Peak experience at Saddleback

I finally made it over to Saddleback, in Rangeley, and although I managed to pick the coldest day of the year (we’re talking double-digits below zero), it was hard not to keep yo-yoing runs from the frosty summit. The new quad chair should put this semi-retro “resort” on the must-visit list for any skier or rider.

The quad, which replaced the ancient summit T-bar, opens up the peak to all abilities. It also opens up the views, which are among, if not the, finest in New England skidom. From the summit and from the trails, the sweeping vistas roll over the Rangeley Lakes and out to the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, capped by Mt. Washington. And yes, now even confident beginners can enjoy the experience.

What separates Saddleback from most other New England’s other big mountains is that the only a few of the trails ribboning down from its 4,210-foot summit have been widened. Most retain their classic, narrow and serpentine design. That and the continuous 2,000-foot vertical–lots of pitch and roll, with few flat sections.

I skied the lower section of Frostbite (appropriate name, given the temps), one of the new trails; it’s a nice weave through the woods that should only get better with more snow. The upper section wasn’t open, but looking up at that and Black Beauty, both single-diamond blacks, I made a vow to return. I really want to venture into some of the terrain between Black Beauty and Muleskinner, both of which drop off Dazzler.

This Saturday, Jan. 31, is John Christie Day, honoring the former owner of the mountain. It will feature a slide show, Down Mountain and Cross Country, produced by the Ski Museum of Maine and narrated by Scott Andrews, at 2 p.m. in the Swig n’ Smelt (the restaurant/bar upstairs in the lodge). Afterwards, both Christie and Warren Cook, who took over as resort manager this fall, will speak.

Keep in mind that Saddleback delivers big mountain skiing for small mountain prices, with daily lift tix at $40; gotta like that!

Powdah!

Forecast called for 4-6 inches, but I’m guessing we’ve already received more than 8 inches of featherweight powder here at Sugarloaf. Temperatures have warmed quite a bit since that blast of sub-zero Arctic air moved out yesterday. I don’t know whether it was the snow or the chill, but crowds have been light. Tomorrow should be a slice of heaven on the slopes.

Sugarloaf and the Porter House

Just off the slopes at Sugarloaf, where the snow is living up to the mountain’s name: just like sugar. Good turns out there, but it is cold. Dress for it if you come up. The weather is predicted to turn far more frigid later in the week. Brrrrrr.

Notices posted around  the base are advertising a fundraiser for the Porter House, which burned in a fire. It will take place at The Rack on Wednesday; doors open at 3 and live entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Check with The Rack for details. (The Rack’s web site is under construction, so call).

Sky high at Whistler

Spent the better part of today shusshing through about a foot of fresh powder on Blackcomb Mountain, in Whistler, B.C., Canada. Although the base is thin, the skiing was mighty fine, for what was open. Snow instability (translated=avalanche danger) kept most of the upper mountain closed, which put quite a bit of traffic on the lower slopes. Still, we managed to find some quiet trails and nice powder on the sides.

Two highlights: First the waffle at the Crystal Hut. The hut, a classic log cabin at the top of Crystal Lift, is a cozy spot to break for a quick lunch. The menu is simple, but the reason most folks go is for the waffle, topped with berries and chocolate and maple syrup AND whipped cream ($10). Heaven!

Second highlight, riding the new Peak 2 Peak gondola, which bridges Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Its an amazing lift, that higher than the Empire State Building (gulp) and the span between supporting pillars on either peak is longer than the Golden State Bridge (gulp again). Kinda freaky, not a good choice for anyone fearful of heights (especially on a windy day: It runs in winds up to 50 mph.). The ride was very smooth and quiet; the sensation was a bit like floating.

Want to read more about Whistler and the 2010 Oympics? Read my article in the current issue of Via.

28 inches of pow

Ho, ho, ho. Thanks, Santa! The jolly fat man has delivered an early gift for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmobilers. A BIG gift.

When I skied the ‘Loaf on Saturday, I was amazed at the amount of terrain and the conditions, but now, oh my! Just talked with my friend Deb, who was motoring up the access road. Yup, 28 inches of powder. The whole mountain should be open, and the skiing and riding will be superb. And I’m stuck on the coast unable to even find the car in the driveway–it’s covered with a drift. With more snow predicted later in the week, it’s going to be a white Christmas and a glorious vacation week. Oh, and over at Sunday River, the new chondola lift has made its debut.

If I’d had the forethought to bring my gear back with me, I’d be heading over to the Camden Snow Bowl on opening day, Wednesday Dec. 24., for some ski and sea.

Brrrrrr…

The original plan was to ski today at Sugarloaf. The mountain looks terrific, all coved in white with plenty of terrain open. But the temperature barely climbed above 5 degrees. At the base. And the wind… oh my! 

