The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Hawk]

From conversations I had with various people, they will be doing a much more extensive lift maintenance program this summer so I suspect that is where they will spend the money. Maybe they will even figure out the slidebrook lift. I am all for that if it means that the lifts run better.

 

[tumbler]

Yes, Hammond mentioned the lift maintenance work in his letter so hopefully it pays off. The summer lift hours were already reduced in previous years to 3 days a week. I'm fine not having the hours on Bravo. If they can cut new flow type mountain bike trails on GH side that would draw more people as it's pretty technical downhill biking right now but I don't see it happening. They're still doing some stuff and I would maybe speculate that they are worried about the economy and people not traveling.

 

[SkiTheEast]

Yes, Hammond mentioned the lift maintenance work in his letter so hopefully it pays off. The summer lift hours were already reduced in previous years to 3 days a week. I'm fine not having the hours on Bravo. If they can cut new flow type mountain bike trails on GH side that would draw more people as it's pretty technical downhill biking right now but I don't see it happening. They're still doing some stuff and I would maybe speculate that they are worried about the economy and people not traveling.

I saw that bit about lift maintenance as well I guess I just assumed that what mountains always did in the offseason but as I now understand this is more extensive. hope it works so we'll see more consistent operations (and less whining here)

As far as the bike trails they've already done some pretty extensive planning for both Bravo improvement (approved) and new GH flow trails (pending approval from the NFS). Maybe it's a combination of economic factors and not wanting to announce anything without both approvals in hand. We'll see!

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www.fs.usda.gov

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www.fs.usda.gov

 

[nhskier1969]

inexpensive off season improvement I'd like to see but will probably never ever happen. Widen Lower Ripcord. I would venture to guess lower ripcord is the least skied snowmaking trail on the mtn.

 

[cdskier]

inexpensive off season improvement I'd like to see but will probably never ever happen. Widen Lower Ripcord. I would venture to guess lower ripcord is the least skied snowmaking trail on the mtn.

Huh? I don't get it...

 

[1dog]

think he's referring to the bumps of ice under last two lift towers- but they occasionally groom skiers right. When theres snow that far skier left is very cool skiing in the weeds. . . will never happen as there is that out skiers right to Deathspout.

Doesn't affect me much but where is that large mid-mountain Gate House lodge - is it the only major resort with no ( real) mid or top lodge?

At the very least- fix Walts deck or expand fercryinoutloud- way back that deck was amazing in the sun.

1st world problems . . .

 

[HowieT2]

Yes, Hammond mentioned the lift maintenance work in his letter so hopefully it pays off. The summer lift hours were already reduced in previous years to 3 days a week. I'm fine not having the hours on Bravo. If they can cut new flow type mountain bike trails on GH side that would draw more people as it's pretty technical downhill biking right now but I don't see it happening. They're still doing some stuff and I would maybe speculate that they are worried about the economy and people not traveling.

Personally, I haven't ridden the trails at SB in years. I think the demand for running the bravo doesnt warrant the staffing needed for the lift and rental shop. Maybe that will change if they build the flow trails off gatehouse but with the trails at camels hump and blueberry lake, I'm not so sure.

 

[Hawk]

The gatehouse plan is extensive. I doubt they can staff 2 lifts and run them all the time. Maybe the gatehouse will have a ride up option. It the riding becomes nice like the kingdom trails people will come. Kingdom has prooved that.

 

[Blurski]

I'll put my money on lift served MTB is gone forever at sugarbush under the current ownership.
If they can solve all of the lift issues this summer I will call it a big win.

 

[mikec142]

I'll put my money on lift served MTB is gone forever at sugarbush under the current ownership.
If they can solve all of the lift issues this summer I will call it a big win.

I'm not a MTB rider, but this wouldn't surprise me. Once you cut something, it's hard to restart it. Ostensibly, lift served MTB was cut last year due to the HG replacement. I probably missed it, but what's the reasoning why it won't be offered this year?

 

[Hawk]

Cost is basically it. The cost to do the yearly maintanence of the trails and the cost to man and run the lift. Keep in mind that they have to employ at lease 3 lifties, 2 patrol/EMT people plus full time Mechanics on staff and fix problems at a minimum each day it runs.

 

[Hastur]

They should cut an uphill only route (if they haven't already) to access downhill MTB trails and let people either climb it pedaling (I Know haha....wont happen for the masses) or climb using E bikes. E bikes are more and more popular every year. And the difference between a modern E MTB long travel bike and a regular MTB long travel bike is less and less each year.

Then you only need to fund patrol. and probably there are a few year rounders that need something to do so that shouldn't cost much.

At 50, I'm too old for downhill so I just pedal everywhere anyway.

there is an uphill mountain bike race at stratton in a month that has an E bike category, so I guess they are bigly popular. Not sure what that measures though.

 

[Hawk]

LOL you sell yourself way to short. My entire riding group is over 50, some are as old as 70 and we all ride up hill and do very techical down hill. It's really not that big a deal.
I will never be an advocate for E bikes. For me it defeats the purpose of biking. I hear all the arguments about using it to keep up and give access to people that can not keep up but if I can't keep up then I find people of my class and ability. The strenouous part of riding is why I ride bikes. It keeps me fit, heathy, keeps my weight down, reducess my colestoral issue and strengthens my heart for my later years. Otherwise I would buy a motorcycle.

