The single best on piste run in the Northeast

[Greg]

This whole discussion is a bit pointless at best and bordering on ridiculous.
It's sort of like medieval scholars arguing as to how many angels can fit on a head of a pin.
Point being, this is a bit absurd.

There is no such thing as a single best trail in NE. They are all teriffic runs in their own right and everybody's experience is subjective. Give me enough powder and I'll be happy on most slopes. For some, a nice intermediate cruiser is where they will get a nice rush, for others, it maye the air drop into the top of Starr.

The common element in most of the included trails is the level of skill necessary to ski it. If skiing Goat (just an example) is in you comfort zone, there is no reason why you wouldn't have a blast on any other trail mentioned (ok, you maybe falling asleep on Hardscrabble - again, subjective experience). Given good snow conditions, all of those trials will let you have a blast.

Sheesh. Some folks here are taking this too serious. Just thought it would spark some great conversation and lead to a list of awesome trails (which it has). There are many here that I would now like to try based on some of the comments. That sort of was the point. Obviously, there is nothing scientific about the poll at all either - just fun to see how many votes a particular run gets, that's all...:roll:

 

[kcyanks1]

Interesting poll results. I'll let this go for several more days and then take the top three for non-gladed trails and post some new polls. Help me out here - are Valhalla and Kinsman the only gladed runs in this list? I guess both Paradises could be considered partly gladed thought, right? Never done MRG Paradise, but I would consider SB Paradise more non-gladed.

It really depends on how you define the trail. Paradise (SB) proper has a few scattered trees, but hardly what I would call a glade. You can go off the trail skier's lift and have much tighter glades. While perhaps that officially is leaving the trail, it is so well known and so commonly done, that it seems from my perspective that the trail name encompasses the area in the woods immediately to skier's left, but not deeper into the woods where you actually have to put in some effort traversing.

MRG's Paradise proper might be similar, but I think the blur between the wood and trail is less clear so that the trail might even more accurately encompass truly gladed area's. But I've only skied that twice and not for a couple years, so I can't remember it was well as SB's Paradise which I've skied many more times including a few times this season.

 

[Bumpsis]

OK, credit should be given for good intentions.

But on tangent, I'd like to say that most of the "what was you best ....." threads can take on an unintended spin and end up being rather insipid. Wasn't there a thread started a while back on "what's your best chair ride" or something similar?

 

[Greg]

...can take on an unintended spin and end up being rather insipid.

As could most any thread...depending on the respondents... :razz:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

It's not "animosity". It's frustration mixed with a bit of amusement.

I know. "Why?" is the question I will forever ask given the other options.

Myth! :dunce: And one of the most persistent ones with which Whiteface struggles. Thanks for continuing to spread it though dude.:uzi:

And Adironrider: You're obviously talking LOWER Cloud. Upper Cloud is no wider than Skyward. And it's 10x cooler - more natural snow, double fall lines, cool fall aways and largely left ungroomed. We don't call it the "snowfields" for nothing. And you're right about Mackenzie - topnotch trail.

Guys my point is simply this: I've skied most places in Vermont (but not, for some reason, Jay. Don't ask .) Whitey is at least twice as good as anything south of the MRV. MRG and Sugarbush are awesome. But to see a trail at Burke mentioned in the poll, all of the front four at Stowe (that's a little cliche' Greg:wink: ) and three trails at Cannon, without even one Whiteface trail being listed is just....I dunno...funny. You GOTTA get out more.

Dang Willy, you must be a good lawyer cause you certainly defend your side of an issue well. Even with the crappy winter we’ve all suffered through, at WF skier visits are significantly up from last season, which where up the season before that, same thing the season before that. That said, other then a couple of holiday weekends there is never a lift line, so all is good for us. I’d like to see more AZ folk try WF, but to each his/her own.

Adron, Upper Skyward and Upper Cloud ski completely different. They groom Upper Skyward almost daily. If you like long, groomed, carving trails with a sustained relatively steep pitch I can’t think of any better. Upper Cloud is great for all the reasons Willy mentioned plus they only groom it when absolutely necessary. It’s very technical skiing which I love.
__________________

One more thing

a $63 day ticket price, substantially higher than i am willing to pay for a single day of skiing.

Oil, you've mentioned the WF price tag before and that's fine, but I'd like to make you an offer I hope you won't refuse. If you make the trip over to WF next season I'd be happy to comp you a ticket. We can ski together or you can go off on your own whichever you prefer. All I ask is that you post a trip report on what you think of your experience at Whiteface. I know next season is a long way away, but I won't forget and you just have to PM me when you're coming.

Why the offer? 1. you seem like a good guy and Greg tells me you're a very accomplished skier so I would enjoy making some turns with you. 2. I think you're opinions are universally respected here and it’s just my little way to help promote Whiteface to the AZ nation. Of course you might not like it and my plan will back-fire, but most people who try it do, so I think it’s a good gamble.

BTW- there are many deals, promotions, and discounts that will let folk pay alot less then $63.

Double BTW, that offer is good for my boy Greg too, but that guy gets comped everywhere, so he really doesn't need me. He's the man.

 

[jackstraw]

no luv for jackstraw, hpd?? that's ok, ghosty owes me a ride at WF anyway...no expiration date on that ticket!

 

[Greg]

Oil, you've mentioned the WF price tag before and that's fine, but I'd like to make you an offer I hope you won't refuse. If you make the trip over to WF next season I'd be happy to comp you a ticket. We can ski together or you can go off on your own whichever you prefer. All I ask is that you post a trip report on what you think of your experience at Whiteface. I know next season is a long way away, but I won't forget and you just have to PM me when you're coming.

Why the offer? 1. you seem like a good guy and Greg tells me you're a very accomplished skier so I would enjoy making some turns with you. 2. I think you're opinions are universally respected here and it’s just my little way to help promote Whiteface to the AZ nation. Of course you might not like it and my plan will back-fire, but most people who try it do, so I think it’s a good gamble.

BTW- there are many deals, promotions, and discounts that will let folk pay alot less then $63.

Double BTW, that offer is good for my boy Greg too, but that guy gets comped everywhere, so he really doesn't need me. He's the man.

Now this is cool. I'm sure Steve will take you up on it, HPD. Maybe I'll join you guys...

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

no luv for jackstraw, hpd?? that's ok, ghosty owes me a ride at WF anyway...no expiration date on that ticket!

The doors always open for you bra. You been with the WF crew since RSN and none of us have ever met your poser self. Year after year you never come over. We all want to meet you. How much more luv do you need?

 

[riverc0il]

not really a myth, FHW. unless, NYC is part of new england now. as i wrote...

not because it isn't worthy, but rather because it is one of the furtherest resorts from many population centers in new england.

 

[riverc0il]

Help me out here - are Valhalla and Kinsman the only gladed runs in this list? I guess both Paradises could be considered partly gladed thought, right?

correct.

 

[riverc0il]

Oil, you've mentioned the WF price tag before and that's fine, but I'd like to make you an offer I hope you won't refuse. If you make the trip over to WF next season I'd be happy to comp you a ticket. We can ski together or you can go off on your own whichever you prefer. All I ask is that you post a trip report on what you think of your experience at Whiteface. I know next season is a long way away, but I won't forget and you just have to PM me when you're coming.

that is an offer i can't refuse! to be honest, now that i am closer to WF, it has been on my list. it is just barely day tripable from here (burlington is two hours from here, how long is it with ferry, do you know?). i'd be more than happy to give whiteface a rip with you. honestly, i suspect whiteface is everything you make it out to be. sounds a lot like cannon from what i have gathered, and though different levels of technicality, i suppose you can say they both have some lift serviced "side country" (slides vs. mitt) which i am not trying to compare, just saying both areas have some hairy and interesting stuff. i am sure i would love the place, hopefully i can find out next year. though i will still continue to suggest that WF is pretty far away for most new england skiers regardless of my opinion

 

[madskier6]

that is an offer i can't refuse! to be honest, now that i am closer to WF, it has been on my list. it is just barely day tripable from here (burlington is two hours from here, how long is it with ferry, do you know?). i'd be more than happy to give whiteface a rip with you. honestly, i suspect whiteface is everything you make it out to be. sounds a lot like cannon from what i have gathered, and though different levels of technicality, i suppose you can say they both have some lift serviced "side country" (slides vs. mitt) which i am not trying to compare, just saying both areas have some hairy and interesting stuff. i am sure i would love the place, hopefully i can find out next year. though i will still continue to suggest that WF is pretty far away for most new england skiers regardless of my opinion

This sounds like the beginning of an AZ Whiteface outing. While I don't expect the comp lift ticket offer, I would love to ski Whiteface with you guys sometime next year. I hate to invite myself but . . . .if you're looking for additional recruits, count me in. I'll pay my own way.

I've been trying to get up to Whiteface for several years now and just haven't been able to hit it for a variety of reasons (but not because of the driving distance). I drool at the view of Whiteface from the summit of Sugarbush and MRG on clear days.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

it is just barely day tripable from here (burlington is two hours from here, how long is it with ferry, do you know?

It's 2 hours from Burlington to WF using the ferry.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

This sounds like the beginning of an AZ Whiteface outing. While I don't expect the comp lift ticket offer, I would love to ski Whiteface with you guys sometime next year. I hate to invite myself but . . . .if you're looking for additional recruits, count me in. I'll pay my own way.

I've been trying to get up to Whiteface for several years now and just haven't been able to hit it for a variety of reasons (but not because of the driving distance). I drool at the view of Whiteface from the summit of Sugarbush and MRG on clear days.

Great :smile: the more AZers the better. You would be most welcome.

 

[smootharc]

And whoever survives the Slides....

...can stand at the bottom with other AZ'ers and chant "USA, USA, USA !"...

 

[jackstraw]

How much more luv do you need?

do you have a daughter? doh!!! sorry, you know me!

i know, just joking about the invite. my kids are too young for me to make a long road trip for a 'boys' weekend and that whole jay peak powder haven being soo much closer!

 

[dmc]

Clairs Way - Hunter

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

do you have a daughter? doh!!! sorry, you know me!

i know, just joking about the invite. my kids are too young for me to make a long road trip for a 'boys' weekend and that whole jay peak powder haven being soo much closer!

I have a 19 year old daughter and I wouldn't let her come within a mile of a depraved
degenerate like you.

I hate to admit I've never been to Jay, but I really want too. Maybe me and some of the WF boyz could meet you at Jay next season.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Clairs Way - Hunter

I was wondering when you or Jiminy G. was going to represnet for Hunter. Even though it's always in the dark I'd have to say I like Annapurna better. Great long bump run.

 

[dmc]

I was wondering when you or Jiminy G. was going to represnet for Hunter. Even though it's always in the dark I'd have to say I like Annapurna better. Great long bump run.

I always consider Anna Purna to be somewhat of a skiers trail..

too bad it never opened this year