New England Aveski's post covid vaccine trip to Vermont

[aveski]

The impetus for this trip was wanting to get some utilization from a "complimentary" base Ikon pass that came with my New England platinum pass. Being complimentary meant it couldn't be defered. And the fact I wanted to ski in Vermont. I received the J & J vaccine on 3/3. I waited two weeks and reserved a Airbnb room in Waitsfield VT approximately 6 miles from Sugarbush and Mad River Glen (MRG).
I drove from Maine to Vermont on Monday 3/22 and went directly to Sugarbush. The weather was in the '60's with bluebird sky's. The snow was soft but still firm underneath. I skied for a couple of hours. Being solo it's sometimes difficult to get inspired. I had to push myself a few times. Hopefully next season we can have a gathering or two in New England.

 

[aveski]

My Airbnb was across the valley from the ski areas with a nice view.

 

[Tony S]

But how was Mad River?

 

[aveski]

Day 2 was at Mad River Glen. Weather conditions were about the same as Monday, including light winds. It was my first time skiing at MRG, but I hope be back when there is more snow. Do to not having (much) snowmaking, cover was thin in places. It was still a lot of fun with soft bumps and plenty of tight navigation required.

 

[Tricia]

Very nice!
Beautiful views.

 

[Unpiste]

Is it weird that I think the dirt patches in the middle of the trail at MRG make it look more fun?

 

[dbostedo]

Is it weird that I think the dirt patches in the middle of the trail at MRG make it look more fun?

You should come to the next NE Gathering.... you're likely to encounter all the different kinds of "fun".

 

[aveski]

Day 3 was at My Ellen at Sugarbush, aka Glen Ellen. The weather was somewhat overcast and temps were in the mid 50's with a little wind. I'm only skiing for around three hours of so a day. Skiing bumps takes its toll.
Pretty much skied off the Green Mountain Express quad and skied the natural snow trails. Sugarbush seems to have held their natural snow longer than MRG, probably because they are skied less. My longest lift line of the four days I skied was less than a minute.

 

[aveski]

With rain in the forecast for tomorrow, I made today my last day. I was back at Sugarbush. It was overcast and windy, so I didn't start skiing until after 11. It was fairly bright down below but in the clouds up above. The temps were in the 60's and the lifts were starting to spin after being on hold. In fact I was the first skied on the North Lynx lift. The show was fairly soft and fun. My legs were getting toasted from skiing moguls. But I persisted. After a while the sun came out and my last run was on Stein's Run. All and all it was a good trip. Wish there had been more snow and friends to ski with. Hopefully next season for sure.

 

[no edge]

That's a great trip report, well done. You hit some great conditions. How was the Airbnb?

 

[Tony S]

Is it weird that I think the dirt patches in the middle of the trail at MRG make it look more fun?

The novelty wears off quickly. Especially when what awaits you back home is more clouds, dampness, and dirt, not golden Cali sunshine and Tahoe snowpack.

 

[Unpiste]

I'll admit, it would be nicer if the dirt signaled the start of a couple months of sunny inverse-patch-skiing, while everything outside of the ski area moved on to spring, than the impending end of the season.

 

[aveski]

That's a great trip report, well done. You hit some great conditions. How was the Airbnb?

Thanks. The Airbnb was pretty good. The owner spent most of the time in her living space downstairs. We were masked up when in close proximity. It came to around $400 for four nights.

 

[aveski]

I'll admit, it would be nicer if the dirt signaled the start of a couple months of sunny inverse-patch-skiing, while everything outside of the ski area moved on to spring, than the impending end of the season.

Unfortunately, in New England it means the end of ski season is rapidly approaching. That's why I have a mountain bike.