Sugarbush or Jay?

[Moe Ghoul]

If we don't head for WF next week, our VT choices are Jay or Sugarbush. Setting aside home hill biases, which has been "better" conditionswise so far, absent a fresh dump in the next 4 days. Jay seems to offer the better package deal, but a few extra bux at Sugarbush won't put anyone in the poorhouse. Thanks in advance. Preferably, input from those that have skied either or both this season.

 

[deadheadskier]

Preferably, input from those that have skied either or both this season.

I haven't skied either, but I'm going to chime in anyway :lol: From my experience, booking a week out in advance I would go with Sugarbush. They have the better snowmaking system to recover from bad weather should god forbid it happens between now and your trip.

From the TR's on here, everything from Killington north appears to be filling in nicely with the natural little by little.

 

[JD]

Enter team sugarbush ... let the shillfest begin.....

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Enter team sugarbush ... let the shillfest begin.....

:lol: Bush 1, Jay 0. This is purely a "snow conditions" question...

 

[Moe Ghoul]

I haven't skied either, but I'm going to chime in anyway :lol: From my experience, booking a week out in advance I would go with Sugarbush. They have the better snowmaking system to recover from bad weather should god forbid it happens between now and your trip.

From the TR's on here, everything from Killington north appears to be filling in nicely with the natural little by little.

Bush 2. Jay 0. My ski bud seems to be favoring Bush as well, plus it's ~ an hour less driving.

Bush 3. Jay 0. Going once, going twice............

 

[deadheadskier]

Enter team sugarbush ... let the shillfest begin.....

:lol:

I'm not sure where you get the idea that I'm on team Sugarbush. I like both areas equally the same, but if I was booking lodging a week out in December, I'd go with the place that has the more advanced snowmaking system. Had he asked the same question in March, I probably would say Jay.

Actually, I'd go with Stowe before either bush or jay, but that wasn't an option.

 

[thetrailboss]

At this point, I'd say Sugarbush. But I have not skied Jay this season. When I get a chance, I will look at their Trail Report and give an assessment.

SB has a lot open right now and it is skiing well. Castlerock is open as well. I would not advise a Jay trip unless their off-piste options are available. Their trails suck. And in all of their flashy advertising, they sidestep the key problem with Jay: its weather. Wind closes the place on many, many days. More than they say. Also that wind scours the trails (hence why the glades are good). So there is a lot of ice. So watch the weather--any forecast for wind should raise a red flag.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

:lol:

I'm not sure where you get the idea that I'm on team Sugarbush. I like both areas equally the same, but if I was booking lodging a week out in December, I'd go with the place that has the more advanced snowmaking system. Had he asked the same question in March, I probably would say Jay.

Actually, I'd go with Stowe before either bush or jay, but that wasn't an option.

We have Stowe for spring skiing candidate.

Bush 4, Jay 0. looks like a shut out.

 

[JD]

I haven't skied either, but I'm going to chime in anyway :lol: From my experience, booking a week out in advance I would go with Sugarbush. They have the better snowmaking system to recover from bad weather should god forbid it happens between now and your trip.

From the TR's on here, everything from Killington north appears to be filling in nicely with the natural little by little.

Not a response to you, an anticapatory remark by me.....

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, just looked at the Jay site. Bonaventure and Flyer were closed, but I guess the tram was running (?). They had 32 or so runs open. If I am reading their new interactive map correctly, some glades are open. So I would not rule it out...

The thing with Jay is that it is a hard resort to "plan" a visit to. It really can be hit or miss...wind and ice some days, incredible pow the next. You have to be ready to go at any minute. It is more of a spontaneous thing. I have had some incredible days there, but it is the only resort where I have visited and then turned around and went home because the terrain options were so limited. For example, tonight they are projecting 30 some-odd trails but if that wind picks up and/or icing, that quickly becomes only 10 trails or so and nothing above Metro Quad and you have no advanced warning until opening tomorrow. You're coming from a long ways, so I'd hate to see you drive all that way and sit in the hotel room waiting for lifts to open that never do. It sucks. Plus it is still a bit early to go there and you want to enjoy all the goods in your visit.

That said, realistically count on Jet Triple and the Lower Mountain lifts in worst case. That gives you a lot of terrain and if you want to hike you can get more. But if it is real bad, Jet does go down.

As for SB, look at my report. We need more snow. I am not going to lie. There are some thinner spots and snowmaking has been somewhat limited to only a few runs because of weather and traffic. If you are going this weekend (I can't recall), SB has its anniversary bash so there are things to do. Wind at SB is an issue and cuts off Heaven's Gate on a bad day, Castlerock and Heaven's Gate on a really bad day.

So if you are a worst-case kind of guy, SB is a safer bet because at worst you have Bravo which delivers good variety vs. just the Lower Mountain lifts at Jay and Jet and its groomers. But the upsides are better at Jay if you score major powder and no crowds.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

OK, just looked at the Jay site. Bonaventure and Flyer were closed, but I guess the tram was running (?). They had 32 or so runs open. If I am reading their new interactive map correctly, some glades are open. So I would not rule it out...

