We need a MRG thread

[MikeTrainor]

Interestingly enough, the Single is one of the fastest fixed grip chair in the east from what I understand. As capacity increases, regulation for haul line speed decreases. And even with a full queue, the lift line is never an hour long. Then again, I don't ski MRG on Saturdays during the regular season so you can sure knock MRG for long lift lines on busy powder weekends. And as a shareholder, I am perfectly fine with that limitation and avoiding the place on busy Saturdays and enjoying it on less busy days. No skin off my nose if someone knocks MRG or suggests it doesn't take enough blows on the chin for its faults, but you gotta keep it real.

According to skilifts.com the single runs at 600fpm which is pretty fast for a fixed grip. If you get there early you can get about 2 runs in without a line. The line dies down somewhat around lunch time. During peak periods I tend to ride the double, less of a wait and there is some great stuff off of it. Coming from Boston Mad River involves an overnight stay for me so I usually only make it there 2-3 times a year and it is almost always on a weekend. At Mad River Glen you really have to look at thing differently, it is a much different experience than other mountains in the east. It is all about the quality of the runs not the quantity. I have introduced a number of people to the mountain over the last few years and not one has been disappointed. Even after a freeze/thaw cycle and skiing mainly groomed runs I think the experience has surpassed most mountains.

 

[JimG.]

I just want people to talk about skiing. Do you ever go to Misc. and read those threads? I mean to each their own and all that crap, but it is a ski forum.

It's hard in the off season. I racked my brain, but I can't think of anything to start a good thread. It's like everything has been said before.

I am stuck home today and I am kinda bored.

It's a ski forum...and most can't ski right now.

So we're all stir crazy...you too HPD.

Welcome to the ski jones.

I'm gonna go mow the lawn and drink beer. Then do some fly fishing.

 

[AdironRider]

Im not even going to start on the snowboarding thing.

But rather the AZ halo effect that seems to apply to MRG and Sugarbush especially. If any other resort (Killington, Okemo, Jay, etc) ran a single lift as its only summit chair, had no snowmaking, long lines, and elitist ownership they'd be rung through the ringer, but with MRG they can do no wrong. Well Ill tell you, (and I did manage to get myself down the hill 2 seasons ago by hiking up) not having snowmaking in the east sucks. Without it, at least half the days they are open have worse conditions than anywhere else in the east with snowmaking. A single lift is stupid, so what if its historical. A novelty that makes you wait in line for over an hour to sit by yourself is dumb. I like talking to buds or just strangers on the lift. The coop ownership, and to some extent the clientel, all have this elitist, "I ski MRG and are better than you" vibe that I cant stand.

Sugarbush has the same halo effect. OMG they have one lift thats any good (Castlerock), the mtn is split up into two different areas making it a pain to get from one place to another, etc. Sure they have a long season, but me thinks just because its one of Greg's favorite mtns and Win posts here, necessary criticism goes by the wayside. Like say, how they're dumping all their money into base "improvements" and summer stuff while not keeping up with Snow or the Maine resorts in terms of snowmaking for one.

Hows that for stirring the pot?

 

[riverc0il]

But rather the AZ halo effect that seems to apply to MRG and Sugarbush especially. If any other resort (Killington, Okemo, Jay, etc) ran a single lift as its only summit chair, had no snowmaking, long lines, and elitist ownership they'd be rung through the ringer,

Magic with a double and shorter lines? Pretty close. Another Halo perhaps but also well earned.

IMO, Bush has more halo than MRG does. As can be seen in this thread alone let alone others, the snowboarding and lack of snowmaking and consistency are well discussed negatives. And while the Single has never gone longer than an hour lift line wait in recent years with perhaps telefest excepted, the lift line routinely gets to 40 minutes on busy weekends. Let's face it, MRG gets a halo (for good reason) but it takes its knocks more than some would let on.

I can't remember the last knock the Bush got (not as good as Stowe is perhaps the only I can remember if you want to call that a knock). I ain't gonna defend the halo effect but ---Castlerock the only good lift?---- Stirring the pot often involves hyperbole but that is down right false hood.

 

[JPTracker]

Im not even going to start on the snowboarding thing.

But rather the AZ halo effect that seems to apply to MRG and Sugarbush especially. If any other resort (Killington, Okemo, Jay, etc) ran a single lift as its only summit chair, had no snowmaking, long lines, and elitist ownership they'd be rung through the ringer, but with MRG they can do no wrong. Well Ill tell you, (and I did manage to get myself down the hill 2 seasons ago by hiking up) not having snowmaking in the east sucks. Without it, at least half the days they are open have worse conditions than anywhere else in the east with snowmaking. A single lift is stupid, so what if its historical. A novelty that makes you wait in line for over an hour to sit by yourself is dumb. I like talking to buds or just strangers on the lift. The coop ownership, and to some extent the clientel, all have this elitist, "I ski MRG and are better than you" vibe that I cant stand.

