Flashby

I also see that the Magic Hat Brewing Company is in South Burlington, VT. Any thumbs up/down for taking the factory tour? Not many times am I in a place where there is a nationwide brewing company.

Well, I'm still so very new to not just hardbooting and carving but snowboarding in general. I mean, after basically the maiden voyage on a rented board and soft boots I jumped headfirst into hard boots and my own board. I guess in a way I never picked up any bad habits from the softboot side but in the same breath I have no experience to use so it is exciting and challenging and exciting and unnerving ... and I love it. Yep, can't wait to hit Smuggs and only wish I could spend longer at each place. Zip line at one, indoor rink at another, indoor water park at a third (though not all features are open as of this month but nice to see what the future holds). I won't be there for any specific reason other than to play in the powder and prep for a trip to Montana in late Jan. All I have is packed groomed trails and ice and need to get out and hit powder or ungroomed spots or glades. I'm very much looking forward to this trip. I haven't totally done any big-time carving basically because of the snow conditions and terrain but am picking up what I can and will get better.

Those places are on my list but will only have time to hit one of them (Wed night) as the flight arrives late-late-late on Saturday night. I'm about 90 min from Seven Springs and Hidden Valley but have a Season Pass to Seven Springs so that is the 'home' slope for me. In my short career (~7 weekends starting late-Feb 2010) I hit Seven Springs and then Hidden Valley once and Snowshoe once. Although I have a pass to Seven Springs I would like to see other places in the area (Wisp, Peak 'n Peek, Holiday Valley, Blue Knob, etc.). I am still new enough that anything works for me and just eating up any chance I can to get out there. Nice to see another former local from these parts.

My local resort, Seven Springs, is finally going to open for the season this weekend (Dec 4 at 9 AM). The conditions will not be ideal but I need to get out and make sure all my gear works since I will be at Stowe and a few surrounding resorts next weekend (Dec 12-15). I was hoping that Snowshoe would be open this past weekend but the warmer weather and rain eliminated that. It will be crazy but it will be the start of my season.

It looks like I will have to sacrifice a little and spend 1 day at each of the 4 resorts here to get a taste of what each one offers and the different terrain and layout so I can get as much exposure and experience. I'm anticipating that I'll be at Jay Peak on Dec 13 or Dec 14 (and Sugarbush on the other day). I'll be heading back to Burlington on the 15th and don't want to start that trip from Jay Peak when I can start it from Smugglers' Notch. Sorry if we miss each other by just a day. I'm anxious to try out their RFID lift ticket setup.

It looks like I will have to sacrifice a little and spend 1 day at each of the 4 resorts here to get a taste of what each one offers and the different terrain and layout so I can get as much exposure and experience. I'm anticipating that I'll be at Sugarbush on Dec 13 or Dec 14 (and Jay Peak on the other day).

It looks like I will have to sacrifice a little and spend 1 day at each of the 4 resorts here to get a taste of what each one offers and the different terrain and layout so I can get as much exposure and experience. I'm anticipating that I'll be at Smugglers' Notch on Dec 15.

It looks like I will have to sacrifice a little and spend 1 day at each of the 4 resorts here to get a taste of what each one offers and the different terrain and layout so I can get as much exposure and experience. I'm anticipating that I'll be at Stowe on Dec 12.

Ha, no I don't but I'm not sure what day I'll be hitting each place but once I do then I'll clarify it. If there is a group of folks hitting Jay Peak on the 13th then I'll go there on the 13th rather than Sugarbush. I'm just putting some trips out there in case someone is heading to the same place and wants to give a newbie some pointers or insider tips. This is pretty much just to prep my trip in late-Jan to Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, and Red Lodge. Gotta walk before I run and gotta tackle some 2,500 ft elevation slopes before the 7,500 ft elevation mountains.

I just booked a trip with my wife to Stowe for Dec 12-15 but will also try to hit Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush, and even Jay Peak while I'm there. I know Stowe would be able to satisfy me for 4 days but I wanted to try and get as much experience at as many different places as possible. I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it here but will look for any other of us fine folks on the slopes.

I just booked a trip with my wife to Stowe for Dec 12-15 but will also try to hit Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush, and even Jay Peak while I'm there. I know Stowe would be able to satisfy me for 4 days but I wanted to try and get as much experience at as many different places as possible. Maybe I'll see someone else on the slopes but don't know what day just yet that I'll be at Sugarbush.

