Sugarloaf - Conditions for Snowfields?

[cweinman]

I've been contemplating trying to get up to Sugarloaf late in the season, especially if there is a chance of the snowfields being open. My question is, what is the frequency that they are even opened? I've heard that they need a lot of snow, and generally are most skiable during March and early April if they even end up being open.

Any input on this? I'm starting to itch for bigger skiing than what we have around here in NY and am looking into where and when I'm going to blow my cash on trips between now and the end of the season...

Thanks a bunch!

-Craig

 

[awf170]

White Nitro and Powder Keg are open now. White Nitro kind of sucks since it is just a steep, wide, icy groomed run, but powder keg can be pretty sweet with the snowmaking blow in from White Nitro. The other trails probably gained a nice base from the snowmaking. Not nearly enough to open, but still something. Pray for a huge nor'easter.

 

[loafasaur]

Sugarloaf skis big even without the Snowfields. There's lots of mountain below treeline. Nitro is now fully gunned and basically open for the season, with blowby giving Powderkeg good cover as well--this is normal. Nitro is a real steep straight shot, moguls only in the spring because that's the only time it softens up. But it looks like you could spit on the base lodge from the top, which is cool. Powderkeg is more "natrual," scrubby trees 'n stuff. Coverage on the rest of fields depends on a combination of a big dump and wind direction during the dump; the front fields open when the storm wind is predominantly E or NE, the Backside benefits from wraparound snow with N-NW wind finishing the storm. Regulars know that it's a complete, unexpected present when the Snowfields are open, kinda like finding a 20 in a pair of pants you haven't worn in awhile. But especially the Backside....You get up there and you can't see any civilization. Yeah, mid-March to mid-April are the likeliest time to see the real fields open, but you shouldn't be disappointed in any event, and if your karma's good and the snow gods smile on you, the fields will be open.

 

[Patrick]

Sugarloaf skis big even without the Snowfields.

Yes, it would still be my favorite (with Stowe) without the Snowfields.

Yeah, mid-March to mid-April are the likeliest time to see the real fields open, but you shouldn't be disappointed in any event, and if your karma's good and the snow gods smile on you, the fields will be open.

The problem I've seen late season is limited lift in operations, meaning no lift access to the snowfields, however this might have changed, the last time I skied in the Spring at the Loaf was in 1998.

 

[loafasaur]

You can pretty much count on lift access to the summit right up to the last day even if the fields aren't open. The Loaf also guns a lot on Tote Road Extension and the Timberline trail off the summit, both great low-intermediate cruisers, and great for carving some easy turns when you're gassed but it's too beautiful a day to quit. They get sun all afternoon. The elevation keeps the corn nice 'n firm.

 

[Admin]

You can pretty much count on lift access to the summit right up to the last day even if the fields aren't open.

Well, not quite...and even less so since the gondi finished service.

 

[Marc_C]

You can pretty much count on lift access to the summit right up to the last day even if the fields aren't open.

Well, not quite...and even less so since the gondi finished service.

Actually, access to the summit is the same as when the gondi ran. The top of the Timberline lift is only a few steps and maybe 15 vert. feet from the old Gondi building. The summit and back snowfields were always a short hike above the Gondi. The tops of Narrow Gauge Extension and Gondi Line Ext. lie next to/immediately behind (when approaching from Timberline) and under the Gondi building. Bubblecuffer takes off from Gondi Line Ext. while White Nitro Ext., and Powderkeg are accessed via a short traverse. The traverse continues to the other lines but intersects them anywhere from none to a number of turns below their start, depending on snowcover.

 

[loafasaur]

You can pretty much count on lift access to the summit right up to the last day even if the fields aren't open.

Well, not quite...and even less so since the gondi finished service.

Must 'umbly beg to differ. The biggest knock on the late, lamented gondi was that too frequently it wasn't running. It was very prone to wind closure, and the local concensus was that management often woudn't run it on windless spring days because it cost too much to run, especially due to the cost of manpower (6 lifties IIRC). It also had poor uphill capacity, which meant 20-minute lines on some days. The Timberline quad was successfully located for maximum wind protection and doesn't have the expense/lines issues. Management likes to advertise their open vert and Timberline is very popular in the spring for intermediates for the view and good skiing with non-Arctic temps. They keep it open as much as possible. 8)

 

[Patrick]

You can pretty much count on lift access to the summit right up to the last day even if the fields aren't open.

Here are the Spring Days I have visited Sugarloaf, on none of these days has the snowfields or lift to summit been open. I realized that a few years have past. Access to the summit

Fr, 14 Apr 95
Mo, 13 Apr 98
Sa, 24 Apr 99