The Best of New England – part 1

Fed up with the weather?

Well I think we all are. As long as it stays cold at night the ski areas should be able to maintain their snow making operations and—at minimum—keep conditions from deteriorating.

Enough already…

I cannot even muster the courage to stroke another key on the subject.

Here is the alternative. Every season we are bombarded with lists of the “best” ski areas for certain things across the region. Unfortunately, most of these are published with some sort of hidden agendas.

What I am going to do next is fire my own hat into the ring. Take from it what you will; these opinions have been formulated from countless days on the slopes of New England. I hope they help you in planning your next trip to a destination you may have overlooked otherwise.

A secret stash on Madonna Mountain at Smuggs

Without further ado, here is the first half Ski Guru’s list of the best places worth a second look. (This will be an ongoing series that features different aspects of different areas in the next several weeks)
Best Trees: Smugglers’ Notch, VT
I know… It is a family resort, which I would not argue with anyone. Nonetheless, Smuggs offers 17 ‘marked’ glades. The resort really packs over 750 acres of gladed terrain (technically that is boundary to boundary). Most everything is skiable, although you may find some tight spots, just be ready to stop (or shed a few lbs like you said you would in 07). The resort offers wooded runs for levels of all ability. The most difficult and expert terrain is the best of what’s around. Even though I am not a huge fan of trail rating, The Black Hole is the only triple black diamond in the East (it is a challenging trail). So next time the family is talking ski trip, think about yourself immersed in knee deep powder surround by the silence of hardwoods and evergreens on Madonna Mountain.
Best Terrain Parks: Sunday River, ME
Talk about making a concerted effort to ramp things up. Sunday River teamed up with the Meathead crew this past spring to bring out the Heat Harvest. The first event of its grandiose kind on the East Coast and it was a huge success. What else? They have doubled the terrain park staff this season. All the said staff also ski and ride the features, ensuring quality (nice take offs and landings). Sunday River has all sorts of contests and events open to the public (check out the No Bib Jib link on the page I provided). Plus this past holiday week they were sporting the largest open terrain park in New England. Need I write more…
bust out the da-glo and bring it to the terrian park

Best Views: Bromley, VT
If you are standing on the summit of Bromley you can see three ski areas, smoke puffs from the chimneys of homes in the quintessential New England town of Manchester, and the towering Mount Equinox. Basically you are viewing a pristine valley and two mountain ranges, the Green and the Taconic. Take a moment and enjoy. There are few spots at which you can look out and see so much topography at such a close range. The aforementioned ski areas are Magic, Stratton and Snow Valley (private). It is most certainly a breath taken treat for all to enjoy. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the area faces south and that equals skiing in the sunshine all day long.
A view back at Bromley from Stratton

Best Night Skiing: Crotched Mountain, NH
Time Out! Wait a minute… that was not a typo. Crotched is open until 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays all season long for night skiing! While most every other resort will stop spinning the lifts around ten o’clock this place keeps the party rolling. Seriously now folks, you want some night skiing? Complaining about lack of value? Pick up a Midnight Madness lift ticket for a short $35 and ski from 5pm – 3am (offered all season long) on Fridays and Saturdays. That is a full day! Also, I must add that this place really does make a ton of snow, so conditions will be good. It is by far the only place for night owls on the snow.
Best Nightlife: Stowe, VT
Stowe is my pick. The mountain road has everything you could want. Après Ski, try a slice of pie or some sushi at the Matterhorn. Be it a hand crafted beer and burger you desire, find them at The Shed. A Budweiser bottle with a $2 handle and some pool, Ladies Invited always provides a warm welcome after a powder day. Or rock into the night with a fancy drink, top notch live music, and dancing at the Rusty Nail. The are just a few options in Stowe for the best off the slopes imbibing.
More soon,
photos ~ S.G.
Mount Mansfield’s chin – Stowe