Ski Sundown - 1/24/2007 (night)

[Greg]

Date(s) Skied: Wednesday, 1/24/2007 - 6:35 pm - 10:15 pm

Resort or Ski Area: Ski Sundown, New Hartford, CT

Conditions: Manmade packed powder, hard pack, seeded moguls. Temps in the high 20's, Mostly cloudy. No crowds after 7 pm.

Trip Report: I noticed some nice bumps lines on Exhibition on the way in so I was psyched. The lot had a few buses and I was happy to see many school groups loading and getting ready to leave. I hopped on Lift 2 and noticed Grassi21 coming down Gunbarrel. I waited at the top, but ski patrol stopped the lift to let mountain ops groom Temptor. I didn't know how long the lift would be stopped so I hit Gunny. Firm hard pack with some loose manmade as expected.

I then loaded lift 1 and Nor'easter was still close so I hit Canyon and then the bumps on Exhibition. The upper section was weird with spaced out bumps on a flat pitch. They got progressively better as you got down Exhibition and the pitch increased. The next two runs were Nor'easter. The seeds were very funky looking, but the run looked far better than Brian's pics from last night. They definitely top-coated overnight. Still weird bumps with very flat troughs. Troughs were actually non-existent. These really needed to be skied in.

I then headed to the sundeck where bvibert and Grassi21 were already waiting. We gave Paul 7 or 8 minutes and decided to head out as we weren't sure he was coming. Luckily, Paul skied up right as we were clicking in! Introductions and we were off. I had a one track mind and skied the Nor'easter and Exhibition bumps the entire night. I was psyched to see the other three guys jumping into the bumps on Exhibition. The moguls there started to ski in and actually began to take the shape of actual moguls. Paul, Chris and Brian seemed to be enjoying themselves. I liked these low-angle bumps as well and really focused on a tight stance through them.

Nor'easter began to ski better and better each run with some semblance of one or two bumps lines starting to show up. Later in the night Brian decided to try them and did very well. The next few runs Paul joined us and held his own. These jaunts gave them the confidence to hit Ex with a bit more authority. Brian in particular made a ton of progress tonight and the smile on his face proved it. He was sticking lines on the last bit of Nor'easter which is somewhat steep and where the best line was setting up. He also had some really strong runs through much of Ex and even took some airs off the last bump. It's great to see Brian progressing so quickly this season. He's literally like a new skier. We were all able to get one of the last chairs and had the time to take a leisurely final run. Patrol was not far behind and sort of seemed to want us to move along.

Paul and Chris seemed thrilled to have some easy bumps to practice on. Brian is ready to start hitting Nor'easter exclusively. I had a ton of fun and look forward to next Wednesday already. So, with that the bumps are seeded. They're pretty sketchy right now and the fields overall don't really resemble actual bumps yet, but with the deep cold coming in the next few days, they should get some nice top-dressings. Hopefully the weekend traffic will get them fully skied in. I'm definitely going to shoot for Sunday night. I think by then, they will really be set up well. I should mention the quantity of bumps is really impressive. Probably 4 to 5 lines starting at the sundeck. In fact, the bail-out is only a groomer width wide. Side-to-side on Lower Nor'easter and probably 5 lines worth on Exhibition. This is a really great start to hopefully many nights of bumping it up at the local hill. Great time, and a new AZer met in Paul. Good stuff. I am a happy man!

[Greg]

Some pics. Sorry for the resolution. Tough to get good pics at night, especially action shots.

Summit stockpile:


Looking up Lower Nor'easter:


The Exhibiton field from lift 1:


Looking down Lower Nor'easter:


Bumps on Nor'easter from sundeck to Temptor merge:


Start of the bumps near the sundeck:


Grassi21 and Paul:


bvibert on Lower Nor'easter:


bvibert on Lower Nor'easter:

[2knees]

Originally Posted by Greg

Some pics. Sorry for the resolution. Tough to get good pics at night, especially action shots.


bvibert on Lower Nor'easter:

oh thank you.

couple of things. I cant believe they seeded noreaster that wide before the temptor turn. I thought it would be like 2 lines wide and all groomed! that looks awesome.

Bumps look much more skied in then brians pics showed from the night before.

and most importantly, Brian, that pic shows serious potential! both hands out front, body facing downhill and skis together. nice effin work!!!

[Bob R]

Cool. Glad the gatherings are regular. Go Brian.

[jack97]

Originally Posted by Greg

bvibert on Lower Nor'easter:

Originally Posted by 2knees

, Brian, that pic shows serious potential! both hands out front, body facing downhill and skis together. nice effin work!!!

I agree w/ 2knees; good body Position, A Delibrate and firm pole plant.

Nice pic.

[bvibert]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I felt really good on the bumps last night. I also have some video that seemed to come out good, I'll try to get to it this weekend.

It was a great night for sure. Happy to be out and finally get into some bumps. It was also great to ski with Greg and Chris again and the meet another AZer, Paul. The setup was nice in that it allowed us to all stick together for the most part, even though not all of us hit the bumps every run.

[Paul]

Great time, and really cool meeting youse guys.

Thanks for the help with the bumps, Greg, I'm going to keep practicing so I'll look a little less pathetic when I head -up to the Bush and MRG for Pres. week.

Can't add to much, most of it has been said, other than a big thanks to Greg, Brian and Chris, its really nice to have some comraderie instead of being completely solo.

Hope to see y'all again soon, and maybe a few more AZers as well....

[Grassi21]

As always, I had a great time at Sundown. My turns, speed, and confidence are all improving. I was able to get some good practice making turns by bombing Canyon Run so that I could play in the bumps with the rest of the guys on Exhibition. I totally understand how bumps can be addictive. I did take a couple of spills. But as the night progressed I was was able to make longer runs through the mogul field. I honestly went to bed thinking about moguls...

[Greg]

Originally Posted by 2knees

oh thank you.

You're too funny. Were you frantically refreshing this forum last night? You missed a fun night, but rest assured the bumps still need a fair amount of "massaging" as Brian calls it. They were fun, but far from really good. We've got plenty of good bump opportunities ahead of us.

Originally Posted by 2knees

couple of things. I cant believe they seeded noreaster that wide before the temptor turn. I thought it would be like 2 lines wide and all groomed! that looks awesome.

Bumps look much more skied in then brians pics showed from the night before.

I was surprised by that too. It really adds a nice stretch of low-angle bumps to get in gear before dropping into the steeper sections of Nor'easter. I just hope they don't get complaints about it and narrow them up or mow them down. I stopped at one point at the top of where the bumps started last year and overheard two guys in awe about the bumps. One said, "This is not like Sundown." Their comments were totally positive and I think they were psyched to have an advanced skiing option at the little local hill. With the Stinger terrain park, the race set-up on Gunbarrel, Nor'easter's bumps, Canyon Run as a nice cruiser, Temptor as a groomed black, and the green trails off the summit and the isolated Sunnyside learning area, this mountain sure packs in a lot for a small place. Super job, Sundown!

Originally Posted by 2knees

and most importantly, Brian, that pic shows serious potential! both hands out front, body facing downhill and skis together. nice effin work!!!

Agreed! Brian was all smiles. He looked really good and has line selection down pretty well. I'll say it again, repitition is the key. Keep at it, B!

Originally Posted by Bob R

Cool. Glad the gatherings are regular. Go Brian.

Indeed! This was my sixth night at Sundown this season and skied with AZers each time. Our crew is growing too; so far eight of us - Brian, me, 2knees, Grassi, loafer, madskier, skijay and now Paul. I hope we all can make it out together a few times.

Originally Posted by bvibert

Thanks for the compliments guys. I felt really good on the bumps last night. I also have some video that seemed to come out good, I'll try to get to it this weekend.

It was a great night for sure. Happy to be out and finally get into some bumps. It was also great to ski with Greg and Chris again and the meet another AZer, Paul. The setup was nice in that it allowed us to all stick together for the most part, even though not all of us hit the bumps every run.

Cool. Can't wait for the vid! I agree that the setup is perfect for varying skill levels. Sometimes smaller is better.

Originally Posted by Paul

Great time, and really cool meeting youse guys.

Thanks for the help with the bumps, Greg, I'm going to keep practicing so I'll look a little less pathetic when I head -up to the Bush and MRG for Pres. week.

Can't add to much, most of it has been said, other than a big thanks to Greg, Brian and Chris, its really nice to have some comraderie instead of being completely solo.

Hope to see y'all again soon, and maybe a few more AZers as well....

Nice to meet you too, Paul. I enjoyed the conversations on the lift rides.

Originally Posted by Grassi21

As always, I had a great time at Sundown. My turns, speed, and confidence are all improving. I was able to get some good practice making turns by bombing Canyon Run so that I could play in the bumps with the rest of the guys on Exhibition. I totally understand how bumps can be addictive. I did take a couple of spills. But as the night progressed I was was able to make longer runs through the mogul field.

You did well. I give you a lot of credit for jumping in there. That little field on Exhibition is perfect for guys just starting out. Keep at it and you'll be hitting Nor'easter in no time!

Originally Posted by Grassi21

I honestly went to bed thinking about moguls...

Ha! I love it! You'll be hooked soon; once a few of the basics click. Just ask Brian...

Still smiling!

[Marc]

Looks like fun. If you guys do it again next week, I'd be down for checkin out some CT bumps.