East Coast mountain recommendation?

[mirror70]

I'm looking for a place on the east coast (drivable from Boston) for a few days of carving. Last winter I went to Stowe the night before the dumping (Jan 4) and loved it (except for the first day, since I was totally ill-equipped for waist deep powder). It was double-extra-cool that Burton was having their annual company outing at the same time, since most of the people were great riders and friendly people. I even saw a few people carving **on snowdecks**!

Anyway, I'm looking for another place to go. I'd like to avoid southern VT (Okemo, Stratton, Mt Blow, etc) since I'm there almost every weekend of the season. I'd also like to avoid SugarLoaf since I'll be there for ECES, and possibly in Dec as well since I have a friend who lives there.

I was thinking of giving Mt Tremblant a go. This would probably be in early Jan, so I know it would be cold. How would the conditions be? How is the mountain? Good for carving? Is there a decent nightlife?

Any other recs for where to go?

[Derf]

Originally posted by mirror70
I was thinking of giving Mt Tremblant a go. This would probably be in early Jan, so I know it would be cold. How would the conditions be? How is the mountain? Good for carving? Is there a decent nightlife?

Any other recs for where to go?

Tremblant is very highly overrated in my opinion, it's overdevelopped, very artificial. Add to this lots of people and long lines. And mountainwise, I don't like the layout, lots of flats where you have to skate. For carving, I'd recommend Ste-Anne, a little further, but much nicer. And even better is Le Massif, but now where pretty far from where you are.

Derf

[jeremiah]

I haven't been to Jay Peak since I really started carving, but it's a very nice mountain. They've really done a good job upgrading lifts and such the past few years, and they seem to do a decent job grooming. You'll want to bring a powder board just in case though, when they get dumped on, you'll forget you're on the east coast. Also, if you know the area, you can ride off the backside all the way to the access road and hitchhike back up, but I don't recommend doing that unless you're with someone who knows the way.

Jeremiah

[gaa]

I would also recommend avoiding Tremblant. I was there once, and only found room to carve during a portion of one run in a 3-day period. It's just hoardes of skiers beelining down the hill. I found it quite frustrating.

[GeoffV]

I haven't been to Jay Peak in years, what I recall is that it wasn't really a great carving mountain but it is unbelievable when they get dumped on. I've bee in powder up there up to my waist. I'd give Sugarbush a try it's about the same distance as Stowe but not as crowded a has a good mix of terrain. I am planing on heading up there first week in Dec (if conditions are good) to use my Warren Miller voucher.

Geoff

[BBQ Chef]

Whiteface has some real great steeps. It used to have a small but intense local carving scene. There is also tons of off mountain activities in Lake Placid.

[mirror70]

I'm looking for carving. I got my fill of tree runs when I used to ski, and jsut don't enjoy them on a board.

So Tremblant isn't worth the drive?

[Shred Gruumer]

Ja, maybe dis vood verk, ask Ken B, Loon all doe not snow when I went, all mash potatoes, was layed out very well, could see mit snow good den barry good!

ask other. I like it, same mit Waterville Valley

Shred till dead!

[Ken B]

Loon, Waterville, Sunapee and maybe even Bretton Woods are nice places to carve in NH. Last time I went to Bretton Woods, I though it was not steep enough. Loon is my favorite. There is a small group of carvers there on weekends, plus racers from the Holderness Team. WV also has a small race team that and a few carvers kicking around most weekend days.

If you want to drive extra far (7 hours), you could check out Mt. Ste. Anne, in Quebec. You could stay in Quebec City for a reasonable price (Manoir Des Remparts in Vieux Quebec is about the cheapest), ride all day and enjoy the bars and restauraunts at night.

-Ken

[mirror70]

I like the Mt St Anne idea - how far is it from the city?

[Ken B]

Mt. Ste. Anne is about 1/2 hour from Quebec City. I believe there are also a couple of shops in Beaupre that sell (and possibly rent or demo) carving equipment. I can't recall the names, but I am sure someone else here will know.

[Derf]

Mont Ste-Anne is more 45 minutes than 30 minutes from Québec city (depending on traffic and conditions). It's pretty much the mountain where you'll find the most carvers in the province. Québec is 2h30 minutes from Montréal. Tremblant is 2h to 2h30 from Montreal (I never remember). If you're going to Ste-Anne, a day at Le Massif is a must.

The place to go for carving equipment is
Ski Bazar André Bouchard
10950 Bd Ste Anne
Beaupré, Quebec
G0A 1E0
Tel: (418)827-2148
Email: ski.bazar.andrebouchard@qc.aira.com

They have ScottUSA boards, Raichle bindings and Deeluxe boots. They also have some used euipment. And from what I heard, are very good bootfitters. But I don't know about renting.

If your passing by Montreal, stop at Sharks in Laval, it's another shop that actively support carving. http://www.sharksco.com/

That's pretty much it.

Derf

[aikidan]

I don't particularly like the "shape" of Jay Peak for carving. Sugarbush, on the other hand, has some really nice fun trails. That's my vote. I also like Loon over in NH.

[Andrew S]

I'm makin a trip to Sugarbush sometime late in January. so you say the carvings pretty decent? what runs are the best? ill have to find the exact dates and maybe some of us can meet up.

andrew

[ARCrider]

Route comparison from rand mcnally tripmaker

Boston - Mt Ste-Anne 427mi
avoiding Montreal
via 93,91,55,20,40, 138

Boston - Tremblant 405mi
through Montreal
via 93,89,87, 15

I prefer MtSte-Anne over Tremblant and they are already open. Tremblant isn't. If you go to Ste-Anne you must go to le Massif. You gotta see it on a clear day and take your camera.

[Weasel]

Sugarloaf sugarloaf

[mirror70]

I'm going to be there anyway with an ex-CVAer, so I'm looking for other places to go.

[ARCrider]

If you are going to be staying in Quebec City for Mt Ste-Anne and Le Massif another place to check out is Stoneham. short drive north of city
Can't provide comment, never been there yet but they have hosted World Cup PGS and PSL.