Advice from VT mags?

[paulster2626]

Alright, after about a week of trying to piece together a trip out to BC, it just didn't work out. Plus they have no snow there anyways.
So I've decided that next Tuesday, I'm driving out to Vermont on a mini road-trip to try to help stimulate the US economy. I plan to ski the following:

Wednesday - Jay Peak
Thursday - Smuggs or Stowe
Friday - MRG, with the ultimate goal of skiing a run that has haunted my dreams since childhood: Paradise.

So, what advice am I looking for? I need to know of some cool places to stay and have a beer during the evenings between runs. I understand the nightlife in Vermont in the middle of the week will be pretty much non-existant, so my expectations are low.

And hey - if you want to come ski with me, that's cool too.

Thanks,
Paul.

[2nd mate]

Jay Peak points of interest:
Be sure to stop into the Eagle for a tram ale after your wed day(located under the main lodge.) Then head to the Belfrey for dinner(located on 242 towards Montgomery, on the left about 8 miles down.) If you still feel the need to drink more beer head to the Snow Shoe(Montgomery center just as you hit the first stop sign.) As far as places to stay the snow shoe has rooms for like $50 or $60 a night... or depending on how old/hippy/stoner you aregramps is always fun too for like $35 a night. There are also some nice B&B's in Montgomery to choose from if you want to spend a bit more $$.

[vinzclortho]

Keep in mind that it's school vacation week for a few diffrn't states so there will be alot of people up north. Jay Peak is somewhat remote so it may not be as affected since it's far from Boston and NYC. My neighbor told me Stowe was absolutely mobbed last weekend and I can only imagine that it will be more so next week. MRG might be busy but you should check Paradise off your list, plus MRG is badass.

As far as places to stop....the Rusty Nail in Stowe, that apple place for an apple donut and cider, the Matterhorn. MRG doesn't have any nightlife but the Mad Mountain Tavern is pretty sweet and that pizza place is out of control...what the hell is it called??

[MMP]

At MRG, there is the Hyde Away on RT 17 a few miles from MRG. They have a restaurant, bar, and rooms. I have never stayed there but have eaten/drank there and it seems like a good one-stop-shopping place that will suit your needs. Check conditions before you commit to MRG, the warm weather/ r##n will crush the natural snowpack, and without a storm you may be disappointed.

[telepow]

you should probably hit up the Alchemist in Waterbury while you're up here too

oh ya...it usually snows before and after the holiday weeks around here but never during

[pepperdawg]

Check conditions before you commit to MRG, the warm weather/ r##n will crush the natural snowpack, and without a storm you may be disappointed.

^^^ seconded....warm--->rain--->cold temps = ka ka hardpak

also as Vin states schools are off.....

probably best to try to pusjh off a week or two if possible....possible rumblings of a storm mid/late next week might pan out....might not...

have fun nevertheless.....beer is good.

[Right Coaster]

You may want to check the weather and snow reports in Vermont before you leave. Right now, the snow pack is being decimated by rain and warm temps.

[reganized]

For lodging at MRG

There is a place called Quittner's Stark lodge which is located on Stark Mtn. Allen will hook you up with a bed or room for a good price and give you breakfast!

http://www.starkviewlodge.com/

[thegreyarea]

If you wander over to Montgomery while at Jay, hit up Montgomery Pizza. It's about 1/2 mile from the snowshoe in an old yellow house. Best food in town for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[pepperdawg]

Pie in the Sky in Stowe has some tasty pie.

American Flatbread CO in Waitsfield

[DBdude]

unless it snows you may want to reconsider. it rained hard yesterday, and we are going to cool down tonight. this means everything is going to set up hard. if it snows, jay will be pretty good.

[Woodlandclown]

You may want to check the weather and snow reports in Vermont before you leave. Right now, the snow pack is being decimated by rain and warm temps.

I would plan a trip to Bolton Valley, they are reporting packed powder this morning. They must have a giant air-conditioned tarp they covered the mountain with.

[Woodlandclown]

What you should do is plan a trip to Lake Placid. You can ski Whiteface and Should East coast conditions not be favorable after the thaw freeze cycle, you can do a bunch of other things that VT cant offer--including going to the Bobsled World Championships www.lakeplacid2009.com.

If you go to Jay and dont like the skiing, your pretty much stuck in your hotel room.

Dont blow it!

[jtran10]

Advice?


Don't come. Not worth your money.

