Category: March

2012-2013 Season, March, Smugglers Notch

Smuggs: The Honeymoon Still Isn’t Over

Smuggs Trees

Every time I ski Smuggs, I wonder if it will be the day that the honeymoon will end. Eventually, I am going to have a bad day at Smuggs. One of these days, the warm and fuzzy emotional reaction I get isn’t going to happen. But after half a dozen days at Smuggs, that day has not yet come. And It may be a while yet before it happens. If it ever happens.

Most of New England was forced to rely on human-groomin’ to alleviate a freeze event which followed mixed precip and/or wet snow. Smuggs was lined up for a few inches daily resulting in exceptional powder and packed powder conditions. Untracked was less than my half foot standard for powder day status but a few inches was all it took to ensure exceptional turns.

My slight disappointment with the low new snow totals was significantly offset by the exceptional quality of what little powder Smuggs did get. Everything was skiing exceptionally well despite occasional base depth issues in tight and steep quarters. There were still places in which a hockey stop in a tight chute would strip snow down to a grassy, rooty, or rocky base. But for the most part, snow conditions were primo.

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2011-2012 Season, March, Stowe

Summer or Spring at Stowe?

Spruce Peak Development

As you can see, there are some pretty ugly developments happening at Stowe lately. You might also notice that the snow coverage isn’t that good either.

The development at Spruce Peak continues on its absurd scale. The new Spruce “Camp” Base Lodge feels more like a sterilized hotel lobby than a ski lodge. The faux wood benches and chairs are uncomfortable and lack practicality. Clearly this was a lodge designed by AIG big wigs without any input from skiers and riders. This seems weird to say but even the bathrooms took me out of the skiing mentality and put me into a city ambiance.

Adding financial insult to aesthetic injury, I had to pony up $5.00 for my “Evolution” card even though I already prepaid for a voucher. Unlike most other excessive ski resorts, Mount Mansfield’s terrain is worth dealing with the pomp. I made like an egg and crossed over to the Gondola. Due to the sun, I planned to take full advantage of the shade of the enclosed cabins.

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2011-2012 Season, March, Stratton

Stratton Slush Show

Summit Gondola & Upper Standard

Stratton was the only mountain in New England with a 2,000 foot drop that I had not skied. I felt obligated to ski Stratton to round out my knowledge. So out of morbid curiosity, I put Stratton on my List. I was spoiling for a fight and prepared myself for another shit show. But instead of a shit show, I found a slush show.

Of all the heirs to New England’s ski resort throne, Stratton is of a higher and uncontested pedigree (and I mean that in the most derogatory way possible). On occasion, I have used the word gaudy to describe recent resort developments such as Claybrook at Sugarbush and Spruce Peak at Stowe. But the level of distastefulness I experienced at Stratton’s was supremely offensive.

How does the target demographic not revolt due to shameless patronizing? Why do the richy rich respond most favorably to homogenization without substance? I don’t disrespect wealthy individuals for wanting a well furnished upper class second home. But I do disrespect lack of taste and originality. The human desire to want what the other has is what keeps Stratton in business.

There is only one thing I hate more than homogenized faux villages and that is parking lots that require a bus. And Stratton doesn’t screw around in this department. If you aren’t a VIP guest or paying for parking, you can take the bus. I got sent down to Lot 2, three quarters of a mile away from the ticket window.

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2011-2012 Season, March, Mount Sunapee

Don’t Sunapee Cannon

You will have to excuse the lack of pictures in this report. It wasn’t for lack of a blue bird spring day. And it wasn’t for lack of intent. Upon arriving at Mount Sunapee, I was directed to park in distant lot three which requires taking a bus to the lodge. Since it was busy enough for a bus, I opted to boot up at the car (which I am unaccustomed to doing). Between the bus and booting up at my car, I forgot my camera in my car way back in lot three. Alas, no photographic evidence was recorded of my first and likely only visit to OkemoNH Mount Sunapee.

If you follow thesnowway.com, you may recall my particular distaste for long distance parking lots that require bus transportation. It is one reason that I don’t care for many other large scale resorts with long distance parking. I don’t mind walking. But if I am paying to ski, I prefer a short walk over a third of a mile haul with gear.

Okay, enough about the bus.

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