Standing at the entrance of Master Magician is like standing before the alter — you have two choices: “I Do” or “I Do Not.” Prior to making this decision, you reflect upon your vows: “Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish every sweet turn?” “Do you swear to find the most perfect line and commit yourself to the steepest fall line possible?” “Do you pledge to respect the snow and your fellow skiers above all else?” “Do you take this mountain, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?” You calmly state the words: “I Do.”
In the back of your mind, you hear the declaration: “I now pronounce you Skier and Mountain.”
Magic Mountain once proclaimed Master Magician as the steepest in-bounds trail in Vermont. This declaration went unchallenged for many years. While there may currently be a handful of steeper trails in Vermont; including sections of Magic Mountain’s own lift line trails Red Line and Black Line, Master Magician remains a true challenge and a classic in the annals of New England Skiing.
Master Magician drops very steeply from the Wizard trail near the unload station of the Black Triple Chair. The bumps act as buffers slowing your impending descent. To skiers right, you spy a meticulously cut glade that dares the best of the best to test their metal. Picking your way through the bumps, you slowly defy the strong and inevitable pull of gravity one bump at a time. The trail bends naturally to the right, and you try desperately to keep up. Picking your way through some thin spots; not only is the challenge and pitch unrelenting, but increases in intensity before finally dumping you out forgivingly at the entrance to Heart of Magician; a Black Diamond bumper by name, but a walk in the park after such less than graceful heroics on Master Magician.
This is the heart of Magic Mountain’s approach to skiing: an uncompromising dedication to exciting terrain and classic skier experience. Every trail has its own unique style and character while retaining a classic New England aesthetic not found at most resorts. Whether a fledgling apprentice just learning to turn or a David Copperfield of the ski world, every skier can enjoy the natural charm and character of the trails.
But even the David Copperfields of the ski world have yet to perfect one trick at Magic: the art of defying gravity. Try as they may, expert skiers have their wizardry cut out for them at Magic Mountain. Ungroomed and natural snow conditions prevail on most of the Black Diamond terrain. Those looking for a challenge should waste no time in skiing down the same routes that they ascended via the chairlifts. Red Line and Lucifer are two mean Double Black lift lines that instill fear in the lesser mortals of the ski world. Any attempt at heroics on these trails will be closely scrutinized (and cheered when appropriate) by a highly judgmental audience from above. The upper section of Red Line is especially nasty with an exceptionally steep cliff with occasion rock and vegetation visible.
Experts preferring a challenge away from an audience will delight in bumps and stumps inside Magic’s excellent glades. Twilight Zone and Goniff Glade feature occasional and sparse trees naturally occurring throughout a steep, bumpy pitch. These unique trails have a character unmatched at most ski areas in New England. The best bumps on the mountain are found on the deceptively named Double Black Diamond Slide of Hans, which sounds much worse than it actually is. Skiers will delight in excellent lines through a narrow and steep bump run. Extending this run is an unmarked cut through the woods off the Wizard trail, which features a narrow 10 foot wide bump shot that requires quick turns and reflexes to successfully navigate. And of course, Master Magician which was described earlier dumps out into Heart of Magician; a delightful romp through some sweet bump lines.
Those skiers looking for steep and groomed will not find much available at Magic Mountain. However; some Black Diamonds are groomed to so called “perfection” including the deliciously narrow and aptly named Broomstick as well as trails like Sorcerer, Bailout, and the Race Course Talisman (jokingly referred to by one Ski Patroller as Taliban, a name that has stuck).
With exception of the two glade trails, the skiers right side of Magic is dedicated to the “Cruiser with Character.” Intermediates will surely delight in having an entire half of the mountain dedicated to rolling cruisers of various shapes, styles, and contours. The trails on this side of the mountain allow for many options while keeping the integrity and character of each trail unique and individualized. Every visitor to Magic owes it to themselves to take a few delightful jaunts down the wonderful cruisers Vertigo, Mystery, Wand, and Up Your Sleeve.
First time skiers will find two dedicated trails for their introduction to the sport, but will not find much variety in terms of available terrain. The Dragon Handle Pull is available at the base area next to the tubing park for first timers requiring a gradual slope to get started on. And the winding Magic Carpet trail is available from the summit of the Red Double Chair for 1700 Vertical Feet of gradually rolling switch backs.
In the past, much concern from skiers has been made regarding snow making, brush on trails, and grooming. Despite concerns of snow making, I found excellent snow cover on all trails except for the nasty Double Diamonds Red Line and Master Magician. Even these trails were well covered considering a recent lack of snow fall. In regards to brush, Magic Mountain has undergone a substantial brush clearing initiative, to the point that I hardly recognized some of the cleared out trails from my last visit to the mountain. I did not spot a single stick showing through the snow on any of the trails. Additionally, Magic has substantially stepped up their grooming to include most of their Beginner and Intermediate terrain, in addition to the occasional Black Diamond. Those who have concern over these three areas of mountain operations can rest assured that Magic has taken several steps forward to improve the skiing experience.
That skiing experience is enhanced by several factors at Magic. First, every run you take is a top-to-bottom run. Whether taking the Red Double Chair or Black Triple Chair, you get to experience every foot of the 1700 foot vertical drop in one run. No connector chairlifts, no need for trail maps to find your way around, and no connector trails listed just to boost the trail count. Magic skis even bigger than its 1700 vertical feet would indicate, especially after dropping into the steep and challenging bump runs. With ski on lifts all day on a Saturday, the value that Magic offers can not be beat in Vermont for a $42 weekend ticket. The real value at Magic comes mid-week with several $15 State Days, $20 “Back to the 70s Tuesdays,” and a $32 mid-week ticket everyday with $5 off on Wednesdays with donation of a canned food product. Perhaps the most amazing offer is a midweek season pass for only $199 Adult or $149 for Military, College, or Teens! In a ski industry in which your skiing dollar buys less and less everyday; we sometimes forget how much value lesser known ski areas can offer.
Still standing at the entrance to Master Magician, I spy a view to the south of neighboring Stratton Mountain. Stratton recently became the first ski area in New England to push past the $70 ceiling for a weekend lift ticket (currently $72 dollars on Saturdays). With my ski tips hanging out over the lip of the headwall, I eagerly kick into a jump turn reflecting on the fact that bigger is not necessarily better. Magic Indeed.
