The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Blurski]

Seems like in previous years North would be open already, just do not remember it closed right up to the Holiday.

 

[cdskier]

Seems like in previous years North would be open already, just do not remember it closed right up to the Holiday.

Opening the Friday before Christmas is normal. It may be an earlier actual date some years if Christmas falls later in the week.

 

[ericfromMA/NH/VT]

Holy Cow! Check out the Mad River Bridge Web Cam at the covered bridge in Waitsfeild.
Waitsfeild Covered bridge

wow thats not good. hope that holds!

 

[ericfromMA/NH/VT]

Opening the Friday before Christmas is normal. It may be an earlier actual date some years if Christmas falls later in the week.

why do they wait to open it? I assume its something to do with snowmaking capabilities. I was hoping to be there friday but after this storm i may wait.

 

[BodeMiller1]

We've had quite a few 'December to Remember'. . . . early 2000's and couple late 90's where CR was 100% open with few people there - pre-MassPass era- most people would wait till holidays or after to even think about skiing.

It's what HMO's did to medicine. Why wait to see doc when I can go in for $5 ( thats where co-pay started in 80's or even late 70's) My dr. friends said it ruined real care for those in need. . . . . seems to be corollary to ski business - this board needs it - half of the people I saw Saturday. . . . would have never been there if not for MassPass-ademic

It did HMOs that is. "Universal Health care" taxes medical equipment. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, butt it helped a lot of the working poor.
I blame the internet.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

why do they wait to open it? I assume its something to do with snowmaking capabilities. I was hoping to be there friday but after this storm i may wait.

It's a financial decision. They can handle all of the pre-Xmas break demand just operating LP, so why deal with the expense and hassle of opening ME when the demand isn't there to support it yet? When XMas break hits and everyone suddenly decides it's time to go skiing for the next 3 months, that's when it makes sense to open ME in order to soak up that demand.

 

[Zand]

Flooding is starting to get bad up there. Moretown is being evacuated at this time. Waitsfield residents advised to shelter in place.

 

[Boxtop Willie]

No power in my part of Fayston. Road is as bad as I've ever seen it in spring mud season.

 

[HowieT2]

wow thats not good. hope that holds!

That's higher than it got during the summer flood.

 

[teleo]

https://vtdigger.org/2023/12/18/flooding-prompts-schools-in-moretown-roxbury-to-close/

 

[SteezyRob]

what the fuck

 

[KustyTheKlown]

jesus. twice in 5 months theyre getting it up the ass with flooding. horrible.

 

[kingslug]

Not liking it up here lately.
Even with the best December in a while..it's all gone again and the state is a mess.

 

[JimG.]

Not liking it up here lately.
Even with the best December in a while..it's all gone again and the state is a mess.

Well, the best half a December anyway.

 

[WinS]

I was driving back from CT yesterday. My normal route is Exit 4 on 89 to 12-A to Roxbury gap. Halfway down 12-A the road under the underpass was flooded so headed South. Bethel Gap closed for construction, so tried an alternative back route to Rochester. After 5 miles it was washed out. Back to 107 and up Rte 100. Just past Rochester water was flowing over the road. A truck in front of me attempted to cross it and just barely did as VT Trans pulled up and shut the road. Heard on the radio that 100-B in Moretown was shut and Waterbury was flooding. So at that point I turned South headed up and over 73 to Rte 7 and stayed the night in Shelburne. Will be heading over shortly. Glad I left my skis to get sharpened. Hopefully there was not too much damage around Vermont but I fear there will be but maybe not at severe as July. Numerous will need undoubtedly need help.

 

[tumbler]

Any intel from the hill today? Hopefully no erosion damage like we've seen at other areas.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Any intel from the hill today? Hopefully no erosion damage like we've seen at other areas.

I'm concerned for damage to the snowmaking pond and wier given all the work they've had to put in there in recent years

 

[WinS]

As you would expect after the heavy rain and warm temperatures, the natural trails are scoured. Where snow was made, however, held up better than I feared. Needless to say it was firm and big chicken heads kept one focused. I skied all the open groomed trails today and was impressed by the depth remaining. The strategy of staying on a trail until about 3’ feet deep before moving on pays off after an event like yesterday. That now allows the snowmaking team to expand terrain rather than resurface at this time. The only weak spots were the jug handles of lower Jester and some of Lower Organgrinder where temps turned off snowmaking before they were finished. The pond looks like it held up well and I suspect the new inflatable dam was deflated before the storm. The repairs to the up stream wall has held up well these past 12 years. The pond, however, likely got more sludge in and thus lowering its capacity. I did not see any erosion on the slopes I could observe, but I did not look around ME. At least the next few days look good for snowmaking even though there is no real natural in the forecast until possibly next week.

 

[tumbler]

Looking forward to some Mt Ellen turns starting tomorrow but no Northridge is a bummer. I wonder how much capital they will put into it with a replacement in the plans.

 

[Blurski]

Looking forward to some Mt Ellen turns starting tomorrow but no Northridge is a bummer. I wonder how much capital they will put into it with a replacement in the plans.

Any word why? Save money or needs service to operate, only 2 good reason I can think of. I'm guessing they did not blow FIS, so just Rim Run off the summit.