Sugarbush 4/19/2018

NewEnglandSkier13

It was yet another day of mid-winter conditions at Sugarbush. Gadd, Lincoln, and Castlerock Peaks were still open for the season, served by the Super Bravo Express, Heaven’s Gate Triple, and Castlerock Double. Almost every trail and glade on those mountains was still open. The base was icy, but still deep on the upper mountain. On the lower mountain ground was showing through in a couple of spots. They had picked up five inches of snow the day before and there was still plenty of untracked powder to be found in the woods. Temperatures were in the thirties and it snowed throughout the day. Some bump runs were scraped off, but just as many were excellent. Glades were very fun, but I noted that many had not been maintained very well. It was relatively busy, but lines were minimal. The best runs of the day were in the sidecountry chutes near Paradise which still had lots of untracked powder.

Super Bravo ExpressBase AreaSuper Bravo ExpressHeaven’s Gate TripleHeaven’s Gate TripleHeaven’s Gate TripleJesterHeaven’s Gate TripleOrgangrinderCastlerock DoubleMiddle EarthGansta’s GrottoParadise SidecountryParadise SidecountryLast Run on The Mall

lotsoskiing

What’s with the sideways pics?

Great shots, nonetheless

NewEnglandSkier13

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“lotsoskiing”>What’s with the sideways pics?

Great shots, nonetheless

</blockquote>

Probably somehow similar to what was happening with the upside-down ones. I uploaded these from my phone.

slatham

sick, simply sick. Thanks for the report, even if it made me pissed that I’m not heading North!

bmwskier

Grooming Castlerock AND Middle Earth tonight…. 

bmwskier

OK– today was pretty epic— good snow, band and good turns right until 5 pm. Great to leave the parking lot with the sun still shining and have it with me all the way home. Couldn’t even take photos because I didn’t want to stop to do so. 

Tomorrow should be just as good, though warmer. 

:-) 

;))

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>OK– today was pretty epic— good snow, band and good turns right until 5 pm. Great to leave the parking lot with the sun still shining and have it with me all the way home. Couldn’t even take photos because I didn’t want to stop to do so. 

Tomorrow should be just as good, though warmer. 

:-) 

;)) </blockquote>

Any people skiing?

lotsoskiing

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“joshua_segal”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>OK– today was pretty epic— good snow, band and good turns right until 5 pm. Great to leave the parking lot with the sun still shining and have it with me all the way home. Couldn’t even take photos because I didn’t want to stop to do so. 

Tomorrow should be just as good, though warmer. 

:-) 

;)) </blockquote>

Any people skiing?</blockquote>

I’ll be there

bmwskier

We had lift lines all day. Castlerock was, unfortunately, about thirty minutes long. Chairs were filled at HG right up until we stopped loading at 4:05 and there was a crowd we followed down at sweep. Large gathering in the Gate House plaza at the end of the day. Loto– I should be too, check for me at a patrol shack– 8-43 is my radio number (Paul Parsons). 

lotsoskiing

Just got back- had other obligations- was not able to get to HG, sorry- stayed on Castlerock…unbelievable. Coverage was incredible.

I have also never seen an April crowd that size- overflow lots on both sides of road full, with lots of BBQ and pop up tents. Place is rocking.

Heard from a patrolman that someone has rented upper Mt. Ellen tomorrow, cabin cat and all. Will be phenomenal for that lucky group! My guess is the cat ride up from Glen House is faster than the Summit chair…

mtsnow123

I just got back today too. Valley House Quad was my spot all day. Heavens gate was fun, but the most sun and softest snow was on Spring Fling. The terrain park was surprisingly fun, with a decent size jump and a really fun minipipe with rails on the walls.

bmwskier

Damn— I was on Heaven’s Gate and then Bravo for the end of the day when we closed HG. Crowd was reported at 3,000!!! Biggest April before was only 1800. 

It was an epic day all around. 

Photos later, my quads are crying for sleep. 

skirick

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>Grooming Castlerock AND Middle Earth tonight…. 

</blockquote>

How often do they groom anything at Castlerock?

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“skirick”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>Grooming Castlerock AND Middle Earth tonight…. 

</blockquote>

How often do they groom anything at Castlerock?</blockquote>

From my understanding, this is only the second time this season, which is rare in the first place. I also love that almost every time I go to Sugarbush I see Win Smith talking to customers and skiers. I have a lot of admiration for him. 

lotsoskiing

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“mtsnow123”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“skirick”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>Grooming Castlerock AND Middle Earth tonight…. 

</blockquote>

How often do they groom anything at Castlerock?</blockquote>

I would guess it gets it 2-3 times a year. Cotillion often gets love as well as CR and ME. My guess is they need the winch to get through Jaws on ME.

The lower flat sections of ME, Rumble and Cotillion also get it as well, along with C Connector.

bmwskier

WInch cat on the steep sections. I think there is an anchor point at the top of the pitches like there is at the top of Steins, Ripcord and Organgrinder where the groomer can hook in to pull itself up. 

The Lincoln Limo did go over to Mt Ellen for that tour group. Wish I was working that!

bmwskier

Photos from Sunday. 

lotsoskiing

Nice shots of Ripcord. IMO that trail does not get the credit it deserves. Usually lunar for the first 20 yards, unless you stay under the lift or far left, then a great, consistent pitch before the slope really drops fast before the island. Below that it is a rolling bunch o’ fun, sometimes groomed, sometimes not, all the way to the little ego pitch at the bottom. Sustained pitch all the way down with surprising variety for a wide slope. 

bmwskier

It was Hollywood snow conditions. Everyone was looking good! I wish I had made it over to Castlerock to ski ME and CR when it was groomed. I actually had someone complain that they were groomed because it made the lift lines longer!  :-/

ski_it

So nice! Doesn’t look crowded