Sugarbush Cat Skiing

**ski_it** · 09-05-2008, 08:47 AM

from firsttracksonline.com: Vermont Ski and Snowboard Resorts Roll Out Improvements for 2008-09

Cat skiing? In New England? With the purchase a new Pisten Bully cat cab, Sugarbush will be the only resort in the East to have cat skiing. Traditionally, the resort closes its Mt. Ellen first in late March. When that happens, Sugarbush's highest peak will become the domain of the 12-passenger cat.

April cat skiing at Mt. Ellen?

I'm also interested to hear more about the plans to drive passengers into Slidebrook. I'm personally not very excited about the prospect of that, but I'm happy to see the investment and think it will be great that they will be able to get people up to Allyn's Lodge for events there.

**castlerock** · 09-06-2008, 08:24 AM

I doubt they will be catting into slidebrook. But I could see them selling a pre-lift opening ride up to the top of North Lynx for first track access with the guides.

**ski_it** · 09-06-2008, 11:09 AM

from the marketing email from Sugarbush dated August 27th:

We are also going to offer an evening dinner package at Allyn's Lodge on certain weekend and holiday evenings (great for birthday and anniversary celebrations) serviced by our newly–acquired 12–person snow cat (there will also be hiking and skiing options). The cat will also be available on certain days for first tracks into Slide Brook and afternoon and evening adventure tours (kids love snow cat rides!).

**summitchallenger** · 09-06-2008, 11:21 AM

I second Cat Skiing on Mt. Ellen late season. Limited services...Glen House only...maybe run the Summit Quad or something.

**castlerock** · 09-06-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by ski_it

from the marketing email from Sugarbush dated August 27th:

We are also going to offer an evening dinner package at Allyn's Lodge on certain weekend and holiday evenings (great for birthday and anniversary celebrations) serviced by our newly–acquired 12–person snow cat (there will also be hiking and skiing options). The cat will also be available on certain days for first tracks into Slide Brook and afternoon and evening adventure tours (kids love snow cat rides!).

Just as I said, First tracks in slidebrook doesn't mean the cat will go there. It would be a waste. The cat will go up to the top of North Lynx, drop off the customers, then they will do the traverse and go ski the main lines.

The rest of us will track out the steeper and deeper main mountain woods first and then later head off to places in Slide brook, and still get first tracks.

**HowieT2** · 09-06-2008, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by castlerock

Originally Posted by ski_it

from the marketing email from Sugarbush dated August 27th:

We are also going to offer an evening dinner package at Allyn's Lodge on certain weekend and holiday evenings (great for birthday and anniversary celebrations) serviced by our newly–acquired 12–person snow cat (there will also be hiking and skiing options). The cat will also be available on certain days for first tracks into Slide Brook and afternoon and evening adventure tours (kids love snow cat rides!).

Just as I said, First tracks in slidebrook doesn't mean the cat will go there. It would be a waste. The cat will go up to the top of North Lynx, drop off the customers, then they will do the traverse and go ski the main lines.

The rest of us will track out the steeper and deeper main mountain woods first and then later head off to places in Slide brook, and still get first tracks.

Either way it's cool and I'd like to know what the cost is going to be.

**Yard Sale** · 09-06-2008, 01:56 PM

My guess is that due to limited capacity alone and then considering costs, the cat is going to be a little pricey. As far as late season Ellen skiing, I would think that the Glen House won't be open as, again limited capacity, it wouldn,t make sense to open food and beverage services. So I suspect picnic style fare may be available and/or pack your own lunch.

**Yard Sale** · 09-11-2008, 03:39 PM

A photo of the new cat would go nicely on sb.com and would go towards creating some pre launch buzz for the '08-'09 season.

**win** · 09-15-2008, 10:24 PM

Come to Community Day and hear more!

**Plowboy** · 09-16-2008, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Yard Sale

A photo of the new cat would go nicely on sb.com and would go towards creating some pre launch buzz for the '08-'09 season.

I think the cab is in the shop at ME being repainted and or refurbished.

**Treeskier** · 10-06-2008, 08:45 AM

Sneak Preview:

**win** · 10-06-2008, 09:21 AM

I should have know that Treeskier would be sneaking around with his camera and spoiling my Community Day surprise! (Just kidding, Gregg. Hope to see everyone this weekend. It should be a great week and weekend, so plan to be here!) You can invite some Killington refugees as well!

**Lostone** · 10-06-2008, 09:48 AM

How do cats ski, anyway?

Do they have 2 skis, or 4, one for each leg?

Does Surefoot have kitty boots? Who checks the bindings? That just has to be a light release! What kind of tool do they use to check it? All these questions and more, come to mind.

A guy went into the Adventure Gear Center yesterday. He had a dog with im and he wrapped the leash around the bindings of one of the demo skis, outside.

I asked the guys if those bindings had been checked for a dog release. They looked at me like I was... crazy.

Can you imagine that?

Makes me a little hesitant to ask them about the kitty skis.

**smootharc** · 10-06-2008, 12:28 PM

....that's a shiny red intergalactic powder pod ! Get some logos on that thing and rent it by the night !

**smootharc** · 10-06-2008, 12:39 PM

....the possibilities of the above Inverness pod enter into the discussion....with Mr. Snowcat at the "Cat-alyst". Interesting, anyways....

http://forums.alpinezone.com/36829-h...g-dept-16.html

Above Inverness seems about as drool inducing a terrain possibility as anything in the East. Seemingly and realistically "possible" and "doable", instead of just "hopeful" and "dreamable"....