I have an Ikon Base Pass too this year! Because Georges and I both work from home it is possible for us to do a 14 day quarantine and then travel to Vermont to ski. I hope we get up there to Sugarbush at some point this season. We have friends with a condo up there and have been invited. How ever, the Covid risks are still pretty scary and we’re not sure if we feel comfortable taking them up on the offer of staying with them.Starting a thread for the Mad River Valley ski resorts. It'll be interesting to see how full the slopes this year with Vermont's (oft-disregarded) travel restrictions and people working remotely from home.
Sugarbush has posted its COVID-19 winter operational plans to its website: https://www.sugarbush.com/plan/winter-operations/
The Cliff's notes version is that Sugarbush's operations plan will be similar to other Alterra resorts:
- no reservations
- limited day tickets
- no group ski lessons
- no singles line, lifts will be loaded with related parties only.
Mad River Glen has made general comments about its operational plans - specifically, that it believes that it will be able to offer unrestricted skiing to passholders and shareholders. That said, it looks like it has temporarily suspended its pass sales as of October 15 due to increased volumes. They are currently evaluating their pass products to formulate a plan for season pass and ticket sales moving into the ski season. Some pass products may not available when they re-introduce sales. COVID-19 info here: http://www.madriverglen.com/COVID-19/
This year I'm switching things up and will be riding Sugarbush on the IKON Base Pass and skiing weekdays at Mad River Glen. I'm looking forward to the season -- snow is tentatively in the forecast for next week!
We are trying to plan a trip with our club to Sugarloaf and Sunday river in February. If you are interested check out the OC Ski Club website Sunday river trip.Since VT doesn't appear to want me, I'm thinking ski safari to NH and Maine :-) Hoping everyone behaves so the borders don't get closed State to State
We are trying to plan a trip with our club to Sugarloaf and Sunday river in February. If you are interested check out the OC Ski Club website Sunday river trip.
Thanks for the tip! Our Sunday river trip is scheduled for February 5 through the 12th. I hope that we will be able to go!I'll be at Sunday River most of the winter, let me know if you end up making it up! It's not on the Ikon pass, but if you'll already be up I highly recommend tacking Saddleback onto the trip too if possible. Everyone is very much anticipating their reopening this season.
Thanks for the tip! Our Sunday river trip is scheduled for February 5 through the 12th. I hope that we will be able to go!
I have an Ikon Base Pass too this year! Because Georges and I both work from home it is possible for us to do a 14 day quarantine and then travel to Vermont to ski. I hope we get up there to Sugarbush at some point this season. We have friends with a condo up there and have been invited. How ever, the Covid risks are still pretty scary and we’re not sure if we feel comfortable taking them up on the offer of staying with them.
Unfortunately when I got to Heaven’s Gate lift, I was greeted with this sight:
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That would be a lift line with people spaced far too closely for my comfort. Once again, I noped out, carved my way down Lower Downspout, and then had fun doing a few laps on the Valley House quad, which was essentially ski-on anyway.
So I think this season I probably won’t get much time on the terrain off Heaven’s Gate, unless I go on an uncrowded weekday. Luckily I have almost two full weeks to do that starting Tuesday!
Looks absolutely beautiful! I am headed up to VT next week...hitting our fave (Sugarbush) but going to ski MRG for the first time, since the conditions look amazing (these pics confirm that!), so it’s a must!! Would love to get the scoop on which trails are a must ski....do tell!Not sure I mentioned this earlier in the thread but I had to turn in my MRG weekday pass because I got a new job and couldn’t responsibly duck off for weekday long lunches.
Dr Pugs kept his weekday pass, though, and is in for a multi-week stretch of minimal clinical time which means he’s had a couple of daytime hours here and there to run off to ski as MRG is just 20-25 minutes away. As a result he’s been tormenting me with photos:
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(hopefully a mod won’t mind helping to rotate these photos!)
I’m super jealous! I love this kind of narrow New England style terrain. It’s so beautiful!
He wants to get a full pass there next year and I am game. I might consider buying a share in the co-op for him for his birthday that’s coming up.
(hopefully a mod won’t mind helping to rotate these photos!)
Looks absolutely beautiful! I am headed up to VT next week...hitting our fave (Sugarbush) but going to ski MRG for the first time, since the conditions look amazing (these pics confirm that!), so it’s a must!! Would love to get the scoop on which trails are a must ski....do tell!
Thanks so much! I am excited to finally be able to check it out; skied so many times up at Sugarbush, yet never made it over there. Figured if I can only make a few trips to VT this season, one has to include MRG!Yes, conditions are fabulous and I think it will warm up a bit next week - but not too warm!!
For intermediates: Upper Antelope to Catamount from the single chair, then cut across Broadway to take Bunny, Chipmunk or Porcupine.
For advanced: the single chair liftline is really nice. Moody’s, Canyon and Grand Canyon is really great too.
They do minimal grooming so be prepared for all the trails to be fairly bumped up. Enjoy!