MRVexpat

5 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

Temp is finally dropping. Hasn't exactly been a barn buster here so far. Glad to see PF posting. The lack of updates from the typical NNE jackpot spots was not encouraging. I have about an inch down now. Temps super marginal all day. I guess I wasn't tracking that aspect.

Opening day at Stowe today. I'm sure the guy was busy haha. Reports I've heard from SB have been pasty snow, avg snow growth most of the day but getting better. 

Pounding on the Stratton cams. Tomorrow should be a hell of an opening day

32 minutes ago, Sugarloaf1989 said:

Rain flipped over to snow at the base of Bolton Valley,  Sugarbush,  MRG and Stratton.  According to the webcams on YouTube. Sugarbush and Stratton are opened today, but conditions don't look great. 

Stratton opens tomorrow. Will be there to report back on conditions. 

24 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

12z 3k looks really healthy for our weekend event.

lo-res NAM nasomuch. GFS coming back online as well

Bush open with downloading. Looks like they're working hard to get the Snowball to Spring Fling route laid down for the weekend for T2B runs. 

1 hour ago, snowgeek said:

I was wondering if ski areas ever use chair lifts for regular downloading?  Killington has the K1 Gondola which makes it easier, especially since it's designed to be ridden with skis off.  Picture people downloading on a chairlift while holding their skis.  I don't think they would do that.  Sound like a clusterfudge.

There were a few years (maybe 4-5 years ago?) where the snowmaking plan at SB included getting upper Jester, Downspout and Organgrinder open first, running Heavens Gate and downloading on Super Bravo. Didn't seem to get much guest push back but its more expensive to operate that way in the early season. Recent years have all started by running the Valley House quad and using the Snowball > Spring Fling route which is the more sensible option if temps allow. Not sure what the plan is for this year. 

3 hours ago, NECT said:

PF or anyone with experience in the ski world...

My 18 yo son has decided that after his first semester of college that it's not for him. He's dreaming of heading out west to find a job at a ski area. I'm not excited, but I get it. Is there a NNE resort that would be a good place for a young kid to try this?

Not PF but can chime in with some bits of advice and relatable piece of experience on that front:

I went out to the midwest for school and graduated with a regarded business degree from a Big Ten university. Moved to Chicago and realized that the corporate life and midwest (although the 13-14 winter was a snow and cold weenies dream) wasn't for me. Had a high school friend at the time who had graduated UVM and was working/living at Sugarbush with extra living space and decided to take the chance on an open internal audit position at the resort for one winter. Well, one turned into four and the seasonal auditing job became a software management position after a few months. That inevitably led to some invaluable experience (working with the Austrians at Axess on our RFID transition (the bane of many on here, apparently) was one of the coolest things ever). I've since moved on from the mountains on account of life etc. but wouldn't trade that experience for anything. 

At the risk of sounding too self indulgent, what I'm really trying to say here is if your son has a passion for snow sports and knows deeply that he has a future in the industry, there are certainly opportunities. I knew several guys at SB that started out as lifties but through inquisitiveness/hard work/trade school related knowledge, were able to eventually get positions in mountain ops management etc.

Working at a ski resort is most certainly a labor of love however, you can make a good living off of it with some savvy and passion for whichever place you land at. Obviously, in this day and age there are nuances what with corporate takeovers etc. What cant be beat though, is the quality of life and people you meet in a mountain town who are there for the same reasons you are. 

P.S. yes this is a plug for Sugarbush, the greatest and (nearly) snowiest place you can ski in New England 

19 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

Haha it’s a big perception issue.  Trying to explain why a trail is buried in snow but is just sitting there for a couple days.

Often the decision is made based on quality vs quickness of opening trade-off.  If it’s a main route that will spread skiers out, even if icy, just opening it up will lead to a better experience… those usually open fast and you hope to fix it with more grooming or natural snow in the coming days.  If it’s a secondary route, it’s definitely going to sit for a few days to drain.

