The "Sugarbush Thread"

[tumbler]

Heavens Gate, NRX, GMX and Bravo?

My guess it's HG, NRX, Bravo and Gatehouse. GMX is 7 or 8 years newer than GH, Bravo and GH went in together in '95. I still contend a 6 pack would be good at GH, it is always the most crowded lift on the weekends. Also add the capacity for a future lodge up on the flats at the top.

 

[oldfartrider]

just spent 3 day weekend at SB. First time back since December. Def got to visit more often. Such a great mtn

 

[mikec142]

My guess it's HG, NRX, Bravo and Gatehouse. GMX is 7 or 8 years newer than GH, Bravo and GH went in together in '95. I still contend a 6 pack would be good at GH, it is always the most crowded lift on the weekends. Also add the capacity for a future lodge up on the flats at the top.

Whatever happens, please, please put foot rests on Bravo and Gate House.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Got up to SB this weekend. A couple of thoughts...

1. I know I've said it before. Unless there's been a storm or its softened in April/May, Steins is just a steep. icy trail with a weird fall line. It's rare that I see many skiers on it from November-Mid March.

2. I thought overall, Sunday skied better than Saturday. Groomers were delightful in the morning, and the naturals softened up by 11am-ish.

3. It was weird and oddly fun to ski a groomed Lower Domino. Groomers also smoothed out the last 150 yards of Morning Star which I don't recall seeing before.

4. I made full use of the Slidebrook lift on both days. Started at LP, rode over to ME for 4-5 runs and then headed back. I'm significantly more familiar with LP than I am with ME and I really enjoyed getting to ski both peaks. Overall, I thought the groomed runs at ME were better on Saturday, and the groomed runs were better at LP on Sunday.

5. Skied down the Castlerock entrance from Downspout on Saturday and saw the line was just really long so I climbed over the bridge and headed out. But I really wanted to ski CR and was annoyed at myself that I bailed. So I went back a few hours later. There was virtually no line at that point even though the CR Extreme JR comp was still going on. I should have known that meant something. Was talking to the liftie as I waited for the chair and he said it was firm. Skied CR Run. The top was brutal. When I finally got to the point were I could turn off onto the Troll Road, I was beat. But I looked at Cotillion and the bumps at least looked a bit smaller and softer. Decided to ski Cotillion and was glad that I did as I thought it was the run of the day for me. That said, the best pix of the day were on CR Run.

6. I know it's been endlessly debated, but I'd love to see a fair fight as to what's faster, Slidebrook or the Shuttle Bus. I think it's Slidebrook by a mile. Plus, with this past weekend's weather, the views were stunning. I also enjoyed watching a bunch of badasses skiing the lift line. I've never had the pleasure of heading into SB...I assume that as you get down the liftline towards the creek you have to take one of those fireroads (or whatever you call them) out to German Flats. I say it every year...I need to find the time to get better educated on skiing in SB...these days I often ski sugarbush by myself so I don't want to just head on in a figure it out without some guidance. Will hire an instructor (guide) at one point. I'm sure that Sugarbush doesn't want to promote skiing in there, but I'd participate in some sort of organized group outing in a heartbeat. "Intro to Slidebrook 101"

7. It's a long ride back to NJ for me so on Sunday's I usually call it a day around 12-1pm. On my last run, I skied Snowball and looked over the edge of Moonshine (one of my favs)...didn't see anyone on it which I took as a sign. Went down Spring Fling instead. Took my skis off, ran into the lodge to grab a PB&J for the road. Stuffed the sammie into my jacket and as I was putting my skis back on to ski around the learning area to get close to the lot, a woman skis by while talking on her phone and all I heard was "You have to ski Moonshine...it was soft bumps the entire way" C'est la vie.

I'm hoping for this storm to produce and for the temps to hold for this weekend.

i dont think they discourage skiing in slide brook and i wouldnt be surprised at all if they offered an official resort guide service. nothing back there is so gnarly, but yea, good to go with someone who knows.

 

[cdskier]

My guess it's HG, NRX, Bravo and Gatehouse. GMX is 7 or 8 years newer than GH, Bravo and GH went in together in '95. I still contend a 6 pack would be good at GH, it is always the most crowded lift on the weekends. Also add the capacity for a future lodge up on the flats at the top.

True that Bravo and GH went in together, but Bravo has substantially more hours (in season it opens earlier and closes later and out of season it is used during the summer and fall). I think GMX will be replaced before GH. It may be a bit newer, but it has just had a lot of issues the past few years.

i dont think they discourage skiing in slide brook and i wouldnt be surprised at all if they offered an official resort guide service. nothing back there is so gnarly, but yea, good to go with someone who knows.

They definitely don't discourage it. In fact they actively promote it on their website. They do state that they recommend using a private lesson to act as a guide to help explore it.

 

[mikec142]

True that Bravo and GH went in together, but Bravo has substantially more hours (in season it opens earlier and closes later and out of season it is used during the summer and fall). I think GMX will be replaced before GH. It may be a bit newer, but it has just had a lot of issues the past few years.



They definitely don't discourage it. In fact they actively promote it on their website. They do state that they recommend using a private lesson to act as a guide to help explore it.

I know they don't discourage it. I can (and will at some point) hire an instructor to take me in there. But I've never seen a "learn to ski Slidebrook" class. Blazers...but for adults.

 

[Hawk]

The only real requisite is that you need to be able to ski bumps in the woods. Pinball ally has taken some toll this year. Like I said earlier in the thread, they took a guy in his 20's out of there Saturday with a broken femur. Patroler on the bus said this year has been very busy for them in there.

 

[cdskier]

I know they don't discourage it. I can (and will at some point) hire an instructor to take me in there. But I've never seen a "learn to ski Slidebrook" class. Blazers...but for adults.

Yea...they don't have a specific "class" for that. It would more likely just be something you discuss as an area you want to focus on when making the reservation for the lesson. It is mentioned in the information on Private lessons as one of the options they can focus on with you. On a related note...the price of private lessons is a bit insane. I think the prices really went way up the past couple years.

 

[mikec142]

The only real requisite is that you need to be able to ski bumps in the woods. Pinball ally has taken some toll this year. Like I said earlier in the thread, they took a guy in his 20's out of there Saturday with a broken femur. Patroler on the bus said this year has been very busy for them in there.

I'm competent in Eden/Deeper Sleeper/Semi-Tough/and the stuff off of Domino. While I could get down the steeper tighter stuff, it would be slower going.

 

[Kingslug20]

The price of lessons is insane. Maybe its apples to oranges but in Val Disere a private lesson..all day 930 to 5pm is 436.00.
3 people could do that all week long at those rates...and that's to ski 25000 acres...

 

[Hawk]

Some areas are more like Egan's, Gangsta's or Lew's Line. So a little more challenging then the ones you listed above.

 

[mikec142]

Some areas are more like Egan's, Gangsta's or Lew's Line. So a little more challenging then the ones you listed above.

Yeah...I'd prefer to stay on the lower angle stuff. I can get down those, but it would be 1-2 turns at a time as opposed to linking 10 turns or more.

 

[Kingslug20]

When its tight and steep...1 to 2 turns at a time is my strategy..hitting a tree isnt...as long as you get out in 1 piece..

 

[crank]

The price of lessons is insane. Maybe its apples to oranges but in Val Disere a private lesson..all day 930 to 5pm is 436.00.
3 people could do that all week long at those rates...and that's to ski 25000 acres...

We hired a guide for 2 days at Val d'Isere. Not through the resort, from a shop in town. First day was on piste, second was off. It was just under 100 euros per person with a group of 6 and avy gear, including airbag backpacks was included. This was Feb.2019.

Sugarbush should off an adult adventure clinic that takes you out to Slide Brook.

 

[mikec142]

Sugarbush should off an adult adventure clinic that takes you out to Slide Brook.

100% agree.

 

[Kingslug20]

And come down with the insane prices..that the guide...does not get..

 

[Boxtop Willie]

You can definitely get a private lesson and an experienced instructor to take you into Slidebrook. I did it a few weeks ago. The 3 hour private is expensive but I believe you can add on several people for no additional cost. Call ski school, tell them you want to go into Slidebrook and ask for either Craig or Dr. K. Both are excellent guides, both really know Slidebrook. You can get 3-4 round trips depending on how fast you ski, the routes taken and your karrma with the buses on German flats.

 

[ducky]

Fwiw, privates are for the coach, not the number of people in the group.
Most group lessons have only 1 or 2 in the group, especially higher levels, midweek usually just one. Midweek group is only $120 pp for 2 hours. If you wanted to your coach could take you in SB and get two good runs in. (I work Mo and Tu, lol)
In contrast, I've booked a tele clinic at MRG next Fri pm and supposedly will be the only participant. Their rate for the clinic is $79. Not sure how they make money after paying the instructor.
I'd say Slide Brook is relatively easy, darker blue terrain. The traverse and runout are the most dangerous sections. CR/Paradise woods are much steeper, for example. Slide Brook from North is a different story. Never look at the trees!

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

I've never heard of pinball alley before (wrt slidebrook at least). Is it the section before you cross under the slidebrook chair?

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

The price of lessons is insane. Maybe its apples to oranges but in Val Disere a private lesson..all day 930 to 5pm is 436.00.
3 people could do that all week long at those rates...and that's to ski 25000 acres...

Lol, since I’m back on my boards after a bit of a break and have certainly developed bad habits, I briefly checked into a private lesson at Stratton