My experience with Saddleback is limited to one two day outing there at one of the New England Gatherings a few years back. Just a couple random notes:
I guess my point -- to backup many of Muleski's comments -- is that if forum devotees who talk about skiing all year long can't be troubled to make it and if Maine residents don't bother even for off-the-charts powder days... who is going to come?
I regularly ski Stowe, and I regularly meet people there who have made ridiculous drives from the mid-Atlantic, or Toronto, or... Driving times that far eclipse flight times to Colorado, Utah, etc.
- The Maine gathering was probably the least attendance we've had at a Gathering -- and that's among pretty dedicated skiers who hang out on forums, etc. Most of the attendees were the Maine residents. Now, I'm possibly the world's worst salesman but If even dedicated skiers need some prodding to make the hike to Saddleback...?
- The night before I drove up to Tony's place near Portland and we car pooled over to Saddleback in the morning. The roads were a bit of a mess from a big storm the day before, but damn, it was still a hike to get there.
- I figured Rangeley was a decent tourist destination during the summer months, so I thought there would be various lodging opportunities up there... Until I started looking and realizing that there's really not much there.
- We were at Saddleback on Friday / Saturday and Gathering Magic brought us a ridiculous powder day. And still it was pretty empty. I don't think we had a bad run in two days. I can see Friday being quiet (digging out, work, etc.) but I figured Saturday would be mobbed. Nope. I have to imagine Sugarloaf was.
I guess my point -- to backup many of Muleski's comments -- is that if forum devotees who talk about skiing all year long can't be troubled to make it and if Maine residents don't bother even for off-the-charts powder days... who is going to come?
I regularly ski Stowe, and I regularly meet people there who have made ridiculous drives from the mid-Atlantic, or Toronto, or... Driving times that far eclipse flight times to Colorado, Utah, etc.