Magic Mountain, VT!!

Hello all, I'm kind of new here but would like to simply give an open offer to anybody heading to Magic for an introduction to the place.  I know a few NYSB'ers and they are all awesome people, and we love seeing new faces out this way!  I don't actually work for the mountain but I do volunteer a lot of time for the place and so I spend a lot of time there year round and can usually help answer questions people might have about it.  I help organize the Machete Militia volunteers and coordinate with management to figure out which tree areas need cleaning and which areas we will develop next, etc. as well as do a lot of welding for the place and there's never a shortage of need for either.  

The terrain has been spoken of many times, and it never fails to impress.  If you're looking to have some fun and challenge yourself with some rowdy skiing, save some cash or just get away from the crowds and soak up some Official Vermont Silence (tm) there's not really anyplace else you're going to find comparable turns (or hucks) nearby.  There is a massive contingent of amazing people at Magic though, and that really helps set it apart.  The mountain itself is incredibly impressive to me, but it has not earned the moniker "Cheers on skis" for nothing.  No matter where your skill set is, it seems as though there is a whole gang of people in that realm that want to ski and laugh and have fun and as I said before, there is always room in the circle for more.  

Lots of changes happened this year as well, so I'm sure there's some confusion- but honestly the important thing is that Magic opening weekend had a massive trail count, killer conditions and about a billion high fives.  There were only two ropes on the whole  mountain- Upper Magician and Whiteout.  Redline, Blackline, Witch, Sorcerer, Talisman, Goniff and T-Zone...  All wide open.  Couldn't believe it!  No rocks showing on Red at the end of the day either.  Hands down the best opening weekend I've ever seen!    

So yeah, consider this an open invite, a dare, a callout or a summoning yodel- whichever fits you best.  Whatever your choice though, choose to come to Magic!  (This means you too Harv!!!)  

I plan on making it up to Magic to try it out this year for sure!

I'm coming this season DW, can't wait. I'm sure Magic is my kind of place. And mucho thanks for the hospitality shown to our guy this past weekend.*

*(Umm he's on my $hit list... where IS that TR!)

Hey it was our pleasure!  I'm glad he enjoyed himself so much, he seemed pretty jazzed when he was leaving.  He is gonna fit right in!

Magic is a fun, fun mountain when the weather is right.

Magic Rules!  Grew up skiing there back in the day.  Awesome mountain, terrain and vibe.  I support it every chance I get....I'm on the board:

DoWork
i wish you guys would mark some of the glades. it should not be so difficult find them. you have to listen for the yells and screams of people having a good time in there to find them. your trails and grooming policy are awesome
thanks

Marcski thank you for your continued support!!  


Sig, I am with you but it has to be done very carefully.  We can only add one or two trails every couple years, as it has to be scaleable for patrol.  As it stands now, The Wardrobe and Disappearing Act were both added to the map in the past two years- and more are on the way but we'd like to use up all these trail maps first.


The general progression of things goes thusly:  We work on a new trail for a few years or until it's fully cleaned out and good to go.  Once it's finished, we try to ski it for a year or so to really get a feel for how it does in different snow levels, how much it gets skied, how well can Patrol get in there, etc.  Once it's sort of been in the local rotation for at least a season to test out, it can usually go on the map if there have been no big problems.  


I'll just say right now though, the next iteration of the Magic map will have some mind blowers added.  One in particular I'd be surprised if it wasn't a triple diamond, as well as at least one more intermediate glade, if not a few more as well.  IMO Magic has a lot of muscles it isn't flexing right now- or at least that's apparent to the general public and there's more than enough to go around nowadays.  


There will always be hidden treats and secluded gems though.  Its the Magic way!   

Magic rules, the on and off the map stuff, the people, and the overall vibe!!  Keep up the good work and I will keep going back for a few days a year.  

i could get my ass up there and help clear the trees.. that is one way to find them.  thanks for the info. i do really enjoy the mnt. had a great burger in the black line last year.

My formative ski years were centered in Manchester, VT.  Fond memories of many a drive up Rt. 22 in NY, then through Bennington, up 7 to Manchester.  First sidesteps and turns at Bromley, with many a day spent at Stratton long before there was a Tyrolean Village at the base.  Of all the fond memories, some of the best are of Magic back in the mid-80s.  Ah, the t-bar.  It might be time for an old home week, to hit up VT with the kids and show them the places I grew up skiing!

