MRVexpat

Up in the NEK. Skinned up Burke yesterday and things looked and skied decently well! Natural trails looked like they could even be carefully navigated up high. First time making turns on this hill and shocked at the minimal crowds this time of year. 

Otherwise it's definitely a wintry look around here. 6-8" pack when we got here a few days ago has condensed a little bit. 

20 minutes ago, LaGrangewx said:

Was snooping around some cat skiing operations in BC after seeing a bunch of Instagram videos recently and found some cool data. Mustang Powder in the Monashee mountains near Revelstoke has kept records at their lodge at 5700’. They claim to average 380” just December thru March which blew my mind. Nearby Mount Copeland had a station at 6000’ for a few years in the early 1970s and averaged like 750” during the 5 or so years and had one year with almost 1000” snow.

Another station nearby in the Selkirks with longer term data Mount Fidelity at 6150’ averages ~550 inches and around 350” December to March. Rogers pass below at 4300’ averages around 350” for the entire season. So the Mustang powder lodge probably averages somewhere around 550-600” during a full winter. Mountains in this region get up over 9000’ so the claims of 800-1000” average snowfall in the higher alpine are probably not far fetched at all. 

The Columbia Mountain region fascinates me and is tops on my bucket list of destinations. I have read people claim this region averages the most “dry powder” in the world and they always seem to be consistent, it’s not usually feast or famine like the Sierra can be. The amount of quality powder snowfall in this region blows my mind and truly has to be one of the best regions in the world for snowfall and skiing. Hopefully I’ll experience it firsthand one day!

Had a chance to tour in Rogers Pass right before the world went into lockdown. Got up into the 6,000 elevation on Mount Tupper. Could definitely see 500" at that elevation. Pack was deep!

3 hours ago, LongBeachSurfFreak said:

Absolutely no shot K has 61 and Okemo 21 when they are only about 30 miles apart and in a very similar geographical area with similar weather. The reality is probably something like 40 and 30. I’ve noticed at Stratton the last 2 winters snow measuring has been conservative to almost under measuring. 

Yeah, I feel like this gets discussed at the start of every season. Chalk it up to a marketing ploy with the goal of capitalizing on that early season demand? 

I know we've also debated their seasonal snowfall #s as not lining up with others in the area. 

1 hour ago, snowgeek said:

I was going to go to Stratton on Saturday, but now I'm thinking Sunday might be better as a decent amount of the snow looks to arrive after lifts close on Sat.  Thoughts?

Definitely looks like Sunday will be the day. Especially if this prompts any additional trail openings. 

4 hours ago, bwt3650 said:

Obviously, I have a biased toward jay, but gotta respect how up front they are about the weekend.  Winds should be kickin up there Saturday.

Looks like they're progged to not be too bad until the overnight hours Saturday and into Sunday AM? Have a free place to stay at Killington so am debating the drive up. Saturday should at least be soft...

EDIT: sorry, I realize this probably belongs in the ski thread. also I was looking at the wrong graphic...definitely seems windy. 

4 hours ago, powderfreak said:

That's not that short on vertical, ha.  The funny thing about the vertical discussion, is how the East actually has some better vertical per lift ride than many of the major ski areas out west.  Of course there are the Jackson Holes, Big Sky, Steamboat, Telluride, etc but many lifts out west are largely in the 800-1,500 vertical foot length.  Even the big vertical mountains, it takes multiple lift rides to get that vertical.

It's one of those things where you go out west and it is hard to find single lifts that do 2,000+ verts in one shot.  Of course there's like Snowbird and Jackson Hole trams but it's surprising how the east coast verts compare to out west.  There's a lot of yo-yo type setups of 1,000 verts per pod in like Utah and Tahoe.

There's also the effect of spreading out skiers by ability a little bit. Expert skiers can stay on the upper mountain lifts and not ski the often flatter run outs, thus yielding more quality vert per time on chair. Beginners can have their own trail pod. Works out well. 

19 minutes ago, Ginx snewx said:

Nah you can rip thru Kansas on Jordan and high speed it all the way to little White cap lift. Done it a hundred times literally, 2 plus miles. North Peak 1500 feet high speed is my jam for short vert and having a ball

Yeah I've literally only done it once, on a spring day with inadequately waxed skis and plenty of crowds at the Barker base, hence the need for skate skiing on my part. What you're saying makes complete sense tho, just not the same 2300ish fall line vert at places like Stowe, SB the Loaf etc. 

13 minutes ago, tamarack said:

Looks right for SR but one needs 2-3 lifts to get there.  Top single lift gain looks ~1500' on Google Earth'.

Technically it can be linked by taking a green from OZ to the base of White Cap but there's some skate skiing involved and so definitely not 2300' of fall line vert lol. Having said that, if you can't have fun with an old slow double and 1000', you're doing it wrong. Outpost double at Pico is a prime example (may be closer to 500' than 1000' tho)

4 minutes ago, PowderBeard said:

WOW, that is rough. Basically the same vert as skiing Sunday River. 

Just noticed Sugarbush got Ripcord and Spillsville open. I'm feeling a quick trip up.  

Per reports it is fun but damn thin. No surprise given the liberal trail opening policy there. 

1 minute ago, GCWarrior said:

Just leaving Stratton.  Whatever they got blew around everywhere.  I’m sure killington is the same way. 

It's pretty good for opening day, but the snow surfaces are definitely inconsistent. Still fun to get the legs back. 

1 hour ago, Sugarloaf1989 said:

Killington reporting 19" of snow in the last 24 hours.  That's the most I've seen. 

Always take with grain of salt

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.