Stowe/Smuggs vs. Sugarbush/MRG

[Greg]

I like to consider the MRV a single destination to ski. End to end, Sugarbush and MRG are within 6 linear miles. Stowe and Smuggler's Notch are within 5 linear miles, end to end. I've never skied the Stowe area, but I'd like to see some comparisons. Which area do you prefer? Why do you like one over the other? Are they equivalent?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I like to consider the MRV a single destination to ski. End to end, Sugarbush and MRG are within 6 linear miles. Stowe and Smuggler's Notch are within 5 linear miles, end to end. I've never skied the Stowe area, but I'd like to see some comparisons. Which area do you prefer? Why do you like one over the other? Are they equivalent?

Gee, what gave you the idea for this thread?

Stowe and Smuggs are 5 miles apart, but you can't drive through the Notch in the winter. You have to drive around through Morrisville and it takes about 45 minutes.

 

[Greg]

Gee, what gave you the idea for this thread?

Stowe and Smuggs are 5 miles apart, but you can't drive through the Notch in the winter. You have to drive around through Morrisville and it takes about 45 minutes.

Oof. That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. MRV: 1 Stowe: 0

 

[from_the_NEK]

You could sort of throw Bolton into the Stowe/Smuggs mix. It is along the same cluster of mtns (all within 12 miles). However, it is on the West side of the range where Stowe is on the East. Not and easy commute between mtns.

 

[wa-loaf]

It's a little bit of a drive, but I think Sugarloaf /Saddleback is a new combo to take into consideration.

 

[pepperdawg]

Snow quality and quantity along very underreported snowfall amounts (at least for Smuggs) for Smuggs/Stowe....

Terrain would be a draw in my book....


Edit - I LOVE tha Bush...but the lake effect snow machine dumps more on Smuggs/Stowe/Bolton.... +1 for the north contingent

Smuugs is a pain to get to, but usually worth the extra stretch

 

[pepperdawg]

Where the Poll?

 

[skibum1321]

After having not posted for a long, long time I feel like I need to weigh in on this one.

All 4 of these are great mountains with awesome woods and all have different strengths.

I have had a season pass at Smuggs for 4 of the past 6 seasons and I'm going to have to disagree that they under-report total snowfall. The "No-Bull Snow Report" is one of the most ridiculous claims ever. Sure, they don't find the deepest drift and measure like Jay, but they aren't free from the hype machine. They have some interesting trail counting skills like most mountains.

In terms of terrain at Smuggs, they have some great stuff when the woods are good and double diamonds are open (very rare). In early and late season conditions, Smuggs is boring at best. I'm done after about 5 runs on the blacks or blues. The only one that I find to be fun are Exhibition (under the Sterling chair) and Doc Dempsey's (not usually open without a good amount of snow). FIS is a death slide and the others just bore me. Some of the trails that they keep open should not be open because 5 skiers down and it's dirt and rock (Exhibition is the prime example here). They keep these trails open for weeks while they are in this condition to keep the trail count up.

I skied Stowe for a year during college as well. Stowe is a great mountain for backcountry and has a few trails that are really fun. There is some great stuff off the Chin and in many other areas on the mountain and it really gives the big mountain feel. As for trails, you have Lookout, Goat and Starr. Other than that, nothing is really all that special. Liftline and National have been widened with snowmaking and occasionally have good bumps. Chin Clip tends to get icy with pretty erratic bumps, although the woods can be good over there.

As for Sugarbush, it's my favorite mountain and I skied there 2 years during college (and again next season!). There is so much terrain that it is good even when the snowpack is slim. Obviously the best terrain (woods, Castlerock, assorted other diamonds) opens up only with decent snow. The bumps are the best in New England since the death of Kmart a while back (I'm talking ASC -not the new owners). We've talked about Sugarbush enough on this board, so I'll end it there.

Mad River Glen is a whole different beast and I would definitely get my pass here if I could get a longer season. The conditions are just too variable, especially early and late. The terrain is unmatched and there is awesome tree skiing. The feeling of having only natural snow underfoot is great too - it skis so much better than the manmade crap. The vibe at the mountain rocks and the trails stay uncrowded. We've gone over all of the merits of the mountain before so I'll end it here.

Overall, I have to say that I love both areas, but I would choose the MRV over Stowe/Smuggs. And as someone pointed out earlier - it is at least about a 50 minute drive between the 2.

 

[tjf67]

SB/MRV only because they have more terrain to ski. I dont think the terrain is better but becasue of the size they get my vote.


What I do is go over and stay in Stowe then all the Moutnains are within 40 minutes. Jay, Sugarbush, Smuugs, MRG, Stowe.

I dont go to MRG or Smuggs I dont like slow lifts. There terrain is no better, There lines are longer and for what. To say I skied MRG or Smuggs Im a bad arse.

Mad River Glenn ski it if you can..........take the forever lifts

 

[madskier6]

I dont go to MRG or Smuggs I dont like slow lifts. There terrain is no better, There lines are longer and for what. To say I skied MRG or Smuggs Im a bad arse.

Mad River Glenn ski it if you can..........take the forever lifts

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but I will say you're missing out on experiencing some great terrain (at MRG) just because the lifts are slow. Who cares that the lifts are slow when you're skiing some of the best terrain in the East with natural snow? With the challenging terrain at MRG, the slow lifts are nice to be able to rest & recover from the last run.

