Where to stay & ski? Sugarloaf, Killington....???

[kickstand]

but one of the criteria was a slope side condo.

didn't say that in his post, just that a pro of a K property he looked at was slopeside.

 

[loafer89]

Are there slopeside condo's at Killington that have a lift running immediately adjacent to them??

I know for a fact that at Sugarloaf the Snowbrook Trail and the Snubber chairlift run past about 75% of the condo village. I skied right to our condo in February, our condo was right across from the Snubber chair mid-station.

 

[loafer89]

For Sugarloaf condominiums, I would recomend staying at:

1) Snowbrook - nice, fairly new condominums located at the bottom of the Snubber chair. This is a good place to stay if you want peace and quiet. They had issues with access to the swimming pool, so check with the reservations agent. You can ski right out the back patio door of most units.

2) Timberwind - This is located about 1,000' from the Snubber chair mid-station. These are mostly one-two bedroom studio's.

3) Sugartree - Located right by the sports and fitness club, this is in a large unit of condo's.

 

[Talisman]

Re: cross-trails in Killington

I know people complain about Killington's x-trails, but I've gotta admit that given the size of the mountain, those x-trails are quite useful. The mountain would be a serious pain in the ass to navigate without them, not to mention very limiting to beginner skiers.
So basically, there's no way around it. They did the best with what they had..

I believe that the basic design of Killington trails is flawed and there is now no eay way around it. The trail pod concept used for the newer sections of Sunday River and at other ski areas could potentially eliminate the myriad of segmented trails at Killington. If I could change one thing at Killington it would be trail design and the lift arrangment to allow for better use of the awesome terrain.

It would be interesting to hear from a real trail designer from Snow Engineering, than a 'chair lift trail designer' like me.

 

[pizza]

I believe that the basic design of Killington trails is flawed and there is now no eay way around it. The trail pod concept used for the newer sections of Sunday River and at other ski areas could potentially eliminate the myriad of segmented trails at Killington. If I could change one thing at Killington it would be trail design and the lift arrangment to allow for better use of the awesome terrain.

How would you get beginners down the mountain without switchbacking them across the steeper trails?

The way it is set up now, from K-Peak and Skye Peak you can to any of the other areas without taking a lift, and from Bear to all other areas except Snowdon and Rams Head (and you can get to them if you're willign to walk about the distance of a football field) - in fact, really the only place you'd have to take a lift from is Ram's Head/Snowdon to anything past K-Lodge..

Considering the way the mountain is naturally, that's a pretty good trail set-up - I just don't see how it could be done without the cross-trails.

Remember, as a practical matter, you want as few lifts running as possible because they're expensive - you also want to minimize people taking lifts just to get from one area to the other, like they would have to do to get from Ram's head to Bear.

 

[loafer89]

Snowshed Crossover needs to go though, it is a dangerous intersection with beginner skiers crossing over Vertigo and Needle's Eye.

The Northbrook Quad was a smart move to eliminate that hazard, but running an extra lift does cost money as you said.

 

[snowsprite]

One "pro" for Killington is that it's a bit closer than many of the other larger ski areas. Not sure if that's important to you, but it may be.

As much as I love Killingon, for what you are planning I might suggest you hit up Smuggs. I'm thinking it's more of a "family resort" and unless you already have connections at Killington it won't be as easy for your kids to find activities apres ski and so forth like it would be at Smuggs.

Smuggs has what Killington lacks, which is a "center." From what my friends who went there told me, it was chock full of things to do and it was easy for kids to socialize. It's just better set up to deal with people looking for a "family experience." Plus because of how that resort is marketed, there will just be a lot more families there in general.

I think Killington management could learn a lot from looking at what Smuggs has set up. If they were to implement something similar, I think more people would opt to go to Killington simply because of the travel factor. I have not been to Smuggs yet, but have heard it's a real major PITA for flatlanders from tri-state area to get there.

For that matter, you might as well go out to Utah omstead for the amount of effort and drive-time involved in getting up that far in VT when you consider weather and such! (sidenote: It's so much longer to drive up because they close the "shorter" route there after December -- as it becomes impassable).

Sprite

 

[snowsprite]

Pizza, I have taken a lot of beginners (I mean, people who ski greens with trepidation!) down from KPeak via solitude/juggernaut. It's very long and flat, but they love it. Also, it's never crowded so it does not freak them out.

They really feel like they've accomplished something by the time I get them to the Bear lodge and then I am usually in a good position to transition them to something slightly more difficult b/c they have their confidence up.

Sprite

 

[pizza]

Pizza, I have taken a lot of beginners (I mean, people who ski greens with trepidation!) down from KPeak via solitude/juggernaut. It's very long and flat, but they love it. Also, it's never crowded so it does not freak them out.

That's a good point - but those trails really aren't options for snowboarders, plus it puts you at Bear - what if you need to get to KBL? Great Northern is your only option, and given the steepness of the terrain, I don't see how they could have put a beginner trail any place else.

 

[riverc0il]

man, why even consider north conway? when you are looking at a mountain like sugarloaf, there is nothing in north conway/mount washington valley that is any comparison for a five day slopeside stay.

bush is another great option because of how much terrain is available. with a five day stay, there is the possibility that things could get old after skiing the same trails all week. bush gives you two mountains that are very good size. loaf just has so much to offer. if you are looking at a five day family stay slopeside, i can not think of anything in new england even remotely as good as the loaf. take that from someone who's only trip to sugarloaf was a few days with the family over 10 years ago. damn good time, probably one of the best family ski trips i ever went on with my folks.

