Conference bgsdev::skiing

    
    Ascutney was good on Sunday, 2/2/97.
    
    A little scratchy on the no-snowmaking trails...brought out
    the rock skis and had a wonderful time.
    
    100% of the mountain was open.

      Did quite a bit of skiing last week. Cannon, Wildcat, Bretton Woods
    and Attitash. Started on Tuesday and skied through Saturday. I may
    have been the guy to team up with the earlier reply on a ticket at
    Cannon the timing was right. But anyway, the conditions are as good as 
    they can be. The forecast I have heard for the next few days is snow in 
    the mountains maybe something else down south. So get out and do your
    favorite area.
    For those interested 2/7 is a $9 ski day at Wildcat.
    
    Paul

    
    MRG was delightful on Sunday 2/9/97.
    
    My first time there and I was more then impressed.  Had the pleasure
    of skiing Paradise and it lived up to it's name...jumped off the
    waterfall and did the whole bit. 
    
    Bumps EVERYWHERE.  MRG is truely a double diamond delight.  Some of the
    higher traffic trails were a bit scratchy but the woods were absolutely
    INCREDIBLE.  
    
    One thing about MRG, their off piste goes way beyond any off piste I've
    experienced in New England (yes, even more difficult than Tuckermans
    headwall). 
    
    Extra caution should be used when venturing into the woods...there are
    many cliffs with waterfalls and there is are choices but to ski off
    them.  They are not kidding when they warn you about the dangers of
    skiing the woods at MRG.
    

    
    By the way, 
    
    Many thank you's to fellow skiing noter "MDL" for being a
    fantastic MRG guide and hooking me up with a place to stay.  

        You're welcome - It's always a pleasure to ski with you guys.
    
    MDL

Yup, definitely a good trip to MRG! i must have skied it once or twice before
in the late 70s very early 80s.  now that i have advanced my skiing, i can
enjoy everythign on that mountain!!!  

now, to hit it on a powder day !!!
MDL-- say the word, and work shall be blown off!
:-)

jc

    The north country got 12-18 inches of snow yesterday.  The skiing
    should be excellent.  Forget that summer activity announced by the DEC
    Ski Club for this Sunday and go skiing instead!  (A walk at Marblehead???
    Do I have the right conference!!!)
    
    
    Sugarloaf	20-24 new	Powder		86" base
    Sunday River  20  new	Packed Powder	86" base
    Attitash	12-15 new	Packed Powder	62" base
    Haystack	10-12 new	Powder		58" base
    Killington	12-18 new	Powder		100" base(yeah right!)
    Mt Snow	10-12 new	Powder		58" base
    Pico	8-12  new	Powder		55" base
    Sugarbush	12-24 new	Powder		64" base
    Waterville	15    new	Powder		58" base
    Wildcat	6     new	Powder		70" base
    Ragged	6     new	Wet		48" base
    Loon	8     new	Powder		80" base
    
    

So, i'm wondering if the snow up north was heavy or light.
anyone know for sure? (ie: skied it).

    re: .26
    
    The snow that fell Wednesday nite through Friday morning came down
    quite light - at least in the line running from Cannon to Sunday River.
    
    The 60 mph wind, however, tended to heap the snow, so the density of
    the snowpack was considerably higher than expected. So instead of
    wiggling down the fall line in 18" of Champagne, there was a lot of
    serious off-weighting required (can you say "totally toasted quads"? ;^)
    to initiate a turn.
    
    That was Friday. I'm sure the mountain operators have packed that stuff
    down to fatten their bases by now. It might not be as awesome as Friday
    was, but it'll sure be easier on the legs!
    
    /dave

    I and my family spent four days at the Balsams/Wilderness.  The snow
    started Wed night, 5-Mar and basically didn't quit until Fri night,
    7-Mar.  About 2' of powder.  Then more snow on Sat 8-Mar, occasional
    white-out conditions--couldn't see the lift from the lodge on a couple
    occasions!  I didn't hear an official measure, but a LOT of snow fell.
    
    I have NEVER skied in more powder in 12 years of New England skiing! 
    There have been years with more base depth, but this was the most
    actual skiing snow I've ever been in.
    