Sugarbush has the same halo effect. OMG they have one lift thats any good (Castlerock), the mtn is split up into two different areas making it a pain to get from one place to another, etc. Sure they have a long season, but me thinks just because its one of Greg's favorite mtns and Win posts here, necessary criticism goes by the wayside. Like say, how they're dumping all their money into base "improvements" and summer stuff while not keeping up with Snow or the Maine resorts in terms of snowmaking for one.

Hows that for stirring the pot?

I think Jays Tram is comparable to MRGs single. It is the only lift to the summit, has incredibly long lines on the weekends and only takes 60 people about every ten minutes. Thats about 10 seconds per person which is about the same as the single. (Can anyone verify this with actual numbers?) The limited capacity on the tram keeps the few good runs off the summit in good shape and most people who ski those runs don't usually bitch about it they just deal with it.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Im not even going to start on the snowboarding thing.

But rather the AZ halo effect that seems to apply to MRG and Sugarbush especially. If any other resort (Killington, Okemo, Jay, etc) ran a single lift as its only summit chair, had no snowmaking, long lines, and elitist ownership they'd be rung through the ringer, but with MRG they can do no wrong. Well Ill tell you, (and I did manage to get myself down the hill 2 seasons ago by hiking up) not having snowmaking in the east sucks. Without it, at least half the days they are open have worse conditions than anywhere else in the east with snowmaking. A single lift is stupid, so what if its historical. A novelty that makes you wait in line for over an hour to sit by yourself is dumb. I like talking to buds or just strangers on the lift. The coop ownership, and to some extent the clientel, all have this elitist, "I ski MRG and are better than you" vibe that I cant stand.

Sugarbush has the same halo effect. OMG they have one lift thats any good (Castlerock), the mtn is split up into two different areas making it a pain to get from one place to another, etc. Sure they have a long season, but me thinks just because its one of Greg's favorite mtns and Win posts here, necessary criticism goes by the wayside. Like say, how they're dumping all their money into base "improvements" and summer stuff while not keeping up with Snow or the Maine resorts in terms of snowmaking for one.

Hows that for stirring the pot?

Aride comin strong, takin no prisoners, bringing it to the hole. Now that’s a good post.

You also bring up something I had not considered before, I’ll call it the “Greg Affect”.
At first thought I’m thinking Greg isn’t a cult leader, his crew isn’t a bunch of lemmings that will follow him over a cliff. Then I think, when Greg bought bump skis, they all bought bump skis, Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

I’m thinking maybe they are a cult and Greg is their leader. They’re a cult of Connecticut legit, intense, terrain, seekers, hence forth known by the acronym the C.L.I.T.S. I wonder if they have secret handshakes, passwords and such.

Anyways, keep your takes comin Aride, you and I have kindred spirits. What’s up? We know what’s up.

I’d like to share more of my thoughts on this topic, but I need to get to Misc. and see if Severine got her kids to bed yet. I really hope so, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if one of those little rascals is givin mom a hard time.:wink:

 

[Greg]

Sugarbush has the same halo effect. OMG they have one lift thats any good (Castlerock), the mtn is split up into two different areas making it a pain to get from one place to another, etc. Sure they have a long season, but me thinks just because its one of Greg's favorite mtns...

You also bring up something I had not considered before, I’ll call it the “Greg Affect”.
At first thought I’m thinking Greg isn’t a cult leader, his crew isn’t a bunch of lemmings that will follow him over a cliff. Then I think, when Greg bought bump skis, they all bought bump skis, Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

I’m thinking maybe they are a cult and Greg is their leader. They’re a cult of Connecticut legit, intense, terrain, seekers, hence forth known by the acronym the C.L.I.T.S. I wonder if they have secret handshakes, passwords and such.

I'm truly flattered that you rad ADkers think I have such an influence. It's all an illusion though. Smoke and mirrors. In fact, 2knees, bvibert, Grassi21 and powhunter are really just aliases of mine. Those guys that you've met that claim to be them are really just stooges I've paid off and have never really logged in here :razz:

 

[2knees]

You also bring up something I had not considered before, I’ll call it the “Greg Affect”.
At first thought I’m thinking Greg isn’t a cult leader, his crew isn’t a bunch of lemmings that will follow him over a cliff. Then I think, when Greg bought bump skis, they all bought bump skis, Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

I’m thinking maybe they are a cult and Greg is their leader. They’re a cult of Connecticut legit, intense, terrain, seekers, hence forth known by the acronym the C.L.I.T.S. I wonder if they have secret handshakes, passwords and such.

ahhh a good laugh on monday morning.

nice work HPD.

 

[tjf67]

Aride comin strong, takin no prisoners, bringing it to the hole. Now that’s a good post.

You also bring up something I had not considered before, I’ll call it the “Greg Affect”.
At first thought I’m thinking Greg isn’t a cult leader, his crew isn’t a bunch of lemmings that will follow him over a cliff. Then I think, when Greg bought bump skis, they all bought bump skis, Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

I’m thinking maybe they are a cult and Greg is their leader. They’re a cult of Connecticut legit, intense, terrain, seekers, hence forth known by the acronym the C.L.I.T.S. I wonder if they have secret handshakes, passwords and such.

