I also made it up to Sugarbush for my first turns of the season, and I
won't repeat everything that David Sunshine said, but rather just add a
couple of notes of my own. I was told on the phone that no half day
tickets were available, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that they
were indeed offering them, for $25 as opposed to the full-day $40.
Considering the 20-minute lift lines, it still wasn't much of a bargain,
but the snow was so good we were happy to pay it.

Paradise was indeed in very nice shape, except for the bottom, which was a
little thin. The real treat of the day was Ripcord, however. The
snowmakers hadn't gotten to it yet, so it was soft and fluffy with no icy
manmade layer underneath. Usually that trail is so icy it's unskiable, but
today it was fantastic. Unfortunately, the bottom of Ripcord (as well as
lower Paradise) was closed, so everyone had to merge out onto Downspout,
where I witnessed at least 4 people either injured by teh side of the
trail or being transported down by the ski patrol. Can't wait for more
snow to open up a few more trails!

Benjie
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