    And Sun 9-Mar was simply magnificent--clear blue sky, bright sun and
    temps in low-to-mid 20's!  New England skiing just doesn't get better
    than what I experienced from last Thursday through Sunday! :-) :-) :-)
    
    I and my family departed Massachusetts just after rain and 50deg temps.
    Our expectations were low.  Needless to say, our expectations were
    GREATLY exceeded, and we enjoyed one of our best ski vacations EVER.
    
    You had to have been there!
    
    /Wayne

    The snow on the slopes 3/7 at Wildcat was dry powder. There was not much
    loose, most trails had been groomed. 
    This was there $9 ski day. Skiing was excellent and there were no 
    lines, except for the egg shell.
    
    Paul

                               Killington

There were no words for this weekend. It snow and snow and snow on Saturday and
Sunday was just beautiful. Moguls were soft on both days. My legs and back are
paying for it now. 

Just Awesome!
    
Dave

Gotta agree w/Dave -- Killington was awesome Saturday and
Sunday. Snowed all day Sat and beautiful clear skies Sunday. 
And, it wasn't even that crowded, especially on Sunday....

Attitash/Bear Peak was 100% sunny and blue skies on Sunday. No wind and about
the right temps (20s-30s). They probably got a foot or two the previous week and
got some during the day on Saturday. It was mostly packed powder, crowds not
bad. Sepnt most of the day doing the high-speed quad runs on Bear Peak. The
skiing was very good.

Waterville Valley got 6-10" of fairly light powder overnight. The temps were
arund 30, with mostly clouds, but some breaks of sun. The crowds were small.
Most trails were not groomed and we were able to find powder up until 4PM, when
they almost had to forcably remove us from the slopes. The top part of the
mountain was incredible, almost like skiing above treeline out west. The problem
was that the antiquated double-chair cut down on the runs per hour. We did two
runs there and then went back to the high-speed detachable quad. The skiing was
incredible!

I've heard snow from some and rain from others is on tap for the weekend.
I'm hoping for snow and no rain!

-Jeff

    Skied Sunday River 3/13-3/16.  Thursday was very cold and very windy
    which kept many of the chairs closed.  Jordan was closed but Oz was
    open.  Aurora and White Cap were both closed as well.  The snow was
    pretty firm everywhere but only windblown.  The winds were howling all
    day as well.  
    
    Friday was a little warmer and the winds were down.  We headed over to
    Whitecap which was in pretty good shape Shock Wave was in great shape
    as was White Heat.  Obsession was a little firm here and there but not
    too bad.  We never really made it back over to Oz or Jordan Bowl.  It
    started snowing around 1:00 and continued until about 10:00 or so with
    a little sleet mixed in.  They claimed 12" fresh and Saturday was
    outstanding.  It cleared off nicely with a good amount of sunshine but
    it was still quite windy.  Everything was open though.  The trees were
    pretty nice in Blind Ambition as were the cruisers over there.  White
    Cap was exceptional where we made several runs on each trail there.  Oz
    was incredible.  The wind had blown a lot of snow off to the left on
    Eureka and it was like finding a personal stash.  Nobody was over there
    an those that were were skiing the middle.  
    
    Yesterday cleared off nicely but it never really warmed up.  High winds
    againbut fortunately no chairs were closed that we saw.  Never made it
    back to WHite Cap.  We stuck to Jordan and Oz for the most part all
    day.  The snow was incredible.  It was the only real time spent up
    north this year and I think I hit it right! 

Sunday River had great spring ski conditions this past weekend 
(3/28,3/29).  Everything was open and it was warm.  There was some 
rain Saturday night but Sunday was a beautiful day.  Some bare spots, 
like the top of black hole, and some soft spots showed as Sunday 
progressed.  The snow was soft.  We had people in our group that 
normally only ski blue trails going down White Heat and other blacks 
as the conditions were so favorable.  The spaces betwen the bumps on 
White Heat were too deep and narrow for me but the bumps on Vortex 
were so nice that I went back and did it again!

It was not crowded at all.  The only large group I saw was watching 
the pond skimming contest.  With over a foot of new snow predicted 
and temps cold enough to make snow for the next three days, next 
weekend should be as good or even better than last.

		Roger

    
    Had a spectacular day at Cannon on Saturday.
    
    The temps were warm, the snow was mushy and the general mood on the
    slopes was extremely positive as a result of the fine weather.  Best 
    skiing was on the upper mountain.  There were some nice bumps,
    however, on the lower trails.  Bare spots here and there.
    
