SugarLoaf to Jay Peak

[tarponhead]

Hi All,

School district posted next years school holiday schedule. We have Easter break last week March into first wek of April.

Planning on heading farrr north. Drive up to Sugarloaf and ski 3 days, then drive over to Jay Peak and ski a few more days before returning. (Never been to either).

Can someone recommend a good travel route from SL to JP, recognizing driving conditions could go south in a hurry.

Much appreciated,
thanks,
Greg

 

[TheBEast]

Now that's some planning ahead! No beta on the drive to Jay from SL. Certainly won't be much highway travel doing east to west that far north.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I just mapquested it out of curiosity and there's a pretty direct way through the northern tip of NH..it looks like 3+ hours and not much highway mainly on 105..26..and 17 in Maine..

I have driven to Sugarloaf from Burlington VT and I took 89 to route 2 into maine..that took 4-5 hours..sounds like a steezy trip and going that far north will give you the best chance of winterlike conditions..

 

[wa-loaf]

That's probably a 5-6 hour drive in good weather.

 

[SkiDork]

google maps has you going into Canada...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

google maps has you going into Canada...

keep your firearms and drugs at home..

 

[bigbob]

Ever get a DWI? If yes, stay south of the border, they won't let you in!!

 

[bigbog]

...agree with 5-6hr no snowstorm

Ditto wa-loaf's 5-6hr-good_weather....sounds about right..
Check out the places up in Stratton, Maine(~7mi past Loaf access rd.) and on the Eustis line (Spillover Motel, WhiteWolf Inn, Tranquility Inn/lodge. Tranquility's a little more...) if the base hotel doesn't pan out. WhiteWolf Inn's office(in ground floor restaurant) usually has turned out lights @8pm..= no checking in after 8pm. $.01

 

[snoseek]

Having spent a good deal of time between the halfway point I would say this drive could be done in well under four hours with good shocks.16 Down to Errol, 26over to Colebrook, and cross over into NEK and go past Island pond over to Newports then Jay.

 

[tarponhead]

Thanks all.

Yeah, pretty much dedicating the day (i.e. no plans to ski) for traveling between SL and JP. And thanks for the lodging info Bigbog.

Yeah, planning farrr ahead but I can think of worse ways to daydream.... This years Easter break was the second week of April and we did Stowe. Boy#2 (11yo) fell in love with finding the rabbit holes off of Cliff Run there so I figured JP would be to his liking. Never been to either.

Will probably keep to major roads if I can. Rather avoid the state and county rds, even if it does add another hr or two.

ok, must play with my fly rods now and try not to think skiing......

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Personally, I would drive down to Rt 2 thru Farmington, then west on Rt 2 to I91 at St J, then north to Jay. About the same amount of time as taking the northern route. Much better roads.

 

[riverc0il]

Personally, I would drive down to Rt 2 thru Farmington, then west on Rt 2 to I91 at St J, then north to Jay. About the same amount of time as taking the northern route. Much better roads.

+1, I use Route 2 to get to Saddleback instead of Rt 16 through Erol which is the most dreadful stretch of road I have ever had the displeasure of driving. Don't trust Google Maps as time does not take into consideration massive frost heaves that will have you driving 20 MPH or less in places if you value your car. Route 2 is the better option.

 

[Edd]

That's going to be a kick ass ski week, conditions permitting. Consider giving Saddleback a day.

 

[Talisman]

16 Down to Errol, 26over to Colebrook, and cross over into NEK and go past Island pond over to Newports then Jay.

This is the route, slow down going through Island Pond with out of state plates or you will likely get a ticket. That stretch of Rt 16 from ME to NH goes through the middle of no where so be sure to have enough gas and don't hit any moose.

 

[from_the_NEK]

This is the route, slow down going through Island Pond with out of state plates or you will likely get a ticket.

The town cop responsible for handing out all the tickets got voted out at last year's Town Meeting. The local residents apparently had enough of the bad reputation he was bringing to the area.

 

[tarponhead]

Thank you all for your suggestions (and the little update about that town cop - to funny)

Many years ago I fished Aziscohos Lake, about 25 miles above Wilson Mills on Rt 16. That is some serious nothing up there. :-o (especialy for this jersey boy) Will opt to head south to Rt 2 and cross over to 91. Might be longer, but certainly less dicey.

Appreciate the support/help. Looking forward to resusitating this tread 10 months from now with a travel report :beer:

Greg

 

[frozencorn]

google maps has you going into Canada...

Yeah, I'd imagine that would probably be the easiest route.

 

[Jonni]

+1, I use Route 2 to get to Saddleback instead of Rt 16 through Erol which is the most dreadful stretch of road I have ever had the displeasure of driving. Don't trust Google Maps as time does not take into consideration massive frost heaves that will have you driving 20 MPH or less in places if you value your car. Route 2 is the better option.

+2. Route 2 is usually a very nice road through NH and VT, and I-91 is very decent from St. Johnsbury to Orleans (Jay Exit). Hopefully ME will have the blasting and road reconstruction completed for your trip, which would mean another 10 miles or so of brand new road to travel on in Western ME.

 

[fixedgrip16]

big bog and ski dork have it right. . . combine both options.