The "Sugarbush Thread"

[thetrailboss]

Is this the case? I've listened to a bunch of podcasts with Alterra people at other resorts, and they seem quite open. In particular the women who runs Solitude (former SB person if IIRC) was pretty open about various challenges and plans. I think it is SB's management, but the only Alterra property is follow this closely is SB.

FWIW my observation has been that there is a "perception" that there is local control but in reality that only goes so far. For example, the Deer Valley CEO who was starting to challenge IKON pass access mysteriously left his job shortly thereafter. Additionally, Amber Broadaway, the Solitude CEO that you mentioned, told locals that she would have to "get approval" from Alterra before allowing her mountain ops team to construct a simple snow terrain park. She also made a point to "kiss the ring" when she assumed the helm by publicly extolling the virtues of the IKON pass to the local press. Do the local areas have more control than, say, one in Vail's system? It seems so. Is the local control as much as folks think? I don't believe so.

In terms of here, hard to say what is going on, but from my 30,000 foot view it seems to be more local management and how it handles PR issues.

So as long as the management doesn't bite the IKONic hand that feeds them then all is fine.

BTW Liftblog no longer has the North Ridge Express replacement listed for 2025 or 2026. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[ThatGuy]

Isn't he the guy that posted his day at Killington last year doing a human slalom in the early season? I guess being on closed terrain is a step up. Regrettably I think he has support from Parlor

Yep he got a short ban from Killington for that, shouldve been permanent. Also you think with how many days of skiing he gets in a year he would have better form and ability

 

[Lotso]

What is up with the web cams? Do they not want us to see what's going on? Walt's cam is frozen in one position so you can't view the skiing (been like that all day) North Lynx, Slide Brook, Super Bravo, and Mt. Ellen base are all down for Maintenance. I get bored at work and like to check these things out. Its great marketing for the mountain, I'm sure you guys know the kind of page views they get,... Fix'em

Yep, nothing to see here, people....enjoy looking at GH loading and SF (the latter is encouraging, BTW)

 

[tumbler]

There were plenty of times during Win's ownership that Summit at ME could have been opened instead of LP or stayed open later but they did not. LP became the main mountain in 95 when all the work was done over there to the lifts and snowmaking. Win invested in the new base area so that is the focus. For a couple years after 95 there was the turkey tumble on FIS but that was cut. We can all agree that ME is set up for early and late season with the two lodges and large decks and lifts even though you have to download. They would rather pound Steins-Coffee Run and run one lift and use the courtyard. It's not a bad set up but spring turns off Summit are nice.

 

[tumbler]

Unfortunately the storm underdelivered, 1-2" instead of the 8-12" forecasted.

 

[VTSkiBike]

I was out to dinner in Waterbury last night and was chatting with the bartender who's a Sugarbush employee. He said Heaven's Gate is ready to go and they're just waiting to get snow making over there. He also said the priority was to get Bravo's terrain open for the weekend, then move to Heaven's Gate terrain. As for the late opening, he said the ground was simply too warm and wet to keep enough snow it which makes sense; I skinned up MRG on Sunday and there was plenty of water running under the snow and obvious spots where water was washing snow away.

Might not be new or groundbreaking info but it was good to hear it from an employee and not a PR freindly snow report.

 

[Lotso]

Unfortunately the storm underdelivered, 1-2" instead of the 8-12" forecasted.

Not done yet...more coming today and tonight. Whatever doesn't then blow away on Friday will be sweet...on Slowpoke and Pushover

 

[Newpylong]

How is the lift ready to go without a load test?

 

[cdskier]

How is the lift ready to go without a load test?

Yea...either the person that said it is "ready to go" has a different definition of "ready to go" than I do or they don't actually have all the right information.

 

[djd66]

I was out to dinner in Waterbury last night and was chatting with the bartender who's a Sugarbush employee. He said Heaven's Gate is ready to go and they're just waiting to get snow making over there. He also said the priority was to get Bravo's terrain open for the weekend, then move to Heaven's Gate terrain. As for the late opening, he said the ground was simply too warm and wet to keep enough snow it which makes sense; I skinned up MRG on Sunday and there was plenty of water running under the snow and obvious spots where water was washing snow away.

Might not be new or groundbreaking info but it was good to hear it from an employee and and a PR freindly snow report.

It’s the lack of communication from Sugarbush that is frustrating. Just be open and keep people informed. 95% of us are understanding regarding issues that come up.

And the whole web cam thing is just weird!

 

[skiur]

If the ground was too warm for snow to stick how did all the other ski resorts in Vermont get open?

 

[Hawk]

How is the lift ready to go without a load test?

So I was told that the state inspecor was coming on the 12th but that information was from over a week ago. Schedules change. When you see the lift actually starting and stopping a bunch, you will know they are shaking it out. I have not heard that is occuring yet. Who knows. I do know that the base up there is pretty good except for jester because of the traffic and the bottom of downspout. With cold temps I bet they could have things going in 3 days from start of snowmaking. Most of organgrinder is done I thought.

 

[drjeff]

How is the lift ready to go without a load test?

Until the inspectors hand them that Green license plate for the lift, as you know, it's might just be ready for testing and inspecting, but not ready to go

 

[Lotso]

Hope the warm temps showing for next Wed/Thur stay away, as well as the r@&n... If so we are on Slowpoke and Pushover for a bit...

 

[cdskier]

Hope the warm temps showing for next Wed/Thur stay away, as well as the r@&n... If so we are on Slowpoke and Pushover for a bit...

This is tricky...given the water situation, they almost need some of that wet stuff. I suppose the most ideal scenario would be a scenario where it is wet in the valley and stays right around or below freezing on the mountain itself.

 

[Lotso]

This is tricky...given the water situation, they almost need some of that wet stuff. I suppose the most ideal scenario would be a scenario where it is wet in the valley and stays right around or below freezing on the mountain itself.

True. 1.2 inches of rain though would be tough, but that' what's in the valley; hopefully switches over fast. Cold the end of the week

 

[tumbler]

Unfortunately you need the rain run off from the mountains to fill the pond. Clay Brook is upstream of the pond.

 

[tumbler]

And uphill travel allowed on Birch only...

 

[Lotso]

And uphill travel allowed on Birch only...

That makes sense with snowmaking and grooming on SB/SF

 

[jonnyco14]

Do you think they will have SB and/or valley house open this weekend?