Skivt2

We still have the pack. Everything is mostly covered on the hill but we need a storm or some upslope every day for a bit to fix this.  Skied some woods Thursday but a tad spongy.  Today the summit never softened with the wind blowing across the face.  The bottom stiffened right up this afternoon.  Still have full coverage but it’s going to be crunchy and loud unless we get something to create a cushion.  

3 hours ago, PhineasC said:

I can see the second half of March being active. I hope it delivers. Skiing is still wonderful so not ready to pack in winter just yet!

March and April are actually two of my favorite months to ski.  Often we are really just getting started with glory days. Generally we are looking at snow or sun and warmth.  The pack is deep.  Lots for groomers to work with so even the cold dry period are fun fast days with lots of terrain.  

Funny I did not think it was that cold today either.  But I skied 2-4. And I am at Pico.  Maybe just completely different here.  There is some nice snow in the low angle woods if you are careful of anything that looks crunchy.

5 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

Yeah my buddy’s parents live at 2,100ft at Pico and he says they seem to think it’s been one of the best snow years in a long time.  Every event has seemed to over-perform in that area.  I do think that plays a lot into the overall vibe of winter even regardless of totals.  If every event ends up snowier than expected (whether it’s a 6-12” forecast that ends up 24-30” in Dec or a 1-2” forecast that ends up 5”), it has to leave a better taste in the end.  

5 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

They must be my neighbors. Yesterday it rained from 2-2:30 pretty hard.  Then froze last night.  It’s really the first time things did not exactly go our way.  But then again I think we dodged a bullet because it looked like it was going to rain for longer when looking at it earlier in the day.

14 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

Yeah it would’ve been a top tier winter for CVT/SVT.  Killington has had a very solid snow season, I bet they are near tops relative to normal of NE ski resorts.  They were pacing with Jay for most of the winter.

Yes. It’s one of the deepest packs I’ve seen in my decades of hanging out here at Killington.  The woods are Very deep for here.  I actually started worrying about the lack of freeze thaw because I’ve seen spring bring spongy unskiable woods.  But it’s starting to solidify which should help with retention and spring conditions.  Although it would be great to avoid the eastern hardpack we have going on now, we could have the opportunity for keeping this pack, getting it to a slightly more solid long lasting condition, and then getting a big dump on top of that.  I think most folks here would be looking at a very highly ranked winter here with that scenario. 

1 hour ago, powderfreak said:

Nice, I measured 2.5" at 8:30pm.  Another snowy evening.  Nothing earth shattering but it really seems to snow often around here the past 4-6 weeks.

-SN at probably a couple mile visibility at this point.

It is not just snowing often in VT.  Occasionally it is not snowing but most of the time it is.  Once you have this much snow it’s nice to just have it constantly snowing. Lol

7 hours ago, radarman said:

I think he meant he only tunes his skis every 5 years because he only skis powder.  Not that there's a lack of powder days.

Ahhh. My apologies. Yes.  No need for a sharp ski right now.  lol 

On 2/3/2021 at 1:05 PM, Brewbeer said:

I only ski when it's powder, so about once every 5 years. 

I don’t know where you ski but there have been a lot of powder days this year.  We have had no freeze thaw cycle and the only place you will find any loud snow at all is the groomers with man made where the wind or skiers have blown or scraped the natural snow off.

3 hours ago, mreaves said:

Mud season everywhere away from the slopes. 

Yup. When you are skiing in a mesh bug proof jacket and head net and you need a nice sunscreen/bug dope combo to protect your skin you park a gallon of water at the bottom of the lift and make sure you have something salty in your pocket for a snack. It could be 80 and sunny or snowing and it could also thunder and pour rain at any minute.  I don’t miss a day once Killington goes to 3 days a week in May.  Nothing like carrying your skis on and off a moving lift and having to hike to get to the snow.  Protip.....the black flys are worst where the mud meets the snow and you have to stop hiking and put your skis on.  And those F’rs will bite through the vents in your helmet.  I know mud season skiing well.  I’m a slush specialist lol.

1 hour ago, mreaves said:

When I retire, if I leave VT, it will be from March 15 — May 15. Those 2 months suck. 

