East Coast (Vermont) Splitfest

yes- stowe is mansfield and the south facing slopes of what they call ‘spruce peak’. Smuggs, is sterling (‘spruce peak’ north side), madonna, and morse montains, all of the north facing slopes east of the notch.

the uphill policy at smuggs is the unfortunate result of one asshole in particular and will likely improve again with mutual respect and self-policing in the active backcounty community in the area… otherwise a very split-friendly area

Bolton accesses some awesome terrain!

Mostly true tours, tho- in that you end up somewhere other than where you started…

(Such as from bolton towards Trapp Family Lodge area or Bolton down to Waterbury Resevoir.)

Could be a plus or a minus, depending.

Smuggs a nice circuit to/ from one base, but the drawback is its all very accessible as side country so there’s more traffic.

While I agree with you about the heart, Ben- I think what’s needed is a little ‘Goals Articulation’ for the event.

If we’re looking to do demos and outreach to people who aren’t already splitting, then I would disagree. Plus, most people would also be coming with family members, etc. who may not necessarily be into meeting in the ‘middle of nowhere’, but having access to lodge, lifts, etc. makes this a family event.

If we just want to get the bros together- then – well that’s another story- but I can say for a fact our sponsors and demo reps are much less interested in that…

I agree, and I was serious that we really do some goals articulation.

That would’ve been my farm website that you got that off, btw :thumpsup: (Or maybe my buddies- having now seen what pops up w google)

To be clear- I don’t think anyone’s advocating for anything at this point.

An no one’s talking about splitting in bounds!

My vision for a splitfest is a round trip race, demos, sponsors, clinics for beginners…

And a good party :guinness: :doobie: :rock:

I also envision an extended event with the possibility of a rider-focused AAIRE, and perhaps a variety of tours for a range of abilities offered in a region, and other opportunities to share/ build skill (such as ropes or ice tools, shelter building, winter wild edibles, fuck- even a video editing workshop if someone wants to give one…)

The reason Smuggs came up is this:

Closed road for beginner lessons, demos, etc. some of the best terrain in the east, family friendly accessibility for wives, kids, etc. and they are willing to host, as they host the ice bash and other somewhat similar events in the notch proper…

Alex and I will be meeting soon, and if you’d like to help as an organizer it would be great to bring you to the table and hear your ideas/ proposals.

Nothing has been decided yet.

Like a snowboard contest- our sponsors, demos, etc. are definitely interested in exposure and would rather be somewhere where people who are not already in the splitboard fringe would see and be exposed to this sport…

I’m all about getting out into unexplored terrain, but (I hate to break it to you) this ain’t exactly BC. If the whole point of a ‘fest’ is to gather a crowd, we should be strategic about what venues are most conducive to that.

We all recognize the beauty of solitude and isolation inherent in this particular way of playing in the snow… But if that’s the only part we’re celebrating… why are we trying to get a bunch of people together to do it?

:twocents: