The "Sugarbush Thread"

[cdskier]

I will tell you this, I skied much more sketchy conditions on the lower half of Castlerock yesterday then I did on those 2 runs. Castlerock had dirt, rocks showing, fast grass. You name it. There is no real reasoning on trail openings in my opinion. They are random as best as I can tell.

Well at least Castlerock has a hike required which would in theory weed out many people from attempting it and restricts it more to the real "hardcore" skiers that can handle it.

 

[djd66]

Well at least Castlerock has a hike required which would in theory weed out many people from attempting it and restricts it more to the real "hardcore" skiers that can handle it.

Castle Rock was open for hiking. There were Blazer groups skiing there.

 

[cdskier]

Castle Rock was open for hiking. There were Blazer groups skiing there.

Right... Isn't that what I said? Hawk said there were some sketchy conditions lower down on CR meanwhile he felt some of the closed trails on LP itself were in better condition. My response was basically that maybe they are more willing to let sketchy CR conditions slide and allow it to be opened since the access via only hiking will keep more inexperienced skiers away to begin with.

 

[WinS]

I will say this... ski patrol is pretty generous with trail openings, meaning that if they have a trail closed, its closed for a reason. I would suggest NOT ducking the rope on Lower Birdland or taking any woods run that would lead you out onto that trail, as it was blue ice, prior to the 6" we got yesterday. Just take that into consideration before ducking any ropes. I doubt some southern mountains would drop ropes on just 6" of pow.

Trail openings are not random decisions. This is the sole responsibility of Ski Patrol and they assess it for the safety of our guests as well as patrol if they are called in to help an injury. Those hiking to Castlerock are knowledgeable and capable. Opening other trails which can be accessed by all levels of ability is another issue. We have a very strict published policy about skiing closed trails. Get caught the first time and you lose your pass for a week. Keep doing it and you lose it for the season. As Shady says we are as aggressive as any opening trails so they a trail is not open for a good reason. Please respect our policy!

 

[Orca]

I can attest firsthand that WINTER IS BACK!!!

Today was the best ski day I've had in quite some while, and certainly this season. The snow is of excellent quality. It is dry and soft, but has a density against which you can push the skis hard with a beautiful, snappy rebound. The skiing is very "live" -- nothing wimpy or dead about this snow -- and you could push it fast with a lot of power. It was like dancing out there.

 

[caribchakita]

thoughts on Sugarbush Saturday, before the rain..tips, recs on eats, parking and more are welcome...I think Sugarbush is my pick..

 

[jimmywilson69]

Parking is rather easy at Lincoln Peak. They have a "shuttle" if you wish. I've never had to park too far from the lodge there. I also have never been there on a crazy busy weekend either. I'll let others speak to the local eats. Its been a while for me, but there are lots of places around that are great!

 

[Orca]

Sitting in the ski house right now having a late breakfast and talking with my peeps. The question came up: Why was the Sugar Shuttle renamed the Jitney? Everyone in the house thinks Sugar Shuttle fits Sugarbush better, as well as sounds better because it alliterates. No one particularly likes the name Jitney. We suspect the shuttle was renamed for a violation of a trademark word registered in the sugar industry or perhaps the porn industry! Anyone actually know the story?

 

[benski]

We suspect the shuttle was renamed for a violation of a trademark word registered in the sugar industry or perhaps the porn industry! Anyone actually know the story?

That would be funny but nobody trademarked the fraze "Sugar Shuttle."

 

[Hawk]

A jitney is a taxi or a share ride that competed with street cars back in the early 1900's. I doubt that there was a copyright issue and more they just wanted to use a nostalgic name. I have no personal issue with the naming convention. I hardly ever use it. Actually my group was just saying that the use of the "Sugar" theme is getting old.

 

[Hawk]

The hounds were out this weekend in search of pow. We saw people everywhere. In the woods and in slidebrook, people were hitting it hard. We did run into two people that had a run in with buried trees and/or stumps. They were hurt but could make it out. Both were intermediate at best and they were alone in the woods. If you are venturing out please be aware that the woods are still very thin and somewhat sketchy in places. If you are not an expert in keeping your tips up and making quick adjustments, I would think twice before venturing out.

 

[LasersInTheTaiga]

The question came up: Why was the Sugar Shuttle renamed the Jitney? Everyone in the house thinks Sugar Shuttle fits Sugarbush better, as well as sounds better because it alliterates. No one particularly likes the name Jitney.

Yeah, why not call it the *Sugar Bus* ?

 

[LasersInTheTaiga]

If you are venturing out please be aware that the woods are still very thin and somewhat sketchy in places. If you are not an expert in keeping your tips up and making quick adjustments, I would think twice before venturing out.

I saw two very shaky-looking skiers at the top of the woods off of Exterminator snowplowing their way down the more open part and though to myself 'this doesn't look good'....

 

[cdskier]

The hounds were out this weekend in search of pow. We saw people everywhere. In the woods and in slidebrook, people were hitting it hard. We did run into two people that had a run in with buried trees and/or stumps. They were hurt but could make it out. Both were intermediate at best and they were alone in the woods. If you are venturing out please be aware that the woods are still very thin and somewhat sketchy in places. If you are not an expert in keeping your tips up and making quick adjustments, I would think twice before venturing out.

Good advice. Too much pent up demand for the woods so people are jumping in when they see a chance. It is a shame that just as things are starting to turn around and get good that Mother Nature is deciding to throw us a few more curveballs.

It was quite crowded this weekend, but Saturday was really nice (other than the visibility higher up being an issue at times). I was at Mt Ellen and any of the natural runs I skied were in good shape. Even lower elevation trails like Semi Tough and the Lower FIS runout were well covered. Such a shame that all those good conditions are now a bit locked up and frozen over.

 

[ThinkSnow]

Even lower elevation trails like Semi Tough and the Lower FIS runout were well covered.

People actually ski Lower FIS?

 

[cdskier]

People actually ski Lower FIS?

I'm perfectly content for others to stay away...one of the reasons it tends to hold up so well for quite a while after it snows. I even enjoy the bit of a workout you can get from the runout at the bottom. Shocking I know!

 

[flakeydog]

People actually ski Lower FIS?

Actually they don't. It's just an old urban legend. If the trail "looks" open, just keep going by. Do not let the utter lack of skier traffic fool you, it is probably not worth it. People have been know to go down there never to be heard from again.

 

[ThinkSnow]

Sorry, I guess I posed the wrong question. I should have asked, "People actually ski Lower FIS more than once?"

 

[Hawk]

I find myself down there quite a bit. I ski the ridge and woods all the time that lead to traverse.

 

[cdskier]

Sorry, I guess I posed the wrong question. I should have asked, "People actually ski Lower FIS more than once?"

In a single day? Maybe not. But then again if we're 100% open I'm trying to ski a different trail every run anyway. If you mean in a season or lifetime...then again see my previous comments and feel free to stay away.