I think Sugarloaf is too far to get daytrip business from the Northeast metro areas. Sort of like the well-known phenomenon that Vail is the max that Denver daytrippers will drive; thus crowd issues everywhere farther west in Colorado are minimal.
And I remember the extended discussion on the "where to live" thread. L.A. to Big Bear is like Denver to Vail: 2 hours one way. Is that the limit for Boston/Connecticut/NY skiers? If so Cannon looks like the only area that gets a lot of comment here that is close enough, maybe Stratton and Mt. Snow.
Wildcat and Killington are within 3 hours. Is that good enough?
And therefore are Sugarbush, MRG, Stowe unacceptably far?
Jay is certainly close enough to Montreal. Shouldn't it (or someone in the Townships) open?