Alternately, one could always go whale jibbing! I do wonder how that drain period is impacted by the temperature/web bulb at which the snow is blown. For example when its 10 degrees out and you're skiing under a bunch of guns that are immediately producing gun powder, that feels like a finished product.

25 minutes ago, radarman said:

I watched the TGR In Pursuit of Soul movie last night and I have to admit I was pretty disappointed by it.  They basically went all in on the anti-corporate messaging and the family business aspects and the interesting locals that inhabit these areas... which is fine, other than being more than a bit unfair to some of the bigger resorts, those stories deserved to be in there... But it was like watching the Olympics on NBC, all fluff pieces and tug at the heartstrings testimonials.  Where was the skiing??? Where were the people saying, "I ski here because it's sick!" ?  I was at Berkshire East the day TGR was filming and I can tell you it was one of the best day in years with some of the biggest features on the mountain in play.  Was so looking forward to seeing some of the pros killing it.   Between Magic and Saddleback and all the other places they could have made a real ski film that highlighted the bona fides and not just the nostalgia and the quirkiness.

Bummer, was looking forward to that one. Will still watch but like you said, was hoping for some skiing!!!

5 hours ago, PowderBeard said:

I think I will try Icelantics for my next pair of 110-115 waisted sticks. Any likes or dislikes? I usually prefer a super stiff ski with a little rocker.

I have only owned a vanguard 97 for touring duties. Minimal camber and plenty of rocker (like most of their models) made for a ski that liked to pivot and make quick turns in the woods. I have skied the Nomad 105 as well. Not the stiffest ski I've ever ridden but a progressive flex made for a poppy yet stable ride. I think they make a 115 as well. 

1 hour ago, powderfreak said:

I think he’s UVM… we did that back in college too.  Back when your body felt like it could take it better if things went south .  Also the risk reward balance seemed shifted.  I could deal with a broken leg better in college, just limp to classes on crutches… now it means missing work, money and a pain in the ass on multiple levels.

Good points, though even when I was more reckless about stuff like this I would want at least 5" over mowed MRG slopes before getting out there. Also icelantics have bulletproof bases so on that front he's probably incurring less risk as well, lol. 

17 hours ago, powderfreak said:

This kid had first turns of the season in VT (I believe) at Stowe this morning.  That’s dedication.

Hard pass. Good for him I guess?

14 hours ago, Sugarloaf1989 said:

I'm thinking about trying adaptive skiing this Winter.  Really miss being able to ski. My problem is getting off the chairlift. Suddenly I have no leg support and fall down.  Skiing the trail itself isn't a problem. 

Please check out Vermont Adaptive! They are doing great work and building a new facility at Sugarbush's Mt. Ellen. 

https://www.vermontadaptive.org/

8 hours ago, wxeyeNH said:

My peak is around October 18th.  Every year is so different.  I think the best peak was 2016.  Everything peaked at once and it was brilliant.  Here is a drone video around our property from that day.  As you can see it was very dry, does drought help?  I don't know.  A big factor is how much wind precedes peak.  If it is windy, day after day as individual trees reach peak the leaves are blown right off.

 

 

That's great. I've always enjoyed foliage most on overcast/grey days. To me, that helps it pop that much more. 

7 hours ago, PowderBeard said:

I feel like Line skis don't get enough love outside the park rat community. Light but stiff like a couple of 2x4s under your feet, perfect for everything from hard pack to fresh snow. That said, the two pairs I owned had a learning curve to them. You have to be way up and charge hard on them to have any control. No such thing as a "neutral" position.

Totally. When skied aggressively on hard pack they're like a pair of GS skis that are actually safe to take out in public, lol. 

On 8/30/2021 at 2:29 PM, Hitman said:

I have the rustler 11 and love them.  like the blue graphic.

Demo'd the 10s in big sky in a foot of fresh this past March. Super fun and poppy ski yet still damp enough for straight lining chopped pow  Hoping the 11s are similar, just fatter! My current quiver needs something to handle true pow as my Armada JJs were on their 5th mount and have now been retired . Running the following:

Fischer RC World Cup SL 68 under foot, 165 cm

Line Supernatural. 86 underfoot, 179 cm

Liberty Origin. 96 underfoot, 176 cm mounted w/marker dukes as touring setup

1 hour ago, DotRat_Wx said:

A fine day for golf 

Dennis Pines?

