mirror70 Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 I'm looking for a place on the east coast (drivable from Boston) for a few days of carving. Last winter I went to Stowe the night before the dumping (Jan 4) and loved it (except for the first day, since I was totally ill-equipped for waist deep powder). It was double-extra-cool that Burton was having their annual company outing at the same time, since most of the people were great riders and friendly people. I even saw a few people carving **on snowdecks**! Anyway, I'm looking for another place to go. I'd like to avoid southern VT (Okemo, Stratton, Mt Blow, etc) since I'm there almost every weekend of the season. I'd also like to avoid SugarLoaf since I'll be there for ECES, and possibly in Dec as well since I have a friend who lives there. I was thinking of giving Mt Tremblant a go. This would probably be in early Jan, so I know it would be cold. How would the conditions be? How is the mountain? Good for carving? Is there a decent nightlife? Any other recs for where to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derf Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Originally posted by mirror70 I was thinking of giving Mt Tremblant a go. This would probably be in early Jan, so I know it would be cold. How would the conditions be? How is the mountain? Good for carving? Is there a decent nightlife? Any other recs for where to go? Tremblant is very highly overrated in my opinion, it's overdevelopped, very artificial. Add to this lots of people and long lines. And mountainwise, I don't like the layout, lots of flats where you have to skate. For carving, I'd recommend Ste-Anne, a little further, but much nicer. And even better is Le Massif, but now where pretty far from where you are. Derf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeremiah Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 I haven't been to Jay Peak since I really started carving, but it's a very nice mountain. They've really done a good job upgrading lifts and such the past few years, and they seem to do a decent job grooming. You'll want to bring a powder board just in case though, when they get dumped on, you'll forget you're on the east coast. Also, if you know the area, you can ride off the backside all the way to the access road and hitchhike back up, but I don't recommend doing that unless you're with someone who knows the way. Jeremiah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaa Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 I would also recommend avoiding Tremblant. I was there once, and only found room to carve during a portion of one run in a 3-day period. It's just hoardes of skiers beelining down the hill. I found it quite frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffV Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 I haven't been to Jay Peak in years, what I recall is that it wasn't really a great carving mountain but it is unbelievable when they get dumped on. I've bee in powder up there up to my waist. I'd give Sugarbush a try it's about the same distance as Stowe but not as crowded a has a good mix of terrain. I am planing on heading up there first week in Dec (if conditions are good) to use my Warren Miller voucher. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBQ Chef Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Whiteface has some real great steeps. It used to have a small but intense local carving scene. There is also tons of off mountain activities in Lake Placid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirror70 Posted November 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 I'm looking for carving. I got my fill of tree runs when I used to ski, and jsut don't enjoy them on a board. So Tremblant isn't worth the drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shred Gruumer Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Ja, maybe dis vood verk, ask Ken B, Loon all doe not snow when I went, all mash potatoes, was layed out very well, could see mit snow good den barry good! ask other. I like it, same mit Waterville Valley Shred till dead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ken B Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Loon, Waterville, Sunapee and maybe even Bretton Woods are nice places to carve in NH. Last time I went to Bretton Woods, I though it was not steep enough. Loon is my favorite. There is a small group of carvers there on weekends, plus racers from the Holderness Team. WV also has a small race team that and a few carvers kicking around most weekend days. If you want to drive extra far (7 hours), you could check out Mt. Ste. Anne, in Quebec. You could stay in Quebec City for a reasonable price (Manoir Des Remparts in Vieux Quebec is about the cheapest), ride all day and enjoy the bars and restauraunts at night. -Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirror70 Posted November 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 I like the Mt St Anne idea - how far is it from the city? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ken B Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Mt. Ste. Anne is about 1/2 hour from Quebec City. I believe there are also a couple of shops in Beaupre that sell (and possibly rent or demo) carving equipment. I can't recall the names, but I am sure someone else here will know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derf Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 Mont Ste-Anne is more 45 minutes than 30 minutes from Québec city (depending on traffic and conditions). It's pretty much the mountain where you'll find the most carvers in the province. Québec is 2h30 minutes from Montréal. Tremblant is 2h to 2h30 from Montreal (I never remember). If you're going to Ste-Anne, a day at Le Massif is a must. The place to go for carving equipment is Ski Bazar André Bouchard 10950 Bd Ste Anne Beaupré, Quebec G0A 1E0 Tel: (418)827-2148 Email: ski.bazar.andrebouchard@qc.aira.com They have ScottUSA boards, Raichle bindings and Deeluxe boots. They also have some used euipment. And from what I heard, are very good bootfitters. But I don't know about renting. If your passing by Montreal, stop at Sharks in Laval, it's another shop that actively support carving. http://www.sharksco.com/ That's pretty much it. Derf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aikidan Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 I don't particularly like the "shape" of Jay Peak for carving. Sugarbush, on the other hand, has some really nice fun trails. That's my vote. I also like Loon over in NH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew S Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 I'm makin a trip to Sugarbush sometime late in January. so you say the carvings pretty decent? what runs are the best? ill have to find the exact dates and maybe some of us can meet up. andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARCrider Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 Route comparison from rand mcnally tripmaker Boston - Mt Ste-Anne 427mi avoiding Montreal via 93,91,55,20,40, 138 Boston - Tremblant 405mi through Montreal via 93,89,87, 15 I prefer MtSte-Anne over Tremblant and they are already open. Tremblant isn't. If you go to Ste-Anne you must go to le Massif. You gotta see it on a clear day and take your camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasel Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 Sugarloaf sugarloaf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirror70 Posted November 21, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 I'm going to be there anyway with an ex-CVAer, so I'm looking for other places to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARCrider Posted November 22, 2003 Report Share Posted November 22, 2003 If you are going to be staying in Quebec City for Mt Ste-Anne and Le Massif another place to check out is Stoneham. short drive north of city Can't provide comment, never been there yet but they have hosted World Cup PGS and PSL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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