You can really just call this a mini-resort of the east. Nothing super special here. I come here with my sister and father a few times each season when we either don’t have the time or are not willing to go to MRG, Stowe, or any place much further north.
Overall, this is, as I said, another crowded ‘Village’ resort. If you want the comfort and luxury of good food, this is a close-to-home resort to go to. Nothing about world-class skiing at all here. Basic family resort with massive parking, for good reasons detailed in ‘dislikes.’ What’s good about the resort is the fast lift. Without big crowds (see below) you can get nearly 20 runs per hour if you’re aggressive and fast like me. The terrain is nothing to go crazy about, but will suffice in general. Places like 180 and Left Bank are death traps, however, loaded with people up to the brim on even a good day. On the flip side, the convergent trails, such as Jericho, Whitetail, and Whirlaway, offer some pretty good steeps. Not the longest trails, but they do offer some 25-35 degrees in pitch, which means a fast and exhilirating run. Grooming is superb, but is worn away within an hour of opening, and it starts to get icy thereafter. Trails to try: Lift Line (When open), Upper Exhibition, Jericho, Nor’easter (Stays groomed the longest). Food here is great, but as I said, this is a hollow luxury to me.
Dislikes
Welcome to mini-Stratton. Apres ski, no matter how good, is uber expensive. If you’re on a budget, avoid buying any food at the peak lodge. Just coming in is at a premium, because the lodge gets super packed. I digress, so lets go from the bottom up. The parking lot is close, but gets packed quickly. To guarantee yourself a space, you have to be here by ~8.00 They offer a shuttle, but it is only half as good as it sounds, because from the parking lot (at its closest point), you must cross a brick pathway, ascend a steel grate stairway, and weave through crowds to get to the main six-pack. This place gets super-crowded on weekends. Definitely a bad choice to come here early. Although the skiing isn’t as good, it is a much better idea to come here after 2, as the congestion starts to ease up. The crowds at the six-pack can look massive, but the biggest waits get up to maybe 20 minutes AT MOST. Not bad, but the trail layout just kills it. You got beginners through experts going up the six-pack, all ending up on the same death trap: Left Bank. It gets very packed, and when you reach the advanced trails after a slow pass, the wind normally is high, and shows obvious pure ice exposure near the tops. ice clumps are common, but moreso at the base. Near the top, its just solid ice.
If you can handle all the ice, you’re good, but all in all, there is nothing huge to like about this resort. It is what it is: a resort with a ski area in its backyard.
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General Comments/Likes
You can really just call this a mini-resort of the east. Nothing super special here. I come here with my sister and father a few times each season when we either don’t have the time or are not willing to go to MRG, Stowe, or any place much further north.
Overall, this is, as I said, another crowded ‘Village’ resort. If you want the comfort and luxury of good food, this is a close-to-home resort to go to. Nothing about world-class skiing at all here. Basic family resort with massive parking, for good reasons detailed in ‘dislikes.’ What’s good about the resort is the fast lift. Without big crowds (see below) you can get nearly 20 runs per hour if you’re aggressive and fast like me. The terrain is nothing to go crazy about, but will suffice in general. Places like 180 and Left Bank are death traps, however, loaded with people up to the brim on even a good day. On the flip side, the convergent trails, such as Jericho, Whitetail, and Whirlaway, offer some pretty good steeps. Not the longest trails, but they do offer some 25-35 degrees in pitch, which means a fast and exhilirating run. Grooming is superb, but is worn away within an hour of opening, and it starts to get icy thereafter. Trails to try: Lift Line (When open), Upper Exhibition, Jericho, Nor’easter (Stays groomed the longest). Food here is great, but as I said, this is a hollow luxury to me.
Dislikes
Welcome to mini-Stratton. Apres ski, no matter how good, is uber expensive. If you’re on a budget, avoid buying any food at the peak lodge. Just coming in is at a premium, because the lodge gets super packed. I digress, so lets go from the bottom up. The parking lot is close, but gets packed quickly. To guarantee yourself a space, you have to be here by ~8.00 They offer a shuttle, but it is only half as good as it sounds, because from the parking lot (at its closest point), you must cross a brick pathway, ascend a steel grate stairway, and weave through crowds to get to the main six-pack. This place gets super-crowded on weekends. Definitely a bad choice to come here early. Although the skiing isn’t as good, it is a much better idea to come here after 2, as the congestion starts to ease up. The crowds at the six-pack can look massive, but the biggest waits get up to maybe 20 minutes AT MOST. Not bad, but the trail layout just kills it. You got beginners through experts going up the six-pack, all ending up on the same death trap: Left Bank. It gets very packed, and when you reach the advanced trails after a slow pass, the wind normally is high, and shows obvious pure ice exposure near the tops. ice clumps are common, but moreso at the base. Near the top, its just solid ice.
If you can handle all the ice, you’re good, but all in all, there is nothing huge to like about this resort. It is what it is: a resort with a ski area in its backyard.
You can join today! Membership is free!