A race for e bikes. LOL. so that would be like car racing and the best designed rig with the most sustain power wins.

 

[Hastur]

I should have typed I'm too old for 'lift serviced' downhill.

I prefer to earn my vert. the bike has pedals and cranks, as it seems you are aware.

 

[tumbler]

I hope the golf course doesn't get the shaft with budget cuts. They had some good drainage projects planned like around the 7th green that will help and they have been doing a really good job with maintenance the past few years. It's a fun old school course and Hogan's is good spot to grab some drinks and food even if you're not playing.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

LOL you sell yourself way to short. My entire riding group is over 50, some are as old as 70 and we all ride up hill and do very techical down hill. It's really not that big a deal.
I will never be an advocate for E bikes. For me it defeats the purpose of biking. I hear all the arguments about using it to keep up and give access to people that can not keep up but if I can't keep up then I find people of my class and ability. The strenouous part of riding is why I ride bikes. It keeps me fit, heathy, keeps my weight down, reducess my colestoral issue and strengthens my heart for my later years. Otherwise I would buy a motorcycle.

A race for e bikes. LOL. so that would be like car racing and the best designed rig with the most sustain power wins.

Good for you guys riding acoustic bikes everywhere. I did that for years too, even raced them all over the country for a few years. My eMTB is the most fun thing I have ever bought and I wrestle with what is better - riding it vs. snowboarding/skiing - quite often I think the e-bike wins! One way to look at the comparison between acoustic and electric bikes is comparing cross country skiing with downhill skiing. Downhill skiing is way more fun and that is exactly how you should look at emtbs. If you are healthy, it's not about age, it's about enjoying the things you do. I ride with state road race champions, time trial champions, current Maxxis enduro series winners and they all ride emtbs because they are hella fun! You never know who is riding one. They still have their acoustic bikes but also have ebikes. And you can't compare it to a motorcycle. Ever. If you don't think you get a work out on one, please rent one and come ride with me. You will need a beer afterwards, I promise!

 

[NewEnglander77]

I hope the golf course doesn't get the shaft with budget cuts. They had some good drainage projects planned like around the 7th green that will help and they have been doing a really good job with maintenance the past few years. It's a fun old school course and Hogan's is good spot to grab some drinks and food even if you're not playing.

Agreed. They need to continue to invest in the course. It has improved year over year, but they still have work to do. Rates are very high and therefore so are expectations. Unfortunately that have a captive audience in the tourist/vacation crowd and nearest course for locals isn't close. I would imagine they generate signifcant revenue from the course.

 

[djd66]

Good for you guys riding acoustic bikes everywhere. I did that for years too, even raced them all over the country for a few years. My eMTB is the most fun thing I have ever bought and I wrestle with what is better - riding it vs. snowboarding/skiing - quite often I think the e-bike wins! One way to look at the comparison between acoustic and electric bikes is comparing cross country skiing with downhill skiing. Downhill skiing is way more fun and that is exactly how you should look at emtbs. If you are healthy, it's not about age, it's about enjoying the things you do. I ride with state road race champions, time trial champions, current Maxxis enduro series winners and they all ride emtbs because they are hella fun! You never know who is riding one. They still have their acoustic bikes but also have ebikes. And you can't compare it to a motorcycle. Ever. If you don't think you get a work out on one, please rent one and come ride with me. You will need a beer afterwards, I promise!

"acoustic bikes" - that is funny, never heard that before and will be using it now!

Shred, I am in the same boat as you. I've been a long time MTN biker going back 30+ years. I tried and e-mtn-biking and i was hooked. The first time I tried was at the end of MTN biking season at Sugarbush and bought 2 bikes from Sugarbush. FYI, if you want an extra workout, you can shut off the power or go on ECO. They are truly a complete blast and just enhance the MTN biking experience. If you have not tried it, I would advise trying one.

 

[HowieT2]

Cost is basically it. The cost to do the yearly maintanence of the trails and the cost to man and run the lift. Keep in mind that they have to employ at lease 3 lifties, 2 patrol/EMT people plus full time Mechanics on staff and fix problems at a minimum each day it runs.

plus the gear/rental shop employees and the cost of the rental fleet.

I think there has been tremendous growth in alternative trails both in the valley and elsewhere such that what SB has to offer is just not that attractive. New GH trails are necessary but I'm not sure they are sufficient to drive enough demand. I think they'd really need to make a splash with an extensive network of trails to get people to come to the mountain. And I assume trails in slidebrook are verboten.

 

[HowieT2]

I should have typed I'm too old for 'lift serviced' downhill.

I prefer to earn my vert. the bike has pedals and cranks, as it seems you are aware.

I used to do it for shits and giggles and for me I dont think that its that I'm too old. But my bike is a cross country and the downhill trails take a toll on it such that it cost more to fix than renting a DH rig and then there's the padding I don't normally wear. It's a hastle that to me isnt worth the 1-2 hours I'd want to do it for especially when there are such great other trails to ride.