Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 29

Thread: Fis

  1. #1

    Fis

    So, Ive been thinking, and I know I shouldnt do too much of that, but FIS is a signature trail at Mt Ellen and they make snow on it and groom it, but most of the time, it really kind of sucks despite the effort. Sure, there are days when the snow is soft and the bumps are just right, but couldnt it be better. Maybe if it were narrower or split in two with a section of trees in the middle.
    what says you all?


  2. #2
    It is rarely groomed, the past couple weeks is the most i remember it being groomed in 20 years. i think some really wet snow got made and it turned into a glacier. I like skiing it but i always do Rim Run first and shoot up the bottom and check it out. Just like looking up Steins from Bravo. Trees in the middle will get destroyed by snowmaking. Maybe cut some lines in the trees further down Upper Rim Run, it still pretty steep but shorter.

    Another trail to skiers right of Black Diamond would be sweet but i think that is forest service land up there.

  3. #3
    FIS could definitely be made narrower since most of sugarbush's snowmaking trials are narrower than FIS. Since I think FIS still has old guns which probably are going to be replaced soon, they could be replaced with guns that are further to the left and trees could be planted on the right side of the guns. I would space the trees enough that this area of reclaimed forest becomes a glade. I like the idea of adding a trail to the right of black diamond. I would prefer a narrow trial similar to Rumble. It would probably be a good idea to combine these changes and propose the trial narrowing as a tradeoffs.

    I would also be for narrowing upper ripcord and putting a tree island on snowball on the left at the headwall, where its a double fall line. I would like to know why the section of organ grinder above heavens gate has not grown in. It seems pretty useless and not good for the environment.

    The green line is the boundary of the national forest.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #4

    Fis

    Are you sure of the accuracy of that line? Even when the National Forest had a sign on the lift tower, it was at tower 8, which is the intersection of Rim Run and Looking Good. Traditional thinking has been everything above Rim Run is National Forest, while everything below is Sugarbush.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Groton, MA and Warren, VT
    Posts
    124
    Aren't all steep trails with snowmaking at Sugarbush unskiable and frozen solid 80% of the time? I'm thinking Steins, Organgrinder, Ripcord, even Waterfall. Even after grooming, they are toast by 10AM. It makes no sense to me. Is it like that elsewhere?

    I have no knowledge of grooming technique, but the grooming seems superficial compared to other hills, like they are not going deep enough. There is much more deep and loose snow on groomed steeps at other places I ski.

  6. #6
    That line looks pretty correct after looking on Google maps. Can anyone confirm this, as I have heard from many sources that it begins at the bottom of Black Diamond up. Was there a land swap here? Some type of agreement? It's hard to believe all my sources were off.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Ride Delaware ? View Post
    That line looks pretty correct after looking on Google maps. Can anyone confirm this, as I have heard from many sources that it begins at the bottom of Black Diamond up. Was there a land swap here? Some type of agreement? It's hard to believe all my sources were off.
    Factcheck in google earth with google maps is not a fact check.

  8. #8
    This was the boundary back in 2008 supposedly. The purple box is where Sugarbush has a Special Use Permit for the USFS land at the top of ME.
    ME USFS Boundary.jpg

    In terms of changes to FIS, does anyone know how easy it would even be to attempt to grow new trees on FIS? That elevation and exposure would be pretty tough on new vegetation, especially in the middle of the trail to split it in two. I don't mind FIS the way it is. At times it skies well. The width of the trail adds to the character in my opinion.

    Adding a new trail to the right of Black Diamond would be interesting though and at one time that was an idea that was around. It would be nice to have another option off the top of ME. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to get approval for that though these days...

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Benski View Post
    Factcheck in google earth with google maps is not a fact check.
    I'm not following, unless you're quoting the sources you cross referenced. I know maps isn't perfect, but it at least coincides with yours. Are we speaking the same thing?

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Benski View Post
    I would also be for narrowing upper ripcord and putting a tree island on snowball on the left at the headwall, where its a double fall line.
    "Headwall" and snowball should not be used in the same sentence

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by southvillager View Post
    Aren't all steep trails with snowmaking at Sugarbush unskiable and frozen solid 80% of the time? I'm thinking Steins, Organgrinder, Ripcord, even Waterfall. Even after grooming, they are toast by 10AM. It makes no sense to me. Is it like that elsewhere?
    80% might be a little bit high but you aren't too far off in your estimate

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Ride Delaware ? View Post
    I'm not following, unless you're quoting the sources you cross referenced. I know maps isn't perfect, but it at least coincides with yours. Are we speaking the same thing?
    They were both made by google therefore they both probably have the same mistakes.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by cdskier View Post
    This was the boundary back in 2008 supposedly. The purple box is where Sugarbush has a Special Use Permit for the USFS land at the top of ME.
    ME USFS Boundary.jpg

    In terms of changes to FIS, does anyone know how easy it would even be to attempt to grow new trees on FIS? That elevation and exposure would be pretty tough on new vegetation, especially in the middle of the trail to split it in two. I don't mind FIS the way it is. At times it skies well. The width of the trail adds to the character in my opinion.

    Adding a new trail to the right of Black Diamond would be interesting though and at one time that was an idea that was around. It would be nice to have another option off the top of ME. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to get approval for that though these days...
    I'm no arborist, but there are trees at that elevation, so I would think, if you plant them, they will grow. I just think the trail is unnecessarily wide. narrow it down with some trees and maybe the snow doesnt get so damned icy and boiler plate.

    agree that a trail to right of black diamond would be a great addition.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by HowieT2 View Post
    I'm no arborist, but there are trees at that elevation, so I would think, if you plant them, they will grow. I just think the trail is unnecessarily wide. narrow it down with some trees and maybe the snow doesnt get so damned icy and boiler plate.

    agree that a trail to right of black diamond would be a great addition.

    One thing I love about skiing in British Columbia was the steep slopes with nicely spaced pine trees. Although, they had the powder to make it special.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by dustyroads View Post
    One thing I love about skiing in British Columbia was the steep slopes with nicely spaced pine trees. Although, they had the powder to make it special.
    Yeah, those trees out there are perfectly spaced. Like someone intentionally set them up for skiing.
    About to book cat skiing at Valhalla for next year.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Ski Gear | Snowboard Gear | Cycling Gear | Camping/Hiking Gear | Ski & Snowboard Racks | Gear Outlet | Men's Clothing | Women's Clothing | Kids' Clothing

Ski Vermont | Whiteface / Gore Message Boards