Sort of bored with Killington...

[Highway Star]

....didn't do much spring skiing this year or last year. I feel like if conditions aren't optimal, I don't ski much. Did have a number of very good days this year though. I'm considering relocating to Stowe, Sugarbush or Sunday River.

Killington's decision to close early this year (even though it made little difference to my skiing), combined with the lack of improvements for next year isn't helping either.

Hummm....

 

[AdironRider]

Stowe, hands down.

Someday bigger has really bland terrain, and the Bush is not god gift to skiing like people here seem to think. Stowe gets the best snow of all of em, has by leaps and bounds the best terrain, but you do have to pay to play. Not that big of a hit compared to Killington pass prices however.

You will get one hell of a long season with a Boyne pass though, but if your only looking for the goods, Stowe has the best on the right coast.

 

[thorski]

....didn't do much spring skiing this year or last year. I feel like if conditions aren't optimal, I don't ski much. Did have a number of very good days this year though. I'm considering relocating to Stowe, Sugarbush or Sunday River.

Killington's decision to close early this year (even though it made little difference to my skiing), combined with the lack of improvements for next year isn't helping either.

Hummm....

Would there be a big difference in your commute?

 

[Newpylong]

Stowe, hands down.

Someday bigger has really bland terrain, and the Bush is not god gift to skiing like people here seem to think. Stowe gets the best snow of all of em, has by leaps and bounds the best terrain, but you do have to pay to play. Not that big of a hit compared to Killington pass prices however.

You will get one hell of a long season with a Boyne pass though, but if your only looking for the goods, Stowe has the best on the right coast.

Like hell Stowe is god's gift to skiing either. Sugarbush has much better all around terrain and a better (and less crowded) lift system. The only advantage Stowe has is off piste and snowfall. Sugarbush has much more and better on map skiing hands down. If you're looking for a long season with dependable snowmaking Sugarbush also takes the edge. Unless you're looking to hike Mansfield I can't find one reason why I would go there over the Bush.

 

[deadheadskier]

Depends on what you like. Stowe has way better sustained verticle than Sugarbush; it really isn't even close when looking at top to bottom runs. Sugarbush has the better natural on map trails with Castlerock area, Mall, Hammerhead, Tumbler etc. Better bumps too. Certainly less crowds, though I have to say, I was at Stowe on some very crowded weekends this winter and I never once waited more than ten minutes in a singles line at the Quad or Gondi.

I've skied Mansfield 10 to 1 over Sugarbush in my lifetime. As a college student at UVM, they were equidistant from me. The off map offerings at Stowe are so fast, the difference in natural snow quite significant.....it was a no brainer for me to ski Stowe.

IMHO

Stowe = best combination of terrain, decent lift infrastructure and natural snowfall in the east. There's a reason why the meatheads film there more than any where else.....

 

[bobbutts]

....didn't do much spring skiing this year or last year. I feel like if conditions aren't optimal, I don't ski much. Did have a number of very good days this year though. I'm considering relocating to Stowe, Sugarbush or Sunday River.

Killington's decision to close early this year (even though it made little difference to my skiing), combined with the lack of improvements for next year isn't helping either.

Hummm....

Same thing happened to me at about age 25 living in Tahoe. I moved to FL, got married, and had a kid. Came back to NE totally re-motivated just to get out any conditions any crappy hill and enjoy it.
My advice is you should live out west for at least one season while you feel like being a ski bum.

 

[riverc0il]

Like hell Stowe is god's gift to skiing either. Sugarbush has much better all around terrain and a better (and less crowded) lift system. The only advantage Stowe has is off piste and snowfall. Sugarbush has much more and better on map skiing hands down. If you're looking for a long season with dependable snowmaking Sugarbush also takes the edge. Unless you're looking to hike Mansfield I can't find one reason why I would go there over the Bush.

Oh s.... this could get interesting! HA!

Personally, I like Mansfield better. Even if you take away the slack country options of both areas and just compare what is within the boundaries, I just like Stowe as a ski area significantly more than the Bush.