Anyways, keep your takes comin Aride, you and I have kindred spirits. What’s up? We know what’s up.

I’d like to share more of my thoughts on this topic, but I need to get to Misc. and see if Severine got her kids to bed yet. I really hope so, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if one of those little rascals is givin mom a hard time.:wink:

This is some funny stuff. You hit the nail on the head when it come to the CLITS. HAHAHAHAHA

 

[bvibert]

Aride comin strong, takin no prisoners, bringing it to the hole. Now that’s a good post.

You also bring up something I had not considered before, I’ll call it the “Greg Affect”.
At first thought I’m thinking Greg isn’t a cult leader, his crew isn’t a bunch of lemmings that will follow him over a cliff. Then I think, when Greg bought bump skis, they all bought bump skis, Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

I’m thinking maybe they are a cult and Greg is their leader. They’re a cult of Connecticut legit, intense, terrain, seekers, hence forth known by the acronym the C.L.I.T.S. I wonder if they have secret handshakes, passwords and such.

Anyways, keep your takes comin Aride, you and I have kindred spirits. What’s up? We know what’s up.

I’d like to share more of my thoughts on this topic, but I need to get to Misc. and see if Severine got her kids to bed yet. I really hope so, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if one of those little rascals is givin mom a hard time.:wink:

Nice work HPD, made me laugh. :lol:

 

[deadheadskier]

Greg says AZ gatherings are on Fridays, well forget the weekend, they all take Friday off. Hmmmm.

Hopin' this changes for the upcoming season......


.....maybe if I do the bump comp at Sundown and make inroads with the C.L.I.T.S. I can assert some influence and bring the gatherings back to the weekends

 

[bvibert]

I can assert some influence and bring the gatherings back to the weekends

Back to the weekends? AZ gatherings have traditionally been on weekdays, AFAIK. Weekends are generally a PITA for me, it's much easier to blow out of work for a day and have less crowds. I effin hate crowds.

 

[Greg]

Back to the weekends? AZ gatherings have traditionally been on weekdays, AFAIK. Weekends are generally a PITA for me, it's much easier to blow out of work for a day and have less crowds. I effin hate crowds.

+1

Weekends are spent with my kids. I rarely ski Saturdays unless I'm with my daughter. I might do a Sunday from time to time.

 

[deadheadskier]

Back to the weekends? AZ gatherings have traditionally been on weekdays, AFAIK. Weekends are generally a PITA for me, it's much easier to blow out of work for a day and have less crowds. I effin hate crowds.

Hate crowds myself, it's just more difficult for some than others to play hooky. Trust me, my preference is to ski weekdays, but work really doesn't allow for it these days. So, weekends it is and I just ride the singles lines if I'm skiing Saturdays. Sundays after noon crowds are rarely an issue anywhere except for holiday weeks.

 

[2knees]

Back to the weekends? AZ gatherings have traditionally been on weekdays, AFAIK. Weekends are generally a PITA for me, it's much easier to blow out of work for a day and have less crowds. I effin hate crowds.

I've been doing most of my skiing on weekdays since long before i even had a computer, never mind posted here or met Greg. Same can be said for bump skiing. But the post was too damn funny to refute.

I certainly dont mind skiing weekends but weekdays are less crowded, generally cheaper and tend to have better conditions due to the lack of crowds, snowstorms not being considered.

 

[bvibert]

If I were to do a weekend gathering it would most likely be on a Sunday, especially mid season. It's a bit different early and late season.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

If MRG is secure and happy with the way they run things, why should they change? Same for every other business. My kids are snowboarders, hell, Eric who runs the place is a snowboarder. People have a right to complain about it, for sure, but MRG also has a right to operate it as they see fit.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Hopin' this changes for the upcoming season......


.....maybe if I do the bump comp at Sundown and make inroads with the C.L.I.T.S. I can assert some influence and bring the gatherings back to the weekends

I’m sorry Deadhead, but you can never be a member of the CLITS. It’s kinda like how the mob works, you can’t be a made man unless you’re from Sicily. In the CLITS you have to be from Connecticut. You can ski with them and go to AZ gatherings, but you can never have any real decision making power.

Just so you know, obviously Greg is the head of the family. His 2 top guys are:

Bvibert does the dirty work and he is kinda like a big pussy. :wink: (Don't hurt me I'm only kidding)

2knees is Greg’s trusted advisor (consolarie) he has real power.

 

[Greg]

Crap. Our cover is blown. Watch your back, HPD...

 

[severine]

I’m sorry Deadhead, but you can never be a member of the CLITS. It’s kinda like how the mob works, you can’t be a made man unless you’re from Sicily. In the CLITS you have to be from Connecticut. You can ski with them and go to AZ gatherings, but you can never have any real decision making power.

Just so you know, obviously Greg is the head of the family. His 2 top guys are:

Bvibert does the dirty work and he is kinda like a big pussy. :wink: (Don't hurt me I'm only kidding)

2knees is Greg’s trusted advisor (consolarie) he has real power.

:lol: LOVE IT!!!! :lol: