Rue Roberts
Certified Ski Diva
So, it was a really hard decision, but I decided to change my plans at the last minute and not ski out west for the first time in three years for the sake of financial sanity and buying my own ice climbing gear. But now I can't decide which ski passes to buy for the season. I'm training to get my ski level up to a standard where I would feel confident taking my apprentice ski guide exams in the 19/20 northern winter, so I just need a few really gnarly tree skiing mountains, preferably with nice lift-access backcountry and zippy lifts so I can get a lot of mileage in. I've gotten it down to a longish shortlist, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether it's kicking a couple of them or adding one I really need.
Mad River Glen ~ $199, or $90 for mid-week only if I buy the Sugarbush pass. Is this real life!!????
Sugarbush ~ $399, or $389 including MRG. The MRG discount is a nice bonus for getting the sugarbush pass, but I can't find many people raving about it like they do MRG or Smuggs or Stowe or Jay. Is the nice backcountry access worth it? Should I be swayed by their 4000+ acre claim?
Smuggler’s Notch ~ $359.
Jay - $569, which includes Burke.
Sugarloaf ~ $479, or $808 with the MAX. It seems to have nice sorta lift-accessed backcountry, and they advertise alpine and have some nice lesson deals. Is it worth the long drive? I'd probably end up doing a couple five day trips, but really I'd just get it to not have to pay full price for the Max.
MAX Pass ~ $679 or $329 if I buy the Sugarloaf pass. I'd probably do at least a couple days at Tremblant, Whiteface, Gore, Okemo, Sunday River, Mont Saint Ann, Stratton, and Killington if I had it.
Stowe ~ I actually already have an Epic pass, but I called and the manager is willing to refund it. It makes me sad because I've seen so many pretty videos at Stowe, but it seems a terrible value for $888. Is it in fact?
I kicked off the Peak Pass ($399), Killington ($539), the Cannon/Bretton woods combo ($399), Magic ($279), Ragged ($299), the New England Pass ($579), and Bolton Valley ($189), but feel free to argue for them anyway. : )
Priorities are challenging/interesting/cliffy/gnarly trees > best backcountry access with the least skinning involved on either end > lift speed > $. I'll probably ski pretty much every day I'm not ice climbing. Love in advance if you can help me with this puzzle. : )
Mad River Glen ~ $199, or $90 for mid-week only if I buy the Sugarbush pass. Is this real life!!????
Sugarbush ~ $399, or $389 including MRG. The MRG discount is a nice bonus for getting the sugarbush pass, but I can't find many people raving about it like they do MRG or Smuggs or Stowe or Jay. Is the nice backcountry access worth it? Should I be swayed by their 4000+ acre claim?
Smuggler’s Notch ~ $359.
Jay - $569, which includes Burke.
Sugarloaf ~ $479, or $808 with the MAX. It seems to have nice sorta lift-accessed backcountry, and they advertise alpine and have some nice lesson deals. Is it worth the long drive? I'd probably end up doing a couple five day trips, but really I'd just get it to not have to pay full price for the Max.
MAX Pass ~ $679 or $329 if I buy the Sugarloaf pass. I'd probably do at least a couple days at Tremblant, Whiteface, Gore, Okemo, Sunday River, Mont Saint Ann, Stratton, and Killington if I had it.
Stowe ~ I actually already have an Epic pass, but I called and the manager is willing to refund it. It makes me sad because I've seen so many pretty videos at Stowe, but it seems a terrible value for $888. Is it in fact?
I kicked off the Peak Pass ($399), Killington ($539), the Cannon/Bretton woods combo ($399), Magic ($279), Ragged ($299), the New England Pass ($579), and Bolton Valley ($189), but feel free to argue for them anyway. : )
Priorities are challenging/interesting/cliffy/gnarly trees > best backcountry access with the least skinning involved on either end > lift speed > $. I'll probably ski pretty much every day I'm not ice climbing. Love in advance if you can help me with this puzzle. : )
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