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Best ski resort in New England?

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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Searchbarred and googled found nothing but a thread from 2005.

My family and I are looking into/considering renting a house/condo somewhere for the season. I have been thinking for a while about where we should go and thought I'd ask NS for some knowledge.

I have been considering Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon, Stowe, Sugarbush, Mt Snow, Waterville, Okemo, Killington etc. and wan to know what you guys think is the best choice for me. I have skied at nearly all of them on multiple weekend trips but want to now which is the best throughout the season.

Requirements

Parks: should have a good variety of rails and jumps. I also wouldn't mind a good halfpipe. Changing park that is lapable and not too crowded.

Mountain: not too crowded, fun trees/sidecountry, decent amount of snow(a few pow days), some steeps, larger mountain.

Lodging: should have affordable condos or houses decently close to the mountain.

Season pass: the mountain should have a decently long season and a preferably cheaper season pass(I know sales are ending soon)

Distance: I live outside of Boston so it would be better if it's <4 hours drive.

+++++K 10/10 Massive karma will be dropped for helpful responses, Minus karma for hate. Thanks in advance for helping I really appreciate it.

Sparknotes: What is the best all around mountain in VT, ME, or NH?


Aug 13 2012 11:26PM
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the.nile
Posts: 580 - Karma: 153
SUGARLOAF
you have bracket basin opening up, not super crowded, king of spring, decent park, ability to ski trees and park in the same run, AGC for tramps and skating, reggae fest in the spring.

biggest and best REAL mountain in the east
Aug 13 2012 11:32PM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,302
rosie O'Donnells vagina.
Aug 13 2012 11:34PM
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edai
Posts: 4990 - Karma: 4,677
Motherfucking Mt. Snow.
Aug 13 2012 11:34PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Thanks, also you get a pass to Loon and Sunday River on it. How is the park there usually? I've only been there once in April.
Aug 13 2012 11:35PM
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the.nile
Posts: 580 - Karma: 153
this year it was pretty sub par, but usually its a really good park. and its only about 30 minutes from saddleback which had probably the best park in maine this year and is expanding really fast
Aug 13 2012 11:55PM
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-Dan
Posts: 7146 - Karma: 52,226
le sugar bsh
Aug 13 2012 11:58PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Dont go to stowe if you are on a budget. Its wicked expensive in terms of passes and semi-close accommodations. It has a good park (from what I hear), very good side country, a lot of snow, but the price (assuming thats an issue), is unreal. As stated above, look at Mt. Snow, Sugarbush, Loon (Cannon for side country), and possibly The River
Aug 14 2012 12:06AM
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Leeyum
Posts: 1285 - Karma: 168
im biased but sugarloaf is pretty awesome. Great tree skiing and their park is hit or miss but on a real pow day sugarloaf is epic (i live in Utah now and still feel this way). I lived in the sugarloaf area most of my teenage years so pm me if you have questions!
Aug 14 2012 12:07AM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,302
and by that I mean Okemo. Sure there are lines on the weekends. Sure the park has been slowly,very slowly getting worse, sure the name makes no sense. But you get to ski around me. What more could you ask for...
Aug 14 2012 12:35AM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
sloaf
Aug 14 2012 12:48AM
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TChronic
Posts: 287 - Karma: 82
Okemo sucks dick. Either get a place between loon and sugarbush or in brattelboro (
<i cant spell) and then you have access to Mount Snow and Stratton. Plus if you get a place thats in between a couple mountains it will be cheaper since its not on base and you can ski a bunch of different places. Also in general. Best east coast skiing would be probably Stowe or Sugarloaf. Best parks Sugarbush, Mount Snow.
Aug 14 2012 10:50AM
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SpookyCat
Posts: 1232 - Karma: -2,617
His family is looking into renting a house/condo for the season at an EC ski resort... I don't think maintaining a budget is of much concern.

Also go to Crotched, King Pine or Pats Peak. You won't be disappointed.
Aug 14 2012 11:13AM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
I specified in the OP it can't be too expensive and that the lodging and passes are not too high as well as many other things. Can you read?

Also King Pine and Pats Peak? lol
Aug 14 2012 11:22AM
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SpookyCat
Posts: 1232 - Karma: -2,617
Your parents are renting a house or condo for a whole season at a EC ski resort and you think your parents are worried about the price of a seasons pass? Hahaha. Also Granite George is a solid choice because its really close to Keene and I hear they filmed part of Jumanji there!
Aug 14 2012 11:31AM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
*Renting a place for a few weekends throughout most of the season. I also don't think they want an $800 pass for both of them like at Stowe. (I'll have to pay for my pass of course, same with my brother) It is also much cheaper to rent in a town near the resort, which we were planning on doing.