    At one point my friend and I were standing on the edge of a closed 
    trail (Hardscrabble) waiting for a clear moment to duck the rope.  A
    ski patroller and a young woman showed up.  The patroller came right
    out and said "you guys want to ski that, don't you?".  He then asked us 
    if we were good skiers to which we both replied "hell yes"!, so next 
    thing we know we all duck under the rope and enjoyed an excellent,
    private and legal run down Hardscrabble.
    
    Down at the base the annual pond skimming activities were underway and
    the beer flowed and big smiles were visible all around.  If only people 
    could maintain this attitude throughout the work week.
    
    A fine day at Cannon.  It's possible they will be open next weekend as
    well.

    RE:-.1

    Dido for Killington on Saturday. Got some serious coon eyes from the sun.

    Just can't get any better then this. Next weekend is the Mogul Challenge 
    at Bear Mt. The burgers and dogs will be going.
   
    Dave

    

RE:-.2

hi Deane!
I went to Sunapee on Saturday.  Beautiful, warm sunny day there.  Yesterday
was their last day of the season though. 
Bare spots coming out on some parts of the very uppermost slopes, but otherwise
excellent cover.  Incredibly slushy snow!  Very tiring for me to tele in
it, even though I'd waxed my skis with the warm wax it was very grabby!

Going to Pinkham Notch this weekend, then I'll have to go to Loon the weekend
after that, since I think this weekend is Waterville's last?  Anyone know?

 - Josh

       As previously noted Cannon was spectacular on Sat. My son who has
     not skiied much this year was having difficulty staying over his
     skis and his legs were noodled out by three. 
     Cannon plans on operating through 4/13 with three lifts. The tram, the
     triple and the quad. The Peabody area is closed.
    
     Wildcat was in excellent shape for there $9 Fri. I thought the crowd
     was very light. They may operate til 4/20 with a stretch to 4/27.
    
    Paul

       ...same at Sugarbush - very good cover, and it was pond skimming/Reggae
    fest...  Big crowd...
    
    MDL

    Dittos for Wildcat on Saturday 4/5 and then some.  Absolutely
    incredible skiing; best spring skiing in New England I've experienced
    in many years.  No lift lines, 60 degrees, no wind anywhere, open views
    in all directions, no clouds looking across to the summit of Mt.
    Washington, sun, sun, SUN, and everybody was upbeat and pleasant!  Even
    that ugly, crampled, dilapidated gondola seemed friendly and inviting
    (we kept our heads out the window going up like panting dogs...). 
    Bumps were so soft, even I had fun skiing them like I haven't in years
    (due to two knee operations...).  
    
    Been three days now, and my attitude is still markedly more positive
    than normal!  Best $39 spent in some time.  Gotta do this again!
    
    Thank God for spring skiing!
    
    Later...
    
    				Jack C.

    
    General word from up north is they picked up a little snow over the
    past couple days...but the skiing stinks.  
    
    "dust on crust"
    
    We need either a big dump, or the warm weather back.
    

        ...Mad River Glen picked up six inches, which is a little more than
    "dust"...  I think most of Northern VT got similar amounts.
    
    MDL

    
    The Loaf was 5 degrees, windy, and solid on Wednesday.  thursday it was
    24 degrees and dust on crust.  any grooming that was performed was
    pushed into the woods by the wind.
    
    bring back the warm air?
    

       Wildcat was outgageous on Sunday. They said it was even better on 
     Saturday. They reported 12-20 inches of snow. Close to 12 in. at
     the base and the upper mt. closer to 20 in.
     No snow seems to have fallen anywhere else. The elevation really paid
     off.
     They plan on operating through 4/27.
    
    Paul

Same thing happened last year. Even as far north as North Conway/Jackson, there
was no snow, but Wildcat got dumped on in April (2+ feet in a week).

I was considering going on Sunday, but with all the rain in the flatlands, I
thought it would not be that great. Major "Ooops!".

How is Tuck's doing?
You can see it from the top of Wildcat.

Also, the tix are $10 thru the end of the season, correct?

-Jeff

I was at Attatash on Sunday 4/20, try out my new T3 boots / Tua Montets skis.
They didn't get any snow, but did have very nice spring corn.  Not too many 
bare spots at all.  Nice and warm and sunny that day, too, and only $19
(but I got $10 off with my K-mart ticket, so it was $9 for me :).