[akokskis]

you should probably hit up the Alchemist in Waterbury while you're up here too

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended from myself as well. Their food is great, and their beer is beyond good. I know someone who's quite into beer that says that one of the best beers he's ever had was at the Alchemist.
Plus, it's a super cool place with a good vibe.

[paulster2626]

^^^ seconded....warm--->rain--->cold temps = ka ka hardpak

also as Vin states schools are off.....

probably best to try to pusjh off a week or two if possible....possible rumblings of a storm mid/late next week might pan out....might not...

have fun nevertheless.....beer is good.

Can't push it back - I have to work all weekend, which is why I've got the following 6 days off.

I'll be a lonesome traveller though, so at least I will be able to utilize the singles' line (although bit of a moot point on the MRG chair...).

[coreyb]

man i hope the weather improves for you... could be a hard and loud week on the slopes... unless the j-cloud hits i'd say save your moneys or fly west...

[rdennhs]

burlington should be happening during the week for sure, little out of the way but def. nightlife....i'm sure some of the UVM guys can go further in depth.

[paulster2626]

unless it snows you may want to reconsider. it rained hard yesterday, and we are going to cool down tonight. this means everything is going to set up hard. if it snows, jay will be pretty good.

I can't cancel a trip due to potentially unfavourable conditions. I've been skiing long enough to appreciate any snow/ice mixture that comes my way.

Either way I'll be out for first tracks until last chair wherever I go. Thanks for the tips guys - keep 'em coming!

[robgoose]

Others have mentioned the vicious thaw-freeze cycle that is underway. Any non-fresh (either man-made or natural) ungroommed is going to be teeth chattering and unpleasant at best. My advice... If it snows follow the snow, If it doesn't follow the guns. And yes, at Jay may be an escape from Pres. Week crowds, Smuggs may be overrun. (Have you considered the Bush if natural snow conditions are unfavorable)?

[buckethead]

At MRG, there is the Hyde Away on RT 17 a few miles from MRG. They have a restaurant, bar, and rooms. I have never stayed there but have eaten/drank there and it seems like a good one-stop-shopping place that will suit your needs. Check conditions before you commit to MRG, the warm weather/ r##n will crush the natural snowpack, and without a storm you may be disappointed.

x2 on hideaway...rooms are nice, pub scene vibrant...great breakfast included...and one of the rooms has a secret passageway into the dining room
yea, the entire new england snowpack is taking a big hit, and w/o snowmaking, things may still be a bit ugly at MRG.
paradise holds snow well, but the first leg of the run gets icy during the best of times, so yes, do check in for condtions before you commit.

For lodging at MRG

There is a place called Quittner's Stark lodge which is located on Stark Mtn. Allen will hook you up with a bed or room for a good price and give you breakfast!

http://www.starkviewlodge.com/

yea, quittner's is a good spot too...no pub, but allen will likely offer you a beer once you get settled in...but bring a sixer and beat him to it and offer him one when you arrive. he often has discounted sugarbush lift tickets for sale too.

if things are icy, i agree with hitting sugarbush a few miles to the south. MRG doesn't have great groomers IMO...very few places to let the skis run, and during a holiday week, too few (well, 2) chair options if the crowds are big.

some (random skier on) paradise stoke, from better times

[AntiSoCalSkier]

I'm going to third (fourth? fifth?) the advice that you might want to "follow the guns" If the freeze thaw is a vicious as it seems, you're going to want to be skiing at resorts that have good snowmaking and grooming. Stowe and Sugarbush would definitely be on my list for a weekend like this. If you're already up at Jay, you might even consider going further north into Canada (Tremblant? Eastern Townships?)

I would definitely stay away from MRG if it stays cold. Refrozen slush bumps are really no fun.

[grubbers]

well hopefully conditions will improve quickly for you, because this weekend is most certainly going to suck. it rained all last night in burlington, and with how warm it was, i'm guessing it rained in the mountains as well.

[Steven S. Dallas]

If you go to Jay and dont like the skiing, your pretty much stuck in your hotel room.

Or I suppose you could always drive the hour and a half to Montreal. But some people prefer sitting in hotel rooms I guess.

[Wildman]

you should probably hit up the Alchemist in Waterbury while you're up here too...

Bump the Alchemist ...That place istop notch. Good food, better beer and good people. I have very fond memories...

My favorite in Stowe is definitely The SHED...It's a VT classic...not to be missed.

Don't know if its still open, but we used to hit up Miguel's Stowe Away (Inn and Mexican Restaurant)...the hottest Argentian Waitress used to serve us.