But that is a subjective statement. So is yours. So is AR's. Different strokes for different folks.



Ultimately, all that matters is what Highway Star thinks is the best value for his money and what he wants and enjoys most in a resort that matters most. Unless Highway Star has a similar disposition, preference, and preferences as any of us... our opinions on options other than Killington for Highway Star are pretty much moot.

 

[jerryg]

Someday bigger has really bland terrain.

Really? Sure, SR isn't the best resort in the east, IMO, but really bland terrain is pretty far off. Pretty underrated terrain is more like it. If you know where to go and move away from the center of the mountain, there is some very good terrain on and off the map.

 

[deadheadskier]

I agree completely jerry. great mountain.....just gotta poke around

 

[roark]

nothing shaking on Someday Bigger... just gotta ski with Ga2...

 

[AdironRider]

While I have yet to get the full guided tour at SR, I have been enough (ten times or so) to have a decent idea of what theyre working with. In comparison to Stowe, their terrain is bland. Their tree skiing isnt in the same league, and their on map stuff doesnt compare to the on map stuff at Stowe either. They do kill it in terms of length of season, and probably overall snow quality on groomers if you were to look at the season as a whole.

The Bush just isnt that great as people make it out to be. Castlerock is an awesome area, but overall on and off map the terrain at Stowe is better. Thats just my opinion, of course. If Stowe wasnt the most expensive place on the East coast this wouldnt even be a debate, but like I said before, if youre looking for just the goods, thats where Id head, hands down.

 

[cannonist]

Sunday River?

I am always sad to see all the crap SR gets. Not going to lie, there are some bland parts, but..... OZZZ. If you have hit the OZ bowl on a good day the bumps have have no equal in NH or ME. If you know where to find the goods I would go for sunday river. After that go for Stowe. I also enjoy the glades, flying monkey and celestial in aurora basin. Never skied the bush so I can't say anything about their terrain. The Boyne pass is also a nice pass to have if you have the spare time to get up to the loaf.

 

[Vortex]

I can understand not having enough vertical at the River. Distance to drive would be a concern. Night life. Not anywhere near K, but those of us there laugh at those that say there is no night life. All serviced by a free shuttle so no dui.

I understand other places over the River.

Terrain... Ruby palace with all of OZ, Shockwave, Locke line, tight wire and crossbow, good runs. The gulch, celestial. My favorites are Vortex and Black hole out of Aurora. Some Pitch.

Length of Season is a huge thing to me. Oct to May with the pass. Still have 3 days of lift serviced left this year. The pass costs less than other large resorts.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

HS should spend his time at the resort that best meets up with his preferences. I have no clue what those might be, I don't think anyone really does, especially HS. :lol: There are alot of great resorts in the northeast but to imply that one resort is the best for eveyone is sillytown.

 

[RootDKJ]

Not skiing Kmart (after several years of exclusively skiing Kmart) is pretty nice actually.

 

[jerryg]

nothing shaking on Someday Bigger... just gotta ski with Ga2...

He surely knows his way around. If you can keep up, it would be hard to find a better skiing partner.

 

[Newpylong]

Really? Sure, SR isn't the best resort in the east, IMO, but really bland terrain is pretty far off. Pretty underrated terrain is more like it. If you know where to go and move away from the center of the mountain, there is some very good terrain on and off the map.

definitely not bland at all I think, some of the best (and uninterrupted) cruising terrain in the East. The mountain doesn't market or try to be Jackson Hole.

 

[Smellytele]

Stowe looks big on the map but the far left is useless as is Spruce peak. The main part of the hill is great. The bush has its flaws as well with it taking 1/2 hour to ride between the 2 peaks and the damn Valley House Traverse. But I love both places. Killington I do not...

 

[deadheadskier]

Stowe looks big on the map but the far left is useless as is Spruce peak.

:lol:

All I'm gonna say is 'more for me'

 

[AdironRider]

Seriously, you obviously have never been in there...