I’m currently sitting at the base, and I have good company as few folks are braving the bitter cold. Friends who skied over the weekend reported primo conditions. The new snowmaking improvements have done their job, providing much better and far more cover than in previous years. YAY to that. Now let’s hope the temps stay cold, so those intrepid snowmakers can keep pumping out that white gold. 

But really, it looks good. Don’t hesitate to give it a go

The empire expands, kind of

CNL Lifestyle Properties, which owns numerous ski resorts throughout the country, but leases back operations, just inked a deal with Triple Peaks LLC, owner of Crested Butte, Okemo, and Mount Sunapee.

So, does this mean Sugarloaf/Sunday River/Loon passes (which are operated by Boyne through a lease-back with CNL) will be valid at these resorts next season? Other resorts in the CNL ski porfolio include: Brighton, Cypress, Bretton Woods, Northstar, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Mountain High.

Oh the weather outside is frightful BUT

It may be monsoon-like on the coast, but a friend at the ‘Loaf reports that it’s looking and skiing a lot more like February than November. “There’s a fair amount of terrain open and the conditions are really good,” she reports. Gotta like that. Already there’s 10 inches at the SuperQuad summit, and forecasters are calling for perhaps anothe sx inches before this storm moves out. Powdah!

And check out this shot from Sunday River, where there’s already more than eight inches on some parts of the mountain. According to a report, 22 trails are open providing skiing and riding on more than 100 acres today, with more expected to open tomorrow.

And me, stuck on the coast; sigh. Save some for me, okay?

UPDATE: Sugarloaf is reporting having received two feet of fluff and plans to have up to 12 trails serviced by three lifts open for the weekend. Woohoo! If you’re up there, drop a note and share your thoughts.

Gondy redux take 2

Nope. Not likely. Although the possibility of pairing the old Big Sky gondy cars now warehoused at the loaf with future castoffs from Loon, when it upgrades its overloaded lift, to create a new-to-you gondy on Sugarloaf’s West Mountain initially seemed like a good idea, it no longer does. So said John Diller at the annual Sugarloafer meeting during Homecoming Weekend. The numbers just don’t support it.

While any talk of new lifts is littered with maybes and possibilities and ifs, the current thinking, Diller said, has three options (in no particular order): a new lift up West Mountain, replacing the Spillway doubles with one fixed-grip quad, or, as he put it, the sexiest option, developing Burnt Mountain. All are on the table, but given the current financial morass, don’t look for anything soon.

What’s new this season is upgraded, expanded, and enhanced snowmaking that should allow the mountain to make snow earlier and hold it longer. New pumps and new fan guns are a big part of that strategy, and Tote Road has been electrified to the top of Chicken Pitch to allow use there. Eventually, that line will go to the top of the SuperQuad.

Biggest thing returnees will notice is the new Beach. It’s been expanded, covered with fancier brick and concrete, and a gas firepit has been added. There’s also an outdoor stage area, which, Diller said, will be used in the spring for outdoor bands. It really does look good.

Another thing ya can’t miss is the new SuperPipe. By digging it out, as opposed to building it with snow, the mountain estimates a $30,000 savings. Not bad. And if you go up on the mountain, you’ll see another major addition to Bullwinkle’s to add much-needed cafeteria side seating.

Midweek grooming will be somewhat cutback this season. Not every trail will be groomed every night, as was beginning to be the pattern recently. Nothing will be neglected to the point of getting icy, but some will be left in their natural state for night or two or three. That’s a move that will thrill some and piss off others.

Sugarloaf gondola redux

Curious about why Big Sky’s old gondola was shipped to Sugarloaf (and updating info for stories), I placed a call to Sugarloaf head honcho John Diller. What’s the scoop, I asked. The answer, one that’s hedged as pie-in-the-sky, was intriguing.

The gondola was a Sugarloaf icon, Diller said, one that they’d like to replace. Big Sky was replacing its gondy, so the old one was shipped here. But it doesn’t have enough cars to work on the current favored location.

Enter phase II: Loon, a sister resort in New Hampshire, has an overcrowding problem and is looking to replace its gondola. If and when that happens, the Loon gondy also likely be shipped to the ‘loaf, and between the two there will be enough cars to span…

The favored site for now–again, Diller emphasizes it’s all speculation right now– is on West Mountain, from the access road to Bullwinkle’s. The big plus of this location is that it, in conjunction with the Bullwinkle’s expansions, would weatherproof summer operations for weddings and other functions. That would bolster summer operations.

Yeah, I know, it’s a hand-me-down, but hey, it’s a lift, and it’s a gondy, and it’s a start. Let’s hope it happens.

As for what’s new this season: Look for enhanced snowmaking, part one of a two-year program to double capacity; new signage; perhaps expansion at Bullwinkle’s; beginning of a new look for the base village; and general sprucing up.