The "Sugarbush Thread"

[jaybird]

Eeegads.
When did they last groom Middle Earth

 

[cdskier]

Eeegads.
When did they last groom Middle Earth

I'm tempted to say late April 2018 unless I forgot about something since then... everyone in the CR lift line that morning gave a big cheer to the groomer (Dan?) when he skied down and got into line to go ski his handiwork.

 

[mikec142]

Eeegads.
When did they last groom Middle Earth

I saw that on the snow report this AM. Previously, I've read Win's reasoning for a once in a blue moon Castlerock area groom. I see the logic there.

 

[jaybird]

I saw that on the snow report this AM. Previously, I've read Win's reasoning for a once in a blue moon Castlerock area groom. I see the logic there.

The 'sluice' covered ?
Gotta ski that to believe it.

 

[Powder Whore]

Surprisingly not true. Was with the family this weekend so got out a bit later than normal. But both Saturday and Sunday, arrived at Lincoln Peak around 8:50 and got spots in the main, upper lot. Totally expected to be way down the parking totem pole. Not sure what to attribute it to...maybe on Saturday people got scared away due to the cold. I dressed normally and was fine. It was sunny and no wind, so really not a big deal. All the lifts were maybe 1-2 minute waits with Castlerock being a 3-5 minute wait. Sunday I expected the crowds to be there for sure and got the same exact spot in the lot. GH and SB started to have lines around 11am but still very reasonable.

Saturday was the better conditions of the two days. Cold, but sunny and no wind. Sunday was much warmer, but freezing fog from the top of Super Bravo upward. It was the kind of misty fog that instantly froze on your goggles. It got better as the day wore on, but visibility was challenging up top for a decent part of the day. A couple of highlights for me from the weekend. My youngest (16) continues to progress and it's really fun to watch. Pretty sure I mentioned it upthread, but I can no longer keep up with her. She's fast and graceful. Also discovered Lew's Line and Ruffed Up. Went down Domino with my kid and two bumps in she's in the woods. I followed her in...plenty of soft snow in there. A lot of fun. More challenging than Eden and Deeper Sleeper, but really fun. Since I had never been in there, I took my time...enough time that my kid texted me (twice) from the HG traverse asking if I was all good...LOL. Talk about a blow to the ego.

Castlerock Run was really fun on Saturday, but by Sunday, the top was a bit scraped off and the bumps were bigger and firmer. Lower CRR was still excellent. The top of Paradise has a lot of exposed rocks, but if you navigate down about 50 yards, the coverage is much better. I think both trails will benefit from the additional snow this week. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to do both. But CRR took a lot out of me.

Was planning on skiing Monday, but tired legs and the prospect of a long, treacherous drive home after skiing a couple of hours didn't sit well. As sad as I was to miss a ski day, it was the right call.

Last weekend was a “blackout” weekend for icon base pass holders.

 

[tumbler]

The bumps were not very good on Middle earth, big and not spaced well. Jaws was covered. It is nice to do a reset up there every once in a while.

 

[mikec142]

Last weekend was a “blackout” weekend for icon base pass holders.

Ahhhhhh...totally forgot about that.

Anyone know the cost of the base pass vs. the full pass. I have the full pass and it was $1000. I'm fascinated to know how much savings you get. For me, I can't imagine the savings being worth it.

 

[cdskier]

Ahhhhhh...totally forgot about that.

Anyone know the cost of the base pass vs. the full pass. I have the full pass and it was $1000. I'm fascinated to know how much savings you get. For me, I can't imagine the savings being worth it.

I feel like it was less than a $200 difference after you factored in the "renewal" discounts existing SB pass-holders were given...

 

[jaybird]

I feel like it was less than a $200 difference after you factored in the "renewal" discounts existing SB pass-holders were given...

My renewal ikon base cost $635 including pass insurance. The insurance factored well for us last year .. sciatica sucks.

 

[cdskier]

My renewal ikon base cost $635 including pass insurance. The insurance factored well for us last year .. sciatica sucks.

I wasn't far off then. My Ikon full cost just under $850 including the optional pass insurance.

 

[WWF-VT]

Eeegads.
When did they last groom Middle Earth

Around this time last season

 

[Hawk]

Typically they hit Castlerock run before Middle Earth. But yes it is usually around now when a storm is coming.

 

[Hawk]

I believe the full IKON Renewal was originally $799 early season and then they gave us an other $100 off so $699 without any insurance costs? Then we added some things.

 

[WinS]

Around this time last season

There has to be enough depth so one doesn’t have to buy a new tiller and ideally before a storm. Middle Earth needed on more than CR imho. Just a shame we did not get 6 more inches but is skied well and set up for Thursday night/Friday snow which should be lighter. I bet they do a couple more of the other infrequently groomed trails this week too. Today’s snow is good for that.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

i think my icon renewal was $650ish and i'd much rather have the base pass + indy pass than the full ikon pass. love the variety on the indy and the ability to skip holiday weekends at the big players (even tho it appears this weekend was strangely quiet at the majors). i regret not getting out on Saturday, but with valentines day Sunday my presence was expected at home, and two day trips in a 3 day weekend is a lot of back and forth. hit berkshire east on Monday and loved it.

 

[cdskier]

I saw Cliffs on the grooming report today. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's all natural snow this year on Cliffs, right? That's the only trail that usually gets hit with snowmaking that I don't think I ever saw any snowmaking on this year.

 

[mikec142]

i think my icon renewal was $650ish and i'd much rather have the base pass + indy pass than the full ikon pass. love the variety on the indy and the ability to skip holiday weekends at the big players (even tho it appears this weekend was strangely quiet at the majors). i regret not getting out on Saturday, but with valentines day Sunday my presence was expected at home, and two day trips in a 3 day weekend is a lot of back and forth. hit berkshire east on Monday and loved it.

I get that. But with kids, there is a necessity to plan around their school vacations. Getting the 10 days of friends and family passes this year has been a huge perk. Saving 25% (maybe a bit less if you plan way in advance) on tix for my kids and not having to make a reservation way in advance has taken a lot of pressure off of me.

This has been my first year with the Ikon Pass (which is why I had to pay full boat). Previous years I'd been hesitant because the dollars didn't always make sense due to the availability of quad packs). But this season...combine the lack of quad packs with the addition of Windham for day trips and it's been a win for me. If I somehow (doubtful) find a way to get out west this season it will be a massive win. And to think, I was hesitant not only to buy it, but to even use it this year as I was thinking about punting on the season and rolling the dollars over to next year.

 

[Slidebrook87]

I'm tempted to say late April 2018 unless I forgot about something since then... everyone in the CR lift line that morning gave a big cheer to the groomer (Dan?) when he skied down and got into line to go ski his handiwork.

They did it last year in late February along with Castlerock run.

 

[cdskier]

They did it last year in late February along with Castlerock run.

You're right, both were groomed for Feb 29th. Same day the groomer got stuck or broke down or whatever on either Twist or Moonshine...

 

[WWF-VT]

I saw Cliffs on the grooming report today. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's all natural snow this year on Cliffs, right? That's the only trail that usually gets hit with snowmaking that I don't think I ever saw any snowmaking on this year.

To the best of my knowledge there has been no snowmaking on FIS this year and there are no plans to do it