What do you consider the definition of 'underrated mountain' to be?

[deadheadskier]

The other thread got me thinking with a number of areas such as Pico, Magic, Burke and Saddleback getting several nods as being underrated.

Maybe underrated on Alpinezone simply means 'unpopular' with the general skiing populous or actually even azers.

Think about it. The above four listed mountains; when does anyone spew negativity about them? I'm sure people could quickly point to each areas limitations if asked, but never do you see such areas downright bashed. Perhaps because such areas limitations are well known, the expectation is set and they don't get bashed for their limitations?

It's interesting to me that the 'underrated' areas tend to be universally respected when most of the major areas all have their fair share of detractors.

Guess it gets down to expectations and whether or not you wish to personally adjust yours, so that you can have fun and appreciate wherever you are because your skiing......you could be somewhere else...... like work

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

DHS...you should be in bed by now! I'm in Reno so its only 9:45 here...but almost 1am at home dude...pound a beer and hit the sheets man!

as for "underrated" yeah, you're on to something, some of the resorts talked about on here could be underrated b/c they're not frequented others underrated due to popularity.

 

[deadheadskier]

You're right, I should be in bed instead of coming up with the skiing version of what came first the chicken or the egg :lol:

good night all

moderators, feel free to move this thread to the aimless skiing philosophies category oh wait a minute

:lol:

 

[MadPadraic]

The other thread got me thinking with a number of areas such as Pico, Magic, Burke and Saddleback getting several nods as being underrated.

Maybe underrated on Alpinezone simply means 'unpopular' with the general skiing populous or actually even azers.

Think about it. The above four listed mountains; when does anyone spew negativity about them? I'm sure people could quickly point to each areas limitations if asked, but never do you see such areas downright bashed. Perhaps because such areas limitations are well known, the expectation is set and they don't get bashed for their limitations?

It's interesting to me that the 'underrated' areas tend to be universally respected when most of the major areas all have their fair share of detractors.

Guess it gets down to expectations and whether or not you wish to personally adjust yours, so that you can have fun and appreciate wherever you are because your skiing......you could be somewhere else...... like work

I view AZ as a good proxy for the general skiing public. AZ tends to dump on Stratton and Okemo. Now, I've only had good days at Stratton (and they have a bar that plays the Clancy brothers more than one day a year). I've never enjoyed Okemo. Hence, I think that Stratton is underrated, but Okemo isn't.

On the other hand, if I like a mountain (Cannon) that gets lots of love on AZ, but I've heard bashed around the water cooler or at a party, then I'd consider that underrated as well.

 

[skibum9995]

I think it has a lot to do with the kind of people each mountain attracts. The bigger, more popular resorts have a much larger client base who might not be a dedicated to the sport and more interested in have things catered to their taste. This leads to more bashing when they don't agree with something.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Mountains that ski well that don't get talked about alot on AZ. In the other thread I mentioned Gore, it's not talked about alot here, but is very popular in the Capital District of NYS and surrounding areas.

My point is just cause it's underrated here doesn't mean it is underrated everywhere.

 

[tcharron]

This will sound strange but..

Feeder mountains are underrated.

Sure, we all say we stop by for a quick fix. They're old reliable. But they simply don't get the same feel, or the same glam rating, as larger mountains.

 

[Edd]

This will sound strange but..

Feeder mountains are underrated.

Sure, we all say we stop by for a quick fix. They're old reliable. But they simply don't get the same feel, or the same glam rating, as larger mountains.

Cranmore is a good example of this. ALOT of people learn to ski there. A few fun trails: on skiers right there's some narrow foresty runs (Kandahar, Rattlesnake, Skimeister) and a couple of glades. Underrated indeed.

 

[tcharron]

Cranmore is a good example of this. ALOT of people learn to ski there. A few fun trails: on skiers right there's some narrow foresty runs (Kandahar, Rattlesnake, Skimeister) and a couple of glades. Underrated indeed.

Exactly. These days, size seems like everything. Personally, I'd rather buy a season pass at a feeder, and sometimes go to the larger mountains, then sometimes take a side trip to a smaller mountain, but get a season pass to say, Killington. Of course, I'm biased being like 15 minutes from Crotched.

