The "Sugarbush Thread"

[cdskier]

My issue with ME is partly that I just don't know it as well and thus was hesitant to head down Exterminator and Lower FIS cuz I didn't want to commit to something that might be long and shitty. I wish I did both. I'd like to explore ME more when there's fresh snow.

For Exterminator, you can always cut in via the crossover that comes from Elbow across Bravo and over to Ext. That cuts off the top 1/3 or so and can be a good option if you want to test out a shorter part of it (and you avoid the slightly steeper part at the very top with the biggest bumps).

Lower FIS...generally speaking this trail has some of the best snow on the mountain and the bumps are almost always on the smaller/more manageable side. I can link numerous turns pretty well here (and I get the impression we're likely both somewhat similar abilities). The only thing that sucks about Lower FIS (and also the reason it sees so little traffic) is the runout. The runout is a workout as a decent portion is slightly uphill.

 

[mikec142]

Did you beat traffic? I skied until around 11:30 (18k vert by that point) and by the time I had lunch and packed up to leave it was just after 1. Traffic on the Thruway between 19 and 16 was terrible. It took almost an extra hour to get back to NJ.

Agreed the mountain was empty early today, although a decent number of people seemed to be coming in as I was leaving which surprised me.

I was on the road by 11am. Normally the ride from LP to home takes 5:20. Today was closer to 6:20. Same messy traffic on the thruway so maybe getting the extra hour of skiing in was worth it. I stopped for coffee in Saratoga. Normally it's 3 hours on the nose from there and today it was 3:50.

 

[mikec142]

For Exterminator, you can always cut in via the crossover that comes from Elbow across Bravo and over to Ext. That cuts off the top 1/3 or so and can be a good option if you want to test out a shorter part of it (and you avoid the slightly steeper part at the very top with the biggest bumps).

Lower FIS...generally speaking this trail has some of the best snow on the mountain and the bumps are almost always on the smaller/more manageable side. I can link numerous turns pretty well here (and I get the impression we're likely both somewhat similar abilities). The only thing that sucks about Lower FIS (and also the reason it sees so little traffic) is the runout. The runout is a workout as a decent portion is slightly uphill.

Thx for the intel. Gonna have to hit both next time I'm up. I'm out for this coming weekend. Planning on going up the last weekend of January depending on weather.

 

[solar]

Awesome weekend and was surprised at how empty it was most of the weekend, especially today. Every lift we hit, including Castlerock, had zero lines. Usual suspects got skied off through the day but the woods remained B+ with lower elevations having a light crust - Not terrible, just tired legs weren’t a fan.

Heaven’s Gate was having issues a bit this afternoon and they stopped loading for a short period of time.

Looking forward to next weekend… the -15° forecast, not so much.

 

[Blurski]

I saw a few on Saturday. The one time the person managing the line seemed to ignore the 2 people standing there for a couple minutes lol. I almost made it in the singles line faster than they did in the reserve line.

I was the 2nd group back in the line and got on before the guy in the reserve line.

 

[STREETSKIER]

I'm

 

[1dog]

For Exterminator, you can always cut in via the crossover that comes from Elbow across Bravo and over to Ext. That cuts off the top 1/3 or so and can be a good option if you want to test out a shorter part of it (and you avoid the slightly steeper part at the very top with the biggest bumps).

Lower FIS...generally speaking this trail has some of the best snow on the mountain and the bumps are almost always on the smaller/more manageable side. I can link numerous turns pretty well here (and I get the impression we're likely both somewhat similar abilities). The only thing that sucks about Lower FIS (and also the reason it sees so little traffic) is the runout. The runout is a workout as a decent portion is slightly uphill.

That run out is fast - yesterday my kid and I did it with almost no herringbone walking. great snow, no mm underneath, good cover everywhere. even lower woods had some turns ( I'm not recommending them, stay high, but that rain-wetting gave a more solid base). Good advice on lower Ex. those edges are quite often some of the best snow to make turns.

 

[cdskier]

That run out is fast - yesterday my kid and I did it with almost no herringbone walking. great snow, no mm underneath, good cover everywhere. even lower woods had some turns ( I'm not recommending them, stay high, but that rain-wetting gave a more solid base). Good advice on lower Ex. those edges are quite often some of the best snow to make turns.

