot honestly be ranked as one of the best ski resorts if critical lift infastructure is failing with paying customers on it. Period, end of story.

And Okemo straight kills it for 75% of the skiing population. Good amenities, easy access to large population bases, fun for the whole family, blah blah blah. You cant expect a niche market hill like MRG to be number one when it caters to a minority group of expert/extreme skiers, not to mention any family with a boarder is prejudiced against and isnt allowed to go. That shit is getting old to lots of customers in the ski industry.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

Just like with any article that presents some data, you need to look at how the data was collected to figure out its relevance (or lack there of) for one's self

No crap. So FOR ME this BS top 10 lost all legitimacy.