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Favorite small mountain?

post #1 of 34
3/28/12 at 1:55am
Thread Starter 
What's your favorite small or off the beaten path mountain and why?
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post #2 of 34
3/28/12 at 5:31am

Nothing to see here.  No fun to be had at off the beaten path mountains.  That said, Mt Baldy outside LA has some nice skiing occasionally.

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post #3 of 34
3/28/12 at 6:12am

Hoodoo outside Sisters Oregon.  A really fun place with nice terrain, cheap prices, no lift lines and a 10 second walk from the parking lot to the lift.

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post #4 of 34
3/28/12 at 6:18am

Pico is small compared to it's neighbor, and I like it better.

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post #5 of 34
3/28/12 at 8:37am

Bolton Valley.  It's sandwiched between Stowe and Sugarbush.  It's never crowded.

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post #6 of 34
3/28/12 at 8:38am

Vemdalsskallet in Sweden. Quiet, unpretentious, friendly and full of genuine outdoor loving people rather than posers. Also spent a couple of days at Lans enVercors a couple of years ago. Just a row of poma lifts up a single hillside but a great family hill and some great views from the top.

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post #7 of 34
3/28/12 at 9:38am

1. Diamond Peak, NV

2. Pebble Creek, ID

3. Sundance, UT

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post #8 of 34
3/28/12 at 10:13am

Lookout Pass MT.

 

Super cheap lifties, no crowds, great snow. Good enough terrain.

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post #9 of 34
3/28/12 at 10:28am

I'm surprised DoWork hasn't hustled in here w/ a Magic shout-out...

 

And: I LOVE Magic...and so much better than her neighbors.

 

-Smarty

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post #10 of 34
3/28/12 at 10:45am

Turner Mountain in Libby, MT can be epic on a powder day.

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post #11 of 34
3/28/12 at 3:41pm

not sure if it qualifies as 'small', but it is sortta local and not full-on destination...

been quite a few years since I've been there, but I do remember havin some epic fun at

Brian Head

bout time for a return...

 

...redface.gif maybe I shouldn't said anything...

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post #12 of 34
4/4/12 at 9:59am

Diamond Peak, NV

 

Park at the lift, affordable (free for military Mon-Fri), no crowds, spectacular views, sense of family/local, no frills, just ski and enjoy the views (although I usually end up there by accident in a 2ft+ powder storm and can't see the lake).

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post #13 of 34
4/4/12 at 12:43pm

Powder Mountain Utah.  Not small, but certainly run like a small mountain and I love it.

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post #14 of 34
4/4/12 at 4:46pm
Not counting the one I work at, Discovery Basin in Montana is my favorite small mountain, and deserves a shout-out. Great terrain, and nice vibe.
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post #15 of 34
4/4/12 at 7:11pm

Hmmm, define small.

 

Mt. Bohemia in Michigan's upper peninsula is small and I like it because it has really cool terrain, no grooming, no crowds, cheap ski in/ski out accommodations and most of all, a great business model.

 

How about Mad River Glen, is that small?

 

Jay Peak is the smallest hill that I know of that has a tram.

 

Silverton, CO?  It only has one lift and I would guess very few skier visits compared with 'big' resorts.

 

I've never been to Montana and I'm mosdef looking forward to skiing Big Sky, the site of next year's Gathering, but I'm more excited about getting to some of the smaller hills mentioned up threadicon14.gif

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post #16 of 34
4/5/12 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpfreaq View Post

Jay Peak is the smallest hill that I know of that has a tram.


Cannon Mountain in NH is smaller by some measures and has a tram.

 

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post #17 of 34
4/5/12 at 9:32pm

No contest, Massanutten is smaller than anything mentioned so far.  75 acres in northern Virginia.  I like it because I can ski 825 vert with no lift line on any weekend, including school holiday weekends, and nights.  Plus it's where my daughter learned to ski, has friends, and can also go ice skating, swimming, snow tubing, or play at an indoor waterpark.  When you live in where we do, nothing else within driving distance comes close.

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post #18 of 34
4/5/12 at 9:32pm

No contest, Massanutten is smaller than anything mentioned so far.  75 acres in northern Virginia.  I like it because I can ski 825 vert with no lift line on any weekend, including school holiday weekends, and nights.  Plus it's where my daughter learned to ski, has friends, and can also go ice skating, swimming, snow tubing, or play at an indoor waterpark.  When you live in where we do, nothing else within driving distance comes close.

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post #19 of 34
4/9/12 at 10:56am

only 20 minutes from home, Roundtop in Central PA has 600 vertical feet with a good variety of trails a short but steep Upper Gunbarrell is a challenge for most .  good bumps on at least 3 trails.  mostly intermediate trails with above average terrain parks. 

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post #20 of 34
4/10/12 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgiddyup View Post

Powder Mountain Utah.  Not small, but certainly run like a small mountain and I love it.


Pow Mow sucks.  Its flat, they barely get any snow, and you have to watch out for the Yettis in the trees.  biggrin.gif

 

I would say Mt. Bohemia is near the top of my list of places to ski someday but its a long drive and it would have to be right before a big storm for roll the dice on it.

 

 

 

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post #21 of 34
4/12/12 at 6:59am

I would also say that I really liked Mt. Rose when I was there.  The people were friendly, the skiing was cheap, and the terrain was good.

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post #22 of 34
4/12/12 at 7:05am
Elk mountain,Northeast PA.Great conditions groomed to perfection OKEMO quality
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post #23 of 34
4/12/12 at 8:24am

Two areas that are big for the Mid-Atlantic, but small for most places that I like are Blue Knob in PA and Timberline in WV.  When we have a good snow season, Blue Knob has what I consider the best terrain in the Mid-Atlantic.  Unfortunately, they don't have the snow making capabilities to handle a bad season well.  Timberline comes second in terrain, but is a little better at handling a bad snow season, so is the better place in a sub-par year.

 

As for non-local small mountains.  I agree with the bear who mentioned Mt Rose in Tahoe.  Mt Rose was the unknown gem of the Tahoe Gathering.  No lodging or condos, just great terrain, snow and prices that make it a bargain compared to the major resorts in the area.

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post #24 of 34
4/12/12 at 8:44am

Plattekill in Roxbury, NY (Catskill Mtns). Great terrain, in a lake effect snow belt, lots of tree skiing, and a great owner.

Hickory in Warrensburg, NY (Adirondack Mtns). Another great small area that has handle tow, tbar, and 2 pomas on 1200 feet of steep vertical.

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post #25 of 34
4/12/12 at 9:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MephitBlue View Post

Two areas that are big for the Mid-Atlantic, but small for most places that I like are Blue Knob in PA and Timberline in WV.  When we have a good snow season, Blue Knob has what I consider the best terrain in the Mid-Atlantic.  Unfortunately, they don't have the snow making capabilities to handle a bad season well.  Timberline comes second in terrain, but is a little better at handling a bad snow season, so is the better place in a sub-par year.

 

As for non-local small mountains.  I agree with the bear who mentioned Mt Rose in Tahoe.  Mt Rose was the unknown gem of the Tahoe Gathering.  No lodging or condos, just great terrain, snow and prices that make it a bargain compared to the major resorts in the area.



Good call on Timberline.  I've yet to make it there but I know a lot of guys locally that love the place.

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post #26 of 34
4/12/12 at 10:20am

Suicide Six...old fashion Vermont skiing, impeccably groomed with an exceptionally nice staff.

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post #27 of 34
4/12/12 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MephitBlue View Post

As for non-local small mountains.  I agree with the bear who mentioned Mt Rose in Tahoe.  Mt Rose was the unknown gem of the Tahoe Gathering.  No lodging or condos, just great terrain, snow and prices that make it a bargain compared to the major resorts in the area.


Since Mt. Rose is so close to the Reno airport, can get in some skiing on day of departure without too much of a push.

 

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post #28 of 34
4/13/12 at 9:49pm
Ditto on Plattekill in NY, x10003q. Nearly the vertical of the more well known Catskill resorts, more interesting terrain, no crowds, friendly vibe, and a good bar. Definitely off the beaten path. The only place within 4 hours of NYC I'd ski on a holiday weekend.

For really tiny, I still like Tuxedo Ridge, NY, especially with kids.

You Westerners are killing me with your "small" mountains!
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post #29 of 34
4/13/12 at 10:15pm

I very much like the vibe of Middlebury Snow Bowl. Super friendly and it has 2 top notch race trails in Ross and Allen and a whole other side of the mountain that is almost always empty. And it is cheap, has excellent food and a beautiful drive to get there - what more could anyone want?

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post #30 of 34
4/14/12 at 3:46am
Ragged Mountain in NH is a great place with 2 decent peaks and good amenities. Went there twice this past season and barely had to wait in a lift line. For the locals who haven't been yet, go soon because they're going to start expanding to add a third peak with a new lift in a couple of years. Hopefully they don't add any condos or a hotel in their expansion.
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