My favorite time in VT but I’m a bump skier.

53 minutes ago, powderfreak said:

Yeah 40" is the rule of thump for more confident tree skiing.  Obviously the type of snowpack does matter.  I remember in early December 2010 we got a 30" upslope event that was blower powder.  Folks were shattering their femurs despite a good snow depth number because they were skiing on essentially 10" of snow topped with fluff.  That was the storm with a high-profile leg break from the shark fin on Upper Liftline above the Haychute.  Dude screaming in absolute agony while folks were riding the Quad not 20 feet above him.  Leaves an impression on you.

I've always thought the real barometer is more "effective base depth".... what is the highest snow depth that your ski sinks into the snow on a turn?  Just 24" at the stake with a bulletproof crust followed by 6" of snow can be a very confident snowpack.  You know if you don't see something, you likely won't hit anything because the crust is so stout.  As a skier, the real question mark is when you don't know how far into the snowpack you'll sink, and when you can't see indications of submerged objects.

As PF says the type of snowpack really matters.  This past weekend was that magic combination of close to a foot of cement followed by close to a foot of nice eastern powder All on top of a maybe 4-6 inch weeks old base.  When that happens it’s magic. Lots of pillows in relatively safe woods runs made them even safer and forgave a lot of errors in judgement. Had to work today so did not get out but my legs needed a rest anyway after the 4 days.  Probably won’t get out again until Thursday but the mountain in my backyard is closed Tuesday/wednesday anyway so short of any skinners it’s all sitting waiting for me just like I left it last night. 
 

1 hour ago, Ginx snewx said:

They reported 21 yesterday.  Solid solid base builder. Hopefully they keep power on for you today. Enjoy the pow, upslope is cranking 

I live at the base of Pico, 100 feet from the lift. Should be fun. Yesterday was cement. I’m hearing 15” upslope last night.

Wow.  Looked out the window.  It looks like it snowed a lot at 2000K in Killington.  Everything is filled in and drifted in.  Can’t tell where the plow went yesterday.  It’s got to be another 6” but I’m guessing.  It would take at least that much or more to fill things in like that.  Could be more.

Cement snow today.  That ought to cover up a lot of debris in the woods etc.

Dumping at Pico base elevation.  

Oh and I should have mentioned that last nights 4+ inches at elevation was light soft fluffy powder that together with what fell a few days ago has opened the natural trails back up very nicely.

6 hours ago, powderfreak said:

Yeah so the old land frame snow guns (those jet engine sounding tripods) that used to get dragged around all over the place at ski areas and set-up to blast you at about head height can make snow at high temperatures pretty decently.  That equipment is very good at high temperatures and high moisture but it's largely not used anymore except by like Killington early season up high.

Really the sweet spot for snowmaking starts at a wet bulb of 25F and lower.  You usually fire up at like 26/27 degrees and falling to come into it... on the upside you usually start shutting down at those temps on the rise and aim for full shut down by 28F.  The production curve starts to bend sharply at that 26F type level on a lot of the energy efficient equipment.  Like you can make snow at 29F but it really is a waste of time per acre foot of production.  You are spending a lot of money to put down like an inch in 12 hours when say at 26F you can do that inch in an hour (not exactly but you get the idea of a sharp curve).

The actual prime snowmaking temperature is actually 14 degrees per HKD company's tests... they found production actually decreases due to evaporation and losing water to the air or the parcels aren't heavy enough to fall to the ground.  So like arctic air gives that large snowmaking clouds that float around in the air and it's just wasted water to be honest, ha.

Snowmaking is fascinating to me.  

