Sugarbush 4/19/2018

lotsoskiing

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ski_it”>So nice! Doesn’t look crowded </blockquote>

Big area, tons of terrain open. Parking lot was beyond full. With 4 lifts, a ton of woods, and 50-some trails, people spread out, or hung in the bar/parking lot tailgate scene

skirick

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“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!  :-/ </blockquote>

Related to that, why is it that the chairs are spaced so far apart on that lift?

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“skirick”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“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!  :-/ </blockquote>

Related to that, why is it that the chairs are spaced so far apart on that lift?</blockquote>

Not entirely sure, could be a better question on Alpine Zone as Win is always posting. My guesses would be: less wear and tear on motor and crowd control on slopes.

bmwskier

It’s traditional–as that is the way it was before we replaced the lift and it’s also for crowd control for the area. Surprisingly, I timed the lift this year and it’s only a ten minute ride up. 

ciscokid

Boy that is blue sky!

Who has skied this “run”?( sorry Conrad)

bmwskier

I’ve been on the Church. 

lotsoskiing

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>I’ve been on the Church. </blockquote>

Me, too! Not in a while, but looks the same. Also an incredible spot in the summer if you are in the mood to hike the LT a bit.

bmwskier

There are several new areas that have opened up as well due to mud slides– one visible best from the top of North Lynx between there and Mt Ellen. Best access is from MEllen though– about a fifteen minute trip in. From what I hear, the base of it is still pretty messy due to the debris from the slide. 

A lot of Paradise woods also opened up due to slides as well. 

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>There are several new areas that have opened up as well due to mud slides– one visible best from the top of North Lynx between there and Mt Ellen. Best access is from MEllen though– about a fifteen minute trip in. From what I hear, the base of it is still pretty messy due to the debris from the slide.

A lot of Paradise woods also opened up due to slides as well. 

</blockquote>

I just heard that from a ski patroller while riding up Heavens Gate. Heard it needs a good amount to be fun, most likely a stream right now.

NewEnglandSkier13

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“mtsnow123”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>There are several new areas that have opened up as well due to mud slides– one visible best from the top of North Lynx between there and Mt Ellen. Best access is from MEllen though– about a fifteen minute trip in. From what I hear, the base of it is still pretty messy due to the debris from the slide.

A lot of Paradise woods also opened up due to slides as well. 

</blockquote>

I just heard that from a ski patroller while riding up Heavens Gate. Heard it needs a good amount to be fun, most likely a stream right now.</blockquote>

The slide I skied in Paradise woods was excellent when I was there. There was some frozen stream ice underneath, but there was enough powder on top for it to be very fun.

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NewEnglandSkier13”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“mtsnow123”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>There are several new areas that have opened up as well due to mud slides– one visible best from the top of North Lynx between there and Mt Ellen. Best access is from MEllen though– about a fifteen minute trip in. From what I hear, the base of it is still pretty messy due to the debris from the slide.

A lot of Paradise woods also opened up due to slides as well. 

</blockquote>

I just heard that from a ski patroller while riding up Heavens Gate. Heard it needs a good amount to be fun, most likely a stream right now.</blockquote>

The slide I skied in Paradise woods was excellent when I was there. There was some frozen stream ice underneath, but there was enough powder on top for it to be very fun.

</blockquote>

I was referring to the slide down the fall line at Mount Ellen. He pointed it out on the lift,  which is a small opening in the woods leading down to skier’s left of CR.

TomWhite

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“bmwskier”>It’s traditional–as that is the way it was before we replaced the lift and it’s also for crowd control for the area. Surprisingly, I timed the lift this year and it’s only a ten minute ride up. </blockquote>

My memory is the same. When ASC replaced the Castlerock double (2001, Poma), they retained the Old School capacity. My download from Liftblog.com didn’t work well. So I just typed it out. But I had some surprises. The capacity is over 1000 pph. But the line speed is only 300 fpm. There is plenty of trail capacity to boost the lift capacity. Typically a fgd can do 1200 pph. Since Vermont permits 400 pph (at least), they could just increase the line speed. With higher speed and more chairs, they could come close to 1400 pph. The Killington Peak double did 1500 pph. Wow, I just looked, that lift and the current Beak Quad are listed as 550 pph. Is that correct? I didn’t think VT permitted over 450. The other surprise was the length difference (800’). If I recall the old lift went across the flat summit further. I don’t recall the base, but at 1800’ vert. it must have gone down further.

Castlerock:

1046 pph,  4707’ length, 1670’ vert, 300 hp, 300 line speed

Castlerock Double Poma

Poma200116704707300300

19 Removed Castlerock Double Carlevaro-Savio 1959-2001 1800 5500 1959-2001 1800 5500

1800’ vert.5500’ length

lotsoskiing

I like the spacing. Really keeps things quiet on the trail. With the full line last Saturday, I encountered all of 5 people on my way down Middle Earth, two I skied up on and 3 that started out behind me and we leap-frogged as I stopped to gasp for breath (2x) and take pictures. CR Run tends to get more traffic; saw no one on Lift Line or enter Rumble, though both were pretty boney. 

jaytrem

That speed does not seem correct. Am I wrong? I don’t think the old one even moved that slow.

TomWhite

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“jaytrem”>That speed does not seem correct. Am I wrong? I don’t think the old one even moved that slow.</blockquote>

It’s been several years since I rode the lift, but 300 fpm seems low; especial with such chair spacing yet getting over 1000 pph. Perhaps that figure is wrong. I didn’t find another source for stats but NE Ski History mentions a mid-station (below) on the old lift. It’s been so long I don’t remember.

NESH:

After a successful opening season in 1958-59, the owners of Sugarbush continued investing money by building a new complex. Serviced by a new Carlevaro & Savio double chairlift, the Castlerock area would quickly become legendary throughout New England. While the complex primarily catered to experts, a mid station on the chairlift allowed for intermediates to ski Cotillion and Troll Road.<strike></strike>

newman

I always wondered why a blue trail zig zags from half way down. Good find on the mid station thing.

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