Cranmore, Shawnee, Pats, Crotched are for of the smaller places I've gone which I'd consider underrated. I'm going to check out Ragged this year, I suspect more of the same. I want to go someplace to have nice small group fun. As much as I love spending time at the River, waiting in some of the lines SURE makes me feel like I'm about to be asked if I want fries with that.

 

[deadheadskier]

As much as I love spending time at the River, waiting in some of the lines SURE makes me feel like I'm about to be asked if I want fries with that.

Stop at Mt Abram on the way on a powder day, you'll be glad you did.

 

[tcharron]

Stop at Mt Abram on the way on a powder day, you'll be glad you did.

It's funny you mention Mt Abram, when we drove by last sunday morning after staying Sat night at a little motel we found in the area, we mentioned next time maybee going up Sat and hitting Abram on a Sat, and hit the river on a sunday. Never been. Another potentially overlooked gem? :-D

 

[snowmonster]

As much as I love spending time at the River, waiting in some of the lines SURE makes me feel like I'm about to be asked if I want fries with that.

I hear you. Tip: Go west -- Aurora, Oz or Jordan.

Underrated: basically, any mountain that's off most people's radars. These usually are mountains with smaller ad budgets, are ski areas rather than resorts and are frequented by locals in-the-know rather than urban dwellers. When unsuspecting travelers give the mountain a try, they are surprised about how good it is. Magic and Burke fit the bill.

 

[deadheadskier]

It's funny you mention Mt Abram, when we drove by last sunday morning after staying Sat night at a little motel we found in the area, we mentioned next time maybee going up Sat and hitting Abram on a Sat, and hit the river on a sunday. Never been. Another potentially overlooked gem? :-D

Trip Report from Last year

http://forums.alpinezone.com/22334-mt-abram-1-05-a.html?highlight=Abram

Wait until the base gets deeper an hit on a powder or even several days after a storm as was the case when I went last year.

 

[dl]

I think of under-rated areas as those that don't get the props they could/should. Ask people why they go to Killington and they'll say it has the best bar scene or the best party scene or the best long bump run. When people think of Stowe they think of the steeps. Sunday River is known for having a lot of options/mountains. You may disagree with these examples but my point is that many of these areas are perceived to be highly rated for a specific reason but it's important to realize that the rating is relative. If I don't care about bumps or partying, why should I care about Killington?

I ski primarily at Attitash. When I tell people this they usually say it's a good family mountain, which it is. There's rarely any talk of the bumps, steeps, terrain parks, etc. I'll be the first to admit that in any of these categories (and many others), there are many areas that out rank Attitash but I'll argue that Attitash has a good bump trail, several good steep trails and a pretty good terrain park and 1/2 pipe. Is the mountain under-rated? I would argue it is. While you debate this I'll enjoy their great quality of snow and relatively short lift lines (if one mt is crowded, move to the other) and some pretty good trails.....followed by some margs at the Red Parka Pub.

I think to be fair you have to re-ask the question and make it more specific - which mountain do you feel is under-rated for bumps? for steeps? for off-trail skiing? for park & pipe? racing? nightlife? kid's programs? family skiing? It might also be fair to ask which is over-rated too.

 

[scootertig]

Underrated: basically, any mountain that's off most people's radars. These usually are mountains with smaller ad budgets, are ski areas rather than resorts and are frequented by locals in-the-know rather than urban dwellers. When unsuspecting travelers give the mountain a try, they are surprised about how good it is. Magic and Burke fit the bill.

That's pretty close to my definition right there. It's the place you go, have a wonderful time, and then wonder why you didn't expect to have such a good time (or wonder why practically nobody else was there). In some cases, it's the place you go, tell your friends about, and they say "what? really?".

I also agree with DL:

I think to be fair you have to re-ask the question and make it more specific - which mountain do you feel is under-rated for bumps? for steeps? for off-trail skiing? for park & pipe? racing? nightlife? kid's programs? family skiing? It might also be fair to ask which is over-rated too.

There are whole mountains that are underrated, and then there are mountains that are underrated (or overrated) for a particular category. Smuggs (from what I hear... haven't been yet) keeps coming up as a place that's highly-rated as a family destination, but underrated for the variety/difficulty of its terrain.


aaron

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I consider the definition of an underrated mountain to be a really good place to ski that people generally fail to Acknowledge...Alex can I have US Cities for $800..

 

[icedtea]

sorry, you did not phrase your answer as a question......