The "Sugarbush Thread"

[slatham]

I am kind of curious what the plan is and why they would be blowing Upper OG when there are not even chairs on the new lift and they still have to go through the inspection process.

Only place on hill where they can make snow.

 

[slatham]

So here's an interesting predicament. What do they do if the ONLY terrain they can open for Thanksgiving is Mt Ellen?

 

[cdskier]

I am kind of curious what the plan is and why they would be blowing Upper OG when there are not even chairs on the new lift and they still have to go through the inspection process.

You need to make the snow there at some point anyway. May as well work on it now if that's the only place you have the temps. No point in wasting a cold window.

 

[nhskier1969]

I am kind of curious what the plan is and why they would be blowing Upper OG when there are not even chairs on the new lift and they still have to go through the inspection process.

Because Sugarbush can say they opened this week but they will leave out the part its hike to.

 

[machski]

Its an interesting idea. I’d only argue that North Lynx deserves a fresh coat of paint first. Much less linear distance to cover to get an upper mountain route open compared to HG and Summit. And downloading is (I think) feasible on GH if needed.

It doesn’t take a climatologist to conclude that November temps are heading in very much the wrong direction for lower elevation snowmaking. This would provide optionality.

On the flip side, it was super nice to have that pod open on natural snow for lift-accessed skinning early season last winter for training hot laps (yeah I realize I’m far out of the main stream target market).

The problem with North Lynx early season is that it is southern exposure. So bad on snow retention when the temps jump up and Sun is out.

 

[Lotso]

The problem with North Lynx early season is that it is southern exposure. So bad on snow retention when the temps jump up and Sun is out.

November and December sun not so bad. They opened that pod early back in the late 90's, IIRC. Was fun.

 

[machski]

Eight trails actually

Great Northern (Upper)
Rime
Reason
East Fall (Upper)
Double Dipper (Upper)
Downdraft (Upper)
Catwalk (Lower)
High Traverse

4 of those only because they got about a foot of snow. High Traverse being flat is ok, Downdraft is basically all of 10 feet then you are back on GN right now. Catwalk and DD upper were getting quite thin with a lot of chum coming through by the end of today. For most, there are 2 routes down and many were avoiding the guns and bumps on UEF. Lower Rime wasn't all that much better, ice bumps, ice sheet, swept loose snow bumps and another ice sheet by 11am.

 

[Newpylong]

The problem with North Lynx early season is that it is southern exposure. So bad on snow retention when the temps jump up and Sun is out.

No different than Gatehouse exposure though.

 

[machski]

No different than Gatehouse exposure though.

I guess, just l like Birch and Sunrise bake in the sun more so than Gatehouse terrain. Might be because I usually ski Sleeper down there and it is naturally shaded a bit.

 

[Hawk]

The rumors are starting to surface. We may get the notice soon that they will not open until after Thanksgiving. I also heard that the lift inspection was pushed until mid December.

 

[Hawk]

My bad. I didn't read the snow report because I was cranking out work this week. They already said that the snomaking window starts Sunday.

 

[Getskied]

The problem with North Lynx early season is that it is southern exposure. So bad on snow retention when the temps jump up and Sun is out.

Yep for sure. But it is what it is, and frankly the early season thaws are less about a strong sun and more about wind swept rain and overnight temps in the 40s.

 

[Blurski]

My bad. I didn't read the snow report because I was cranking out work this week. They already said that the snomaking window starts Sunday.

​

I'm guessing the latest report is still form last week, it mentions the Big Kicker on Sunday. However it will be a miracle is SUgarbush can pull it together to open this weekend.​

Daily Message​

We're hard at work getting ready for the 2024/25 winter season, but sure could use a little help from Mother Nature. Due to limited snowmaking windows this November, we are postponing our Opening Day. At this point, we likely need another 36-48 hours of good snowmaking temps at lower elevations to be ready to open. We have our sights set on a potential window Sunday night. We're also keeping our eyes on a couple potential storms that may see us open if we get the snow down low. In the meantime, keep cold and snowy thoughts in your mind. We will continue to update the snow report as the opening picture becomes clearer.

When we do open, it will likely be the Gate House Quad with Pushover, Slowpoke, Sugarbear Road, and Lower Hot Shot. After that terrain opens we will move towards Valley House terrain and then Heaven's Gate. Snowmaking has also already begun over at Mt. Ellen.

The Big Kicker is still on for this Saturday, November 23rd with the rail jam portion to be determined. Our brand new cafe, The Tucker Coffee & Cocktails located in The Farmhouse, will be having its grand opening this Friday - Sunday 8 AM - 1 PM with a limited menu. Come check out the new spot!

Read Less

 

[Newpylong]

Give it time - they will give up on the Gatehouse-first folly one of these falls. The benefits of Klik hydrants can't change physics.

 

[Lotso]

​

I'm guessing the latest report is still form last week, it mentions the Big Kicker on Sunday. However it will be a miracle is SUgarbush can pull it together to open this weekend.​

Daily Message​

We're hard at work getting ready for the 2024/25 winter season, but sure could use a little help from Mother Nature. Due to limited snowmaking windows this November, we are postponing our Opening Day. At this point, we likely need another 36-48 hours of good snowmaking temps at lower elevations to be ready to open. We have our sights set on a potential window Sunday night. We're also keeping our eyes on a couple potential storms that may see us open if we get the snow down low. In the meantime, keep cold and snowy thoughts in your mind. We will continue to update the snow report as the opening picture becomes clearer.

When we do open, it will likely be the Gate House Quad with Pushover, Slowpoke, Sugarbear Road, and Lower Hot Shot. After that terrain opens we will move towards Valley House terrain and then Heaven's Gate. Snowmaking has also already begun over at Mt. Ellen.

The Big Kicker is still on for this Saturday, November 23rd with the rail jam portion to be determined. Our brand new cafe, The Tucker Coffee & Cocktails located in The Farmhouse, will be having its grand opening this Friday - Sunday 8 AM - 1 PM with a limited menu. Come check out the new spot!

Read Less

23rd was last Saturday...not exactly staying current with their reporting

 

[slatham]

Snowmaking re-starts well before Sunday, even on GH. I predict a Saturday opening.

 

[djd66]

From what I am seeing, the only thing that could open is summit chair. They were blowing that all day yesterday. Thanksgiving is 2 days away, with no long periods of sustained cold until next week. Definitely been a tough November.

 

[cdskier]

Snowmaking re-starts well before Sunday, even on GH. I predict a Saturday opening.

I'm not seeing extended windows of temps at the base of GH before Saturday. And even the temps they do have appear marginal. You get mid to upper 20s at the base Thursday night and Friday night. Not sure that is enough time to get the bottom of GH done. Friday is mid-30s at the base during the day.

 

[Hawk]

It was below freezing last night. I am surprised that they didn't attempt to blow something.

 

[BodeMiller1]

Go check out Killington and Sunday river the snowmaking giants. They are having issues also. It's temperature and weather. No sence in bitchin. It aint gonna make any difference.

True, butt early season, if you paid a lot for a season pass. It can make you feel better. Killington is not afraid to lose the hill. Is it still true?

Your right life's too short to bitch about the weather. Golden Eagle not a hawk (no offense).