I just booked a trip with my wife to Stowe for Dec 12-15 but will also try to hit Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush, and even Jay Peak while I'm there. I know Stowe would be able to satisfy me for 4 days but I wanted to try and get as much experience at as many different places as possible. Maybe I'll see someone else on the slopes one of these days I'm here.

I just booked a trip with my wife to Stowe for Dec 12-15 but will also try to hit Smugglers' Notch, Sugarbush, and even Jay Peak while I'm there. I know Stowe would be able to satisfy me for 4 days but I wanted to try and get as much experience at as many different places as possible. Maybe I'll see someone else on the slopes.

Thanks, GeoffV, Stowe wins the race. Just booked the trip this morning. Staying at the Lodge at Stowe so the Mrs. can enjoy the in-room fireplace and spa and all the ammenities and it is right at the base of one of the slopes so can potentially see me from head down the slope from the room. We've been that way before but it was in summer and hit Ben & Jerry's as well as Vermont Teddy Bear Company so I'm sure those will be on the list as well. And yes, I'll try to hit Smugglers' Notch and Sugarbush and Jay Peak while I'm there. Gotta cram in as much riding at as many different places as possible to get some experience with this stuff.

Thanks, Chadx. My friend at Big Sky is on Ski Patrol there and loving it though the deep snow makes for interesting progress at times. She says they are thinking they'll be open Turkey Day which will be the earliest ever (I find that hard to believe). My friend in Bozeman says the storms are hit and miss and dump then are clear. Quite a scene up there at -20 F his way. I can't wait to get out there.

Ahhh, well enjoy the gathering and I might try to make it to the next one. This is a time a co-worker has a timeshare all week so a few of us are stopping there to play on the hills. I'll post a report as long as I survive the other trips I have planned this season.

Email received. Thanks. Hopefully I'll have a chance to meet but can arrange my schedule to hit it on the weekends rather than mid-week. I'll be in touch in Jan. Thanks.

... but somewhere other than Stowe would be cheaper on the budget since it has less things for a non-participant <evil grin> I think I remember an event at Stratton last year (around the time I joined) so I know that is a good place to hit. Ok, Stowe is on the short list now too (Killington and Jay Peak as well). Thanks for all the tips. I'll let you know if I have any questions. I just need to wait for the temps to drop.

I assume all resorts in New England are Snowboard-friendly?

Thanks, Geoff. I have heard from others that Jay Peak gets the most snow based on its location. Killington has 18" base at the moment but I'd like to get something settled soon while prices are reasonable for flight and hotel and such. I'll keep doing some searches and see what I can find. If my wife joins me then it might be better to a larger resort (Killington or Stowe) where she can take in a spa or enjoy the area while I'm on the slopes. She doesn't ride or ski so it is a bit of a dance at times.

If anyone will be at Massanutten Resort during this week then I'll be here for part of it (last half most likely).

Yep, da Burg. Howdy fellow yinzer. Maybe I'll see ya at Snowshoe but yeah it is nice having Seven Springs just 90 min away and a Season Pass so I can get all sorts of practice and testing and fun in on their stuff. If Seven Springs has snow by Dec 4 then I'll go there otherwise it might be Snowshoe on that weekend but we'll see.

Thanks, Scott, I'll put it on the short list. That is how Snowshoe looked earlier in the month but they had warmer temps and stopped making snow and delayed their opening day. Shucks.

Then again ... they now might not be open this weekend. Snow report link below so maybe it is best to just delay until Dec. Snowshoe snow report "Mother Nature has once again proved how fickle she can be, forcing us to delay Opening Day. Snowshoe’s Opening Day was planned for Wednesday, November 24th, but we have seen only trace amounts of natural snowfall since early October, and have had very few chances to make snow for sustained periods. Forecasts do show cold air and possibly some natural snowfall moving into the resort’s area beginning late this week, and Snowshoe will be aggressive with snowmaking whenever possible. A new opening day is weather dependent, and Snowshoe will announce that date as conditions allow."

Who else is mad enough to go out on opening weekend at Snowshoe? I need to cram in a few early stops since I just started into this awesome hobby. I know conditions won't be great but since I'm still learning I don't mind. I plan to be there Sunday morning to spend most of the day then drive the 5 hrs home.