Sugarbush or Smuggs

[kingslug]

Definitely hitting Jay but undecided about the Bush or Smuggs. Opinions?

 

[thebigo]

I am sure the concensus will be the 'bush but imo smuggs is by far the best hill that never gets discussed in these forums. Underrated isnt the right word, maybe under the radar?

 

[kingslug]

I probably should have asked if anyone even skies there. Haven't read much about it here.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Bush. Definitely. I'm not sure when you're planning on going, but right now the Bush is 109/111 and will be 111/111 if it snows like it's supposed to (upwards of 24+"). Right now Smuggs only has 43 open. I'd be a bit concerned about depth, even if they get some snow this weekend.

But hey... both are awesome mountains, and you'll have fun either way! I think you'll get quite a bit more bang for your buck at the Bush, but both have serious terrain.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Sugarbush vs Stowe
Sugarbush vs Sugarloaf
Sugarbush vs Smuggs
Sugarbush vs MRG
SugarBusch vs SugarPRB
Sugarbush vs Jay
Sugarbush vs the Burning Bush
Sugarbush vs Whiteface I am sure I missed a couple

Sugar this sugar that

Hit it Jack!
sugar..........ahhh honey, honey :lol:

 

[snoseek]

Bush. Definitely. I'm not sure when you're planning on going, but right now the Bush is 109/111 and will be 111/111 if it snows like it's supposed to (upwards of 24+"). Right now Smuggs only has 43 open. I'd be a bit concerned about depth, even if they get some snow this weekend.

But hey... both are awesome mountains, and you'll have fun either way! I think you'll get quite a bit more bang for your buck at the Bush, but both have serious terrain.

i wouldn't go by those numbers. Smuggs def. has all the snow that sugarbush has. i personally can't verify that, but they generally have as good a base as mrv. they are maybe a little more realistic about actual open skiable trails at smuggs?

 

[BushMogulMaster]

i wouldn't go by those numbers. Smuggs def. has all the snow that sugarbush has. i personally can't verify that, but they generally have as good a base as mrv. they are maybe a little more realistic about actual open skiable trails at smuggs?

I'll be honest with you, everything that's open at the Bush is entirely skiable. Yeah, it's thinner than it was, but it's all skiable, and you don't even have to go over any bare spots!

 

[awf170]

They are probably closed due to the recent freeze. Everything is most likely iced over. Sugarbush is a good mountain and everything, but lets be realistic Stowe, Bolton, Smuggs, and Jay get more snow then them. If Sugarbush has a good natural snow base than those mountains have bigger ones.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

FWIW (I know someone will tell me Sugarbush is lying even though they've been quite conservative with snow reports this year), Sugarbush's base is 24-60, and Smuggs' base is 18-36. I can't speak to the accuracy of Smuggs' report, but I can tell you that the Sugarbush report is accurate. Of course, you have your occasional thin spot, but the general depth on natural trails would seem to be 24", and the snowmaking trails are at least 36".

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Smuggs is a fine, fine mountain where you can have a fantastic time if you know where you're going. Note, Rt. 108 is closed in the winter and slopes downhill towards the base area from Smuggler's Notch. Doesn't get nearly enough pub here or elsewhere, which I'm sure makes the locals happy.

Regardless, in a decent to good snow year, SB is the better choice IMO b/c it offers so much more variety. Once you reach a certain amount of snow, it doesn't really matter where you from K-Mart northward. this year fits the bill. It hasn't snowed a ton, but it didn't get above freezing for two months either, so the base is deep everywhere.

 

[kcyanks1]

FWIW (I know someone will tell me Sugarbush is lying even though they've been quite conservative with snow reports this year), Sugarbush's base is 24-60, and Smuggs' base is 18-36. I can't speak to the accuracy of Smuggs' report, but I can tell you that the Sugarbush report is accurate. Of course, you have your occasional thin spot, but the general depth on natural trails would seem to be 24", and the snowmaking trails are at least 36".

I'm with Austin here. I've never been to Smuggs (though I'd like to go there), and I love Sugarbush, but if the issue is total snowfall and base depths, I'd bet that Smuggs has SB beat. I have little doubt that SB's base numbers are accurate, and would've even guessed that the higher-elevation natural snow trails have a base of more than 36". But judging by the snow depth on the Mansfield stake at Stowe and yearly averages, I can't imagine that Smugg's base isn't bigger. Is that reason enough to choose Smuggs? No. If everything is skiable at SB, the difference in base probably doesn't matter much.

 

[SHRED HEAD]

Definitely hitting Jay but undecided about the Bush or Smuggs. Opinions?

Go to Smuggs!!! Authentic old chairs and Maddonna's got some of the steepest, gnarliest terrain you'll find as well as great tree stashes, especially Sterling side. Go over Sterling Pond, hang a right into what we used to call the Bonehead trail, comes out on the notch road really cool. Smuggs is a classic a real adventure, the Disney-Bush is Bush in comparison have fun, hope it snows!!!

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

I've been to both and love em both....however, my preferance is Smuggs, out of the way, low key, low crowds, classic narrow, windy, steep trails, great glades...just cant say enough about the place...SB is awesome too, its a tough call....bottom line...these are some nice choices to have to make!!!!

 

[kingslug]

Now Jay is predicting 20 to 30". Might just hit Stowe and Jay. The more the merrier.