The funny thing is that at Pico the old land frame guns are what is used almost all the time.  There are a few new tower guns on mid and lower Pike and on 49r but that’s it.  And really most years outpost, the little Pico triple and the Knomes knoll.triple do not see any snowmaking other than B slope which is essentially a private race hill for the Pico ski club.  Pico struggles with no natural snow as that is its main snow supply.  That said we were happy to see upper pike get some love today.  On the other hand Killington was phenomenal sunday.  They are absolutely hitting it out of the park.  We enjoyed skiiing Superstar under the guns and trust that the 30 feet it needs to stay open into May/June will still get blown.  Bump season should be excellent this year with no water injected World Cup ice underneath.  One factor I have not heard mentioned is the labor shortage at the ski areas.  There do not seem to be any college students on H1B’s from Peru or Brazil etc this year.  And while there is a travel exemption for ski resort employees I think there are a lot of folks who are part timers working for passes that opted out.  Meanwhile lessens are only private and the full time instructors are pulling parking lot reservation scanning duties and mask patrol duties at the lifts.  It’s a strange year but everyone is mostly doing their part to protect others and stay safe because we know our season is on the line otherwise. One thing that is super cool is that Vermont is vaccinating it’s ski patrollers as part of the 1a priority.  Glad to see them get remembered.

Snowing at 2000 feet in Killington on the west side of Serburne pass.

Had a surprise couple of inches at Pico today.  It looks like it might be starting to snow a little again. Definitely a huge moral booster.

6 hours ago, LaGrangewx said:

Haven’t posted in awhile but love reading this forum. I was wondering what the Vermont resorts are expecting in terms of crowds and business, considering only Vermont residents seem to be able to ski this year as of now. I would guess a vast majority of skiers for the southern Vermont resorts come from out of state. Are they expecting to take a massive hit this season? 

Well, pretty much anyone that can is moving to VT for the winter.

2 hours ago, powderfreak said:

Ended up with a couple inches of snow above mid-mountain this afternoon to give it a wintry vibe up there.  Lower mountain was spring like mashed potatoes and soft bumps.  2.5 ways down right now... 3 upper mountain that funnel to 2 routes lower half (plus a few beginner lifts and trails over at Spruce).  Full on bump runs this afternoon from the soft snow and traffic.

Not time to "Shut 'em Down" yet up here.  We'll see after a couple rainers, ha! 

Awesome soft slushy bumps this afternoon at the Big K.  Snowed big flakes off and on all afternoon above 2k feet.

1 minute ago, qg_omega said:

Any recommendations on a face mask with some protection?

Everyone is struggling with this right now.  If someone can come up with the perfect skiing COVID face mask quickly they could make some $ if they can get the word out fast.

20 hours ago, powderfreak said:

Today is pretty miserable in all aspects.  No visibility, low clouds even in the base area at times, sheet drizzle and mist... now is a more steady light rain at 1500ft and non-accumulating white rain or wet snow above 2500ft.  Moist and no visibility.

Yesterday was actually pretty nice.  No crowds.  Only mist so soaking through did not happen during the couple hours we skied.  Snow surface was hero snow.  All and all it was a pleasant relaxing and fun experience. We actually were out early.  But normally we do go out for the last few hours of the day.

13 hours ago, powderfreak said:

Ha several people at Stowe that also go to Okemo for regional work have been stopped there for barely going over 30mph.  There was even an email last year warning people traveling for business to Okemo on RT 100 that you will be stopped in Plymouth for next to nothing so be on your game.

They average almost 7 traffic tickets a day in a town with 600 people in it... it’s a pure bilking of ski resort visitors.

• Population: 619
• Tickets issued: 2,352+
• Total issued in traffic ticket fines: $415,620+

Ha. We go through there twice a weekend 8 months a year with out of state plates.  Have never gotten pulled over but we are super careful not to speed.  We do sort of have a little fun with it.  As we get to the spot we slow down.  A lot of times some asshat tourist with no idea why we are slowing down will get really irritated and tailgate. So we put the blinker on and pull to the side to let them pass.  Many times we have found then a few miles down the road introducing themselves to Plymouth’s finest.

10 hours ago, MarkO said:

Will VT allow folks from other states to even buy lift tickets? That's really the only way I could see them having any control of out of state skiers if they want to enforce it. I agree ski areas will be open, certainly in NH where I see no way a former ski resort owner is current governor. NH was also the last to shut down last winter. Live Free or Die, lol

 

 

I think it can get pretty blurry pretty fast who lives where.  A lot of people, myself included, have all the required documentation to prove VT residency to DMV.  This whole thing could become cat vs mouse pretty quickly.