You can do Lincoln peak on a powde r day but you really have to know how to play it. I start off the on the super bravo, then head over to heavens gate starting on the trails and then into paradise woods. Do laps there for a couple hours, then head over to north lynx via the gate house. Then go through the woods to castlerock where the lift line is generally manageable by that time. If it’s not, head back up north lynx to slidebrook and take the bus on German flats either back to Lincoln peak or over to mt Ellen.
i think the issues with the northridge quad were resolved a few seasons ago after a particularly bad winter when they replaced the electronics on the lift. Also, Vermont adaptive is planning a big addition to the base lodge at mount Ellen which will result in a significant expansion of the public areas too. Not sure when that is due to happen.