Sugarloaf Expert Skiing

For steep trails, the Gondola Line is a classic trail that goes straight down the center of the mountain. Narrow Gauge, Sugarloaf’s most famous trail, has been the venue for many racing competitions through the years and offers a long, steep trail.  For moguls try Ripsaw and Choker in the King Pine Bowl. These two trails remain ungroomed for most of the season, and as they are on the farthest east side of the mountain, they tend to collect snow that drifts from the prevailing west to easterly winds. For constructed mogul lines, Skidder is the training and competition trail for freestyle mogul skiers at Sugarloaf. Ripsaw, Back Side Snowfields, and the Glades are best for powder snow.

A suggested itinerary for advanced skiing and riding would be to ski or ride in the King Pine Bowl with the morning sun: Haulback, Widowmaker, Ripsaw. Then head west and enjoy Gondola Line and Narrow Gauge from the Spillway Chair in the Central Mountain area, then proceed further west in the afternoon to enjoy Competition Hill, Skidder, Hayburner or Double Bitter. The best trail for experts would be White Nitro, which has one of the steepest pitches in the East. Ripsaw, Bubblecuffer, Winters Way, Choker, Misery Whip and Skidder for moguls, and the Glades for fresh, steep powder. Head to the summit from the top of the Timberline quad for the only above-tree-line skiing in the East and a panoramic view into New Hampshire to Mount Washington, or across to Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain. The Perfect Turn Ski School offers Level 8 ski instruction.

Newly opened terrain in Brackett’s Basin has greatly expanded Sugarloaf’s expert skiing. This new tree-skiing area offers a totally different and more wild experience than skiing on the main mountain. Old logging trails form the backbone of a network of long and challenging glades.