Stratton Intelligence ??

[MICO]

Hey, 2nd year downhillers hittin' Stratton 12/22, 23, 24. First time there. Last minute decision. Switched from Tremblant with new snow falling in S. VT.

Windy for Monday - 46 mph gusts.......Problem with wind holds ? Wife likes gondolas -- wind issues for gondola ? Ski terrain faces what direction ? I think wind is supposed to be from the west. Tuesday looks GREAT.

What are 3 or 4 of the easiest black runs ? I know from posts last year that Stratton blacks are supposed to be a lot tamer than those at N. VT areas or Whiteface. We're just starting to ski diamonds at the smaller, more local hills in central NY. Last spring we were comfy on blues at Gore.

Any advice is really appreciated !!

Recommendation for a nice restaurant in Manchester or Londonderry for dinner ? No pub grub, preferably ethnic, but not Italian......Married into an Italian family -- get lots of great Italian at home.

 

[MR. evil]

Hey, 2nd year downhillers hittin' Stratton 12/22, 23, 24. First time there. Last minute decision. Switched from Tremblant with new snow falling in S. VT.

Windy for Monday - 46 mph gusts.......Problem with wind holds ? Wife likes gondolas -- wind issues for gondola ? Ski terrain faces what direction ? I think wind is supposed to be from the west. Tuesday looks GREAT.

What are 3 or 4 of the easiest black runs ? I know from posts last year that Stratton blacks are supposed to be a lot tamer than those at N. VT areas or Whiteface. We're just starting to ski diamonds at the smaller, more local hills in central NY. Last spring we were comfy on blues at Gore.

Any advice is really appreciated !!

Recommendation for a nice restaurant in Manchester or Londonderry for dinner ? No pub grub, preferably ethnic, but not Italian......Married into an Italian family -- get lots of great Italian at home.

I am not sure of the names of the trails, but if you stay on skiers right of the mountain there are several easy black diamond trails. I think the trails all had bear in the names like 'grizzly bear'. Anyway they were more like harder blue runs than blacks IMO.

 

[campgottagopee]

Stratton intelligence, isn't that an oxymoron???

Anyway, I've only been there once so I wont be too much help but I can tell you this---you mentioned skiing in CNY---if you've skied at Greek and can ski Zeus, Illiad there then you can handle any non-gladed trail Stratton has to offer. Can't help you with food 'cause I'm a pub greub kinda person.

Welcome to the forum, and have fun skiin'

 

[hardline]

im actually going to mt snow so wind is a concern for monday but if magic opens im going there if there are wind holds but i think im leaving sat morning at 6 so i can get some riding in on sunday.

 

[rueler]

Mr. Evil gave great advice as to where a nice collection of blacks are....skier's right of the mountain for sure.

Polar Bear is probably one of the better rolling, cruising runs there with some decent pitch. Kidderbrook is a great cruising run, but will force you all the way down to the Sun Bowl area...not necessarily a bad thing with the winds kicking up high on the mountain...Sun Bowl is a bit lower and will be the warmer side of the mountain on the day with the winds (maybe). A few decent runs over at Sun Bowl (including a couple glades if they're filled in).

Tamarack, Standard and North American are also decent pitched black diamond runs from the summit...as far as lifts go...their gondola is a bit on the cramped, uncomfortable side IMO. You perch your backside on the equivalent of a bar railing...or you can stand. But, their lift system in general is all about moving people to the top...They've got 4 high speed 6 packs (at least)...Shooting Star, Sun Bowl, Amex 6 pack and the Grizzly 6 pack (probably not called that, but it replaced the Grizzly double, that's all I can remember)....and they get you to the good stuff QUICKLY.

Edit** forgot to answer a question..
The mountain's primary aspect is North/Northeast I believe...The Sunbowl area is more southerly facing. The Gondi is in a wide open area and is definitely the lift that is most susceptible to wind holds and closures.

 

[Newpylong]

Some of the black runs above North American there would be greens in some other places - notably Polar Bear.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

There are "black diamond runs"at strapon?
WHERE?