MRVexpat

11 hours ago, powderfreak said:

There’s been some drama up in Randolph, NH on the Hill community.

Crescent Ridge backcountry zone has been closed to all users this winter.  A rapid-growth spot the past few years by touring skiers.

There are two kinds of opinions on it… that it is too busy with traffic, cars parking on the road, it’s a safety issue if first responders can’t get through?

Then another faction thinks it’s more of a NIMBY move. They moved to rural Randolph not to see cars go by all day.

 

Wtf Phin?!? Ruining it for everyone. 

Jk. I do know someone who lives very close to that trailhead and they have only on a few occasions all winter  seen cars parking in the road. Yes, the lot isn't huge but certainly enough space for first responders to get through even when full. I haven't skied there in a few years but last time was on a powder Saturday and it wasn't any different from what any other trailhead in New England would look like. My guess is NIMBYism but you never know the whole story. Shame. Fun skiing and a sweet little snow belt. Hopefully it opens again soon!

1 hour ago, weatherwiz said:

It’s chilly out. Was just outside with the dog checking for drones. Probably go out a few more times during the first and second intermissions…assuming I stay up that late 

Go Canucks Go!

1 hour ago, bwt3650 said:

Sugarbush has had a terrible start.  I can't see why Stratton to the south and Killington to the north are working on close to 50 trails this weekend and they are struggling to get open 10.  It's a great mountain, but it seems like they have been starting really slow the last couple years.  

Last few years have been mostly normal starts, but definitely slower out of the gates this year. Multiple factors at play. Part of this is simply down to luck/snowfall. Didn't cash in on either the synoptic or backside snowfalls this past storm like places further south (synoptic) or north (upslope). Kind of stuck in the middle. Otherwise it hasn't been a terrible natural snow start as several non-snowmaking trails are open, including hike-to on North Lynx. MRG right next door has been hosting powder mornings for over a week now, just not as prolific as nearby areas. I'm guessing the bigger issue is likely the Heavens Gate lift install taking mtn ops focus away from terrain expansion. There's a fairly limited window to get a huge capital project like that done, especially given the restrictive Bicknell thrush habitat regulations and that lift is typically one they like to get online early. Staffing also might be an issue? Hard to say. Having said that, word on the street is that Valley House is set to debut this weekend so trail count should grow quickly. 

2 hours ago, snowgeek said:

Even way down south at Stratton was awesome yesterday. This is Snowbowl lift line with natural snow bumps.



.

Are those Origins I spy? I have the 96s in my quiver. Such a fun and playful ski!

Happy opening day @powderfreak!!!

Killington just announced they've been given a go by the FIS for the World Cup. Never a doubt. 

12 hours ago, powderfreak said:

Not throwing shade at all, as I know how it goes sometimes… but I have been surprised that Sugarbush hasn’t updated any dialog about what’s going on there since mid-October.

They typically do this in their blog posts and then fire up the daily reports once the season starts. Looks like there have been several entries since the start of November. Not the easiest to find but the info is there. 

https://blog.sugarbush.com/

1 hour ago, tunafish said:

Even if they get two good weeks of snow making, and maybe some help from mother nature, is it feasible for them to pull it off at this point?

Yes. Their firepower is insane. The key is the timing of an appropriate cold window as a depth check needs to be performed ahead of time. 

7 hours ago, bwt3650 said:

Some flakes for the peaks, and overnight freezes in the forecast.  After the last two seasons, the bar isn't particularly high so let's hope for a great season.

Cheers to that! For this year, I wish for the upslope machine to return to above average levels of production. Seems like that's been somewhat absent in the central/northern greens the last few years. 

Just now, MRVexpat said:

 

Might as well be VT, lol. This isn't though...

10 hours ago, CT Rain said:

Yeah everything I've seen looks incredible. Excited to check it out.

Went in late January a few years ago. You'll have a great time. 

