Stowe or Mt Ellen on a Saturday?

[Edd]

That's next Saturday the 6th. Which one will have less congested trails? I'm planning to ski Smuggs on Thursday and Friday and then head to one of these.

I'm trying to hit the ones I haven't skied. I've done MRG and Lincoln Peak. I'm going to Smuggs first because it's the most out of the way. If I'm not enjoying it then maybe I'll head to the others a day early.

 

[deadheadskier]

Mt Ellen will be infinitely less crowded than Stowe. Stowe is the better mountain though.

Why not all three? Smuggs Thursday, Stowe Friday, Mt. Ellen Saturday?

 

[Newpylong]

That is HIGHLY debatable that Stowe is the better mountain than Mt. Ellen...

 

[deadheadskier]

That is HIGHLY debatable that Stowe is the better mountain than Mt. Ellen...

Only edge I'll give mt. ellen is with bumps. I happen to feel that Mount Mansfield is the finest piece of skiing real estate in the east. There's a reason why the meatheads film more footage there than anywhere else......

 

[Edd]

All three sounds good, particularly if Mt Ellen is the least crowded. Any recommendations for a lodging place equally distant from Smuggs and Stowe? Comfort Inn level sub-$100?

 

[deadheadskier]

Sunset Motor Inn in Morrisville. 30 minutes to Smuggs, 30 minutes to Stowe.

 

[Edd]

Sunset Motor Inn in Morrisville. 30 minutes to Smuggs, 30 minutes to Stowe.

Thank you sir.

 

[WWF-VT]

Mt Ellen will be easily be less crowded than Stowe and will cost you a lot less

 

[Edd]

I'm making reservations and checking ticket prices. The Liftopia prices at Smuggs are lower than expected, especially this Saturday. It makes me wonder if the crowds there will be light. If they are I'd consider doing:

Thursday: Stowe (best shot at light crowds, about $69)
Friday + Saturday: Smuggs ($45 and $49)
Sunday: Mt Ellen (a little cheaper than Saturday at $58. They aren't on Liftopia. Can't find a discount on this one.)

Anyone have a clue what the crowds at Smuggs will be like this Saturday?

 

[deadheadskier]

Crowds can be brutal at Smuggs on Saturdays, but who knows with it being Superbowl weekend. The good news is you're skiing there on Friday as well. Friday you'll be able to figure out what you like to ski and if you do spend a lot of time in line on Saturday, at least you'll know where you're heading instead of searching around.

 

[Edd]

Crowds can be brutal at Smuggs on Saturdays, but who knows with it being Superbowl weekend. The good news is you're skiing there on Friday as well. Friday you'll be able to figure out what you like to ski and if you do spend a lot of time in line on Saturday, at least you'll know where you're heading instead of searching around.

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured. Any place that markets heavily to families is likely to crowd up on Saturday. I imagine I'll end up at Mt Ellen, maybe for 2 days; might end up at the Golden Lion.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

You're not going to be disappointed at Ellen... the skiing is great, and getting better: http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=71508

 

[thetrailboss]

Stowe is an experience, but not one for a Saturday and not worth the $80 + for one person. Mount Ellen will be much less crowded. I will be there early if you want to take some turns. PM me. Also, if you are in Burlington, pick up a "Lookin Good" Sandwich at City Market and get a 2 for 1 coupon for Mount Ellen. Banner ad on www.wcax.com

A comparison between Stowe and Mount Ellen is apples to oranges. But Mount Ellen skis bigger than you think and has 2,600 vertical, which is fairly close to what Stowe has IIRC.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

A comparison between Stowe and Mount Ellen is apples to oranges. But Mount Ellen skis bigger than you think and has 2,600 vertical, which is fairly close to what Stowe has IIRC.

Stowe only advertises 2,160' vert (see http://www.stowe.com/mountain/). Ellen definitely has more top-to-bottom vert, but the bottom 400' isn't exactly steep. Not flat, though... you can ski comfortably all the way.

Biggest complaint I hear about Mt. Ellen is that it skis "narrow." But if you take a run down Lower FIS, then something in the middle of the mountain, then go over and ski Semi-Tough and look back up at the Summit, you realize that the mountain hardly skis narrow if you ski everything that's available to you.

 

[deadheadskier]

Stowe is an experience, but not one for a Saturday and not worth the $80 + for one person.

I'll give you the $80 argument. I'll definitely admit that Mt. Ellen will be far less crowded.

However, Stowe isn't as bad as people make it out to be on Saturdays. Only day I was there this year was a perfect weather Saturday with nearly 100% of the mountain open.....pre-big soaker, though not a lot of recent snow. Longest I waited for a ride on the Gondola was 5 minutes in the singles line. 10 minutes on the Quad.