The "Sugarbush Thread"

[HowieT2]

How far is your drive? I'm always happen to venture out for food, but I live in a suburb of NYC and 40 minutes from the NJ Shore. It's tough for me to motivate to make the 5.5 hour (each way) drive when there's no snow on the ground.

I was kind of kidding. My drive is 4.5 hours and I came up to the valley for more than stuffing my face. Mountain biking, hiking, paddling, swimming. Didnt make it to the MTN though. I do prefer being in the mountains than the beach.

 

[kbroderick]

I think the market has evolved away from lift served mountain biking in the last 10-15 years. There are so many alternatives that are free and better. The trails in the valley are light years ahead of what they were years ago, not to mention what's available in the region as a whole.

I would note that there is a parallel to backcountry skiing insofar as technical skill development is much quicker with lift service (and doubly so for those of us who don't have cyclist-level aerobic capacity).

In general, improved features on local trail systems definitely narrow the gap in overall experience, but I don't think downhill biking in a park environment is going to disappear anytime soon. I could see lift access eventually being less of a thing and people just relying on e-bikes to ascend work roads, but the combination of trail crew, trail and feature density, and lap-ability with the uphill rest period is different than riding a trail system (plus there's the presence of patrol, which is a significant benefit when there are so many big features).

I certainly don't think there is or ever will be as much market for lift-served MTB as there is for lift-served skiing in Vermont. Not only are you competing against a free option that's more similar than xc/bc skiing, but you don't have the same weather advantage over points south, and the larger ski areas in northern New England all rely heavily on proximity to larger population centers.

 

[Hawk]

Considering it was only 30 minutes extra access...I wouldn't say the word "lap" is how people were using it. There's a huge amount of terrain you can get to from Bravo. Even just getting 2 or 3 runs before the general public you'd never come close to having to hit the same trail twice (unless you really wanted to). And on top of that, you could always ensure you were first in line at HG if you were so inclined thanks to early ups.

On a regular day you would get 3 bomber runs on groomers going as fast as I could. I was a rush to go that fast with no one on the hill. Very fun unless it was like 0 degrees out or below.

On a powder day it was 2 untracked runs on whatever run you wanted off Bravo and then straight to HG for your choice of runs there. If they were on time at the HG lift opening, you got an untracked run of your choice, then your second run was usually mostly untracked as the general public are just getting there.

My timing was usually pretty good so I was on first or second chair both lifts most days. There were several years that we got 6 to 8 powder days. Not so much lately. It was totally worth it.

 

[thetrailboss]

On a regular day you would get 3 bomber runs on groomers going as fast as I could. I was a rush to go that fast with no one on the hill. Very fun unless it was like 0 degrees out or below.

On a powder day it was 2 untracked runs on whatever run you wanted off Bravo and then straight to HG for your choice of runs there. If they were on time at the HG lift opening, you got an untracked run of your choice, then your second run was usually mostly untracked as the general public are just getting there.

My timing was usually pretty good so I was on first or second chair both lifts most days. There were several years that we got 6 to 8 powder days. Not so much lately. It was totally worth it.

These comments about powder days reminds me of this gem from a few years ago. I think someone in here gets credit for making this. We all need a laugh….and ski season to start soon. Hopefully the snowmaking ponds fill up soon.

 

[cdskier]

These comments about powder days reminds me of this gem from a few years ago. I think someone in here gets credit for making this. We all need a laugh….and ski season to start soon. Hopefully the snowmaking ponds fill up soon.

Pretty sure this was Howie's wife's work...

 

[AdironRider]

To echo Newpy, there is very little money made by ski resorts in the summer. If they break even they consider it a win and it helps a little with keeping a few more key staff members fully employed and access to benefits. Now that the market for summer stuff at ski areas is getting established (as in its been around for a decade or two) it is getting harder and harder to justify as costs for lift replacements increase well above inflation. The cost benefit analysis just isn't there.

The best option from a pure profit perspective is to keep a low key food venue open but have more XC mtb trail / access.

 

[mikec142]

The best option from a pure profit perspective is to keep a low key food venue open but have more XC mtb trail / access.

This sounds reasonable to me. IMHO there has to be something at the mountain that helps foster a sense of community. As I said upthread, I'd be down with having a cocktail and food while listening to someone play guitar. But it's got to be something. Otherwise people will find that sense of community elsewhere.

 

[HowieT2]

Pretty sure this was Howie's wife's work...

That is correct.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

that hitler scene is really the gift that keeps on giving. every subculture i am involved in has a masterful version of the hitler scene meme.

lol wow 'i really like water slides' to end that is chef's kiss!

 

[VTSkiBike]

that hitler scene is really the gift that keeps on giving. every subculture i am involved in has a masterful version of the hitler scene meme.

lol wow 'i really like water slides' to end that is chef's kiss!

Not gonna lie, that video had me laughing pretty damn hard.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Its really very funny