Just like a forecast promised – heavy snow and wind over some parts of New England. While it is raining in NYC, Jay Peak resort reported heavy snow that started around 7am. Stowe picked up 2-3 inches of snow by 8am. Mount snow received around three inches of snow but shut down lifts to the top. Stratton resort reports 4 inches of snow on the ground.
It looks and feels as if winter has finally arrived. There should be some mixed precipitation later in the day, but most resorts promised that it will turn back into snow in the evening. (Hmm…those snow reports…) If I round up a group of friends, I will head out to Vermont on Thursday or Friday. See ya on the slopes!
I have good news! The 2009/2010 ski rankings have been released. Ski Magazine and its sister publication, Skiing Magazine, published readers’ perspectives on the best ski resorts in North America. I will not go over the Western ski resorts but, instead, will offer my humble opinion on the Eastern resorts’ rankings: they are very entertaining but fairly useless for the purpose of deciding where to go on the next ski vacation.
I do not have any intention of criticizing the readers whose opinions were used to calculate the ski rankings, nor do I want to dispute every result. However, almost any ski vacation comes with a package. I am not talking about a hotel-plus-car type of a deal; my definition of a ski package includes a ski resort, your skills, preferences, the resort’s services, and Mother Nature’s mood – these factors can dramatically skew our perspectives and influence opinions.
For example, an unseasonal thaw in the New England region – though there is nothing unusual about rains in mid-February – can spoil a ski vacation regardless of the resort’s terrain and annual snowfall. The famous Front Four at Stowe is a fantastic option to challenge yourself but when moguls are covered in thick and hard ice, it is doubtful many will appreciate the narrow and steep trails. Throw into the mix an instance of bad customer service and, all of sudden, we can read: “The worst experience ever. The next time I will choose…”
On the other hand, a foot of fresh powder makes an enormous difference. For most winter sports enthusiasts skiing in Vermont, waking up in the morning and seeing falling snow outside the window is priceless. Sometimes they spend weeks waiting for that day and, when Mother Nature dumps a foot of snow, it generally does not matter where you ski. Last season, I had great powder days at Magic Mountain, Bromley, and Stratton ski resorts in southern Vermont. I also caught snowstorms while skiing at Sugarbush, Jay Peak, and Wildcat, to name the few. At the end of day, my friends and I could care less that a resort’s cafeteria was closed, the coffee was cold, or a lift operator was unfriendly. What mattered most was the snow – it brought out positive feelings and pushed back the negatives. “We had a wonderful experience skiing at Mountain X! It is unquestionably a top-five ski resort in Vermont!” would be a typical review. (And of course it would unquestionably affect any ski rankings!)
And then, there is always a question about your skills, preferences, and athletic abilities. I have seen people progressing from a bunny slope to beginner trails in one day. I also know people who spent a couple of days struggling to master first turns. There is no hard rule about how to designate trails. What might be a double black diamond at one Vermont ski resort is designated an intermediate trail at another. In other words, you could spend days polishing ski slopes with your rear and have your miserable experience relayed in ski rankings. Or you could have a blast skiing trails that perfectly fit your style and skills, and rank a ski resort at the top of a list.
Of course, some ski resorts in Vermont are better than others. However, I think we should approach the rankings issue from a relative, and not absolute, perspective. For example, Jay Peak resort might be the best backcountry and glade experience in the East, but Smugglers’ Notch will be at the top of family programs. Stowe is a place where a convergence of luxury style, classic trails, and a picturesque ski village creates a well-rounded Vermont vacation experience. And Killington resort offers seven mountains, 145 trails, and the highest point in New England reached by an aerial lift. Which resort is better?
I think it is not the ski rankings that direct you toward the ultimate ski destination. It is a total package that includes your style, skills, needs, and — most importantly — fresh snow that makes a ski vacation truly memorable experience.
Have a snowy 2009/2010 ski season!
2010 Eastern ski resorts rankings by Ski Magazine. Overall Satisfaction.
Tremblant, Que
Smugglers’ Notch, VT
Sugarloaf, Maine
Cannon Mountain, N.H.
Jay Peak, VT
Sugarbush, VT
Wildcat, N.H.
Holiday Valley, N.Y.
Mt. Sunapee, N.H.
Whiteface, N.Y
P.s. If you would like to see all rankings, get a copy of Ski Magazine or visit their site. They have 18 categories ranking resorts based on terrain, apres-ski, snow terrain parks, lodging and such.
P.s.s. In the final rankings – Stowe was ranked third, Sugarbush was #13, Jay Peak was # 19.
Smugglers’ Notch resort is among top ski destinations in Vermont. Voted number one for family programs by a Ski Magazine’s reader survey, this resort offers great terrain, including the only triple black diamond in the East, unbeatable views, great deals on lift tickets, and a variety of programs so that everyone can have plenty of fun. The only disadvantage is the long drive, if you leave in the tri-state area.
Smugglers Notch resort in Vermont
I visited Smugglers Notch resort during the 2008/2009 ski season, and I admit – it is a viable alternative to some high-priced ski resorts in Vermont. Of course, Smuggs is proud to offer one of the best family-oriented resorts in northern Vermont; however, there are still many options for adrenaline-craving adults. Three big mountains and 1000 acres of terrain provide plenty of opportunities to introduce beginners to the sport, keep intermediates busy, and challenge advanced skiers.
Morse Mountain is an ideal launching pad for newbies. Unlike some resorts that mix beginner trails with intermediate and even advanced terrains, Smugglers’ Notch ski resort maintains a whole mountain for beginners only. Morse offers plenty of wide and gentle trails for practicing your first turns. The only drawback is the long lift lines on the weekends. Once you or your kids are ready to graduate and take on steeper slopes, you can take Midway from Morse towards Madonna and Sterling Mountains. (If you snowboard, take a pair of ski poles – the trail is picturesque, but awfully flat!)
