A BITTERLY COLD SKI DAY AT SUGARBUSH
For what seems like the third or fourth weekend in a row, we have deep cold hanging around the Northeast. Temperatures today started off well below zero and struggled to get into the single digits. That’s no reason to not go skiing, though. It is winter, after all. So, this morning I loaded up my car with my gear and decided to head to the Mad River Valley in Vermont.
The view after getting off the Super Bravo Express Quad.
Sigi’s Ripcord and the Heaven’s Gate lift.
Domino.
I originally was planning to ski Jay Peak, but I was thinking today may be a tough day for them in terms of lift operations, given the wind and cold. So, knowing that Sugarbush usually seems to fare better in these scenarios, I decided to head there. It turned out to be a great choice, as they had basically all the lifts at Lincoln Peak spinning, minus the Slide Brook Express, which doesn’t spin when it’s extremely cold.
Birdland.
Lew’s Line.
Given that it’s the Sunday of the big game, and it was extremely cold, the mountain was empty. In fact, I’d say it may have been the least crowded I’ve ever seen Sugarbush during peak season. I had the place to myself. Lincoln was king of Lincoln Peak.
Lower Snowball.
Lower Paradise.
Big Birch/Wild Turkey.
Conditions were great everywhere. On the groomers, there was packed powder with the odd firm spot here and there, especially on steeper terrain. On natural terrain, of which Sugarbush has a fair amount, coverage was good with minimal rocks, etc,. poking through. Bumps were mostly soft and not too big. In the trees, I found coverage to be pretty good on most of what I skied, except for Deeper Sleeper, which I found to be low tide in some spots. My favorite glade of the day was probably Big Birch/Wild Turkey. They’re right next to each other. Coverage was great on these and the spacing of the trees was a lot of fun.
Riding the Castlerock Double.
Castlerock Run.
Castlerock Run.
Cotillion.
I did ski Castlerock today, which, if you’re not familiar with, is a pretty iconic area at Sugarbush that is entirely natural snow-only. There’s no grooming, the terrain is pretty challenging, and it’s got its own lift. Both Castelrock Run and Cotillion were in great shape and a fun challenge. I would’ve skied more off Castlerock, but it’s a long ride on the fixed grip double, and it was cold. Can you blame me?!
Sigi’s Ripcord.
Jester.
Speaking of long, cold lift rides: Heaven’s Gate was brutal today. It was a windy and, of course, very cold ride up that lift to the top of Lincoln Peak. I did do it back to back. The first time, I skied Sigi’s Ripcord and then Lower Paradise. The second time, I skied Jester. All was great, but Jester was probably my favorite of the lot, because it’s unusual to be able to ski it with no one on it, and that’s how it was today. I cruised right through and enjoyed the views.
Never Quit Skiing,
Lincoln