Sugarbush 2/27/08

[billski]

Had a good day skiing at Mt. Ellen, though I was a little disappointed since the "storm" didn't live up to the weather prognostication. There was about 8" new snow between the hours of lift close on Tuesday and lift open on Wednesday. Light snow fell all day. Kinda frustrating to find out when I got home that Sugarbush got the lease snow of almost any area in NNE. Upper half of the mountain was damn windy. It seemed as if the snow had all blown into the woods or had been groomed down. Plus, on a windy day, it's much more pleasant in the woods, a veritable wind barrier. So you know where I went. consequentially, I don't have much of a named-trail report, but I can tell you a few things.


First, the blue and black trails were not in particularly stellar shape. Very scratchy, windblown slab and lots of miniature drifts that were difficult to maneuver because they were so dense. In some cases, there were washboards of drifts. Not a very enjoyable experience.

I selected Mt. Ellen, because I've skied Lincoln peak and wanted to check out something else, being the wanderer that I am.

So I noticed the Inverness lift was on "wind hold". Dunno why, but no matter. Saw a few tracks on Inverness, decided this could be a hot spot. Sure 'nuf, a short off and long track gets you there from the mid mt. lift (It was too cold and windy to enjoy the summit, so I didn't bother until last run of the day, presuming it would be all windblown.)
The under-chair Inverness trail was just wonderful, about 8" of fairly dense ("concrete") powder.

Inverness trail:

Then I took to Semi Tough trail, which was spectacular powder, but got pretty chopped up by late in the day.

I spent a good chunk of the day in Semi Tough woods. Delightful, lots of lines to break, very enjoyable. I rented a helmet cam from Inverness Ski Shop in Waitsfield, to show those back home what tree skiing is like. It's not cheap - $75 for a day's rental, with a burned dvd. Turned out pretty good, but someone the pictures are all canted by 45 degress. Kinda strange, we adjusted it and checked the cam rotation before and after and it checked out. It must have turned when I took my helmet on.off. If anyone knows how to rotate a video, please drop a note.

Last run, I decided to go to the top. The summit lift was running slower than usual, I presume due to wind, but I was in no position to chat about it. The snow was surprisingly good on top half, given the winds. I decided to really crank and cruise on the last run, with the video running - I want to show it to my in-laws - I think it will really freak them out, they are not mountain people at all!

Driving - I posted in miscellaneous my experiences (hard data) on all wheel drive with all seasons.

Stayed at KingM's place "Golden Lion" in Warren. Great, convenient place. Thanks, Michael!


There is a nice covered bridge in Waitsfield that you'll miss if you're just buzzing through the village.

Damn, the snow pile are huge up there.

I'll be at Bolton on Saturday with my whole family. Bolton just checked in with 8" new.
snow this morning, but only had 4" day before.

 

[thetrailboss]

Inverness Quad: odd that it was closed and Summit was not :blink: Sounds like a lack of crowds for that lift.

And judging by those pics, it doesn't look like there is too much to complain about. Mt. Ellen gets more wind...and the cruisers are MUCH wider than Lincoln Peak, so they get wind scoured.

 

[billski]

Inverness Quad: odd that it was closed and Summit was not :blink: Sounds like a lack of crowds for that lift.

And judging by those pics, it doesn't look like there is too much to complain about. Mt. Ellen gets more wind...and the cruisers are MUCH wider than Lincoln Peak, so they get wind scoured.

Well, that settles it. Lincoln from now on, save for the woods. I like narrow trails, not cruisers.

And nope, I'm not complaining. It was a disappointment that left little to be disappointed about. Long ago I learned how to make due with what cards I'm dealt, not the cards I WISH I had.
:smash:

So, I got to chatting with the staff of the Inverness Ski Shop about the "Today Show". Seems all those ski duds the celebs wore were bought right at the Inverness shop just prior to the show. Apparently all the celebs were there, shopping on their own, under the watchful eye of the Today show fashion police.

 

[WWF-VT]

Smart choice of Semi Tough / Semi Tough Woods.

 

[hrstrat57]

Sounds like you got the same conditions I got last Tuesday only with the"dust on the crust"

I actually like the "vibe" at Mt Ellen a lot more than Lincoln Peak personally...tho SB is top notch wherever you go....just a flat out great mountain....my favorite by far.

As far as wide cruisers go....what is wider than snowball on Lincoln Peak?....not too many trails I've been on wider than that baby....Mt Ellen has nothing that wide....

The Inverness lift is fun too....shame it was down....very odd windhold I agree.

Lastly, I loved the Inverness ski shop in Waitsfield.....my kid got a sweet deal on a 2008 Descente jacket....the Rotate model....cheaper than I have ever seen it on ebay. I considered one myself, but I still love my Karbon shortie:lol:

I saw the deal on the helmet cams.....looked like fun.

Thanks for another great report Billski....also been taking a look at Ace for next season....looks like you are running a sweet little club there.....