New England Gathering, March 23rd to 26th

[JohnL]

You can handle it Dave. There are less hairy trails and pretty hairy trails and the conditions will be outstanding. Just don't follow that John L character around and you'll be fine.

At least the John L character notices ropes at head level... Oh!

I was looking forward to leading you in the woods at Plattekill this weekend, but have to work to be able to ski this VT trip.

And to be clear, I find the stupid stuff in VT, which I like skiing down. But I don't ski it anywhere near the same level as people like Josh. And the VT stupid stuff generally wont kill you, but it may mess with your ski bases, your ego and you may need to drop a 3-4 foot ledge in tight conditions. (Big air in the trees and in general is for folks like Josh.)

 

[JohnL]

Come to stowe we actually have easy trees

Josh is correct. There is a tremendous variety of trees at Stowe. And terrain.

 

[JohnL]

I haven't... that whole area was closed when I was at Sugarbush earlier this year. We did ski Ripcord, but it had been groomed (where it wasn't ice) sometime in the previous few days.




If that was directed at me, I'm working on it! I was an occasional-wedge-z-turner two seasons ago, and have progressed to some easy blacks out west. Seems like progress, but I'm still not up for everything, like real trees. (If I could do some easy trees to start learning, that would be awesome.)

MRG has a lot of bump trails - pretty much 70 percent of the mountain if not a pow day. I'd suggest not skiing the trees there - the exception being a few very open glades off the double. There are a few trails with ledges, but only a few, and you won't be going down them. You'll need to be on your tight turns though; that place can be relenting at times.

I love the place. And the snow should be pretty decent, even by western standards. But even with decent snow, expect more rocks.

 

[dbostedo]

Unfortunately, I have to work Sunday afternoon and Monday, so I'm not making it to Stowe. I'd love to get there at some point though.

 

[dbostedo]

You'll need to be on your tight turns though; that place can be relenting at times.

Hmm... that's one of the reasons I don't ski trees... I am not confident in places where you have to make tight turns without missing one. I falling leafed my way down a little chute at Alta because I couldn't make the turns others did.

 

[JohnL]

Hmm... that's one of the reasons I don't ski trees... I am not confident in places where you have to make tight turns without missing one. I falling leafed my way down a little chute at Alta because I couldn't make the turns others did.

I agree with Tony, you should go. There is stuff you can ski there and it is a special place.

 

[dbostedo]

OK, I'm in for MRG.

 

[James]

Wait...
The Gathering is next weekend??

 

[MarkP]

Hear! Hear! ...I'm already plotting my next escape....I'll wait before submitting my request for a week off in April though. Don't want to startle anyone just yet.

As for the New England Gathering, I may be able to convince Peter to drive me there, after he's seen how happy the Gathering has made me. BUT, I promised him I would try to get a ride on here first....

So, anyone driving up from the NYC Metro area have any room in their car? Me: one pair of skis and one boot bag. I can ride a train to meet at locations outside of the city, as I know what an extreme PITA it is to drive in the city....So far, I've only booked the Friday, March 23rd off, but can tweak the schedule pretty easily....

And if I do make it up, I am totally down for a discount Stowe ticket @Josh Matta . Thanks a lot!

Lastly, anyone thinking of Mad River Glen? I'm intrigued and I feel like I should go if we're already in the area.


k

If I make it up there, MRG is a must do for me!

 

[KevinF]

Friday and Saturday days have changed to include Mad River Glen. See updated details in original post here: https://forum.pugski.com/threads/new-england-gathering-meetup-details.9129/

 

[Pumba]

Hi everyone,

Where are the non locals staying? I have yet to book lodging and would like to know if there’s a certain hotel people are gravitating towards.

Also, Peter and I are in for the group dinner on Saturday, if there still is one.

Thanks!

K

 

[SKI-3PO]

@JohnL and I will be at Best Western in Waterbury.

 

[KevinF]

Also, Peter and I are in for the group dinner on Saturday, if there still is one.

I'm still looking for a place in Waterbury that will accept reservations on a Saturday night... I'll expand the search over to Montpelier.

 

[Mike Thomas]

Kevin, have you tried Zen Barn in Waterbury? My friend Ari owns it, cool spot/ good food. I can talk to him if you need/want me to.

 

[LKLA]

Hi everyone,

Where are the non locals staying? I have yet to book lodging and would like to know if there’s a certain hotel people are gravitating towards.

Also, Peter and I are in for the group dinner on Saturday, if there still is one.

Thanks!

K

We are staying at the Marriott Waterbury.

 

[Tony S]

I'm still looking for a place in Waterbury that will accept reservations on a Saturday night... I'll expand the search over to Montpelier.

We are staying at the Marriott Waterbury

When I moved to Vermont in 1988, Waterbury was nothing - a little old town on the wrong side of the highway interchange from Stowe, forgotten after the years when the "state hospital" was still a thing. I'm not sure there were any restaurants in town, let alone ones that would be turning away reservations. Maybe there was a diner or something. I sold wine, and don't remember making any stops there.

On the Stowe side of 89 I guess Ben and Jerry were there, and the cider mill. That was about it as I recall. No hotels, No supermarkets. What a change.

 

[Mike Thomas]

Waterbury is one of the best places in the state to live for young professionals with families. Easy access to Montpellier, Burlington, Stowe and the Mad River Valley. World class mountain biking, skiing and the Waterbury Resevoir for aquatic recreation.

 

[Pumba]

Waterbury is one of the best places in the state to live for young professionals with families. Easy access to Montpellier, Burlington, Stowe and the Mad River Valley. World class mountain biking, skiing and the Waterbury Resevoir for aquatic recreation.

@Tony S , @mdf , @KevinF

Hey New Englanders,

Between Waitsfield, Waterbury, and Stowe, which would you say is the most charming idyllic town one would enjoy walking around and sight seeing/shopping, if one were not skiing? Since I've roped Peter into yet another ski trip after promising not to, several trips ago, I want to make this trip nice for him. I may choose a nicer than usual hotel(for us) in one of these towns. Normally when I'm alone, I go bare bones cheap (as long as clean and safe).

If there are any other amazing VT towns within reach of Stowe and Sugarbush not listed above, please let me know.

Thanks!

k

 

[LKLA]

@Tony S , @mdf , @KevinF

Hey New Englanders,

Between Waitsfield, Waterbury, and Stowe, which would you say is the most charming idyllic town one would enjoy walking around and sight seeing/shopping, if one were not skiing? Since I've roped Peter into yet another ski trip after promising not to, several trips ago, I want to make this trip nice for him. I may choose a nicer than usual hotel(for us) in one of these towns. Normally when I'm alone, I go bare bones cheap (as long as clean and safe).

If there are any other amazing VT towns within reach of Stowe and Sugarbush not listed above, please let me know.

Thanks!

k

I would say Stowe.

But, Waterbury is nice enough, and so is Montpelier. Waitsfield not so much.

Not sure you will have the time to travel very far if you are going to be skiing, but Burlington is worth a visit.

We also liked Shelburne, which is close to Burlington.

Had a great visit to Woodstock as well.

 

[newboots]

Burlington is a great small city, but Stowe, Waterbury, Montpelier, and Woodstock are more small-town. Woodstock is lovely but farther south than the others.