 

[Greg]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but I will say you're missing out on experiencing some great terrain (at MRG) just because the lifts are slow. Who cares that the lifts are slow when you're skiing some of the best terrain in the East with natural snow? With the challenging terrain at MRG, the slow lifts are nice to be able to rest & recover from the last run.

Agreed and I'm normally one of the quantity over quality guys. I think we figured out we skied a total of 9 whopping runs at MRG on Good Friday, Jeff. I certainly didn't leave unfulfilled. Did you? You could never have a fast lift to the summit of Stark and still have the skiing experience you currently do. Just doesn't work.

 

[skibum1321]

I dont go to MRG or Smuggs I dont like slow lifts. There terrain is no better, There lines are longer and for what. To say I skied MRG or Smuggs Im a bad arse.

The point of slower lifts is to keep people off of the slopes. I would rather wait 20 minutes and line than dodge 20 gapers skiing the same trail.
Personally, I prefer the older, slower lifts. It's all about the quality of the ski experience. Lines hold fresh snow longer and the trails don't get as skied off.

A while back there was a thread about a possible 6 pack on Sterling at Smuggs. IMHO that is a horrible idea that would make that area ridiculously overcrowded.

 

[WWF-VT]

The Mad River Valley is a single destination with three ski areas - Lincoln Peak (aka Sugarbush south) , Mt Ellen and Mad River Glen. The Mad River Valley has a different vibe than many other areas and contributes to the unique character of the experience that you have when you are there.

IMHO Stowe and Smuggs are two completely different destinations and market to different clientele with Smuggs having a focus on families and being an all inclusive resort. I have never looked at Stowe/Smuggs as united destination.

 

[tjf67]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but I will say you're missing out on experiencing some great terrain (at MRG) just because the lifts are slow. Who cares that the lifts are slow when you're skiing some of the best terrain in the East with natural snow? With the challenging terrain at MRG, the slow lifts are nice to be able to rest & recover from the last run.

I have experienced it 5 times. I dont see any better terrain there than at SB or Stowe. Have been on the hills with people that know there way around so to say i did not get to the good is not correct.

Are you trying to say that there is better terrain at MRG than there is at SB or Stowe? If so I would say your are biased.

IMO I can hit the same level of terrain(with all natural snow) at SB/Stowe by noon that it would take all day to get at MRV.

 

[Greg]

Are you trying to say that there is better terrain at MRG than there is at SB or Stowe? If so I would say your are biased.

IMO I can hit the same level of terrain(with all natural snow) at SB/Stowe by noon that it would take all day to get at MRV.

Interesting. Is this on map stuff? If so, I'd be interested to see you name some equivalents, e.g. Mall at Sugarbush and Chute at MRG.

 

[tjf67]

The point of slower lifts is to keep people off of the slopes. I would rather wait 20 minutes and line than dodge 20 gapers skiing the same trail.
Personally, I prefer the older, slower lifts. It's all about the quality of the ski experience. Lines hold fresh snow longer and the trails don't get as skied off.

A while back there was a thread about a possible 6 pack on Sterling at Smuggs. IMHO that is a horrible idea that would make that area ridiculously overcrowded.

The quality of the ski experience is determined by the skier. I go to a hill to ski not ride a lift. I dont need a 25 minute lift ride to let my legs recover, on the contrary the stiffen up.

But heck who cares I would take a slow lift over no lift any day

 

[tjf67]

Interesting. Is this on map stuff? If so, I'd be interested to see you name some equivalents, e.g. Mall at Sugarbush and Chute at MRG.[/QUOTe

I can not remember the names of the trails to compare however anyone that has been around up there knows what I am talking about. When the snow is there to open MRG the goods at the other resorts are filled in as well and you can get to them quickly.

 

[JimG.]

The quality of the ski experience is determined by the skier.

This is what I tried in a long winded way to say before. Long lines are not everyone's cup of tea...I say long lines because the single at MRG is not really awfully slow, but the line gets long. And that's part of going to MRG. And I totally understand why that makes it a lesser experience for you. Perfectly rational.

The lines do get long. But I accept that because it also means the mountain is blissfully uncrowded.

I'll even accept your contention that the terrain at MRG is nothing special compared to the other hills you mention. I don't agree with you, but I can certainly see what you mean.

But if you said MRG is a crappy place to go because they have no business center for you to go to to send a fax, or that it doesn't have a VIP lounge, I'd be all over you. I mean, those things are true, but if you came to MRG expecting that I'd say you are clueless and have no idea what you're doing or where you're going.

 

[JimG.]

When the snow is there to open MRG the goods at the other resorts are filled in as well and you can get to them quickly.

Along with thousands of other skiers.

The limited access is what is special about MRG.

 

[kcyanks1]

I'll even accept your contention that the terrain at MRG is nothing special compared to the other hills you mention. I don't agree with you, but I can certainly see what you mean.

Even to the extent that other mountains have some terrain similar to MRG, I think one difference is that MRG has so much of it. Other mountains might have a couple trails like Chute, Fall Line, etc., but how many mountains are almost entirely like that (ungroomed, natural snow trails with decent a pitch)? None that I have been to. This is before you get to off-trail stuff, which I unfortunately haven't experienced enough of at MRG at add much.

Edit: Hopefully this won't annoy those who think people here praise Sugarbush too much, but one reason I like SB so much is that I think it also has an a relatively large number of fun natural trails. I think MRG is way ahead, but SB is in good shape with all of Castlerock, Paradise, Spillsville, Mall, Twist, and Morningstar.