Conditions at Sugarloaf and Saddleback

[SnowSeeker]

Anyone been to Sugarloaf in the last week? If so, how was it and do you think it will be ok in two weeks (@April 9-16)? We are thinking about a last minute trip to Sugarloaf with a day or two at Saddleback for spring break. We’ve never skied Sugarloaf this late in the season and it’s been a strange weather year. Jay doesn’t seem as promising this year for late season. We were in NH last weekend and it felt like a pond skim on a few runs. If you have a magic ball to predict the weather or otherwise have advice on conditions, thanks!

 

[MissySki]

There are Divas at Saddleback today, and yesterday. They should be able to give you a report.

 

[liquidfeet]

Yesterday and the day before Saddleback had six blue groomers open, no black groomers open, and the beginner area open down below the lodge. The closures were because of extremely high wind gusts causing wind holds on the chairs, rain followed by freezing temps that turned the snow to ice, freezing rain that fell on top of soft snow and covered everything solidly. There was solid white on all the trails that have snowmaking on them, but the natural snow trails had plenty of brown showing. Once we were able to get onto the snow (the mountain opened up late both days), the temps did soften the snow. The groomed snow got creamy, but glare ice showed through in places.

Your prediction is as good as anyone's whether the snow that's there now will last. It depends on temperature and precip between now and when you want to visit.

 

[brooksnow]

What sort of terrain are you and your kids comfortable skiing? Spring can be quite tough on beginners and fun for more advanced skiers.

Sugarloaf has good snow coverage on most of the snowmaking trails while the natural trails and glades are very thin at best.

The snow today early in the morning was a mixture of loose corn and firm and fast corduroy. By 10am the conditions softened. As the day warmed the corn became a bit heavy and sloppy on the lower terrain with some puddling around the base. Small corn bumps grew on the steeper trails. In the spring the skiing is typically better higher on the hill, with Peavy Cross Cut being a natural dividing line.

April 7-10 is Reggae Weekend at Sugarloaf. When the weather is nice there are bands outside at the base and at Bullwinkle's. There can be big crowds at the concerts but typically the trails are not too crowded.

Your prediction is as good as anyone's whether the snow that's there now will last. It depends on temperature and precip between now and when you want to visit.

This. Looking at the forecast for the next week shows temps below freezing through Wednesday then moderating through the end of the 10 day prediction. Low 40s can be perfect spring skiing especially when it dips below freezing overnight. There is a bit of wet predicted to fall Thursday-Friday of this week but not enough to be a washout.

My wild guess is that there will be enough skiing left to make it worth the trip.

This was taken today, showing complete coverage across most of the mountain.

 

[SnowSeeker]

Thanks for the input, especially about the snow/surface conditions, and for the detailed assessment. We looked at the predicted weather for the next two weeks before even considering last minute possibilities. I just wanted to see if the cover was thin and if the actual conditions match what the resorts have out on their websites. It’s great to have X number of runs open, but not if it’s mostly exposed rock. No worries on skill level! We have skied Sugarloaf a few times, but we usually head to Tahoe late season. One kiddo races and all of us are competent in back bowls and glaciers in the Alps from living in the EU and skiing for too many decades to admit. We got this as long as there is good cover. We purposely planned to arrive on the tail end of reggae fest, but it’s very helpful to hear that it doesn’t affect ski crowds too much. It’s hard to know with events.

 

[brooksnow]

We got this as long as there is good cover.

Great.

I'll try to remember to report if anything changes drastically.

 

[SnowSeeker]

Thanks so much!

 

[brooksnow]

The conditions have not changed much at Sugarloaf over the past week+. Today the highest terrain available, off Skyline, was generally firm and fast. A bit lower conditions softened, progressing to sloppy deep corn at the base. The flatter trails softened more in the sunshine than the steeper terrain. There were not enough people on the hill to have consistent moguls develop.

The forecast for Thursday - Sunday has been ping ponging from a few inches of snow to all, shall we say, unsnow. The safest expectation is for a classic spring wintry mix. As long as there is some winter to the mix, there is hope that it won't affect on the conditions too much.

 

[SnowSeeker]

The conditions have not changed much at Sugarloaf over the past week+. Today the highest terrain available, off Skyline, was generally firm and fast. A bit lower conditions softened, progressing to sloppy deep corn at the base. The flatter trails softened more in the sunshine than the steeper terrain. There were not enough people on the hill to have consistent moguls develop.

The forecast for Thursday - Sunday has been ping ponging from a few inches of snow to all, shall we say, unsnow. The safest expectation is for a classic spring wintry mix. As long as there is some winter to the mix, there is hope that it won't affect on the conditions too much.

Thanks so much for this update. This is very helpful. We have been watching the forecast daily and it’s a bit iffy. We are waiting until the very last minute before we pack the car. Thanks again for the mountain report!