Sugarloaf 4/21/2024

NewEnglandSkier13

I headed to Sugarloaf today for one last day of skiing this season. As usual for this time of year, they still had a lot more terrain open than most ski areas. The SuperQuad, Skyline, Skidway, Sawduster, and Timberline chairs were all running, and the trail report listed over 100 trails as open. In reality, we found that there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to which trails were open and which ones were closed. Some trails, such as White Nitro, were roped off, but still had top-to-bottom coverage and were very skiable. However, other trails, such as Glancer, were open, but had significant gaps between snow patches. The only way to get off of Glancer was to walk through 100 yards of mud.

Conditions across the mountain varied from mashed potatoes at higher elevations, to corn at middle elevations, to slush in the base area. The mountain was busy, but only the SuperQuad ever had a line, and it was never more than a minute long. The terrain off of Skyline was the most enjoyable of the day, and there were even some glades that still had pretty good conditions.

One other thing to note, is that the base lodge situation is currently a mess. Only the Maple Room is open for seating, so everyone is packed in there. I asked the woman at the ticket desk where I could store my bag, and she said to put it up against the wall on the floor. By lunchtime, just about every bit of free floor space, as well as many tables and chairs, were covered in bags. I don't understand why cubbies are such a difficult thing for some ski areas these days.

It was a great day of ideal spring conditions, and everyone at the mountain seemed to be having a good time. Sugarloaf is well positioned for spring skiing, and they shouldn't have much of an issue making it until May with their core terrain.

Skidway

Sawduster passing under Snubber

Sugarloaf SuperQuad

Skyline Quad

Timberline Quad

Narrow Gauge Extension

Timberline

Tin Pants

Upper Bubblecuffer

Bucksaw Express

Horseshoe

Extreme thin cover on Glancer

Yes, this is an open trail (Glancer)

Skid Row Glade

ciscokid

King of spring?
Except for glancer
Great report

Chuckstah

Thanks for the report. Looks great, for the most part. I'm hoping to get in my first (and last) day of the season there a week from tomorrow. Weather permitting.

conrad

Great report. Sugarloaf is the place to be in April and this brings back memories. Classic Sugarloaf having a trail like Glancer open. I'm laughing reading it. Hopefully it was worth the adventure.

NewEnglandSkier13

Great report. Sugarloaf is the place to be in April and this brings back memories. Classic Sugarloaf having a trail like Glancer open. I'm laughing reading it. Hopefully it was worth the adventure.

Usually it is, but Glancer was not. The majority of the trail was like the first photo I posted of it, and the last few hundreds yards was bare mud, like the second photo. On the other hand, we skied White Nitro and White Nitro Extension, which were technically closed, and that was one of the best runs of the day, with no spots that were even close to requiring walking. I would love to know how they decide what to open and close.

TomWhite

Big Sky's Six Shooter has arrived at Sugarloaf (curiosity Liftblog.com):

TomWhite

Big Sky's Madison 8 is replacing their Six Shooter (now at Sugarloaf). I watched the TV news spot then noticed the Fast Facts. While they say "longest" they didn't give the length. But the first Fast Fact is noteworthy. At 2745ppm they reveal that it sets the record for the lowest capacity 8 pack and the Six Shooter must have been the lowest 6 pack!! I think a non-skier typed those facts.
Liftblog doesn't list Big Sky's Six Shooter but their Swift Current 6 Powder Seeker 6 is 3000ppm and Ramcharger 8 is 3600ppm. Their Powder Seeker 6 is only 1800ppm. But I don't think either the Six Shooter or Madison 8 are low capacity.

Madison 8 will replace Big Sky Resort's Six Shooter chairlift.

The Big Sky Fire Department, Big Sky SNO, Gallatin River Task Force, and Grow Wild partnered to form Alpenscapes—a group that promotes sustainable landscaping to reduce wildfire risk.
By: Meghan ElainePosted at 1:27 PM, Jul 08, 2024
BIG SKY — Big Sky Resort is undergoing construction to replace the resort's Six Shooter chairlift with what is to be the longest eight-place chairlift in the world.

Stacie Harris, Big Sky Resort's public relations manager, says the lift will be completed in December 2024, and the change is long overdue.

"This chairlift has been one of the upgrades most requested by all our guests. This chairlift is on the mountain's north side, so it is a bit shaded from the sun. In the earlier months of the winter, in December and January, it feels a little cold," Stacie says.

The Madison 8 lift will be able to keep you and seven of your friends toasty all year long.

"The new chairlift will have weatherproof bubbles and heated seats to keep you nice and warm on the ride," Stacie says. "Our guests expect these amazing high-tech chairlifts that are super smooth, quiet, comfortable rides. And that's exactly what this lift will deliver."

Stacie says construction is well underway on the eight-month project. But all this work can't be done with human power alone.

"Pretty soon, in just a couple of weeks, we will have a helicopter come back and pour all of the concrete foundations up the line and up at the top terminal. And yeah, we will see the lift come to life in the next couple of weeks."

Unfortunately, Big Sky cannot disclose the price of this construction endeavor.

FAST FACTS:

Nearly double the uphill capacity, transporting up to 2,745 skiers per hour
Traveling up to 6 meters per second or 13 miles per hour
Longest 8-place lift in the world
8-minute ride time, reducing current ride time by 30%
12-second load interval, for a comfortable, unrushed loading experience
80 chairs
29 towers

https://www.kbzk.com/news/local-news/madison-8-big-sky-resort-building-worlds-longest-eight-place-chairlift

obienick

Have they announced when Timberline HS6 goes in? I’m assuming Summer 2025?