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Hitting Smuggler's Notch this Friday-Sunday. Never been. Any insider tips?
Just picked up a pair of used 2021 Elan Ripsticks 96. Supposed to be fun playful skis. Gonna put my 6 ski-day old Atomic Vantage 97Cs up for sale
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.
Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600
LOVE Smuggs..My first few years on skis were spent there (as well as earning my first cast there), and worked there during winter break in 1980-81, but haven't skied there in probably 20 years. Snowmaking everywhere except at Morse Mt. was always weak, but I'm sure they've upped their game. The old school vibe on the Sterling and Madonna chairs is great. Doc Dempseys Run is awesome if they have the snow and you like glades. FIS is right next to it and has the steeps to rip if it's groomed. Both of these are off the Madonna chair. Apres ski at Brewster River Pub And Brewery (it had the comedic name of Brewster River Yacht Club back in the day) was always good (downstairs). Enjoy the new skis! post up a report when you get back.
Ive had a lot of solid days on the peak to the left. February produced, looking like a few days of high pressure before the next cycle starts.
Put this up in October. 12' Pole with about 4' showing now
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I'm a little late, so I hope you had some fun times. It's hard to give too many recommendations without a hint of your ability. There is some serious skiing there.
I generally avoid Morse Mountain, it's more for beginners and family's. As mentioned Doc Dempseys is great. It starts steep and open and turns into tight trees. But, there is a lot of tree skiing there, and it seems like more all the time, so Doc's might not be so special anymore. Madonna liftline run was always a favorite when the snow is soft, and energy was high. Upper/lower Chilcoot is a great trail to tip the skis down on and rip top to bottom. Off of sterling there are trails that land you in the notch for a small hike back if you're into that. There is a pond on top of sterling that connects smuggs to stowe. Stowe use to give you one courtesy ride back to the top if you went over.
Let us know how it went and how the ripsticks are.
GF and I picked up snowboarding a few years ago, but would only actually go as part of a "real vacation" / destination thing (Okemo, Sunapee, etc), which ultimately translated to "not much" for all the reasons you'd expect.
A few weeks ago, I tried the night session at Wachusett. $36 for 7-930pm, or $31 if you're reloading their plastic pass card.
It's been fun as hell, and pretty spot-on for my skill/fitness level. I'm still just doing blues on the board, but I doubled down and replaced my skis from highschool, got a rack for the car, etc.. I've probably been 10 times so far, including last night in the slush. At this price point and level of time commitment, suspect conditions are just another learning tool. Two thumbs up.
-Jared
701 E/SM, Hyperstrada 821
Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.
Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600
Long ago had a night season pass at Crotched. Never went once on weekends!
“When it comes to the kitchen, I have a narrow band of competency.”
Master Mechanic Roger Barr in “Chasing Classic Cars.”
Thanks for the suggestion Swift; similar drive time and a heck of a lot more skiing/riding per dollar.
-Jared
701 E/SM, Hyperstrada 821
This year has been extra insane with the amount of mega pass tourists visiting. I may sound like a jaded local but this past Saturday the ridge had about 80 people out there either shoulder or suitcase carrying their skis. Multiple people where overheard complaining about how the terrain shouldnt be open etc... You idiots walked through a gate that had plenty of warnings and advisories, photo maps of the different terrain and a beacon checker... Also no one on the hill sunday but a two hour tramline which mostly consisted of half scenic rides, which is bullshit. Wait till 230 when it closes to skiing and then go take a scenic ride not when people are trying to ski.
Oh so where those people headed in the direction of like the dictator chutes?
-Alex
I can resist everything but Pete's mom.