BTW +K to all you guys for help, sounds like the Loaf is really great.
Aug 14 2012 11:35AM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Mt. Snow, Sugarloaf.
Aug 14 2012 12:01PM
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TChronic
Posts: 287 - Karma: 82
Brattelboro vermont (again i have no idea how to spell). Its a super cool town, and i'm fairly certain renting a place doesn't run to high there. Also your within a 45 drive of Stratton, 20 of Mount Snow and for a family place 25 of okemo.
Aug 14 2012 12:04PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
How is Stratton? I've never been there. I almost went for the rail jam but I was busy. Can you tell me more about the mountain in general. How are the parks, trees, pipe etc.
Aug 14 2012 12:32PM
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edai
Posts: 4990 - Karma: 4,677
-Park kind of sucks cock.
-Trees are pretty decent, but don't really compare to farther up North.
-Not sure if they have a full sized park, but I feel like they probably do.

Overall it's not the mountain that makes it nice, it's the area. West/East Dover/Brattleboro all have a really cool vibe and all those people fill up the mountain and it makes for a fun experience.

I would personally choose Mt. Snow purely for the fact that the park is without a doubt the biggest and best on the EC as well as the ability to then shoot over to the North Face for some trees.
Aug 14 2012 12:37PM
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SpookyCat
Posts: 1232 - Karma: -2,617
I love Pat's Peak because their park manager there has always been chill and cool to skiers and they've always been so innovative and on top of the park scene! I mean when every resort was putting on Plus the kids that ski there aren't cocky or full themselves and their freestyle team is highly regarded and respected by everyone.
Aug 14 2012 1:19PM
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SpookyCat
Posts: 1232 - Karma: -2,617
I love Pat's Peak because their park manager there has always been chill and cool to skiers and they've always been so innovative and on top of the park scene! I mean when every resort was putting on crazy and progressive events for skiers, Pat's Peak was just allowing skiers to even enter the park! Plus the kids that ski there aren't cocky or full themselves and their freestyle team is highly regarded and respected by everyone. And you can't go wrong with the Connor's Pancake House. Place is dank sauce.
Aug 14 2012 1:21PM
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ChipSki
Posts: 327 - Karma: 34
Sugarloaf. I am also biased, but its got great tree skiing, the crowds are minimal and the park has been pretty good the past few years. This last year was an exception (main park was only open for like a month) but that was because of the lack of snow and when it was open it was super legit.
Aug 14 2012 1:33PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
just saying sugar loaf averages  200'' a year, when you compare it to a place like jay which averages 379", sugarloaf is sorta of childs play,

if you want to be a bad ass hit up the mad river valley, ski sugarbush and MRG, of course the snow will have to be good.  Stowe in my opinion is one of the best resorts in the north east-although it has become incredibly expensive over the past few years.
Aug 14 2012 1:52PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
^stowe also has above tree skiing like many said regarding sugarloaf, although you have to hike a bit
Aug 14 2012 1:54PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
MOUNT SNOW HAS BEST EAST COAST PARK AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF TREE AREAS TO SKI my friend rented a condo it was so sick
Aug 14 2012 2:03PM
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PANDA_SWAGGA
Posts: 490 - Karma: 16
Honestly, there are probably other places in the East, bigger names and bigger resorts. But I have a ski in ski out condo at Burke Mountain and couldn't be happier. Absolutely no lines, super fun laid back vibe, the park is really fun and is changed up a good amount by the park crew. However no pipe. The tree skiing is actually top notch for the east and on powder days I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It has the iconic  old style of vermont skiing with the winding and not too wide of trails. Jay Peak's management also bought it this year so it will be upgrading its snow making and most likely opening earlier and staying open longer into the season then ever before! If you have anymore questions make sure to pm me!
Aug 14 2012 2:13PM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
Mount Snow, case closed.
Aug 14 2012 2:23PM
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OCM
Posts: 1276 - Karma: 975
Stowe/Mt. Snow
Aug 14 2012 4:52PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
mt snow blows is you want to ski something other than park
Aug 14 2012 5:14PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5240 - Karma: 20,806
Can't go wrong with the SR / Sugarloaf / Loon pass. All 3 have pretty good parks, Sugarloaf is great for trees and sidecountry, and SR has a mix of everything. I haven't been to Loon but from what I've heard the park is pretty sick.
Aug 14 2012 5:18PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Kind of what I've seen from skiing there every spring. But it's not the worst.

Also does anyone want to find out the pricing for all the season passes? I would also prefer if it had multiple resorts so there are more options, I really liked having the option of other mountains when I had epic local for Vail/Beav/Key/Breck/A-Bay this past season.

I know Loon/Sunday River/Loaf is like $595 for silver teen which is what I'd be buying probably.
I love all three mountains and they have a long season for the EC, with Sunday opening as early as October and Loaf open till as late as May.

I know Mt.Snow/Atitash/Crotched/Wildcat is $749 for classic Is Attitash any good, I heard they stepped up their park this year. Also my uncle is ski patrol at WC so I could go there once or twice.

