Southern VT thoughts

[Gurus]

As Winter winds down here in Central PA, my riding bug has not. My bigger trips out of the way, I am thinking of taking my 17 yo daughter on a mini trip. It started as an overnighter to Windham NY, but in 2 more hours, I can be in Southern VT. Now, before I get flamed for Southern VT, please understand that time is of the essence and this trip is about her and not me. If it were me, I would be driving the extra distance to Jay or Stowe. That said, she is a 3-4 times a year skiier and simply put, is at her best on wider, groomed runs. This trip needs to be all about her needs and wants, not mine.

That said, my options appear to be Stratton, Snow, Bromley and maybe Okemo. The trip is three weeks out, so not taking conditions into account, can you guys and gals make a recommendation? Even though she is a teenage girl, shopping is not a big deal. Will be using hotel points so on-site lodging is also not an issue. I am looking for long runs on fun trails with minimal lines (skiing thursday and friday, so lines shouldn't be an issue).

Any and all help would be appreciated - Thanks!

 

[mriceyman]

Just was at okemo and they have some long groomer runs that intermediates will like.

 

[xwhaler]

My vote would be Bromley on Thursday and Magic on Friday...Magic has some great cruiser trails and there will not be any lines.

 

[gmcunni]

i'd vote for drive to and stay in Ludlow. Ski Okemo and on the last morning pack up and drive south to Statton for the day and head home from there.

 

[Bacon]

My vote would be Bromley on Thursday and Magic on Friday...Magic has some great cruiser trails and there will not be any lines.

+1....Bromley is excellent this time of year.....

 

[x10003q]

You should also take a look at Gore Mtn in NY. It is easier to get to than S VT and has loads of cruisers.

 

[steamboat1]

If you were able to stretch your vacation out to 3 days you could purchase a 3 day pass at either Stratton, Okemo, or Mt. Sunapee & ski 2 days at the mountain where you bought the pass & another day at either of the other areas.

 

[Glenn]

If you hit Bromlyey on a sunny spring day, it'll be pretty asesome


Also, i dont think anyone here will falme you for skiing SoVT.

 

[St. Bear]

Also, i dont think anyone here will falme you for skiing SoVT.

At least not since GSS was banned.

 

[ScottySkis]

mount snow is lot of crusing and chair lift with a heated bubble, I had good time there 2 weeks ago.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I skied Okemo in February and it was a grat intermediate mountain. My wife who is an upper intermediate, lower advanced skier loved the place. I have to admit it wasn't all that bad either, as opposed to what I get to ski in PA. It certainly wasn't challenging, but it was a fun mountain.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

I just finished day 3 at Bromley and I will just say it's been an awesome 3 days, conditions are mid-winter, 30 degrees and bluebird today. Too bad I'm leaving tomorrow. Obviously I would say go to Bromley, the East side has some legit steeps and a few trails are bumped up if you are into that, and plenty of great blue cruisers too. The mountain is 100% open.

I intend to post a TR with pics tomorrow or Thursday but don't hold me to it.

 

[Smellytele]

Was at Stratton, Bromley and magic last week. Can't say I saw much sun (except Friday afternoon at Magic) but plenty of snow at all 3. I was impressed with all 3 all for different reasons. Stratton before the snow was in great shape and had many a great glade run. Bromley was pounded with snow and skied great. Had some good tree runs. Yes we were spoiled by a lot of fresh. Magic had great steeps, bumps, trees and my favorite natural obstacles.

 

[Angus]

would NOT consider Magic for your daughter but can't go wrong with Snow, Stratton, Bromley or Okemo. Bromley is not a 2 consecutive day mountain IMO. I think all four have made a ton of snow this year but again given extended warmup, I think Bromley will have least amount of terrain open.

 

[LonghornSkier]

I'm still not sure why everyone recommends Magic in these types of threads... If your looking for intermediate terrain, your going to be bored out of your mind at Magic after 2 hours. Seriously, Bromley or Stratton are both MUCH better options. It's cool if you think Magic is a great place and want to save it, but please don't give people dishonest recommendations.

 

[steamboat1]

Were I learned to ski.

 

[riverc0il]

I'm still not sure why everyone recommends Magic in these types of threads... If your looking for intermediate terrain, your going to be bored out of your mind at Magic after 2 hours. Seriously, Bromley or Stratton are both MUCH better options. It's cool if you think Magic is a great place and want to save it, but please don't give people dishonest recommendations.

I would recommend Magic for intermediate cruising if they are fully open and have good legit packed powder snow. Magic actually has a lot of really nice intermediate runs. However, in a low snow year most of those intermediate trails are still natural only and the Snow Report shows only half of the trails were groomed. I think Okemo, Stratton, or Bromley would be better options. Bromley is a very friendly mountain and will likely be the least crowded of the three.

 

[Smellytele]

I agree Bromley would be best and closest to you as well

 

[hammer]

I would recommend Magic for intermediate cruising if they are fully open and have good legit packed powder snow. Magic actually has a lot of really nice intermediate runs. However, in a low snow year most of those intermediate trails are still natural only and the Snow Report shows only half of the trails were groomed. I think Okemo, Stratton, or Bromley would be better options. Bromley is a very friendly mountain and will likely be the least crowded of the three.

Thing that's nice about the intermediate runs at Magic is that they don't all ski the same. I spent most of my day on Friday on the east side and there was plenty to do. You can't crank out the runs like you could at other places with high speed lifts but it's still a lot of fun.

Depends on what you are looking for.

 

[drjeff]

would NOT consider Magic for your daughter but can't go wrong with Snow, Stratton, Bromley or Okemo. Bromley is not a 2 consecutive day mountain IMO. I think all four have made a ton of snow this year but again given extended warmup, I think Bromley will have least amount of terrain open.

Totally agree! Far too many people when answering don't consider what the perspective of the person asking the question is, and as such will answer the question based on their OWN perspective. Magic is great for a wide niche of skier types when the snow is good for sure. I'm not quite sure though that an intermediate level, few times a year, late teenage female is one of Magic's stronger niche's though.

Okemo, Stratton, or Mount Snow in no particular order would more than likely be a much better, and dependable match. More trails, more reliable snow, etc. Bromley would be a hit or miss IMHO based on the weather. If it's warm, then Bromley's Southern exposure would more than likely have the snow getting thicker and soupier quicker than at Okemo, Stratton or Mount Snow, thus making it more difficult and tiring for her to be on the hill longer, and that is something to be considered too for that demographic.

Additionally when a parent is looking for advice for where to ski with their kid(s), the main focus more often than not, will end up being where the kid(s) will be happiest, not necessarily where the parent will be happiest. This is a concept that I never really used to get, then the kid perspective changed that quickly