Sugarbush - Mt Ellen opener and Lincoln 12/17

[rocojerry]

Date(s) Skied: 12/17

Resort or Ski Area: Sugarbush, Mt Ellen AM, Lincoln PM

Conditions: Powder, hard/natural underneath

Trip Report:

Mt Ellen was slated to open Friday, and over the course of the week got about 10-12 inches of snow since the last 'event'... Didn't get to the mountain for first tracks, more like on the hill at 10am... But the snow was super light and fluffy, and I knew it was going to be a great day.

We explored most of Ellen that was open, hammerhead and FIS probably being my favorite trails of the day -- Lots of fresh snow on the hill, but it was soo light and fluffy, you sunk through about 8" of it. I had been to Ellen before, but never seen the other side so I wanted to venture over to Lincoln after lunch...

Since it was day one for Ellen, I think Lincoln was pretty quiet-- we lapped a few runs in the afternoon and still found plenty of fresh. Made it to the summit as well, and found some great lines down.

Sorry no pictures, didn't bring a camera this time-- Today I was skiing Loon, while the conditions there were good -- Northern VT is a few months ahead of the curve..

 

[thetrailboss]

I got first chair and I brought my camera. It was one of the best powder days in recent memory. Tracked out now...but it is still skiing nicely.

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, here is my report.

Last year I was able to get up there early enough to get first chair. This year I had originally planned on not being able to make it because of my trip out west. Well, it turned out that I was asked to go north for work and I had the time to swing in for a few runs.

I got to the base at 8:20 and dropped my skis in the lift line to save my spot. Booted up and got out there. Some familiar faces from last year....but it was all business. The line got pretty long so that there was a rush at 9:00am but I was the first skier scanned, first chair.

Midmountain was limited at the opening bell because of snow levels. So I zoomed down Cruiser which was about 10 inches of pow on a MG base. Wow...amazing...but the best was yet to come.

As most folks opted to ride the Summit Quad rather than ski to North Ridge as I did, I had time to get some first tracks on the upper mountain. I rode up North Ridge sitting in second chair and watched as my chairmates and the ones ahead of me headed to Exterminator. I headed down Bravo. It was simply amazing...blower pow about knee deep that you could float in. I was by myself. It was amazing. Thank goodness for rock skis though as the base could be found pretty easily. I have some work to do this week on those skis...

I did another spin down Cruiser and then hit Exterminator finding some deep freshies on skier's left. All of this in the first 30 minutes!

After cutting on Way Back to the Summit Quad, I set my sights on FIS. Very good choice. It was pretty much as good as it gets: snowmaking base and deep powder on top. The bumps were just soft pow. I had to do it again. I did the lower runs on Lower Rim Run and Lookin' Good which both were in fine shape.

By the time I made it back to Glen House, it was almost time for me to get back on the road. I heard some hoots and saw that the ropes on Cliffs had been dropped. I headed over to find monster pow and more great turns. It was amazing.

I decided to push it and headed over North Ridge. One more, right? I had not skied Elbow. So I hit that and then cut over to hit Hammerhead and found some more nice pow.

It was about 10:30 and I had to get back on the road. I did a quick change, hopped in the car, and headed out. Only 90 minutes of skiing, but man was it amazing and the right choice!

Pics very soon!

 

[thetrailboss]

Some pics:

The view at 8:45:

Bushmogulmaster going in after a long night, but my eyes spied him ripping up the pow!

The crowds...

Feast your eyes:

Those are my tracks on looker's left...I was passed about halfway down:

This is Cruiser, yes, Cruiser!

Exterminator:

I'm not seeing skis or even boots!

 

[Beast_Ed]

Wow, that will be bumped up and GOOD in no time.

 

[bram]

meh, looks too powdery for good snowboarding

 

[rocojerry]

Some pics:

Nice shots, thanks for getting out the camera so I can remember this one a bit better!

-Jerry