The thing with Jay is that it is a hard resort to "plan" a visit to. It really can be hit or miss...wind and ice some days, incredible pow the next. You have to be ready to go at any minute. It is more of a spontaneous thing. I have had some incredible days there, but it is the only resort where I have visited and then turned around and went home because the terrain options were so limited. For example, tonight they are projecting 30 some-odd trails but if that wind picks up and/or icing, that quickly becomes only 10 trails or so and nothing above Metro Quad and you have no advanced warning until opening tomorrow. You're coming from a long ways, so I'd hate to see you drive all that way and sit in the hotel room waiting for lifts to open that never do. It sucks. Plus it is still a bit early to go there and you want to enjoy all the goods in your visit.

That said, realistically count on Jet Triple and the Lower Mountain lifts in worst case. That gives you a lot of terrain and if you want to hike you can get more.

As for SB, look at my report. We need more snow. I am not going to lie. There are some thinner spots and snowmaking has been somewhat limited to only a few runs because of weather and traffic. If you are going this weekend (I can't recall), SB has its anniversary bash so there are things to do. Wind at SB is an issue and cuts off Heaven's Gate on a bad day, Castlerock and Heaven's Gate on a really bad day.

Jay who?

It's Sugarbush or WF, now it's all about getting hit by snow between now and Monday, we plan to head up then. Wives haven't been informed yet. Better go and massage her feet tonite, then drop it on her tomorrow......I'll use the storm of the century up there strategy.....she never follows the weather. :lol:

 

[riverc0il]

I would not advise a Jay trip unless their off-piste options are available. Their trails suck.

OUCH!!!!

I would say that Jay is not well known for its groomers. But it has several top level trails that are not glades.

Bush has done well early season for snowfall. But don't discount that Jay gets a lot of snow that Bush doesn't so anything can happen in the next week. I would pick between them based on what you look for when skiing a mountain rather than snow conditions as it is pretty even right now in terms of base depths it would seem. Jay has a lot of glades open, Bush has lots of good trails open. Both are good options.

You may also want to consider what the mixed precip will do to both areas. Jay sometimes lucks out while areas south of I-89 get mix or NCP. My recommendation is wait until Friday to book based on what happens this week.

I ain't advocating either option and will let the shills go to work on telling you where to go.

 

[thetrailboss]

Then why is this thread entitled Sugarbush or Jay? :-? :blink:

 

[JD]

I would pick between them based on what you look for when skiing a mountain rather than snow conditions as it is pretty even right now in terms of base depths it would seem. Jay has a lot of glades open, Bush has lots of good trails open. Both are good options.

I would say this is the essence of the choice here. You want trail skiing or glade skiing? Not that each area doesn't have some of each, but Jay means nice friendly trees and more natural snow. Sugarbush has alot of trails. Plus they have powdercat skiing, whatever that is.....

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Then why is this thread entitled Sugarbush or Jay? :-? :blink:

Jay got smoked on this survey, and T-boss, you went beyond the call of duty. Mucho gracias. It's a tossup between NY and VT, and we want to nail down a VT destination.

Folks are welcome to post, but the decision has been made. Judgement in favor of 'bush...:smash: Next case!

 

[thetrailboss]

OUCH!!!!

I would say that Jay is not well known for its groomers. But it has several top level trails that are not glades.

Bush has done well early season for snowfall. But don't discount that Jay gets a lot of snow that Bush doesn't so anything can happen in the next week. I would pick between them based on what you look for when skiing a mountain rather than snow conditions as it is pretty even right now in terms of base depths it would seem. Jay has a lot of glades open, Bush has lots of good trails open. Both are good options.

You may also want to consider what the mixed precip will do to both areas. Jay sometimes lucks out while areas south of I-89 get mix or NCP. My recommendation is wait until Friday to book based on what happens this week.

I ain't advocating either option and will let the shills go to work on telling you where to go.

I'll echo what Riv and JD said...if you prefer trail skiing, SB. Glades, Jay.

 

[crank]

And now for something completely redundant. thetrailboss & rivercoil & JD are exactly right. Jay is hit or miss. If it hits it is the place to be for woods and glades. Sugarbush has better trails and likely better snowmaking and grooming if we get a thaw freeze cycle between now and your trip. Personally, if we do get a thaw/freeze I would consider Killington for their superior snowmaking firepower. Pre Christmas you should be able to get lodging last minute so the thing to do is wait and see.

 

[ski220]

you should be able to get lodging last minute so the thing to do is wait and see.

I would wait and see what happens tonight and tomorrow up there before you commit to going up. The radars don't look too good right now.

http://images.intellicast.com/WeatherImg/RadarLoop/bml_None_anim.gif

 

[JD]

And now for something completely redundant. thetrailboss & rivercoil & JD are exactly right. Jay is hit or miss. If it hits it is the place to be for woods and glades. Sugarbush has better trails and likely better snowmaking and grooming if we get a thaw freeze cycle between now and your trip. Personally, if we do get a thaw/freeze I would consider Killington for their superior snowmaking firepower. Pre Christmas you should be able to get lodging last minute so the thing to do is wait and see.

see new thread.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

IF we're VT bound, the decision is to camp at Sugarbush, and if there's a "Jay cloud" burst while we're up there, have car, can travel.