Ski Resorts USA Reviews
(14 Dec 2004): I had the displeasure of working in Killington for a season. It is with out doubt the most overated resort ive been to. Its ugly, with roadside motels and has no village centre. The skiing is rubbish, it gets very cold(-40) in Jan and Feb and when it snows they dont pist it and it becomes one big mogul field, okay if your an expert. The only redeming feature is they have good snow making so you will get some skiing in.The lift system is antiquated and they close 50% of them during the week.The mountain huts sell garbage junk food and you cant have a beer outside in spring ( when the sun might show its face)The lift company are so incompetent they forgot to issue the US downhill team with passes and they could nt ski. The ski hire shops have flat skis still and carvers are few and far between. The famous night life consists of two rubbish bars The Wobbly Barn is overpriced, has live bands on every weekend which could get past the first auditions on Pop Idol. Apres ski consists of bars offering free chicken wings (wow). Do yourself a favour, dont go, if you must go to Vermont go to Stowe or Okemo. STAY AWAY FROM CRAPPY KILLINGTON
(Virginia,2000): I spent a week at Smuggler's Notch in 1995. I was invited to go there by a friend. It was better than I expected. The only drawback was the antiquated, but not crowded, lifts. Perhaps they have upgraded some of these old, slow double chairs since? terrain-wise the place skis bigger than you might think looking at a trail map. The vertical (2000+ feet) is very respectable and the variety of terrain is also enough to keep an advanced skier/boarder interested for several days. There are many longish intermediate runs. Experts find challenge in numerous steep glades. Don't know what the locals call it, but I fondly remember skiing over a sizable frozen waterfall. Besides the good terrain, I think the reason families (and others) like the place is because of small crowds and a large cluster of condos located trailside in a beginner/intermediate section conveniently, but distinctly, set off to one side of the main ski area. This is also a good place for child-oriented ski classes to operate. For groups or families with a mixed level of skiing competence, this is a good bet to satisfy all.
(31 May 2004): I skied Haystack the first week of March, 2004. Despite and unexpected thaw, the skiing was very enjoyable. While definitely the locals' mountain, I felt very welcome. However, Haystack has the look of an abandonded, unwanted step-child. Haystack was once it's own entity, separate from the management of Mount Snow. Since the American Skiing Company acquired it, the changes are striking. The area is only open on Saturday and Sunday, and the the snow guns are turned off, hence, BARE SPOTS!. A ski lift listed on the trail map no longer exists. All that is left standing are the towers. Clearly visible at the entrance road are an abandonded chair lift, t-bar and clubhouse. The skiing was good but could have been better if the grooming received as much attention as it does over at Mount Snow. If I want wild and untouched, I will head up to Mad River Glen. Hey, American Skiing Company! Don't treat this resort like a bleeding appendage you are slowly cutting off
(2 Feb 2001): I venture to say that there is no better mountain on the continent in this size category. Great lifts, lots of runs of all description, a multitude of different types of ski terrain, and a truly good lift system. It may only be 700+ acres, but it is the right terrain for a great ski mountain. Add to that a new and unique village and you have a combination that makes it's older brother (Ajax) look like it is ready for the old folks home.
(3 feb 2005): Before there were winchcats and hormoned-charged boarders and skiers intent on straight running steeps and jumping cliffs, bump skiing was considered an art form and Ajax was and is the premiere showcase for bump skiers. Comparisons to other great bump mountains such as Taos or Telluride notwithstanding, there is nothing in the US or Canada that comes remotely close to the quality and variety of classic drops to be found on Ajax. If you want the world's best cruiser, Baldy is your ticket, Powder, probably Utah or Jackson. Expanse, definitely Whistler; but even Whistler doesn't come close to Ajax in pure unadulterated mogul satisfaction. They grow 'em big as Volkswagen Beetles (the old kind) and the locals still bang 'em on long boards. Thank God and Aspen Ski Corp the riders are not allowed. They have no place in this bump nirvana.
(15 Jan 2004): Just got back from Heavenly on january 4. First day we skiied was great,lots of sun. Then a storm comes through and drops 4 feet of snow, so we missed that day because the whole mountain was closed. The next day the mountain was full of untracked powder,with sun, I got first tracks in the morning. Then another storm comes through and dumps 3 feet of snow so no skiing that day. The next day i was fortunate to get the very first tracks in mott canyon. I skiied a couple of days after that at kirkwood and squaw. All in all, it was a great, but it seemed like we lucked out. The locals where saying that the conditions are never like this, this early in the season.
(15 Jan 2004): Although it took 2 hours to get hear from Heavenly(traffic)once you got going, it was very fun. There where no lift lines, and the skiing here is very unique. The whole mountain is a bowl. It offers lots of terrain both easy and difficult. Another thing i noticed was how good the skiiers where, there was alot of tallent on that mountain. I suppose it's because it hosted the olympics, or something.
(8 Mar 2004): I think that afton rots. The trail layout is screwy.... all of the trails merge, and there are too many useless trails. There are way too many chairlifts.... one for every two runs, and they are all rickety, and slow. The lodges are old and smelly, and the rental equipment need help. The terrain layout is poor for navigating the area, and the snow is always bad. The area makes about 6 inches to 12 inches of snow on 1 run, then opens it and moves on. The runs have bad cover until February and March, and by then, the snow is icy in the morning, and slushy in the afternoon. The food is horrid!!!The service is slow, and there are too many carefree boarders. All in All, afton gets a 0 out of 10.
(22 Feb 2001): My family and I stayed at this newish hotel just outside of town toward the ski hill (about 4 miles away). Even though it isn't part of a hotel chain, the has the feel of a Super 8. All in all, it was clean and comfortable; just don't expect a cozy, atmospheric place. My one criticism: the hot tub was lukewarm. We told the management and they didn't correct the problem over the course of the following day. A food note: Vi's Pizza in town has tasty pizza. Although the place is really a bar, there were quite a few families eating there.
(24 Dec 2004): We recently purchased a townhouse at Gore Mountain and skied the mountain last year. The mountain was great with incredible views from the summit. The mountain and the town are definitely a bit less refined than some of tne Vermont ski areas, but that is what makes it great. Plus, there is some changes in store. They have updated the lodges and food areas already and there are plans to connect the main mountain with the Snow Bowl tubing park. This really is an ideal place for families with a much longer vertical drop than many Vermont mountains. Keep an eye on Gore Mountain!
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