What else besides Castlerock?

[Greg]

Porter's post got me thinking:

The majority of my friends who ski at Sugarloaf (edit: meant Sugarbush) , ski there for one thing and one thing only. The 50 or so chairs that haul them up castlerock.

No doubt that the best terrain to be had at Sugarbush is on Castlerock, but I think there are several other areas/trails that make Sugarbush a great ski area. These include:

• Paradise
• Twist
• Moonshine
• The Mall

If I'm in the mood for some steeps, Ripcord or Organgrinder (love that double falline!) fit the bill. Big 'ole bumps? Head to Stein's. Morning Star is a great lift line, and I've skied some really sweet bumps on Sunrise. And all this is only at LP. I haven't skied Ellen enough to comment. There's more to Sugarbush that just the 'Rock. What are some of your favorites?

I still stand firm on the observation that if you take MRG into account, the MRV is hard to beat for advanced/expert skiing in the Northeast.

 

[thetrailboss]

Ellen is where I like to be. Summit Quad delivers FIS, Black Diamond, and Exterminator. Lower FIS is cool. Castlerock has been just OK when I skied there....edit: 2000-2001 was awesome. Heaven's Gate is a fav as well--Ripcord and Organgrinder. I always take a spin down Murphy's. The MRV is an excellent place for advanced skiers no doubt.

 

[skibum1321]

Obviously Castlerock is up there and without taking the trees/Slidebrook into account here is my list of trails i love in no particular order:
-Mall
-Paradise
-Morningstar
-Twist
-Spillsville
-Hammerhead
-Tumbler
-Black Diamond
-Exterminator

I still have found very few good days on Stein's but if the snow is right (rare) then it has some decent bumps. Ripcord is another one that tends to get pretty icy in the bump lines and it is a rare occurance that I ski it.

 

[Greg]

I still need to get on Spillsville. That run looks great too.

 

[thetrailboss]

Stein's has always been just OK in my book. Spillsville gets some bad VW bumps on it.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Porter's post got me thinking:



No doubt that the best terrain to be had at Sugarbush is on Castlerock, but I think there are several other areas/trails that make Sugarbush a great ski area. .

Without CR open I'd drive the extra 45 min. to Stowe. If I had to ski SB I'd get a Mt. Ellen only pass.

 

[salida]

Greg, good call... Nice follow up!

 

[Newpylong]

I have had some of my best ski runs ever in the Paradise woods / Church region of Lincoln Peak. The great thing about this area is, when you run into someone else's tracks, just go a little farther and they always seem to go away.

I have also had some awesome runs in the North Lynx area, when the sun is right, the 3 runs off that lift are phenomenal and uncrowded. Maybe someday they will add something inbetween there and Castlerock, it looks like some promising terrain.

The Mall is VERY narly, easily a double D at most areas... I very rarely ski Stein's, I have never found good snow there before.

Let's see, Exterminator can be very difficult due to it's length and double fall line, same goes for Clifs and Organgrinder.

Never skies Murphy's Glades, too bad...

 

[ALLSKIING]

My list..
Moonshine
Twist
Ripcord
Jester
Sunrise
Organgrinder
Spring Fling
I could go on...

 

[AHM]

Bush has a bit more than CR to offer..............

Without CR open I'd drive the extra 45 min. to Stowe. If I had to ski SB I'd get a Mt. Ellen only pass.

Interesting point. I hit the place about 25 days a year, and I only bother with CR on Sunday afternoons or mid week. The bush has a great deal more to offer than CR. In fact, the areas greatest attribute is the 2 miles of terrain in between the two areas (on both sides of the ridge). Not sure I'd make the trip to stowe if CR is down. Whole lot a crowd at Stowe, probably just faster skinning it than dealing with the jammed four-runner quad.

Interesting that you say in one sentence, that with CR down you'd ski Stowe, but if you had to ski the bush you'd buy a Mt E pass only. Seems a bit contradictory.

Think Stowe has good hiking above the gondi, that's about it. Think that Rumble, Liftline, CRR, Paradise, Hammerhead and Tumbler, blow away the front 4. Front four go straight down the hill pretty much.

When you add Mall, Spills, Middle Earth, Bravo, Exterm, twist and moonshine to the mix, you have a much better bumper hill.

When you add the cruising like Elbow-cruiser, OG top to bottom, and other mixes like Jester - Snowball, birches-sleeper chutes, you have a much more complete hill than Stowe.

Finally, when you add skier density, snow quality, and lift configuration to the equation, don't think Stowe measures up.............but that's my opinion and I'll stick by the statement that the bush is the east's best overhill area. AHM

 

[Newpylong]

Couldn't have said that any better....

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Interesting point.

I'm glad you found my post interesting.

the areas greatest attribute is the 2 miles of terrain in between the two areas (on both sides of the ridge).

I've only skied SB 6 times. The times I was there when there was enough snow to ski the terrain in between I couldn't find my way in and even if I had I didn't know how to get out. I asked regulars on several occasions, but was answered either vaguely or not at all.

Interesting that you say in one sentence, that with CR down you'd ski Stowe, but if you had to ski the bush you'd buy a Mt E pass only. Seems a bit contradictory.

I don't think it's contradictory. From my limited experience at SB I found Castlerock to be the best terrain it has to offer. With it out of the equation I think the terrain at Stowe is better. I like North better then South minus CR so I'd save some money and ski at North.

,
Finally, when you add skier density, snow quality, and lift configuration to the equation, don't think Stowe measures up.............but that's my opinion

You are entitled to at just like I am to mine. I like Stowe's terrain alot. HPD

 

[AHM]

Drop me a line then...................

HPD: It's pretty easy to change your perception.........drop me a line sometime once the season hits and I'll gladly show you that terrain--both sides, front and back (yep, right down to Jtown/starksboro/Lincoln). I have a pretty adventurous spirit, so that makes "exploring" new terrain all the better. Think you'll find the bush a huge gem...............................AHM

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

HPD: It's pretty easy to change your perception.........drop me a line sometime once the season hits and I'll gladly show you that terrain--both sides, front and back (yep, right down to Jtown/starksboro/Lincoln). I have a pretty adventurous spirit, so that makes "exploring" new terrain all the better. Think you'll find the bush a huge gem...............................AHM

AHM: Thanks, I'd like that alot.

 

[kcyanks1]

Paradise (& glades off of it)
Mall
Spillsville