I did it Sunday and it was nowhere near that fast for me. I had plenty of walking/poling to do! Although part of the problem may be that I never quite know what to expect on the beginning of the runout so probably slowed down a little too much on the last part of lower FIS before the runout.

 

[mikec142]

I did it Sunday and it was nowhere near that fast for me. I had plenty of walking/poling to do! Although part of the problem may be that I never quite know what to expect on the beginning of the runout so probably slowed down a little too much on the last part of lower FIS before the runout.

LOL. Not knowing the trail that well, I guarantee I'm poling/skating/herringbone walking the entire way.

 

[cdskier]

Looking forward to next weekend… the -15° forecast, not so much.

Yea...I'm out this weekend. I'm not driving 10+ hours for that.

 

[1dog]

I did it Sunday and it was nowhere near that fast for me. I had plenty of walking/poling to do! Although part of the problem may be that I never quite know what to expect on the beginning of the runout so probably slowed down a little too much on the last part of lower FIS before the runout.

That happens to me quite a bit - do I gun it only to find huge dippity-do's that throw me into trees? It's always the most frightening part of that run- and its why I ski in general. ( ask my kid as he waits while I discern how to get down an eight foot drop to flat trail heading to Inverness from Ex Woods!) There is no place like North.

 

[Lotso]

I seriously thought this was a joke, but no.


Don't tell the State of Vermont or the environmentalists. I bet that Sugarbush did not get a permit for that event!

Burn permits have nothing to do with "environmentalists". It's the local volunteer fire departments needing to know if there is a non-emergency fire going on so they don't scramble when someone sees the flames/smoke.

 

[Hawk]

You don't need a burn permit for a fire in the middle of the winter with snow on the ground. Fire danger is at it's lowest. It would bet that the Town of Warren doesn't even have burn permits.

 

[VTSkiBike]

You don't need a burn permit for a fire in the middle of the winter with snow on the ground. Fire danger is at it's lowest. It would bet that the Town of Warren doesn't even have burn permits.

When I first moved to VT 10 years ago, I had a bonfire to get rid of some yard waste. I called the local fire chief beforehand in order to get a burn permit, he laughed and said I could have the biggest goddamn fire I wanted then hung up.

 

[Lotso]

You don't need a burn permit for a fire in the middle of the winter with snow on the ground. Fire danger is at it's lowest. It would bet that the Town of Warren doesn't even have burn permits.

Correct on the snow piece...I still let them know as a courtesy to the fire dept. guys who are dedicated and keep an eye out for smoke. If they know a burn is happening, they don't waste their time coming over to investigate.

Warren does have burn permits: https://www.warrenvt.org/departments/volunteer-fire-department/
My understanding has always been that if you burn without a permit and then need the FD assistance to put it out if it gets out of control, you pay to have them do their thing. Don't know if that's true. I always call anyway. Not a big deal.

 

[thetrailboss]

Burn permits have nothing to do with "environmentalists". It's the local volunteer fire departments needing to know if there is a non-emergency fire going on so they don't scramble when someone sees the flames/smoke.

Honestly I was talking more about air standards. Burn permits are indeed important and I did not intend to make fun of that. Sorry if it came across that way.

 

[HowieT2]

Yea...I'm out this weekend. I'm not driving 10+ hours for that.

Dude, saturday might be a tad chilly but that will help with the snow ratios sunday night. Wagons north tomorrow for me.

 

[Hawk]

Oh, you guys actually ski. LOL
High's Saturday are -5 with wind and gusts to 25. More than just a tad bit chilly.

Don't get me wrong I will be up for Friday and will get out Saturday wearing everything I own. It's just not going to be pleasant.

 

[HowieT2]

Oh, you guys actually ski. LOL
High's Saturday are -5 with wind and gusts to 25. More than just a tad bit chilly.

Don't get me wrong I will be up for Friday and will get out Saturday wearing everything I own. It's just not going to be pleasant.

I'll see you friday. Bringing my fur panties for saturday

 

[cdskier]

Dude, saturday might be a tad chilly but that will help with the snow ratios sunday night. Wagons north tomorrow for me.

Sunday night doesn't help when I have work on Monday...