The single best on piste run in the Northeast

[Greg]

Let's use this thread to debate what is the single best top-to-bottom on piste trail in the Northeast. Let's keep it to named trails, whether they are completely open or gladed. The only criteria is it has to be listed on the trail map. For me, I think my vote goes to Middle Earth on Castlerock at Sugarbush. Great natural snow trail that winds around the side of Castlerock and is somewhat removed from other runs as are most trails on the 'Rock. It has awesome views of the rest of Lincoln Pak and has a great pitch without being overly steep with some nice turns and dips:

I've never done Rumble, nor have I really had the chance to explore much at Mad River Glen the one time I was there, but I'm sure those are contenders. Lower Antelope at MRG gets an honorary mention from me. I've also only done sections of Bubblecuffer and Winter's Way at Sugarloaf, but those look like great runs too.

 

[skibum1321]

This is a tough question because there are so many great runs out there that I love.
My group of finalists (one from each of my favorite mountains) would have to be:
Paradise (MRG)
Liftline (Smuggs)
Goat (Stowe)
Valhalla (Jay)
The Mall (Sugarbush) - I realize this choice is kind of out there for the Bush, as I'm sure everyone else will say one of the Castlerock runs. There are so many great runs at the Bush, this one was kind of just the first one that came to mind.




And the winner is....
Liftline at Smuggs. Tons of cliffs, really steep and narrow. IMHO this is the toughest trail in the east. Unfortunately it is rarely open because it gets very windblown.

 

[NYDrew]

Sorry Greg, im going to have to contradict you. While Middle Earth is a sweet run, her neighbor to skiiers right is the ultimate open trail in the east. I vote Liftline off Sugarbush's Castlerock Peak.

Followed by Green Beret at Jay and yeah lift line at Smuggs is a sweet run also that is up there in the best.

I decided not to include glades, glades are a totally personal thing and I will have to go with Valhalla as the best designated glade.

 

[riverc0il]

greg, what an impossible question! i will give some of my favorites in no particular order:

(mrg) fall line, paradise, lower antelope
(jay) timbuktu and valhalla
(cannon) hardscrabbles and tramline

really depends upon my mood and snow conditions which one i enjoy the best. i think i'd have to go with either paradise or fall line though when it would come down to a "if you could only ski one run this year, what would it be?" considering paradise is steeper and longer than fall line (if you don't count creamery), i guess it would have to paradise for it's combination of steeps, variable lines, trees, bumps, jumps, character, and plain old in your face ski it if you can dynamic. though lower antelope is the closest thing to a classic CCC trail out of anything in bounds i have skied in new england, lower antelope wins my heart on the classic character, though if you ask "best" as in the most interesting to ski and most exciting, yea, paradise.

 

[nelsapbm]

Fall Line at MRG is great.
Also...while not difficult, East Bowl at Burke has got to be one of the best runs in New England, although, technically it's not top to bottom.

 

[Phildozer]

Ollie's at Wachusett.

 

[2knees]

wow so many to choose from.

Rumble has to be my favorite.

And then about 15 more at sugarbush.

I'd also include Redline and Master Magician at magic. (assuming reasonable conditions)
Needles Liftline at killington (so unlike most killington trails)
I also love vertigo at killington. It seems to always have sweet lines when i go there.
Oh and Havoc and stargazer at bromley on a sunny spring day. Not the toughest or longest, but certainly the sunniest and softest. that counts for something.

 

[Mark_151]

Ollie's at Wachusett.

Damn, beat me to it.......

 

[skibum1321]

Ollie's at Wachusett.

That is a joke, right?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Let's keep it to named trails, whether they are completely open or gladed. The only criteria is it has to be listed on the trail map.

The Slides at Whiteface. They are not open alot (9 days so far this season), but they are on the map. Cliffs, steeps, trees, ledges, even a frozen waterfall. The best lift serviced terrain in the East (IMO). I've never heard anyone who has skied them say otherwise.

 

[Mark_151]

That is a joke, right?

 

[wintersyndrome]

SIngle best on-Piste

I personally think that anything over at Castlerock is fantastick, but I always love the trail head on Middle earth, being surrounded by those evergreens is beutiful and then the set-up into the steeps of Castlerock...
However I can think of so many runs at the 'bush that will keep this snow slider satisfied
great post
I miss winter already

 

[Greg]

Sorry Greg, im going to have to contradict you. While Middle Earth is a sweet run, her neighbor to skiiers right is the ultimate open trail in the east. I vote Liftline off Sugarbush's Castlerock Peak.

No doubt that Castlerock Liftline is a great run - double fall line, steep as hell and mandatory air if you ski it right, which I didn't do the one time I tried it. I looked like an intermediate traversing sections of it, I'm sure. When the snow is right, it will definitely get another visit from me though:

I also can't wait to try Rumble too. The Mall at Sugarbush was also mentioned. After CR Liftline, I think The Mall might possibly be my next favorite liftline:

 

[Greg]

I always love the trail head on Middle earth, being surrounded by those evergreens is beutiful and then the set-up into the steeps of Castlerock...

Do you mean this area?

 

[trailertrash]

duplicate thread?

this thread pretty much looks the same as:
http://forums.alpinezone.com/8121-advil-bump-runs.html

 

[Greg]

Ah yes, the Legendary Castlerock:

Can you tell I'm jonesing already...

 

[Greg]

this thread pretty much looks the same as:
http://forums.alpinezone.com/8121-advil-bump-runs.html

Similar for some, but for others their most favorite run doesn't have to have VW sized moguls.

 

[thetrailboss]

Let's use this thread to debate what is the single best top-to-bottom on piste trail in the Northeast.

I ASSUME you mean full-length trails:wink: and not those such as ZIP at Mt Ellen. :lol:

I say this because the runs you cite are not "top to bottom" trails technically because they end at the Castlerock Chair and don't go to the "bottom" of the mountain.

That said, my choice is East Bowl at Burke. No trails like it.

 

[Greg]

I ASSUME you mean full-length trails:wink: and not those such as ZIP at Mt Ellen. :lol:

I say this because the runs you cite are not "top to bottom" trails technically because they end at the Castlerock Chair and don't go to the "bottom" of the mountain.

Yeah, I guess "top-to-bottom" is misleading. I suppose I meant top-to-bottom of their respective area, i.e. the run is great from when it starts to when it ends, not just a few cool sections here and there.

 

[Marc]

Bah!



Dream maker at Ski Ward no doubt takes the cake.