Eastr Coast in late March

[PTracy P1]

I have never ever ever ever sampled the goodness (LOL) that is the EC. Any suggestions? Justdriving around for a week over spring break. What is there to not miss, is there even any snow there at that time? HUH? anything? Am I stupid?

[PTracy P1]

VT & NH.

[Puffin]

VT & NH.

Just outta curiosity why not drive west? EC in the spring?

Don't get me wrong, I grew up on the EC, and theres some decent hills. But I sure as shit wouldn't plan a ski trip there....especially in the spring.

Drive west, ride bigger mountains with more snow.

[NortheastIcerider]

stratton and mt snow are both epic, especially in the spring. no need to go anywhere else.

[PTracy P1]

2 reasons:

1. never beened there.

2. just had major surgery (Total Hip Replacement, RSide, Core Decompression LSide, Osteonecrosis, blech) so nothing core at all right now. figger its nice to go esploring something lame and mellow.

3. my kids are major travelers and are "bi-curious" just wanna see what them MASSholes have been talkin a boot. they also thinkits cool you can drive thru 8 states in like 2 hours. duh.

4. never beened there.

5. mt snow and stratton were on the list. thanx for the confirm.

6. need drinky. where?

[dumpy]

2 reasons:

1. never beened there.

2. just had major surgery (Total Hip Replacement, RSide, Core Decompression LSide, Osteonecrosis, blech) so nothing core at all right now. figger its nice to go esploring something lame and mellow.

3. my kids are major travelers and are "bi-curious" just wanna see what them MASSholes have been talkin a boot. they also thinkits cool you can drive thru 8 states in like 2 hours. duh.

4. never beened there.

5. mt snow and stratton were on the list. thanx for the confirm.

6. need drinky. where?

Your sarcasm meter must be broken.

[PTracy P1]

Maybe. maybe I was drinkin like Abraham Lincoln.


Maybe.

[snowmonster]

Go further northeast -- Maine -- Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback. There's a sign somewhere on the Sugarloaf quad that the second snowiest month at the Loaf is March. I believe 'em. March is primetime there. Snowfields may be open and it's not freezing. Some of the best terrain in New England at the Loaf. If you want to cruise around, Sunday River is a good bet. They're continuing to make a ton of snow and that should corn up nicely if late March gets really sunny. Saddleback is the throwback resort among the three -- glades and narrow trails. They should have good snow in late March and you'll have the place to yourself. Your kids may get a kick out of hearing French Canadian radio stations. If you go to Maine, pass through Portland. Good eatin'. Be kind to Massholes. We're an endangered species.

[dumpy]

Here is what you need to know about EC ski areas:
(I'm covering just NY and VT cause I know these two states inside and out)

First the ones I know first hand:

Jay Peak: great trees, great snow, great vibe. Groomers, park, offhill=not so much. March can be very good there. FWIW my favorite eastern ski area

Sugarbush: Good terrain variety, they seriously have it all. Some trees that are pretty fun, groomers that are actually still fun, bumps, you name it, it's there. Decent amount of lodging/eating options. In the middle of a lot of other ski areas. I've had good days there in March. My 2nd favorite.

Whiteface (expanding your state options a bit): Lots of vert, some serious steeps (for EC), there are glades, but they haven't been skiable whenever I've been there. Overall lots of decent terrain. Conditions can be a gamble. Have never been in March, should be ok. TONS of actually fun stuff to do off hill. Olympic history, public skating on the speed skating track from the 80 games, tobbogan rides behind the Post Office, bobsled rides, shopping, eating, drinking, etc. It's my failsafe trip if I'm afraid conditions might not be that great, because it's always a fun place to be.

Stratton: IMHO don't bother

Mt. Snow: See Stratton, but I did like it a little bit better. Conditions on the day I was there vs. the day I was at Stratton may be fouling my judgement of one vs. the other.

Gore (again outside of your two small specified states): Fun mountain, glades, not crowded on weekdays (unsure of weekends or holidays), laidback feel (again, when I have been there). In the middle of nowhere. Worth a day if you hit Whiteface though.