BTW 10/10 karma for all the help, you guys are great! I also hope this thread can help others out too.
Aug 14 2012 5:27PM
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
Saddleback wouldn't be a bad choice as far as prie goes. It definitely meets all of your requirements and I had a pass to Sunday river sugarloaf loon and saddleback and probably had the most fun at saddleback
Aug 14 2012 7:33PM
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jeb_b_vt
Posts: 1047 - Karma: 1,294
Burke mountain!
Aug 14 2012 8:29PM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
Aug 14 2012 8:47PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14502 - Karma: 10,728
Sugarbush fits all those criteria. Everyone is saying Mt Snow, but they are obviously overlooking the "not crowded" part as Mt Bro is one of the most crowded mountains, up there with Killy and Stowe. Loon is also a sick mountain, but that gets crowded. I've only been to Sunday River in Maine, and that's expensive and crowded so I'm no help for a Maine option.
Aug 14 2012 8:53PM
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Pizzajeans22
Posts: 141 - Karma: 10
ski sundown?
Aug 14 2012 8:57PM
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edai
Posts: 4990 - Karma: 4,677
Click for larger image
Aug 14 2012 9:02PM
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One.3
Posts: 165 - Karma: 539
Mowhawk mountain
Aug 14 2012 9:02PM
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jrl
Posts: 1227 - Karma: 1,239
^
Aug 14 2012 9:03PM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3229 - Karma: 1,098
False. Id say Mt snow. Its not too far from you, the park is sick, and they have some nice steep skiing in and out of the trees on the north face. Its also a bit cheaper than other, bigger resorts i believe
Aug 14 2012 9:05PM
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.ste
Posts: 1068 - Karma: 244
My family and I rented a condo at Mt Snow this past season, and probably will again this year. Carinthia is the best park i've ridden and has two lifts so you can avoid crowds pretty well. They had a sick pipe too despite the northeast getting minimal snow. The rest of the mountain is also fun. There's some real good ski shops and restaurants in town as well. Best season of my life. I would strongly recommend it!
Aug 14 2012 9:05PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14502 - Karma: 10,728
I agree. The parks are fun, but they are just a shit load of typical/ the same features with the occasional interesting feature. Don't get me wrong, I love skiing there and it's always fun, but it does get blown out of proportion as to how great it is.
Aug 14 2012 9:08PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
I'd choose, unbiasedly ok maybe a little bit biased, Killington or Sugarbush. Both have sick parks and sick terrain. I'd keep away from Stowe because of costs.
Aug 14 2012 9:11PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
10/10 Thanks for looking at the criteria, I'll certainly keep bush in mind because I have a few friends up there. It is really pretty cheap too at just $479 for both mountains. There park is also super sick! I also agree that Mt Snow gets very crowded, same as Killy.

I am also considering Waterville because of how close it is to me here in MA and the cheapness of the pass. I know it gets packed but theparks there seem really good and they have a pass that has: 2 tickets to Canon, 1 ticket to Sugarbush, and 1 extra ticket to Waterville. All for $465. http://www.waterville.com/trip-planning/season-passes.html

If anyone can give me any more info on either of these mountains that I'm pretty unfamiliar with it would be great!

Sugarbush:
I am interested in what types of sidecountry/trees there are here, I skied Mad River growing up a lot and know Bush is near by so there must be a lot.
Also I would like to know what the parks are like, ie. how are jumps, what are the best parks, etc.
In addition I am interested in knowing whether I should get Mt Ellen only or not?

Waterville:
Is there any sort of sidecountry to speak of?
Is the park at all lapable(I think there is a tow rope)
How is the park/what parks are there.
Is the pipe any good?

I am also interested in Burke, what many people have said, but I need some more info on it to see if it meets any requirements.

AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH NS! You have made this way easier for me.

Aug 14 2012 9:27PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5240 - Karma: 20,806
As far as I can answer:

Sugarbush: sidecountry is great, plus they have the slidebrook area as well.


Waterville:
I would imagine the place has at least some sidecountry. Supposedly they are adding a lift down to Waterville village in the next few years too.
The main park has a T-bar or Poma, forget which.

Aug 14 2012 9:34PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
The side country isnt great, its better at Cannon which is an extra 20-30 minutes north.

Park is lap-able, and isnt bad. Loon is better from what my friends tell me.

Just an FYI, WV can get extremely crowded during vacation weeks, to the point where a couple runs can take an entire morning.

Pipe looks good from when I have seen it early season
Aug 14 2012 9:43PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
where are there good trees at sugarloaf!? i just started skiing there cause its near my college and all the woods i've skied haven't been that great. for me brackett basin is overrated. barely ever open and they cut it way too thin. granted i've only been in a handful of times, so maybe i just need to explore it more. still a great mountain though.

and i dunno about anything else, but depending on how old you are sugarbush has this: http://www.sugarbush.com/for20s-events-activities

Aug 14 2012 10:04PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
Bushes jumps are kinda small. Killington doesnt ever really get crowded as much as people say it does. For instance almost every weekend I am able to hotlap Sky Peak Quad to Bear Mountain from 8 -10 and 230-4. In the middle the line maybe gets filled but nothing ever over 15 minutes.

Also I wouldnt waste my time with Burke. It is a sick mountain and pretty fun but there parks arent great.
Aug 14 2012 10:10PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Thanks man, Killy is real fun, how is Dream maker usually? Do they have a big jump line? Also how does it compare to Bush? Or Snow? IYO (I've been to all three just need someone else's perspective from a whole season.
Aug 14 2012 10:47PM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
Pats peak is actually very good. My favorite East coast resort is Loon though. Usually empty and the park is the best.
Aug 14 2012 11:02PM
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