SUGARBUSH HAS FINALLY DONE IT!
At long last, the Slide Brook Express at Sugarbush is finally spinning for the first time in two years. This lift has multiple distinctions, but to keep it short and simple, I’ll just say it’s a very long and fast lift. The Slide Brook Express stretches more than two miles and connects Sugarbush’s two base areas. With its opening yesterday, I knew I wanted to get there this weekend to ride it and ski both sides of Sugarbush, as it’s much easier to do so when this lift is spinning.
Riding the Slide Brook Express Quad.
Map of Sugarbush. Lincoln Peak is on the left and Mount Ellen is on the right.
For those who aren’t familiar with Sugarbush, the resort is split up into two main base areas: Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen. Lincoln Peak makes up the southern end of the resort, and Mount Ellen makes up the northern end. When it’s spinning, they’re connected via the Slide Brook Express, which, of course, opened this weekend. When the lift isn’t spinning, you can either drive between the two base areas or take the shuttle. As a result, most people choose one of the base areas, and then stay there all day, unless the Slide Brook Express is spinning.
I’m not sure what this run is named, but it’s a run at Mount Ellen.
Semi-Tough.
Walt’s Trail.
The Cliffs.
I started my day at Mount Ellen, getting in a couple of runs off the Inverness Quad, as well as the Green Mountain Express Quad. Seeing as it's a holiday weekend, the mountain was busy, but the terrain off the Inverness Quad was fairly quiet. Off the Inverness Quad, I skied Semi-Tough and Walt’s Trail and enjoyed both. They were bumped up at times, but the snow was nice and soft, as was the case everywhere at the resort today. Off the Green Mountain Express Quad, my favorite run was probably The Cliffs, which is a steep run right under the lift. The right side had been groomed and the left side was bumped up. Right down the middle, there was some powder, presumably pushed off from people skiing the bumps, and it was fantastic.
One of the higher areas off the ground on the Slide Brook Express.
Arriving at Lincoln Peak on the Slide Brook Express.
After getting in a few runs at Mount Ellen, I hopped on the Slide Brook Express for my multi-mile journey in the sky to Lincoln Peak. It’s a long ride, but the lift does move quickly, and the views are nice. It also gets pretty high off the ground at times. If you’re someone who is scared of heights, this one may not be for you.
To start my time at Lincoln Peak, I headed up the North Lynx Triple, which is right next to the Slide Brook Express’s Lincoln Peak terminal. This was actually my first time skiing off North Lynx this season. There’s only a couple of runs off this lift, but they’re all pretty fun.
Birch Run.
Looking down Sleeper Chutes and Sleeper.
After skiing off North Lynx, I stopped and checked out the spot on the run Sleeper, where I broke six ribs last February. This run is a part of the terrain beneath the North Lynx Triple, off the Gate House Express Quad. I actually have returned to this spot already since being injured, but I do enjoy the run, so I guess I’ll always stop there when I ski it. From there, I headed to the Super Bravo Express Quad and eventually made my way up to the summit of Lincoln Peak.
Nice view on Lincoln Peak.
Paradise.
Paradise.
I’m not some amazing bump skier, but for whatever reason, I really enjoy the run Paradise off Lincoln Peak. The entrance to the run is always full of big bumps, and once in, you’re greeted to even more bumps and a steep pitch. About halfway down, there’s a couple of trees thrown in to the mix. Coverage today in Paradise was great. As usual, there were a couple of rocks poking through here and there, but it was all easily avoidable. The bumps were soft and manageable, though, admittedly, it did take me some time to ski. This run is definitely a big step up from the bumps I was skiing over at Mount Ellen on Semi-Tough to start the day.
The view from the top of the North Ridge Express Quad. The summit of Mount Ellen is visible.
Lower F.I.S.
Lower F.I.S. Slide Brook Express is also visible.
After a few more runs at Lincoln Peak, I headed back to Mount Ellen with my sights set on the run Lower F.I.S. This long black diamond starts pretty high up on the mountain and runs to the base. I’d never skied it before, but I could see that coverage on it was good from the Slide Brook Express lift. I entered the run and right away I was in the bumps. Like everywhere else, they were soft and manageable. Definitely smaller than what I skied in Paradise. I wouldn't say this run is particularly difficult in terms of pitch, but the bumps are pretty continuous for much of the run, and there’s no bailout. Once you’re in, you’re in. The very end of the run, near the base, is fairly flat and I ended up having to skate it out.
Today was a great day at Sugarbush. In fact, I’d say it was my best day there this season. With the resort fully open, and the Slide Brook Express spinning, there was no shortage of a variety of terrain to ski. Not to mention that the snow was great! I’m looking forward to my next visit.
Never Quit Skiing,
Lincoln