12 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said:

Has anyone skied this?

 

Too many times to count! This will hopefully help them make it to May 1st weekend. 

22 minutes ago, mreaves said:

I knew his dad through my job.  He had me as a guest at Burlington Country Club.  He saw me hitting shots on the practice range, beautiful soft draws with my 9 iron so he got us in a money match with our playing partners.  I choked so bad that he called the bet after 9 holes lol.  

Had no idea their family golfed lol. Denny built some of the bike trails in the valley too so definitely a pretty legendary guy locally. 

1 hour ago, HoarfrostHubb said:

Nice article in today's Glob about Brooks Curran, living the modern bum life in VT... pay site though... https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/04/metro/how-be-modern-ski-bum/

Rode bikes with Brooks on occasion in the MRV. Cool that they did a profile on him! Blowing up on instagram with his ski media. Kid is a real solid skier but an even better biker I think. 

2 minutes ago, mreaves said:

This story made me think of the stalled, if that is what it should be called, development at the Balsams in NH.  The ski expansion looks interesting.

https://thebalsamsresort.com/balsams-ski-area-expansion-fly-over/

Looks like Big Moose Mountain/Moosehead Lake Ski resort is what Big Squaw is currently known as. As far as the Balsams, is Les Otten still involved with that? Dude did so much to push big time East Coast ski resort development, but did so pretty unsustainably and he's a bit of a kook from what I gather haha. If you want to read more about him and resort development in general, Ski Inc. is a super interesting book. Written by the former GM of Steamboat and Killington before that who rose up through the ranks in the New England scene. 

1 minute ago, tamarack said:

Ever get up to Big Squaw when the lift was running its full length.  The view from there must be right up there with BW though of a very different character.  Instead of the MWN massif there's all of Moosehead, Kineo cliffs, the Spencers, forest, lakes and the great white tooth of Katahdin 50 miles to the NE.  Except for Greenville, there's little sign of civilization in view.

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/02/16/news/piscataquis/developer-will-seek-up-to-135m-to-finance-moosehead-lake-ski-resort/

Would be cool, just unsure of demand that far north. At this point just hoping that Saddleback can stick around beyond the next 5 years. 

4 hours ago, Ginx snewx said:

Totally understand what you mean. I would give anything to be able to be " bored" again. BW was always on the list of must visits during the year. Really is fun and the views, wow.

While we're doing the BW/Cannon/Wildcat comparisons, I'd actually posit that BW has the least inspiring views of the 3. Franconia Ridge from up close and the east side of Mt. Washington are more dramatic IMO. Never spent extensive time skiing any of the three though

S++ on the bush cams at the moment. Good to see!

33 minutes ago, J.Spin said:

And I know at times it feels like you’re not getting a lot of snow, or seems like the snow is infrequent, but you have to remember some of the sites that people are reporting from in this thread.  You’re literally getting reports from PF on the eastern flanks of Mansfield, and now bwt from Jay Peak, and various other sites throughout the Northern Greens from people that live here or are visiting the local resorts.  You’re taking some serious big league annual snow totals for sites at elevation in the Northern Greens.  These sites almost certainly have the highest annual snowfall in the U.S. east of the Rockies (with sites like Mt. Washington, or at least its eastern flanks, potentially in contention as well), and arguably in all of eastern North America.  These sites blow away annual snowfall at the low-tier snowfall resorts in the Rockies like Sun Valley or Lake Louse, and can go head-to-head with the typical well-known mid-tier snowfall resorts out there (Vail, Aspen, etc.)  Those sites have the advantage of much better snow preservation, but you’ll notice that the annual snowfall is not all that different.

 

Would love to get #s on the Chic Chocs. They're basically the same height as the Greens and rise up just to the east and south of the widest part of the St. Lawrence. Latitude helps too I bet. All of those ski edits can't be wrong!