Burke: Great, smaller mountain. Trees if you know where to look (and some still if you don't), fun cruisers. Slow ass quad (although I heard this may have changed since I was last there). Very laid back vibe, middle of nowhere. Worth a stop if you are going to Jay

Killington: the most debated eastern ski area. It's got it's good points and its bad points. every east coast skier should spend a few days there and make their mind up for themselves. It's big.

Ones I haven't skied, but sort of know the general consensus on:

Stowe: Big, variety of GOOD terrain, expensive, cool town. On my must hit list, the price of lift tickets is keeping me away though

Smuggs: Good family joint, great trees, laidback-also on my must hit list.

Magic: smaller mountain, classic skiing (no grooming), trees to be found, TONS of mags, very cool vibe. Read around on here and you will find out all you need to know about Magic. #1 on my must hit list.

Okemo: See Stratton and Mt. Snow

[NortheastIcerider]

I have never ever ever ever sampled the goodness (LOL) that is the EC.

stratton and mt snow are both epic, especially in the spring. no need to go anywhere else.

PTRACY- please excuse my sarcasm, I was initially offended by your LOL about "east coast goodness". As much as it pissed me off, it was no excuse to try and sell you on Mt. Slow or Flatton.

There are plenty of fantastic places to ski or snowboard on the east coast. However, IMHO, Mt. Snow and Stratton are not among them.

[PTracy P1]

I get the sarcasm.

Thanks for all this good info. With the 3 month old new Hip, I'm aiming mostly for old fart cruising stuff. no bumps, no ice, no trees, no hurty hurt.

[NortheastIcerider]

I get the sarcasm.

Thanks for all this good info. With the 3 month old new Hip, I'm aiming mostly for old fart cruising stuff. no bumps, no ice, no trees, no hurty hurt.

In that case, look into Okemo. Excellent for cruising, with excellent grooming.

[PTracy P1]

In that case, look into Okemo. Excellent for cruising, with excellent grooming.

Looks good to me.

[JayPowHound]

How late in March? Once you get past about the 20th it's time for Tuckerman IMO.

[boltonoutlaw]

I have never ever ever ever sampled the goodness (LOL) that is the EC. Any suggestions? Justdriving around for a week over spring break. What is there to not miss, is there even any snow there at that time? HUH? anything? Am I stupid?

Late March in VT is win.
Put yourself down in Waterbury, VT, and you can sample everything within a 4-hour drive. Everything = N & S VT, NH, & ME. MAP

Better yet, all these within a 30 minute drive:
Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley, Smugglers Notch, & Cochran's Ski Area.

Late spring suggestion for your condition: Bolton Valley. The views are some of the best in the East - west facing from 2200' and up, looking over Lake Champlain at the Adirondacks. Sick sunsets. Long days roll into the night skiing, pretty cool. 12 miles from Waterbury. Only 22 miles from an int'l airport - BTV.

LOOKING WEST:

[weasel1]

I 2nd BoltonOutlaw, Bolton typically has great snow late season, and solid fun in the woods. Short, mostly lower angle runs should be easy on the hip, though you may find yourself tempted to dip into the friendlier tree runs...Easy hill for kids as well. Sugarbush definitely is nice for late season cruising. Waterbury is a good spot to land, though I like the Waitsfield vibe.

[TheLoaf4Life]

Sugarloaf. They are the king of spring or so they claim

[steved]

Sounds like the hip should be ready for next winter PTracy. Guess we who can't make a trip out west right now...are frothing at the mouth. Elevation + unpaved country = a good time. Just as in the East, the more you stay away from the cities(other than working), the better life is.....
Northern VT/NH/ME is the only hope in late March and into April. Sugarloaf, which faces north, usually....with good snowcover in Jan-Mar, doesn't get that slushy until temps are wayyyy up in April.

$.01

[The SnowShow]

I hear MRG is skiing sick right now....lots of knee deep mud! Schweet!