The "Sugarbush Thread"

[MadPadraic]

They might get there...good temps until the mess on Friday. HG traverse might be the key unless they have been secretly hitting Deathspout.

I expect I'm in the minority here, but I'd rather Gatehouse than HG Traverse.

 

[benski]

They might get there...good temps until the mess on Friday. HG traverse might be the key unless they have been secretly hitting Deathspout.

The trail map labels HG traverse as a natural snow trail, and I don't remember guns last time I was up there in '21.

Winter Park's snowmaking is also a mess of half asses attempted trail openings. They had 4 trails 90% of the way done Halloween and haven't opened any. It seemed like they skipped guns on each trail. But one trail doesn't have guns all they way to the top which is extra baffling. The theory I heard on the lift is they did a major pump capacity upgrade last summer but have pipes that can't handle it. It just looked like they decided to do a lot of things poorly. It sounds like Sugarbush is doing the same thing, unable to commit to a manageable amount of trails focused on without the excuse of a pump too powerful for the system.

 

[Lotso]

The trail map labels HG traverse as a natural snow trail, and I don't remember guns last time I was up there in '21.

Winter Park's snowmaking is also a mess of half asses attempted trail openings. They had 4 trails 90% of the way done Halloween and haven't opened any. It seemed like they skipped guns on each trail. But one trail doesn't have guns all they way to the top which is extra baffling. The theory I heard on the lift is they did a major pump capacity upgrade last summer but have pipes that can't handle it. It just looked like they decided to do a lot of things poorly. It sounds like Sugarbush is doing the same thing, unable to commit to a manageable amount of trails focused on without the excuse of a pump too powerful for the system.

I thought they put snowmaking on it. Would be kinda worthless as only Jester could be used unless they got down OG past Downspout. I think they will get the WROD on GH, though that will be horrid with the crowds.

 

[jonnyco14]

My guess is you will get Jester, Organgrinder, and murphys with heaven's gate traverse tying it all together with pushover off gatehouse. They have a pretty decent window tonight into tomorrow to get the bottom in shape. They have a 12 hour window tonight and a 12 hour window tomorrow night.

 

[fulgoreXC]

I thought they put snowmaking on it. Would be kinda worthless as only Jester could be used unless they got down OG past Downspout. I think they will get the WROD on GH, though that will be horrid with the crowds.

Confirmed. There is snowmaking from the top of Steins along HG Traverse (used to be called Reverse Traverse) all the way to the HG lift. btw... groomer sighting in the background of the summit snow stake. It looks like Jester is getting pushed out.

 

[tumbler]

I don't think OG will be in play unless they have been blowing Downspout from bottom of OG to HG chair. I think it will be up Bravo then Murphy's to HG traverse then up HG to Jester back to Murphy's and downloading. It will be interesting if they can get Pushover to SB forest. They will also open First Time so there's 4 lifts- more than anyone in the East!!

 

[Lotso]

My guess is you will get Jester, Organgrinder, and murphys with heaven's gate traverse tying it all together with pushover off gatehouse. They have a pretty decent window tonight into tomorrow to get the bottom in shape. They have a 12 hour window tonight and a 12 hour window tomorrow night.

I see better that that: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-72.899&lat=44.137

Looks like round the clock until late Thursday night, at least I hope so.

 

[cdskier]

The trail map labels HG traverse as a natural snow trail, and I don't remember guns last time I was up there in '21.

Winter Park's snowmaking is also a mess of half asses attempted trail openings. They had 4 trails 90% of the way done Halloween and haven't opened any. It seemed like they skipped guns on each trail. But one trail doesn't have guns all they way to the top which is extra baffling. The theory I heard on the lift is they did a major pump capacity upgrade last summer but have pipes that can't handle it. It just looked like they decided to do a lot of things poorly. It sounds like Sugarbush is doing the same thing, unable to commit to a manageable amount of trails focused on without the excuse of a pump too powerful for the system.