I was at Killington on Saturday, and they did get dumped on - claimed 20".
Didn't ski much there, the Rossi Black Widow's I'd gotten the week before at
I.M.E. proved to be way too long and way too stiff for me.  (which is why I 
had to go back to N. Conway on Sunday, to return them.)

Going to try Loon or maybe Wildcat this weekend!

 Josh

	I heard that Sunday was one of Wild Cat's better Sunday's, as far 
	as crowd's/conditions/wheather.  I wish'd I'd done that also.

	Monday Tuck's was Great.  Even with the overcast.  Nice spring 
	conditions and limited crowds.  Trail up was well packed and
	covered the whole way up.  Trail down was cover'd and had soft
	bumps, little ice.  There were a few small bare spots after the
	snow fence, where they 'want' people to hike out the remainder
	of the way (ya right!).  We chose to get our feet a little wet
	and rock hop across the Ellis river at the end of the Sherburne.

	The Headwall looked and sounded like it was getting a little
	scratchy in the afternoon but was still solid.  Little headwall
	suck'd.... it was cover, but i had a rough time with it, I got 
	hung up in some of the little trees upside down without my 
	poles so I couldn't get my skis off.... had to wait till one my
	party let me out.....   

	The Bowl didn't pick up that much of the new snow because the
	wind was directly into the bowl.  I heard the the snow fields
	were great though.  Sunday must have been a real roastedr in
	the bowl...

	all in all it was great...

                                                     
    Broke down and skied Loon on 4/21.   $22 with Intl Ski Card.
    
    Didn't wait in a line all day.  Parking lot was 1/4 full.
    
    Good cover on almost all trails.  Fortunately, Triple Trouble was open, 
    and provided some relief from the usual boring Loon trail line-up.
    
    The bumps underneath the North Peak Triple were also pretty decent.
    
    Most the intermediate trails were pretty slushy and chopped up.  
    
    Would've been a good day for some fat style skis.

        May day at Sunday River. The sking was quite good. The crowd was
    greater than last year, but there was no waiting for a chair. Paul R.
    were you there.
    
    Paul 
     
     

        Conditions were not very good on Saturday at Tuckerman Ravine.  It
    was overcast, windy, and snowy.  Since it has been warmer recently, the
    refrozen snow was quite firm, and the new snow was blown about by the
    gusty winds.
    
        Although the parking lot was full, most people didn't stay long in
    the bowl.
    
        Heading up, the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is still snow packed the
    entire way up.
    
        Coming down, the Little Headwall is still open, although you had to
    take your skis off for one section where the stream has opened up.  The
    Sherburne Trail is open most of the way down, although it gets thin
    and/or narrow in spots.  About a half mile or so from the bottom, they
    tell you to cut over to the Tuckerman Trail and hike the remainder,
    although I continued on down to the bottom.  There are lots of snowless
    sections, so I wouldn't recommend skiing past the cutover point.
    
        As the reports mention, the bridge across the river at the bottom
    is gone, so you might get wet crossing on the rocks.
    
        There is a lot of snow in the bowl, so there should be plenty of
    skiing left this year.
    
    MDL

    
    How was big headwall???

        No one was skiing it because the surface was rock solid, but there
    is plenty of cover.  Check out the RSN cam archives for Mt Washington
    Valley - right now they have a picture of lunch rocks/right gully taken
    yesterday which gives a good idea of the cover.  They also have a
    picture taken Friday from the direction of Hojos which shows most of
    the bowl (missing the headwall/right side).
    
    MDL

I heard that snow was expected in the north country today.
Check out the Mount Washinton Observatory page for latest details:
See http://www.mountwashington.org/

I hiked up to Tuckerman's on Sunday, Apr 27 and it was beautiful.
There was falling ice danger (actually saw some). Lotsa people,
bright sunshine. I didn't ski, but it looked like good spring skiing...

-Jeff

    
    I just looked at the 5/5 RSN picture....sorta looks like 
    a hike up trail has formed *right* up the middle of the 
    headwall...(look to the far left hand side).  Not cool.
     
    Snow amounts look good, but not nearly as much as last year.

    Deane,
    
         From my observations, there is substantially more snow there now
    than at this time last year (and I was there 4 days last spring).
    
         That picture is not the headwall, it is lunch rocks/Right Gully. 
    The headwall is on the left (not really visible).  Those rocks which
    you see are the rocks to the right of the headwall, not the rocks on
    the headwall.
    
    MDL