Whats it like?

[crazykid38291]

hey guys,
I'm 14 years old and i can ski everytrail with ease at sugarloaf, ME. do you think i could do tuckermans, i have never seen it before and i would like to head over this season for a ski.
if you could answer a coupel of my questons that would be great
What is the snow surface(s) like at tuckermans?
Is it compareable to any trails at sugarloaf (the back side possibilly)?
thanks for your help,
-Joel

[skicdave]

Tucks isn't comparable to any 'trail' I've ever skied in the east. There are a ton of photos on the site which will give you a good idea what its like. Expect 45+ slopes typically once your half way up the bowl

Snow surface can best be described as any mix of the following features, depending on when you go, the weather and the time of day:
- icy, hard as cement, skiing golf balls, hardpacked, powder, total slush, ruts, sluffs, avalanches, crevases, slushy corn, mean and nasty rocks, moguls, icefalls, undermined snow.

Generally though from here on in (ie end of April plus), it will normally be heavy, slushy corn snow in the afternoon. Unless it snows or gets real cold... then see above.

Since its your first time and your 14, I'd HIGHLY recommend you go with someone experience etc, and of course bring a helmet!

General Rule: climb as high up the bowl as you are comfortable with, then ski down.

[Skilasnow]

Agree with Dave.

Please go with someone that has been there before, and DON'T climb higher than you are SURE you can handle.

Hope for sunny weather, be prepared for a subzero blizzard and have a blast skiing at the best Ravine in the world, (or at least the best ravine in the White Mountains :D )

[RR]

Tuck's is steep, and woking hard to climb up unsettles many a TUX newbie. Others revel in the experience right off.

Either way...look down as you climb, do it fairly often.

Be smart and have fun...how often can a person do that!

[TheOctopus]

I agree with the good advices of those who have already responded -- follow their wisdom, and you should be fine.

As to comparison with the terrain at the 'Loaf, the pitches on all the "runs" in Tucks are consistently steeper, and are much longer, than anything on the Sugarloaf summit cone. Some of that stuff -- White Nitro, I think -- approaches 45 degrees. The only stuff in Tucks that'd be more mellow is the Bowl below the bottom of the Chute hourglass, or perhaps the center/right headwall (after the ice finishes coming down; until then, stay clear of there).

That said, if you can handle all the on-piste stuff at Sugarloaf with confidence, then you'll be far from the least competent skier in Tucks. Just bring some extra common sense and judgment (you are in the backcountry), and don't poop yourself out on the hike.

Have fun. Ski hard.

-The Octopus

[<enzo>]

Picture Widowmaker (or maybe Star at Stowe), twice as steep, and half the width.

THAT approaches some of the terrain up there!

Once you are below the rock outcroppings, the Bowl is actually not all that tough, just so damned steep that I've seen some people freeze with fright once they finally looked down after the climb!

Don't try and be a hero your first time up there. Best thing to do for you first run is to just climb up part way, strap 'em on, and see what it feel like. Believe me, compared to anything else you've ever tried, even the lower part of the Bowl will get your rocks off!