You've missed out on a rather big change...HG Traverse has been completely re-done and now has snow-making. Reverse Traverse from the top of Steins was re-cut and is no longer uphill at all and now includes snow-making (and the entire length from Stein's to HG is now called HG Traverse and considered a single trail instead of 2 separate ones).

 

[Hawk]

CD is right. They installed the pipe and hydrants when they upgraded the lift on HG traverse from Valley house lift to the HG base. Looking at the base camera they have a long way to go to the bottom. They also shut off the Gatehouse cameras at the top and bottom so we have no idea on that sitting here at home.
Unlike most on here I remember clearly what happened last year...... People forget they advertised opening and then pulled the plug the night before only on the web site. People came up and were pissed. I won't get fooled again. ;-)

 

[cdskier]

Super interesting that they were all of a sudden trying to hit Gondolier. Their logic could be to make a thin strip down from the base of HG just for a runout once people are done lapping Jester via HG... That makes some degree of sense if they don't think they have a window to complete enough on GH to have a skiable run on that pod. If you have to run HG, that means you have to run SB (or VH). So may as well focus on a way down without downloading instead of making snow on GH and running a third chair there. And backup plan could be to download on SB if they can't get a skiable runout open from the base of HG. And backup backup plan could be to pivot to ME. I guess we'll see tomorrow as they stated they plan to announce their plans Wednesday afternoon.

 

[slatham]

I see better that that: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-72.899&lat=44.137

Looks like round the clock until late Thursday night, at least I hope so.

That forecast is for 2,900’. With a high of 31 on Thursday, and low of 29 Thursday night, that means guns off Thursday morning at that elevation and below. So not much more than a couple of 12 hour stints down low (baring a major inversion).

My memory failed on Heavens Gate Traverse. Now it makes sense to make snow on Murphy’s Glade as that will terminate at HGT, and connect to HGQ.

Question I have is, is it easier to finish OG to HGT, or OG to Downspout to HGQ?

 

[fulgoreXC]

Super interesting that they were all of a sudden trying to hit Gondolier. Their logic could be to make a thin strip down from the base of HG just for a runout once people are done lapping Jester via HG... That makes some degree of sense if they don't think they have a window to complete enough on GH to have a skiable run on that pod. If you have to run HG, that means you have to run SB (or VH). So may as well focus on a way down without downloading instead of making snow on GH and running a third chair there. And backup plan could be to download on SB if they can't get a skiable runout open from the base of HG. And backup backup plan could be to pivot to ME. I guess we'll see tomorrow as they stated they plan to announce their plans Wednesday afternoon.

Ding ding ding. there’s a real aversion to downloading. so it makes sense to use the available time and temps to get in a WROD from HG chair to the base. But given that a brand new down load deck was built at the top of bravo this summer thats the most likely option once lower DS /Jester is skied off.

 

[MrGlen]

MrGlen I know your new on here so I will just give a kind heads up. You posting this tying to out people is what get's the mountain in an uproar. This forces them to do something because you put it on a public website. In the past they turned a blind eye to the locals skiing if they were respectful, were aware of on mountain operations and stayed away. It was a don't ask don't tell kind of thing. Now because of the internet and people hell bent on posting the "look at me" videos, it has forced their hands. It's simple, don't post this kind of thing.

That’s probably you snow plowing down the trail. Sorry to expose you, Hawk.

 

[cdskier]

Guns back on at the base as temps have dropped back into snow-making range at that elevation...

Wish they would get the rest of the webcams back up...

 

[vtski802]

All this speculation for Opening Day to see if we'll be lucky enough to possibly have a ribbon of snow to ski out from HG on to avoid downloading (instead of just GH/ pushover)... and everything is so up in the air they can't tell us what they'll have until 3 days before opening... Meanwhile, Stowe announced yesterday they are opening Friday with full 2000 vertical top to bottom snowmaking routes (lord/ north slope, sunrise/standard), and natural snow on Hayride, Nosedive, liftline, national, goat and starr.

Alterra really needs to step up their investment in the mountain and add water/air capacity (like yesterday) and communicate/hype it up better than they have been to date. I fully acknowledge there's a big natural snow difference (and quality of communication too) between bush and stowe, and this so far this season illustrates exactly why we need increased snowmaking firepower.

 

[1dog]

All this speculation for Opening Day to see if we'll be lucky enough to possibly have a ribbon of snow to ski out from HG on to avoid downloading (instead of just GH/ pushover)... and everything is so up in the air they can't tell us what they'll have until 3 days before opening... Meanwhile, Stowe announced yesterday they are opening Friday with full 2000 vertical top to bottom snowmaking routes (lord/ north slope, sunrise/standard), and natural snow on Hayride, Nosedive, liftline, national, goat and starr.

Alterra really needs to step up their investment in the mountain and add water/air capacity (like yesterday) and communicate/hype it up better than they have been to date. I fully acknowledge there's a big natural snow difference (and quality of communication too) between bush and stowe, and this so far this season illustrates exactly why we need increased snowmaking firepower.

No excuses- with this much natural snow fall- they should be T 2B. While not figured into official numbers-the difference in snowfall is minimal-and doesn't reflect upslope or lake effect benefits to ( North especially):

Based on historical data from sources like NOAA and resort reports, here's a comparison of average annual snowfall for the two Vermont ski resorts (note that these are approximate long-term averages and can vary by season due to weather patterns):

- **Stowe Mountain Resort**: Around 314 inches (about 26 feet) per year.
- **Sugarbush Resort**: Around 262 inches (about 22 feet) per year.

This means Stowe typically sees about 52 inches more snowfall annually than Sugarbush. Stowe's higher elevation and northern location in the Green Mountains contribute to this edge, though microclimates and individual storms can lead to yearly fluctuations. For the most current or detailed stats, checking official resort snow reports or sites like OnTheSnow is recommended.

 

[ducky]

Stowe has had much more snow this year than the MRV. Even Waterbury reported 10" the other day and we got 1-2. My wife has hiked MRG three times this year and seen quite different conditions each day, though she said there could be 3' up top, there's very little at the base. That said, there is ice on our pond this morning for the first time. We live at 1,000' and our lawn was green yesterday, covered in a dusting and frost this morning.

 

[jimmywilson69]

HG Cam showing tracks going towards paradise and down ripchord. They look like they were good turns!

 

[Hawk]

That’s probably you snow plowing down the trail. Sorry to expose you, Hawk.

It was. LOL
Actually it would have been me if I was up there. Up until recently I have made it up to do pre lift opening runs most years.

 

[tumbler]

All this speculation for Opening Day to see if we'll be lucky enough to possibly have a ribbon of snow to ski out from HG on to avoid downloading (instead of just GH/ pushover)... and everything is so up in the air they can't tell us what they'll have until 3 days before opening... Meanwhile, Stowe announced yesterday they are opening Friday with full 2000 vertical top to bottom snowmaking routes (lord/ north slope, sunrise/standard), and natural snow on Hayride, Nosedive, liftline, national, goat and starr.

Alterra really needs to step up their investment in the mountain and add water/air capacity (like yesterday) and communicate/hype it up better than they have been to date. I fully acknowledge there's a big natural snow difference (and quality of communication too) between bush and stowe, and this so far this season illustrates exactly why we need increased snowmaking firepower.

Communication, lack thereof, is all on local management and it starts at the top with Hammond. I'm sure the marketing dept would love to be hyping things up but he has decided that it is best to operate in secrecy and keep everyone in suspense. Yes it would be nice for Alterra to send some capital Bush's way but not too many years ago they were able to open on average with all the other resorts (excluding Killington, SR).

Another thing to be concerned about it the MRV is still in severe to extreme drought status- they say the river is up a bit but not enough to substantially draw from the river and there is little to no groundwater to help refill the pond.