Whiteface or Sugarloaf Pres Weekend

[ctenidae]

Trying to decide. Leaning strongly towards Sugarloaf, except that it entails driving CT to Boston Friday night, Boston to Sugarloaf Saturday, maybe ski 1/2 a day if we get moving early enough, ski Sunday, drive back Sunday night, then back to CT Monday.

Whiteface means my wife drives to CT Friday day, then we drive to Whiteface Friday night, ski Saturday and Sunday, drive back to CT Sunday night, then my wife drives back to Boston Monday.

So, Whiteface equals more skiing, adn easier driving (for me, at least). However, boarding our dog is much easier with Sugarloaf (on the way), and I've been wanting to go to Sugarloaf for a long time. Whiteface has more to do off the mountain, but a good day of skiing at Sugarloaf would make me not care.

I just can't decide. Someone think for me.

 

[wa-loaf]

I'd go to WF for the extra ski time, but the Loaf did get 12+ from this last storm. Not sure about WF.

 

[Bumpsis]

It all depends how much you like/dislike the long drives. If you have not done the Sugarloaf marathon in long a time, you ought to do it.
I'm willing to bet that Sugarloaf will be less crowded than WF.

I stopped doing the long drives just for two days of skiing. Now, I go to Sugarloaf only if I can stay for 3-4 days.
Actually, I'm taking a whole week off during that time (2/14 - 2/22). I just hope to get some fresh pow when I'm there.

 

[billski]

While Sugarloaf will be busy, I suspect you won't be competing for trails like you will at WF. Trails are apt to stay in better shape longer at Sugarloaf, which means more quality ski time. Increase in uphill capacity per hour has meant that trails degenerate faster. I would gladly sacrifice hours in the car for a memorable experience with stories to tell.

 

[ctenidae]

1 WF, 2 Sugarloaf so far.

I'm thinking Sugarloaf is winning, despite the driving.

Is Sugarloaf worth 9 hours each way (total) for 1.5 to 2 days of skiing?

 

[campgottagopee]

WF for sure---I couldn't stand the thought of 18 hrs in a car for a day of skiing.

 

[billski]

Is Sugarloaf worth 9 hours each way (total) for 1.5 to 2 days of skiing?

I'll turn it back around at you. What's important to you about skiing and your ski day? Then I'll give you my 'pinion...

 

[ctenidae]

I'll turn it back around at you. What's important to you about skiing and your ski day? Then I'll give you my 'pinion...

Long runs on varied terrain (steeps, trees, and groomers more than bumps), good views, thin crowds, and at the end of the day just enough energy left over to have a decent dinner, a couple of beers, and then the sleep of the just.

 

[tjf67]

Long runs on varied terrain (steeps, trees, and groomers more than bumps), good views, thin crowds, and at the end of the day just enough energy left over to have a decent dinner, a couple of beers, and then the sleep of the just.

I am thinking either place is going to provide you with that. The Gondola at WF will have a line that weekend. I dont anticipate any others will though. The new peak getting in the mix now over here has spread out traffic significantly.

 

[billski]

I am thinking either place is going to provide you with that. The Gondola at WF will have a line that weekend. I dont anticipate any others will though. The new peak getting in the mix now over here has spread out traffic significantly.

Agreed. Conditions should be great at WF this year, since Ullr has been especially nice to the daks. That said, Sugarloaf would be more of an adventure, a bit more "rough around the edges" (in a good way).

 

[wa-loaf]

9 freaking hours!? How long is the drive to WF? I love the Loaf but 9 hours? I don't think so. Why not Sugarbush or something closer?

 

[St. Bear]

Long runs on varied terrain (steeps, trees, and groomers more than bumps), good views, thin crowds, and at the end of the day just enough energy left over to have a decent dinner, a couple of beers, and then the sleep of the just.

Why are you looking at the extremes, both East and West? Why not consider someplace in NH or VT? NH would be the best drive from Boston, right up 93.

 

[ctenidae]

Why are you looking at the extremes, both East and West? Why not consider someplace in NH or VT? NH would be the best drive from Boston, right up 93.

Been to most places of interest, looking to go somewhere I've never been. It's all about being extreme, dontchaknow?

 

[freezorburn]

WF less people and a more fun town.

 

[St. Bear]

Been to most places of interest, looking to go somewhere I've never been. It's all about being extreme, dontchaknow?

God Bless your wife, then. Mine doesn't understand driving more than 2 hours at a time for better conditions, which is very frustrating when you live in Jersey.

 

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

i'm obviously partial to WF, but, ignoring that, i'd have a tough time psyching myself up for 3 days of driving for 1.5 days of skiing....still driving on saturday morning to ski saturday afternoon would be too annoying for me to handle....

 

[ctenidae]

God Bless your wife, then. Mine doesn't understand driving more than 2 hours at a time for better conditions, which is very frustrating when you live in Jersey.

She owes me (sort of)- we were supposed to go to Switzerland this year, but the current job schedule won't allow for it, and by the time it does, she's running into tax season, so that won't work either. So, this is teh compromise for now. Normally, though, anything beyond 2.5 hours is getting to be too far (though she will suck it up to go to Mt Snow).

9 hours includes the 3 hours CT to Boston (by myself), plus the ~6 hours Boston to Sugarloaf (both of us)

 

[Skimaine]

The loaf is looking at some of the best February conditions in a few years, assuming we do not get a belated January thaw. Alot of the front face is open. However, driving 9 hours. I don't think so.

 

[Mildcat]

9 hours includes the 3 hours CT to Boston (by myself), plus the ~6 hours Boston to Sugarloaf (both of us)

6hrs Boston to SL? :-o Maybe in a snowstorm. It shouldn't take much more than 4hrs from Boston. I've made it back to Worcester in just under 4hrs but that was with the pedal down.

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Long runs on varied terrain (steeps, trees, and groomers more than bumps), good views, thin crowds, and at the end of the day just enough energy left over to have a decent dinner, a couple of beers, and then the sleep of the just.

Been to most places of interest, looking to go somewhere I've never been. It's all about being extreme, dontchaknow?

Be on the road by 5 AM (maybe even earlier) from Boston...no reason to settle for 1/2 day skiing the Loaf on Saturday.

Since you're looking to ski someplace you've never been, I would strongly suggest you hit Saddleback for a day if you decide to go to Sugarloaf. It is a "must ski" mountain, and who knows when/if you'll ever get back up to that area. Saddleback absolutely meets the criteria in your first quote. A full day of skiing at each of those 2 great mountains will make that long drive well worth it.