Who remembers little Snow Valley off 30 on the way to Stratton?  That was another fun throwback stop back in the day!

I will be in Warrensburg area the week between Christmas and New Years. Magic is on my list and since Hickory will probulary not be open I thinking I'll take ride over to Magic. Will it be open during the week? Or is that a dumb question.

What's going on with Magic today? Looks as though ownership is transferring from one company based entirely on owning Magic Mountain to another company based entirely on owning Magic Mountain?

Would be nice if a legitimate company would step in and buy it, then sink a couple million into improvements. That'd be a nice thing for Big Tupper, too.

mattchuck2 wrote

What's going on with Magic today? Looks as though ownership is transferring from one company based entirely on owning Magic Mountain to another company based entirely on owning Magic Mountain?

Would be nice if a legitimate company would step in and buy it, then sink a couple million into improvements. That'd be a nice thing for Big Tupper, too.

I think its a bit different. In recent years ownership was with one group and management rested elsewhere.  Now, it appears as though ownership and management are all within the new entity, Ski Magic, LLC.  

From the news release:  (http://magicmtn.com/alpineupdates.php), they seem have a good grasp of what it will take:

"SKI MAGIC is a Vermont-based LLC with a group of investors committed to realizing the full potential of a legendary, independent ski area. SKI MAGIC will stay true to what has made Magic Mountain special: its unmatched ski terrain in southern Vermont; a “throwback” experience without the soul-crushing crowds found at mega resorts; and a laid-back, welcoming ski community culture. New capital will be targeted to fix what has held it back: more snow making coverage and more accessible, reliable lifts for all skier types, including learn-to-ski. SKI MAGIC has a 5-year plan to bring Magic to ongoing operating profitability which will help employees, local home owners, local businesses, and most importantly, its growing family of skiers and riders who want Magic to succeed and be their mountain adventure for generations to come."

I've repeatedly said that they really should look to Plattekill on how to run, manage, maintain and grow an old school ski area in the shadows of bigger, more "upscale" local competition. After skiing both extensively over the years, I see lots of parallels between the two hills. Just my 2 cents.





 

seem silly to focus on beginner terrain.  there are so many other resorts that they cant hope to compete with nearby that are going to be so much better than them at that.

My suggestion from what I understand of the place is to focus on an advance to expert market that wants a less commercial experience and hard core skiing.  That also seems like its Platty's MO so I agree with Marc.  Maybe Lax should buy Magic and branch out.

I think it would be a neat dea to market the skinning crowd. Lift them up and let them skin around to wherever they want.  
I'm pretty sure laz is going broke enough with one mountain why would he want another.

Coach Z wrote

seem silly to focus on beginner terrain.  there are so many other resorts that they cant hope to compete with nearby that are going to be so much better than them at that.

My suggestion from what I understand of the place is to focus on an advance to expert market that wants a less commercial experience and hard core skiing.  That also seems like its Platty's MO so I agree with Marc.  Maybe Lax should buy Magic and branch out.

I think they do need need to get that beginner friendly lift running. Don't just look at Platty's MO but also MRG. The reason MRG is sustainable and viable isn't its expert terrain. MRG thrives because it is a community and family oriented mountain. The family and learning programs and the families that make MRG home are the lifeblood of that mountain. Making the mountain a bit more family friendly might get more people on board with making it a season pass mountain for the family. Though reliably being open Dec-Apr with more than just one trail when the weather is at its worst is vastly more important. But don't underestimate the value of hardcore expert mountain catering to the family. It isn't the dirt bag thrifters that support mountain revenues... it is the families buying season passes, lessons all season, eating at the mountain, buying gear in the shop, etc. I think Magic needs more than just being an expert paradise that people only ski on powder days to be viable. It starts with getting those expert skiers to bring their families on non-powder days.

I agree with rivercoil's analysis of both Mad River and Plattekill. I think Laz agrees as well since his recent big additions were a tubing hill and a magic carpet.

Yup. It's important for a community area to have that well rounded full package for families. Moms and Dads like glades and bumps but their kids need to learn and be entertained at the same time.

Since I started teaching my daughter my ideas on what's important for ski areas to include has changed so much. I used to think the new trails the area here just cut a few years back that are now served by the new quad chair were a bad idea but over the last few years I was so happy to have some nice low angle groomed runs to ski with her on. In the end, it's all about the community!

Magic definitely needs beginner and family friendly terrain. This is one thing that Laz strongly believes in from my conversations with him and what he has done with Plattekill over the years.