Killington vs. Sunday River

[boston_e]

And just to stir the pot, there is a certain "element" present at K that is lacking at SR, mainly due to geographical distance.

Translation: You are more likely to get laid after apres-ski at Killington than Sunday River.

Also... in response to Twins.. I didnt intend to say that Sunday River does not have any natural playgroung type of stuff... just that Killington has more. I aslo agree with Twins that a big advantage SR has is some of the uninteruped runs if you really want to just let it fly.

[Gutts]

Was at Sunday River yesterday, Killington last Fri. One thing Sunday River has going for it over Killington, at least right now, is a more positive vibe. Terrain there is not as challenging as Killington. Skiied White Heat for 1 run yesterday, had fresh MM on it. With the exception of a steep section in the middle, fairly easy trail. Bumps on Agoney frozen solid and closed. Moderate crowds well spread out. No real lift lines to speak of. Probably the second largest ski area in NE. If you want more challenging terrain that Killington, go to Sugarloaf, worth he drive. Will be there the 28th and 1st.

2nd largest? Wouldn't Killington be the 2nd largest? Sugarloaf is the largest area wise correct? 1400 skiable acres. And please don't count Pico, two totally different mountains.

[boston_e]

Was at Sunday River yesterday, Killington last Fri. One thing Sunday River has going for it over Killington, at least right now, is a more positive vibe. Terrain there is not as challenging as Killington. Skiied White Heat for 1 run yesterday, had fresh MM on it. With the exception of a steep section in the middle, fairly easy trail. Bumps on Agoney frozen solid and closed. Moderate crowds well spread out. No real lift lines to speak of. Probably the second largest ski area in NE. If you want more challenging terrain that Killington, go to Sugarloaf, worth he drive. Will be there the 28th and 1st.

2nd largest? Wouldn't Killington be the 2nd largest? Sugarloaf is the largest area wise correct? 1400 skiable acres. And please don't count Pico, two totally different mountains.

According to their websites:

Sugarloaf = 1,400 skiable acres
Killington = 1,215 skiable acres

[skiingsnow]

Sugarloaf: 1,400 skiable acres boundary to boundary. 651 acres of trails and glades.
Killington: 1,215 acres of trails and glades.


I think Sugarbush has something on their site about "4,000 acres" boundary to boundary, and I recall Tom saying Killington was about the same. (This was an alpinezone thread)

[sLoPeS]

Sugarloaf: 1,400 skiable acres boundary to boundary. 651 acres of trails and glades.
Killington: 1,215 acres of trails and glades.


I think Sugarbush has something on their site about "4,000 acres" boundary to boundary, and I recall Tom saying Killington was about the same. (This was an alpinezone thread)

if you are going there i think Stowe takes the cake......the whole cake.

[Hyacynth House]

I've skied both places hundreds of times and in my mind they ski very much the same.
K gets the nod for one reason....SUBSTANTIALLY more natural snow with a summit elevation 1000 feet higher. K gets something like an avg of 100 inches more per year than SR which is huge. More powder days and more trees and steeps are open at K than SR for longer stretches of the season. For strickly skiing purposes that's the major difference in my mind

[Big Bob]

Killington measures its total snowfall at the peak. What is it at the skyship base? Last week when I was there the peak had 4-5" with just a dusting down at skyship. Big diference.

[Stormchaser]

Killington measures its total snowfall at the peak. What is it at the skyship base? Last week when I was there the peak had 4-5" with just a dusting down at skyship. Big diference.

K measures below the peak, but no where near Skyship base... K's reporting is roughly accurate above 2600', and over reported for anything below that. As with any mountain, there are areas with a little more or little less. I haven't found K to be over reporting snow falls this season from my estimation of being on the hill, but then again, you don't find me skiing below 2000' much either. That is really the main difference to me, I ski K from elevation 2K-4K where at SR I ski 3K-1.5K. Sometimes the extra vert makes the difference of snow vs r*in, melt vs no melt, and 6" vs 10"...

[Big Bob]

Agreed that SR is about 1000' lower than Killington, but much further north, and does not benefit from the lake effect, only a little closer to the Atlantic and so far with this storm has received more than K. The Mohosic range seems to scour all the snow that falls due to a west wind up slope event.

[Geoff]

I've skied both places hundreds of times and in my mind they ski very much the same.
K gets the nod for one reason....SUBSTANTIALLY more natural snow with a summit elevation 1000 feet higher. K gets something like an avg of 100 inches more per year than SR which is huge. More powder days and more trees and steeps are open at K than SR for longer stretches of the season. For strickly skiing purposes that's the major difference in my mind

+1

This captures the essense of why I never changed mountains to Sunday River.

[k dude]

SR sucks and is over rated......the only good trails they are always having GD races on....all the time!!
having a Chondola doesnt make a grea mountain..........like Stratton.............great lifts ...mediocre terrain

[Mister Moose]

Sunday River is over 5 hours away, and K is 3. End of story.

[boston_e]

Sunday River is over 5 hours away, and K is 3. End of story.

Sunday River is 3, K is 3! Tough call to make!

[TwinsWillSki]

I know this may be a sore subject, but now SR now has a longer season. Last year, SR was open through the last weekend in April, and then if we wanted more, we could go to the 'Loaf.

[boston_e]

I know this may be a sore subject, but now SR now has a longer season. Last year, SR was open through the last weekend in April, and then if we wanted more, we could go to the 'Loaf.

Advantage Maine!