Sugar****

[Greg]

IMnsHO, Sugarbush and Sugarloaf are two best ski areas in the East. In fact, I have trouble deciding which I like better. This is a simple poll that should lead to some interesting dialogue. Which do you like better: Sugarbush or Sugarloaf?

 

[thetrailboss]

I have not been to the 'loaf yet...maybe some AZer's can help me with this problem :wink:

Honestly, Sugarbush has made a big impact on my skiing life...it was advertising big time in the area when I was 'coming of age,' so the pics of the Egans and Lewis' skiing in bright colors and ripping up steep terrain really made a big impression on me. I remember seeing my first SB trail map in a mall in Burlington, VT and getting their oversized 'Sugarbush' magazine in 1994, which I still have (as well as the trail map). I was skiing Burke and the 400' vertical town hill, but someday, and I mean SOMEDAY I would ski Sugarbush...its trailmap was so cool I thought! I had a hard time determining which mountain I'd ski..Ellen was taller and had an Express Quad then...Lower FIS looked tasty to me. I dreamt, and dreamt, drove by it in 1994 or so...tall mountains

Finally, at the age of 18, I managed to make it to SB dragging my brother with me. We went on $25 tickets and skied Ellen first before hitting South. I will never forget coming over the last ridge isolating us from South on the Slidebrook. WOW! This was in ASC times, so snowmaking was good. We enjoyed Murphy's Glade a lot.

In 2000-2001 I had an ASC pass and skied the 'Bush a lot. Got involved in the RSN room as well and could understand some of their POV's.

I was overseas in 2001-2002, but returned to the 'Bush in 2002-2003. Was seriously considering skiing their this season, but a bit too far for us to drive and Ms. TB doesn't like them as much. :roll: So we'll probably get up there on a couple days this season, but I miss being on 31 miles from the mountain! :beer:

 

[Marc]

Where is Sugarbowl? They have a really cool lodge from what I've seen from pictures.

Well I suppose this would be the wrong website.

 

[freeheelwilly]

I'm a dunce. :dunce: I hit "can't decide" when I meant to hit "haven't been to both". If that can be changed by one of the "powers that be" please do 'cus I screwed up the poll. Sorry.

I've never been to the Loaf. Heard good things though.

 

[Sky]

*sigh*

I have not been to either resort.

Just on the edge of too far for a day trip.

I suppose I should hook up with one of those ScamMarket bust trips.

Ski Alone day.

 

[dmc]

Where is Sugarbowl? They have a really cool lodge from what I've seen from pictures.

Well I suppose this would be the wrong website.

Sugarbowl is an amazing little area...
A must visit if your in Tahoe and are looking for some steeps in a small funky area...
Previously owned by Walt Disney...

 

[Greg]

I'm a dunce. :dunce: I hit "can't decide" when I meant to hit "haven't been to both". If that can be changed by one of the "powers that be" please do 'cus I screwed up the poll. Sorry.

I fixed it Willy. You owe me a beer. :beer:

 

[bvibert]

I've only been to Ellen so I picked "I haven't been to both"... yet. SB south and the Loaf are definitely on my list of places to visit, though I don't know if either are in the cards for this season...

 

[ctenidae]

Haven't been to either
Sugarbush is a little too far for a day trip at 3.5 hours, Sugarloaf is way to far at 5.5 hours.

 

[freeheelwilly]

Thanks Greg. You da' Man! If you're ever WF way, first round's on me :beer: .

 

[Greg]

For all you non-Loafers, your life will not be complete until you take "Oh MY God turn" on Route 27 your first time to the Loaf:

 

[loafer89]

I like both, but Sugarloaf has been on the short end of the stick in the last few years when it comes to natural snow , so my recent skiing there (aside from the huge dump last February ) has been less than stellar. The mid 1990's were fantastic with great snowfield skiing, boy do I miss the gondola.

I like the isolation, the cold weather, huge single mountain skiing, and great snowmobiling at Sugarloaf.
The big problem with Sugarloaf lately is that it is becoming very expensive to stay at there lodging.

I have had great fun at Sugarbush, and lots of powder time on Rumble, Middle Earth, etc. I have not been back since March of 2001, so I do not know how much it has changed since. It is a great place with classic fall line trails.

I voted for Sugarloaf, but it is a close vote.

 

[loafer89]

For all you non-Loafers, your life will not be complete until you take "Oh MY God turn" on Route 27 your first time to the Loaf:

What a beautiful mountain, IMO the best looking in the east, I get goose bumps every time we round that corner.

YOUR KILLING ME :wink:

 

[Greg]

What a beautiful mountain, IMO the best looking in the east, I get goose bumps every time we round that corner.

YOUR KILLING ME :wink:

Here's a zoom on the upper mountain:

How did that feel?

 

[skibum1321]

Haven't been to the Loaf but the Bush is my fav mtn. I had a pass there for 2 years in college and I loved every minute of it. Unfortunately I can't afford $1000 for a pass at this point in my life.

 

[tree_skier]

I voted for the loaf as i get to ski free with my employee pass. however i love them both but haven't been to the loaf in about 15 years due to distance. We used to ski the bush a couple of times a season before ASC sold it

 

[Vortex]

The loaf. Its true destination resort. I go there park and don't get into my car until I go home. The ride makes it a mullti day event for me.

 

[smootharc]

So many criterion to assess...

....and each of us will weigh these differently. I weigh my preferences to terrain and natural snow. The mountains compare in many ways on terrain, though the Slide Brook development adds a dimension to the bush, perhaps offsetting the Snowfields.

But, my determining factor would be snow.....the Bush averages about 260", the Loaf about 200". Advantage, Sugarbush.

 

[Greg]

Re: So many criterion to assess...

The mountains compare in many ways on terrain, though the Slide Brook development adds a dimension to the bush, perhaps offsetting the Snowfields.

Interesting comparison. Also, interesting that nobody who's been to both has yet disputed my claim that these are the two best in the East. If someone thinks there is a better mountain, let me know so I can try it!

 

[JimG.]

Re: So many criterion to assess...

The mountains compare in many ways on terrain, though the Slide Brook development adds a dimension to the bush, perhaps offsetting the Snowfields.

Interesting comparison. Also, interesting that nobody who's been to both has yet disputed my claim that these are the two best in the East. If someone thinks there is a better mountain, let me know so I can try it!

OK; you ought to give Stowe or Jay a try before making any "best in the East" claims.