Since I am not a beginner, my original goal was to explore the advanced terrain at Smugglers’ Notch ski resort. After spending a day skiing on Madonna and Sterling Mountains, I can state with confidence – and various parts of my body support it – that the ski trails can make you sweat.
If you are not in a mood to test your health insurance, then stick around “E,” a ski lift that serves intermediate terrain off Madonna mountain. An intermediate skier and snowboarder will have an enormous amount of fun trying out diverse and not overly challenging terrain. Short lines at the E ski lift are another advantage; you will not squander time waiting to get on the lift.
Smugglers Notch family resort in Vermont
But you can only ski on the blue trails for so long; eventually, the laws of natural progression call for a bit more adrenaline. First, brace yourself because there might be extremely long lift lines serving the advanced trails. Second, don’t forget a helmet and a camera. You will want to photograph some of the best mountain views in the entire East, and you will need a helmet to prevent injuries associated with often icy slopes, moguls, and trees.
Lastly, the best part; you don’t have to break the bank to afford a winter vacation at Smugglers’ Notch resort. Besides multiple programs for kids, they have reasonable lift ticket prices, considering the huge range of terrain and the multiple options for all skill levels. For example, a one-day adult lift ticket costs $66 during a holiday season or $52 for a half day. That is a significant amount of money, but you would pay up to $90 at some other popular resorts. Alternatively, if you’re a beginner, you can buy the Morse-Mountain-only ticket for $44, thereby only paying for what you use.
At the end of the day, there are many restaurants at the resort—and, of course, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop to replenish burnt calories. If you desire a greater range of cuisine, then hop in a car, start the engine, and visit nearby Montreal. Yes, it is that far from NY and that close to Canada.
I admit that I may hold a rather biased view of Bromley Mountain. After all, I kicked off the 2008-2009 ski season by attempting to snowboard at the “Unforgiving Boarder Cross” Park; I received my first telemark lesson (Stay tuned because we will publish a separate article dedicated to telemark programs at Bromley) there and enjoyed many good powder days at Bromley resort! Though these fond memories no doubt affect my judgment, my friends–who are not as attached to the place–agree that Bromley ski resort is worth a trip to southern Vermont.
Just having fun at Bromley ski resort
There is an appropriate time and place for every adventure, and a ski vacation is no exception. Certain ski resorts are best suited for experts, and some are geared toward beginners. From this perspective, Bromley Ski Resort could be classified as an excellent all-around resort for “weekend” warriors, who log eight to twelve days of skiing per season.
While Bromley resort may not boast the highest vertical, even by Vermont skiing standards, the relatively rare crowds, convenient ski lift system, and diverse ski terrain should satisfy skiers of most levels, including some advanced skiers and snowboarders. A beginner skier or snowboarder will certainly benefit from a couple of days at Bromley mountain. They will appreciate designated ski lifts and gentle terrains for novice skiers and snowboarders. Furthermore, should you need a ski lesson to learn the first turns or to hone existing skills, consider signing up for a group lesson. There is a very good chance that you will receive a private instructor for the price of a group lesson! The morale of a story is that on many weekends–not including certain holidays–Bromley is not crowded at all.
Bromley ski resort on a snowy day in December, 2008.
Bromley Ski Resort is also very telemark friendly. The rental shop has one of the largest selections–at least in the area–of telemark skis and boots. Last year, the resort’s management organized a telemark festival, in which anyone could try demo equipment or sign up for a free clinic that lasted for over three hours. Certainly, if the opportunity arises, the resort will organize similar events this season. So keep your eye on updates and be prepared to give teleturn a shot!
If you are interested in snowboarding and jumps, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Unforgiving Boarder X course, located directly behind the Plaza. Cambered turns, jumps, and turns will test your ability to control your skies and snowboard. Alternatively, you can make your way toward the Sun Mountain Express and ride to the top of the mountain. From the summit, you can consider a myriad of options. One word of advice: if you snowboard, keep your speed up when descending the Pushover and heading toward the main lodge. The connecting trail is quite flat!
In addition to the above features, Bromley ski resort provides excellent lift ticket deals. Personally, I favor the Sunday Afternoon Passport deal, valued at $29. Always check the resort’s Web site for new updates and deals. Chances are that Bromley will have mid-week specials that might even include lunch in one low price.
Once you are done with skiing and riding, you can take a break at the lodge. While the lodge is not particularly fancy–though Bromley mountain provides fancy Tazo teas alongside Lipton–it serves its main task of allowing you to relax, eat, and drink. There are no spas or massage tables–just a gigantic and cozy fireplace, a cafeteria, and a ski shop. Frankly, I think these amenities are more than enough. However, simply because the facilities are not luxury does not mean that the cafeteria will not burn a hole in your plastic card. Prices are comparable to other resorts, and yes, there is a minimum on credit card charges.
One final issue to be aware of is that being nicknamed the Sun Mountain is both a blessing and a curse. On some particularly harsh winter days, the sun can soften ice surfaces and make skiing and riding more pleasurable–unless, of course, you like bobsleighing. However, during the spring ski season, you might wish to find a shadow and corn snow, instead of the puddles and slush that cover many trails. It is simply impossible to ski once the sun rises in late March or early April. Nonetheless, as mentioned above, there is a time and place for every adventure, and ski vacations are not an exception.
1) You can view our photostreams from Vermont on Flickr.
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