 

[Talisman]

That's a good point - but those trails really aren't options for snowboarders, plus it puts you at Bear - what if you need to get to KBL? Great Northern is your only option, and given the steepness of the terrain, I don't see how they could have put a beginner trail any place else.

My view is why do you need a green trail off of the summit weaving back and forth to butcher the 'flow' fabulous expert terrain? Perhaps a meandering trail through the West Glade area to Snowdon would have worked. It is all conjecture now.

 

[pizza]

My view is why do you need a green trail off of the summit weaving back and forth to butcher the 'flow' fabulous expert terrain? Perhaps a meandering trail through the West Glade area to Snowdon would have worked. It is all conjecture now.

You don't remember being a beginner, do you?
I remember being at Mammoth wanting so bad to go to the top, but knowing that there was no trail I could take going down (easiest is a blue, which I wasn't capable of at the time)

I remember being at Hunter appreciating the fact that I could take the Belt Pkwy down, but wishing I had another option from the top (other than White Cloud).

Huega should be a blue, by the way.

 

[snowsprite]

That's what is good about Solitude: it does not cut through anything or meander. It is off on its own just a little cut through some mild woods w/ almost no slope. Granted, it won't work for boarders b/c it's so flat but it is appropriate for the beginning skiers. They should have more like that and keep the green skiers from crossing the expert terrain as they currently do.

Sprite

My view is why do you need a green trail off of the summit weaving back and forth to butcher the 'flow' fabulous expert terrain? Perhaps a meandering trail through the West Glade area to Snowdon would have worked. It is all conjecture now.

 

[loafer89]

Whoever designed the Timberline trail at Sugarloaf had the right idea. They cut the beginner trail off of the summit without crossing over any trails.

It is a great trail to have on the mountain, and enabled me to take my then 4 year old son off the top of a 4,000' + high peak.

 

[SUGARBOWL]

Thanks for the replies!

Thanks for all of the responses, you've definitely given me food for thought. This is defintely an active board that I'm glad I found - and it's only July!

All the responses are appreciated and pretty much confirm what I had thought. I had considered Smugglers, but thought that the terrain might get boring after day 3, and also had read about the lifts being a little antiquated and slow. As far as the allure of the family atmosphere, it hasn't quite sold me - my kids are more Six Flags than Disney, more Ruth's Chris than Chuckie Cheese. I don't think my eight year old has ever seen an episode of Barney (not that there's anything wrong with that)!

The way I figure it Killngton would run me $500 to $600 less than Sugarloaf for 5 days - comparing Sunrise Condos at Killington (trailside way off to the left at Sunrise Mnt, which is ski in/out if natural conditions permit). Killingotn is also offering a left tix deal that figures into that savings. I have enough trepidation though to seriously consider the added cost of the "Loaf".

I'm going to take a hard look at the other Sugar - Sugarbush. Enough positives mentioned to give that some consideration.

North Conway does have some sentimental value - 1st time skiing (Black), grandparents lived on Main Street for 30 years. Plus I've never skiid Wildcat - but I'd say that the Valley is now 3rd on the list. (Sugarloaf 1st, Sugarbush 2nd). Seems to be a theme with Sugar here (favorite all time ski day was at Sugarbowl, Ca.)

I'll keep surfing, thanks for the info and warm welcome!

 

[JimG.]

Re: Thanks for the replies!

This is defintely an active board that I'm glad I found - and it's only July!

Just wait until October when the real discussion starts.

Glad you found us.

 

[SUGARBOWL]

The results area in...

...and the surprising sleeper Mt. Washington Valley wins. After countless hours surfing, I found such a great deal there that I couldn't pass it up. The savings on sales tax alone adds up to 2 or 3 lift tix.

I'll look forward to Sugarloaf next year - I don't think we could have taken full advantage of the terrain yet anyway with my seven year old.

Sugarbush defintely interested me but the lodging seemed a little pricey for what you get.

I'll have to retract my comments about Smugglers - I looked closer at the terrain, the programs, etc. and defintely think they have a lot to offer - especially for families , but the pricing was just so much higher than anyplace else (supply & demand).

Plus, my 10 yr old will get another Ski NH coupon book for the project we did last winter (paper mache mountain outlining the History of NH Skiing)

In the end the price, location, and amenities of the updated private chalet off West Side Rd have us psyched - can't wait for February!

Already thinking itenary...
Wildcat Sunday
Wildcat Monday (for $25 2nd day)
Reminisce w/mellow Black Mnt on Tuesday
Wide cruisers at Bretton on Wednesday
Attitash Thursday???
Tyrol Fri.. (wait, no closed for 25 plus years)

Thanks again for all the advice - hopefully this trip will propel the girls to the next level, where we can go anywhere on any mountain - I log the trip reports in 7 mnths!

 

[riverc0il]

nice one. that will give your family tons of variety over a few days. the bonus is you get the best ski area with the most challenge done first so no need to save anything! :lol:

also within driving distance are sunday river, loon, and cannon though depending where you are staying, those locations could be any where from 40-60 minutes away. unless you got some package deal with all those areas included for one? that is the only odd thing to me, you could pay a fortune for lift tickets with that type of line up unless a travel agent booked you for some combo package deal. in either case, :beer:

 

[awf170]

one suggestion.... do wildcat last because it is the hardest... then youll get the most out of it

 

[deadheadskier]

I would recommend Smuggs. They have the best family programs going. Another think to consider is that if you run into foul weather, which is certainly a possiblity anytime during the ski season in New England, Burlington is a 45 minute drive away with lots of things to do to keep the family busy.

Smuggs has fabulous slopeside accomadations and terrain to please everyone. If you want to mix it up for a day, Bolton and Stowe are both about 45 minutes away and Jay is about an hour.