With the day off today, I warmed up the Subie and headed to Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush Resort. I was hankering for some uncrowded laps on high-speed lifts. And that's what I got!
As you surely know, skiing during the midweek is the way to go when you can swing it. The mountain was quiet and many chairs were empty as they climbed up the 4,083-foot Mt. Ellen.
The day started with sun and blue skies. It was chilly but gorgeous! From Mt. Ellen you get great views west to Lake Champlain and north to Camel's Hump.
The groomers like Rim Run and Joe's Cruiser were buffed; it was fun to make long, fast turns. But of course I went to explore the natural snow trails and woods as well.
I started by hitting the bumps on Lower FIS and then tried to keep my momentum for the long run-out (skating was required). I hit Tumbler Woods (I think I'll skip the steep top section of that next time) down to Lower FIS. I explored mellow Ellen's Woods and also Exterminator Woods (I ended up in tight pine trees at the end — need to figure out how best to ski those glades) and Semi-Tough Woods (a nice way to wrap up the day).
The glades that dump out onto Lower FIS face the sun more so the snow got heavy as I descended. Exterminator and Semi-Tough don't get as much sun so they were still powdery.
Sugarbush reported about 2 inches of fresh snow fell on Sunday-Monday. In places higher on the mountain that hadn't been skied recently and were still powdery, it felt like more than that. It made for some great turns!
The Riemergasse terrain park was getting some use today, as were the race course trails in the Inverness Quad area. That quad was not open today.
On the drive home I stopped in for a hot 98-cent coffee at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters café at the train station in Waterbury, Vermont. Yes, 98 cents. I did have a refillable mug so maybe that gives an extra deal?
And it was Vermont Town Meeting Day so I then went to vote.
An exceptional way to spend a Tuesday, wouldn’t you say?!?
Sugarbush Resort at a glance
- Located in Warren, Vermont
- The resort has two sides connected by a long quad ride or a shuttle bus.
- Lincoln Peak: 3,975-foot summit and 2,400 foot vertical
- Mt. Ellen: 4,083-foot summit and 2,600-foot vertical
- 16 lifts:
- 5 high-speed quads
- 5 fixed quads
- 2 triples
- 1 double
- 3 surface lifts
- 111 trails:
- Easy: 19%
- Intermediate: 34%
- Advanced, Expert or Woods: 47%
- 581 skiable acres
- 28 gladed areas
- 3 terrain parks
- 70% snowmaking capacity
