"Interesting" runs in the Mid-Atlantic?
January 11, 2008
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What are some ski areas that have runs that are more than straight shots from top to bottom? I skied Whitetail a few weeks ago, and then the next weekend was up in Vermont, and was really taken by the difference between the twisty-turny New England trails and the wide-open freeways at Whitetail. (I hope that's not a gross mischaracterization)
Where would I find trails that are more like the New England feel without having to drive all the way up there? Or is that the only way?
For bonus points: is there anywhere that might provide the twisty-turny feel at the green or moderate blue level?
Thanks!
aaron
PS - I have only skied at Timberline, Wintergreen, Bryce (grass skiing, anyway), and Whitetail in the mid-Atlantic, so my experience is definitely rather limited.
When Laurel opens next season try Innsbruck for an easy to moderate green and Broadway for an easy to moderate blue. At Blue Knob there's Mambo Alley for green and Jack Rabbit for blue.
There's some short but sweet ones at Canaan Valley, assuming you have natural snow: The Glades, Spruce Run, Weiss Meadows, Dark Side (Spruce is an old t-bar line, Weiss Meadows is wide but it's a meadow). Almost all are doable for an intermediate- maybe Spruce is a touch steep but that's about it.
Blue Knob is king of the twisties. Other than that, look for the older ski hills, they still have occasional runs around like Barrett's at Roundtop.
Wisp has a number of runs that twist and turn, and are not overly wide.
The Colonel
Two places come to mind. Snowshoe and Elk. When skiing at either resort, if you didn't know that you were in either WV or PA you would swear that it was the White Mountains of New Hampshire by the trail layout, turns, and steepeness of some of the runs.
Cmon roger i don't know about all of the midA but everybody knows the only interesting runs in WV are at snowshoe
. Spruce run is pretty cool, can't be more than 3 ski lengths wide and Blue Knob is the most un mid atlantic place in the mid atlantic.
Ya, jimmi. What other ski area has a rest stop (hole in the wall) halfway down the slope.
I hear ya, scooterig!
I'd second the comments about Blue Knob (northeastern-type runs, unusual for the mid-A), Elk (as they say, "It's like skiing in Vermont without the drive"), and parts of Canaan. Barrett's Trail and Lafayette's Leap at Roundtop, Devil's Elbow at Wintergreen, Twister at T-line, and Ridge Runner at Whitetail all remind me of the kinds of runs you're talking about.
Consider an overnight to Elk, and maybe catching night skiing or a full day at nearby Sno Mountain, too. Blue Knob is best after a mid-season snowfall, but I was impressed by their conditions on the greens and blues last Friday.
Thinking snow,
Woody
Cmon roger i don't know about all of the midA but everybody knows the only interesting runs in WV are at snowshoe
"Beer Run" at Winterplace was one of my personal favorites, but not really for the trail. Though, come to think of it, the trail was pretty nice, made nicer by a tall frosty.
Denton in north, north, north central PA has some nice old-style runs, fairly steep though. Laurel and BK really do take the cake for un-MidA skiing.
My nomination for the most interesting green run is 3-Mile at Whitegrass. Restricting to lift served slopes and blue/green makes things tougher. I agree that the runs on skiers left at Canaan (Weiss Meadow and nearby) are interesting and pretty. And crowds there are light and seem to have gotten lighter with the growth of Timberline. Parts of that area are left ungroomed on powder mornings, which is especially nice. If you allow black runs, there are a couple of nice ones at Blue Knob, Shortway, Edgeset, and Route 66.
The best and most interesting blue/green runs in the east IMHO are in Mad River's Birdland,
http://www.madriverglen.com/maps/iMapLarge.php (Lift 3 on this map). Many an expert can be found there after 2 PM mellowing out after their legs can take no more hairball runs through the woods.
Are you talking a. lift served, named runs, b. lift served unnamed "runs", or just c. unnamed runs that can be served by foot, beast, or truck? In the first case, there is a hybrid of a tree run at t-line that when skiable, is my favorite and ends below pearly glades. With b., there are quite a few as denis described like some of the area off piste in the meadows area at CV or under their triple chair. Then there is last category which I can hardly wait to try, given ample snowfall.
A line I walked last fall in the glades behind my Bonner Mtn house. I should be able to ski right down to Rt 32 at Dryfork but as mentioned, I need a copious amount of snow so I don't catch a log and break my neck. I'll name it after I ski it.
kwillg6,
Just be sure you do not have to name it "Neck Cracker".
The Colonel
What's the matter with you Roger? Don't give away our secret run.
They were out of New Castle last time as it was.
When Laurel opens next season.
Is that just an optomistic statement or is there news I've missed?
I always liked the Meadows at Canaan Valley. Dew Drop and Almost Heaven at TL have some twist to them also.