The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Lotso]

"As an added uphill bonus, we've opened North Lynx for hiking from 10 AM- 3 PM, and Castlerock via the Long Trail from 10 AM- 3 PM."

Added bonus... yes, sweet for those who have the desire to hike for some delicious turns

 

[slatham]

So I always thought - it was likely mentioned on the reports once upon a time - that “hike to” on Castlerock was due to a desire to limit traffic when the depth was not great, yet allow those hardcore enough to ski it. Same logic as MRG wanting a single to limit traffic that could ruin the base.

Guess I was naive to think it wasn’t because of lack of staff to run a fixed grip double.

 

[Lotso]

So I always thought - it was likely mentioned on the reports once upon a time - that “hike to” on Castlerock was due to a desire to limit traffic when the depth was not great, yet allow those hardcore enough to ski it. Same logic as MRG wanting a single to limit traffic that could ruin the base.

Guess I was naive to think it wasn’t because of lack of staff to run a fixed grip double.

I like the logic and it does make sense to allow for 'human grooming' until the base is established. Just wish they were up front about it if's that's the case, which I doubt is the situation.

 

[Carl_Greig]

Report yesterday said all lifts at 8. Morning says only GMX

 

[vtski802]

Merry Christmas eve! GMX running on half speed ("all day" according to a liftie) for some unknown reason. So frustrating

Enjoy it, ya filthy animals!

 

[KustyTheKlown]

GMX is indeed slow as shit

All is kinda forgiven tho I guess…

 

[Lotso]

GMX is indeed slow as shit

All is kinda forgiven tho I guess…

View attachment 63913

Yummy

Get it while you can, folks. Turn of the year looks grim: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/vt/waitsfield/KVTWAITS21

 

[machski]

I didn't realize the majority of Sugarbush lifts will be 30-year-old in 2025. Sugarbush needs a local independent group to buy them. With so much aging infrastructure a local group could buy Sugarbush for Pennis on the dollar. I believe Killington sold for $150 Million with an updated snowmaking and Lift system. The number of total updates needed at Sugarbush is probably pushing $100 million. Replace 7 lifts that are 30 years old, new snowmaking equipment, increase snowmaking capacity, new pond(s) etc. I know these projects wouldn't be fixed right away with a new owner, but it does devalue the resort at time of purchase.

Killington may have sold for $150 million but they have antiquated lifts overall (aside from S6 and Northridge) and their snowmaking system is vastly behind the times. Nothing new about either of those systems at K. On a new lift basis, Sugarbush actually has more newer lifts than K right now!

 

[cdskier]

So I always thought - it was likely mentioned on the reports once upon a time - that “hike to” on Castlerock was due to a desire to limit traffic when the depth was not great, yet allow those hardcore enough to ski it. Same logic as MRG wanting a single to limit traffic that could ruin the base.

Guess I was naive to think it wasn’t because of lack of staff to run a fixed grip double.

That is the reason it is usually hike to. And I suspect that is very much the reasoning right now. It is still early in the season and the base isn't that deep yet. I fully support CR being hike only for a little longer to help properly set up those trails.

 

[slatham]

I should have added that the castle rock logic does not apply to North Lynx, though their communication makes it seem like it’s a treat to be able to hike to.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Yummy

Get it while you can, folks. Turn of the year looks grim: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/vt/waitsfield/KVTWAITS21

Yep just did some chairlift travel agenting

12/26-31 hotel cancelled
12/26-29 hotel acquired

 

[cdskier]

I should have added that the castle rock logic does not apply to North Lynx, though their communication makes it seem like it’s a treat to be able to hike to.

They haven't made any snow on North Lynx yet...they never run that lift before they make snow on at least Birch.

Allowing hiking on NL is a "bonus" for those that want to take advantage of it. With no snow being made yet up there, that terrain would be down to rocks and grass in no time if they ran the lift.

 

[Steveskio]

That is the reason it is usually hike to. And I suspect that is very much the reasoning right now. It is still early in the season and the base isn't that deep yet. I fully support CR being hike only for a little longer to help properly set up those trails.

CD, I disagree. When paradise is skiing like it was this morning, there is plenty of snow for CR Run and Middle Earth. I think it’s a staffing issue. I can’t remember the last time we’ve had this much snow b4 XMass. Stake at M Mansfield is almost double the avg right now. With the embarrassing mismanagement, of the opening, that’s the least they could do.
Maybe it failed inspection. Enjoy the goods!

 

[KustyTheKlown]

CR would be beat to death if they opened the lift right now. Absolute death. It’s good that it’s closed. The hike is worth it. The terrain would lose its jazz in 15 min if the lift was open. Some good things require work/the people who work deserve the rewards.

 

[cdskier]

CD, I disagree. When paradise is skiing like it was this morning, there is plenty of snow for CR Run and Middle Earth. I think it’s a staffing issue. I can’t remember the last time we’ve had this much snow b4 XMass. Stake at M Mansfield is almost double the avg right now. With the embarrassing mismanagement, of the opening, that’s the least they could do.
Maybe it failed inspection. Enjoy the goods!

There's a big difference between Paradise and Upper CR/ME vs the lower elevations of Castlerock that are more-so the issue on CR.

Also, where do you get that the Mansfield Snow Stake is almost double the average? It is 10" above average for this time of year (about 35% higher than average). It is still under 40" overall. Let's not pretend we have mid-winter depths out there. We don't.

I take issue with people claiming staffing issues with no basis for that claim simply because a couple lifts aren't running that have other logical reasons for not running. There's a lot of valid criticisms of SB so far this year...but CR and NL not running aren't two of them...

 

[KustyTheKlown]

I reserve my ire for (1) north ridge (2) gmx unreliability/half speed and (3) the gatehouse rollout plan

 

[slatham]

They haven't made any snow on North Lynx yet...they never run that lift before they make snow on at least Birch.

Allowing hiking on NL is a "bonus" for those that want to take advantage of it. With no snow being made yet up there, that terrain would be down to rocks and grass in no time if they ran the lift.

True, though I would argue they would have made snow by now if the lift could actually run.

 

[MadPadraic]

And folks question why at sometimes a lift goes on hold for maintenance issues and the general public thinks it's B.S.....

I haven't seen anyone here doing such a thing. What I have seen is a lot of general griping about the sheer number of lifts with issues, communications (including ski reporting and webcams), the rollout plan, and the general sense that all sorts of preventable things are going wroing.

 

[cdskier]

True, though I would argue they would have made snow by now if the lift could actually run.

How familiar are you with sugarbush’s usual snowmaking plan? Birch is usually very late in the plan. There are numerous other routes they haven’t touched yet with snowmaking that are typically earlier in the plan than North Lynx terrain. Based on where they’ve made snow so far and what they still have left I have no reason to think Birch would have been touched by now under any normal circumstances. Maybe if they didn’t run out of water and were further ahead with other trails it would be coming up soon…but even that’s not a guarantee.

 

[teleo]

CR would be beat to shit if they ran the lift. At least through yesterday as I am not there today.

A lifty told me they actually have more lifties than usual right now and some want more days. Also, when they promote hiking, they have patrol up top at CR and NL. So it's not staffing.