Sean Barrett dropping the ‘Church’ at Sugarbush, Vt. Jared Vincent photo.
Sugarbush Vermont. This is a classic New England ski area! Some of the best skiing in the East can be accessed from Sugarbush’s great lift system spread over a legendary ridge line in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. The resort has a great lay-out with terrain offering everything from long steep bump runs, tight trees and an expansive ‘slackcountry.’ Many great skiers have come from this area such as legends John and Dan Egan, Olympian Doug Lewis, and World Cup winner/US Mogul Champion David Babic. Big Mountain rippers Dylan Crossman and Lars Chickering-Ayers are both from the ‘Valley’ and Daron Rahlves skied for the local ski academy GMVS through High School. The great Stein Eriksen was even Director of the Sugarbush Ski School back in the 60’s. Not a bad list of ‘locals’ at all!
Brian Horton getting DEEP in the Paradise trees. Jared Vincent photo.
Castlerock Peak is home to some of the tightest, most challenging trails in the East such as Rumble, Lift Line, and Middle Earth. Lincoln Peak offers some of the best tree skiing around off Paradise as well as easy access to the legendary ‘Church’. Some of the best mogul skiing in the East can be found on trails like F.I.S., Ripcord, and Stein’s Run. Stein’s has taken over as a spring bump favorite in the east by remaining open deep into May for the past few years, something Killington has decided not to do anymore. Slidebrook Basin offers amazing backcountry opportunities with over 2,000 acres of wooded terrain between the two peaks of the resort, Mt. Ellen and Lincoln Peak. These two areas are connected by the Slide Brook Express, the longest detachable lift in the world and one of the fastest as well. Definitely a fun ride on a nice day!
David Babic crossing it up at the Lake Placid World Cup. Jared Vincent photo.
The mountain is also now offering morning snow cat rides, something unique to Sugarbush in the East. Sugarbush hosts some really cool events such as the Castlerock Extreme Comp and their annual spring pond skimming event. In the summer, the mountain offers amazing mountain biking, hiking, and two great disc golf courses. The ‘Mountain Course’ is accessed by riding up the lifts and playing down the mountain. Very Cool for sure! They even host a professional disc golf competition which is a really fun event to watch!
2010 Castlerock Extreme
Trail Map
Mountain Stats:
