welcome aboard!I am one of those new ikon customers who never had a sugarbush season pass before. I skied at SB once last season for the first time ever before heading out to Tahoe for the winter. This season so far I've done 3 days at SB and I thought the terrain opening was totally reasonable and even a little bit conservative. Although I recommend they switch the warnings to a rating system based on a number of rock skis. One rock skis = expect some minor scratches. Two rock skis = expect deep gashes. Three rock skis = core shot time!
I'm fine with the way it is. If the sign says thin cover, its thin cover. If the trail is closed, it must be for damned good reason, and since I pay for my own skis, I ain't messing around.