On 4/25/2024 at 12:36 PM, NW_of_GYX said:

Yes. Get there early 

Showed up at 730 and snagged a roadside spot right next to the Pinkham entrance. Was certainly busy but I've seen much larger crowds there in years past. Eastern snowfields skied great this year and Right gully was just OK. Can't beat the afternoon lap of Hillmans to avoid walking down from the bowl. Sherb is getting thin and only open about halfway down as of Saturday. 

On 4/23/2024 at 8:33 PM, NW_of_GYX said:

Tucks and Boot Spur gullies still loaded up as of today. Incredible weather today and no crowds. I’m sure this weekend will be the gong show Tucks is famous for.




.

I'll be up there Saturday! Certainly anticipating it being a crazy day. 

1 hour ago, mreaves said:

Random question for you ski people.  This is a State of Vermont Microsoft Teams background.  I can't figure out which ski area it is.  Sugarbush maybe? 

Smuggs!

....until an unplanned early morning Sherbie lap on Sunday proved to be the final hurrah. Somehow the warmth hadn't affected the upper 2/3 of the trail and managed to ski 2-3" of medium density snow atop packed powder. Hopefully the screamer later this week doesn't completely damage what is a pretty impressive snowpack this time of year, all things considered. 

Had to get my skis in on the last of the powder party this past weekend. While it was a weird/record warm year, I really appreciate these late season storms which we seem to be making a habit of the last few years. Bolton BC delivered once again first thing Friday AM. By the end of our last run the snow was already beginning to compact quite a bit and I was sure those would be my last powder turns of the year....

Not the least bit exciting in the Boston area. Hope those further north got the full experience. 

9 minutes ago, psuhoffman said:

Absolutely insulting decision by sugarbush to close half of Lincoln peak April 1st to install a new summit quad. Not announcing it until now and not keeping Ellen open as an alternative make this unforgivable.  Also the idiotic decision to prioritize opening on time v ending the season early when the better skiing is almost always Spring!  
 

I hate to say it but after 30 years enjoying sugarbush I think I’m done with them forever after this.  Unless they change their mind and fix this somehow I’ll probably never ski there again. 
 

If you agree please call and send them an email letting them know how horribly they’ve screwed up. 

The disappointment is for sure understandable and they could have handled the communication of it better, but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye here. First and foremost as it relates to permitting for this type of work and them being on state land. 

18 hours ago, Angus said:

Skied today at Cannon. It was a zoo getting into the parking lot. They announced they sold out. The line of cars at the exit to Loon was more than 1/2 mile down 93... Basically, Cannon was one big bump run at the end of day. Ton of fun but exhausting skiing like that on back-to-back days. They opened everything including DJs - which IMO is nuts. After two days of skiing this stuff, I'm whipped. 

Can confirm Cannon was amazing yesterday. Made the prudent decision to get there before 8 yesterday and snagged a spot in the front lot. Don't know the resort terrain all that well but managed to snag 3 great runs prior to going off to check out Tucker Brook and some other side country. Bummed to have missed the opportunity to ski the tramline, but it was hard to complain after what was the day of the year. 

HRRR looking at least slightly intriguing for a light refresh in the northern Greens tomorrow. Here's to hoping!

Ski areas rooting for GFS

10 minutes ago, AstronomyEnjoyer said:

Lake Sunapee in the foreground and Killington 44.3 miles distant. Was hoping for better clarity today although it wasn't bad by any means. Did notice clouds off to the north. I suspected you guys up there were busy getting fake snow again. I waltz in here and my suspicions are confirmed.

Sweet vantage. Is that bear peak and south ridge chair?

19 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

Just keeps fluffing out.

Absolutely love it for the resorts and local communities. Personally, I'll be sticking to the BC this weekend and next. Hopefully next Friday delivers. 

46 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

What a morning.  It’s still snowing nicely too.

Fuck ya. More fake snow plz. 

Seeing some flakes finally in Cambridgeport. At this point rooting for a coating that melts away ASAP.