The 2006 AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge: SUGARLOAF USA

[thetrailboss]

I did answer two questions though. :razz: There will never be a summit lift on the frontside, just too windy, it wouldn't make sense. Also, I wasn't be sarcastic about the new trail, it is awesome that lower double bitter will be a trail again. They needed that. Also it will be cool to view the terrian park from the lift. I am interested in the spillway chairs, all kidding aside. Do I think anything will happen soon, no. But I do really wish something would. Lapping all the stuff off the spillway x-cut with a high speed lift would be pretty sweet.

If you want a bunch more questions go post this on the unofficial sugarloaf chat. They'll have a ton of question, but be warned they will probably rag on sugarloaf even worse then me.

Are there any plans to add bathrooms, or even a little snack stand at the summit gondi station?

Are any more glades or trails being cut this summer?

Is there any plan to expand to burnt hill anytime soon?

I heard rumors of hotel being built over at the base of west mountain. Why there? And would you plan on adding a HSQ or a new lift if you built a hotel over there?

Just a few random questions I though of. You can use them if you want.

Awesome. And what is the URL of this Sugarloaf Chat Site???

 

[awf170]

Awesome. And what is the URL of this Sugarloaf Chat Site???

http://www.mydigitalrealm.com/chat/

It is under construction now. I really have no idea how long it will last or anything. I just check on the site every month or so to see if anything interesting is going on at Sugarloaf.

 

[K2Trav]

There were problems with the Superquad being out of commision, or being extremely slow last year. Are the problems with this lift all ironed out? I heard some grumbling on another website that it was due to lack of maintenance. Any truth to that? I really enjoy skiing up there so keep up the good work!

First of all, I doubt Bill is going to say that it was due to a lack of maintenance. Hopefully the Superquad is fixed, but I doubt it.

It seems alot of the lifts are aging any plans for replacements or upgrades? Will we ever see a base to summit lift again? My biggest complaint about Suarloaf it the amount of time it takes to get to the summit.

As long as ASC owns the place nothing is going to happen, they only have money to spend at The Canyons and Steamboat.

1) I have heard that Bombardier uses the mountain as a testing/training ground for their equiptment. How long has this been going on and what benefits does it have for Sugarloaf?

This has been going on for awhile, at least 5 years. Its got great benefits, Camoplast, the owners of Bombardier supply Sugarloaf with the newest technology in grooming and supply the mtn with 2-3 extra cats, Im sure Crusher will give Bill more info

1) I love the mountain, but the base lodge showed serious signs of neglect last year. The roof leaked (unfortunately relevant in a year with lots of unfrozen precip) and one infamous urinal didn't work for most of the season. Is the lodge getting the needed attention this offseason?

2) How many years do the Spillway chairs have left in them?

3) How's the new trail coming along? What sort of trail will it be?

4) What are the plans for Reggae this year?

1 There is a lot of work being done to the outside, new paint and landscaping, not sure about the inside.

2 They are definetly old, but still reliable

3 I hiked up 2 weeks ago, the new trail was cut and snowmaking had been installed, now needs to be stumped and cleaned up. Its basically a novice to intermediate trail, but its supposed to be home to the new terrain park.

4 I used to work in Marketing and we didnt start planning for Reggae until around mid January.

If you want a bunch more questions go post this on the unofficial sugarloaf chat. They'll have a ton of question, but be warned they will probably rag on sugarloaf even worse then me.

The Unnoficial Sugarloaf chat is down for a few days for maintenance.

Are there any plans to add bathrooms, or even a little snack stand at the summit gondi station?

No, its too difficult to get supplies up there, but there are plans to make it a little nicer.

Are any more glades or trails being cut this summer?

There is some minor glade work being done and a new trail that will be a new park was cut.

Is there any plan to expand to burnt hill anytime soon?

There is a plan, but it wont happen soon

I heard rumors of hotel being built over at the base of west mountain. Why there? And would you plan on adding a HSQ or a new lift if you built a hotel over there?

This is just a rumor

 

[Birdman829]

K2 Trav can answer this one I guess. Where exactly is the new trail for the terrain park being cut? Are they just going to use the old terrain park as a regular trail now?

 

[awf170]

K2 Trav can answer this one I guess. Where exactly is the new trail for the terrain park being cut? Are they just going to use the old terrain park as a regular trail now?

And, yes the old terrain park will be a regular trail again.

It will be a terrain park, and the stomping grounds(lower double bitter) will be a normal trail again. This actually great news because candyside has way to much traffic.

Also, I wasn't be sarcastic about the new trail, it is awesome that lower double bitter will be a trail again. They needed that. Also it will be cool to view the terrian park from the lift.

 

[bigbog]

.........

heard rumors of hotel being built over at the base of west mountain. Why there? And would you plan on adding a HSQ or a new lift if you built a hotel over there?

ASC's style of putting a McDonalds on the mountain with (imho) the best powder....
Nothing takes precedence over being able to waddle 15' out your front door to the trail......idiots!
...Hope this all turns out better than what I'm thinking.

 

[deadheadskier]

I like to dream

and I stress dream because I doubt I'll ever see it in my lifetime


but I'm curious as to what the Burnt Mountain expansion plans entail - photos would be great.

 

[K2Trav]

That map with the white line is exactly where the trail is

Here are some pics of the Burnt Mountain Plan, one of the pics also shows the plan for West Mtn

http://k2trav.com/Pics/archives/burnt.JPG
http://k2trav.com/Pics/archives/burnt2.JPG

About Reggae, its very possible that there will be no Reggae this year or may be scaled back.

 

[BillontheHill]

I had hoped to answer all the questions at once, as is the intention of the Challenge, but I have to address this one now.

Make no mistake about it - Reggae is not going away! It is and will continue to be the biggest and best spring party in the east.

I'm happy to answer all of the questions that came in if Greg is ready to close it out.

Bill Swain
Communications Manager
Sugarloaf/USA

 

[Greg]

About Reggae, its very possible that there will be no Reggae this year or may be scaled back.

I had hoped to answer all the questions at once, as is the intention of the Challenge, but I have to address this one now.

Make no mistake about it - Reggae is not going away! It is and will continue to be the biggest and best spring party in the east.

K2Trav - we certainly appeciate your "inside" knowledge in regards to questions in the SL challenges, but responding to each one with your take on things is not really necessary. As demonstrated above, it's best to get the official word. Bill has done a great job providing solid and complete responses in the past challenges.

 

[thetrailboss]

On that note, let's plan on getting your questions in here today so that I can close this and review.

And another reminder...not to beat a dead horse, but please ask questions for the representative and stay away from spreading rumors/answering for the mountain. That takes the fun out of it :wink:

 

[Angus]

here is a question that I've always wondered about, is Bill aware whether Sugarloaf did a formal product placement (or some other story behind) the Sugarloaf bumpa' sticker in Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket" - the VW van at the end of the movie.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115734/

which btw: is a great movie along with "Rushmore"

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, we're done here. Continue with the Bolton round. :wink: