Last night I received the email from Magic Mountain that after many years being in the history books, the mountain will reopen under one management on the 17th of December.
Despite the climate change affecting all of us, three mountains are reopening in the Northeast after years in the history books. Laurel Mountain PA, Magic Mountain in Vermont, and Tenney Mountain in New Hampshire.
Magic Mountain closed due to bankruptcy in 1991. It reopened later for a short time and closed a few years later. after a long period of inactivity, it will reopen this year
It is located across the valley and about 10 minutes from Bromley Mountain VT. It sports 1,700 vertical and 43 trails, incuding a 45 degree trail Black Magic run.
Good to hear about Magic. It was actually open in 2014 - 2015. They had a special deal - $20 or $25 lift ticket on Thursdays if it did not snow X number of inches. My buddy and I stayed in Londonderry (Swiss Inn) and skied it in March 2015 when we arrived Thursday. We only did 7 - 8 runs max and drank a few beers in the pub.
Reminded me of Blue Knob with longer runs. Hoping to return to that area in March 2017.
It's been open for the last several years, including last. Although with the natural winter Vermont had last year, it was easy to think or get the impression it didn't open. I don't think tree skiing, which is its greatest terrain attribute, ever got really possible last season. A few of us who locally patrol also go up there and help them out on key weekends. It's a nice setup.
But it truly has an old-school aspect about, mostly due to the condition of its lodge, lift(s) and other infrastructure. Its ownership the last several years has been colorful, but always been under those eager to see it succeed. The latest has some familiar faces, but perhaps for the first time some more deep pocketed indivduals backing it up. Just what it's been lacking.
Don't look for a high speed six pack anytime soon (if ever), but if your skiing is a bit more techinical and you don't need cushy guest services, it's a rarer and rarer gem. It does have a great apres scene that really isn't found anymore, where the adults are in the bar and the kids are running around nearby in the lodge if not playing outside the windows in the snow. A live band playing in front of both. No one really a stranger.
Hope this time it sticks. But for a first timer, I'd still suggest you await until the West side is more fully open and it's known there's sufficient base in the trees. It can last through early April, so it's not a bad late season pick either.
Magic is a good example of how ski mountains can be a convoluted mess of operating companies, co-ops and real estate. Here was an excellent write up from a few years ago when the coop effort failed: http://www.powder.com/stories/magic-mountain-changes-ownership/#zJuOwoybuiD2JL67.97
The main reason Magic has survived is because of the resort's sizeable contingent of wealthy 2nd home owners at the resort (many of whom are 2nd and 3rd generation family member owners). Magic could definitely survive as a niche resort in Southern Vermont by serving as cheaper/laid back alternative to Stratton and Okemo, but it really boils down to three things: 1) snowmaking 2) snowmaking and 3) snowmaking. The system was built up piecemeal and the whole thing is a duct tape patchwork of ancient piping. It's woefully inadequate. To their credit they blow what they can, but the snowmaking needs a massive capital infusion. They don't have the money, and they don't have the credit. Hopefully this guy Hatheway is bringing in some partners who have some patient capital.
Great owner. I truly believe the group has the best interest for its mtn and users. This can be the biggest ski resort in the Souther VT. I will try to tele it this season. The owner had an interview with MRA and that itself is already great news.
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