Sugarbush VT Powder

Warren, VT

– Unidentified suspect sought for noise violations. The skier was described as wearing dark colors, a helmet, and goggles.

The Charge: OVER USE of the built in safety whistle on his jacket, a good blast would often be followed by the dreaded, “Snowboarder Down!”

The Search: Hampered by DEEP snow all over South Basin.

The Skiing: Incomparable!

finding some fresh right off the bat, skier Lucas

Q: Who was lucky enough to be up at Sugarbush this past Friday (2/16/07) after the blizzard?
A: The S.G. was climbing onto the Super Bravo lift a shade past 9:00 am (open).
Over four feet of snow was sitting, virtually untouched, on the mountain peaks above. The visibility was great because there was a break in the snowfall that could be seen in ever direction. It was windy, and cold. BUT that did not matter at all.
Did I mention there was 4 FEET of snow!
Fact: The snow was deep… At one point I sunk my 48” ski pole down to my elbow and still did not hit anything in the Paradise chutes.
Note made to self ~ BE CAREFUL where you stop.
Side thought: It would be a good day to have leashes. Losing a ski in powder can be a deal breaker. If you ever do lose one your best bet is to face uphill from wherever you stop. Start boxing of sections 1×1 foot right in front of you with your pole, and pray.
First tracks in the woods off Paradise

Of course, that is if you do not have a whistle built into you jacket…
I have put a lot of days in at Sugarbush. I can only think of one that was even close and that was back in 2000. This was definitely better. I know this day was better. It basically comes down to these two things; timing and knowledge. If you can be flexible you will get more good snow, especially if you chase it. If you plan ahead you are rolling the dice (I have won some huge destination powder days, so I still play this game).
SOUTH BASIN BASE
The new Base Area is an enormous improvement felt by every visitor—Immediately—especially if they have been to South Basin before.
The new Gate House Lodge is a perfect fit. It is well thought out in terms of general ski area traffic. Double the size of the old fuselage.
There is still more work to be done before the Base of the Bush is completed, but consider it “Fully Operational” (think Death Star) and more than ready for spring.
skiing into the Super Bravo – Gate House Lodge area

Take away – The skiing.
Heaven’s Gate: That is the name of the fixed grip triple which services the South Basin’s tallest point, Lincoln Peak. From it you can access acres of tree skiing and steep fall lines on trails with names like Spillsville, Ripcord and Organgrinder.
Friday it was all about Paradise. A run that meanders its way through the forest on the skiers left, off the top, allowing one to venture deep into the snow filled woods. Be warned, do not get greedy and go too far down or you will end up hiking out.
the S.G. goofing around on Rumble

Castle Rock is just plain cool, and challenging… Has to be on every must ski list in New England. Friday was not the first time I have ridden the new chairlift. A few seasons back the old double was replaced. Job done right, uphill capacity kept the same. I am a huge fan of this statistic. Limited traffic on the trails is a good thing.
All In
The Best skiing was found in the afternoon. Tons of wind blown powder was all over the lower mountain terrain serviced by the Bravo quad and The Mall double (not running). For whatever reason you want to pick this part of the mountain had all the best snow. It really was outstanding. All kinds of bottomless variable powder conditions.
Hit Stein’s thrice, Twist twice and the woods once. Not a bad six laps of soft to finish off the day.

This Weekend – 2/24/07: The Sugarbush is hosting their expert competition. The 10th Annual Castle Rock Extreme competition. Get there early, only the first 50 ‘athletes’ that get signed up are involved. Entry fee is $25 – for more info hit this LINK
Spring News: Keeping South Basin Open for this spring instead of North (Mount Ellen).
Repeat – – – Keeping South Basin open instead of north!
New England has not had lifts spinning over this terrain on a warm April day in many years!
Flashback: When I wrote the skiing was incomparable after the storm I meant it. This past Friday at Sugarbush, VT was one of those days on the slopes that you never forget.
For more photos of the Bush hit this LINK.
Here’s to more Snow,
photos ~ S.G.
PS ~ I really do have a whistle on my jacket and I really was using it.
The Claybrook Inn