Sunday River November 21, 2007

[salsgang]

Date(s) Skied: November 21, 2007

Resort or Ski Area: Sunday River

Conditions: Powder / Wet PP

Trip Report: Whoo Hoo! First day out for the year with my boyz. Took advantage of some of those Sunday River Passes they gave away at a Red Sox game this year. I wasn't at the game but a co-worker who was snagged three for me. Free day on the slopes. Yes!!!

We drove up from southern ME in mostly in sleet and freezing rain but it turned to snow coming up the SR access road and we were STOKED. However, the rain / sleet wasn't far behind us. :-/ But it was very light so no big deal. Forgot the camera so no pics today.

Got strapped in around 9AM and took all the runs off Barker. They got an inch or two overnight so conditions were good early. Lazy River was nice but the lower part of Risky Business was a bit "variable". Lots of whales where they had blown snow but not flattened it out yet. It was actually kind of fun but all of our legs were screaming... being the first run of the year and all.

Right Stuff, Escapade, Monday Morning, T2 were all good. All had good cover - we were not dodging rocks or grass or anything. Kudos to the SR snowmaking crew. They had buried the trials and got them in really good shape. There was some icy spots but it was warm enough so it was no problem getting in an edge.

Run of the day for us was Upper and Lower Sunday Punch. All kinds of snow, lots of jumps / bumps on the side and it was just a lot of fun. It felt really good for all of us to get our skis under us again.

Unfortunately my 9 year old came down with some intestinal troubles at lunch, so my 12 year old got 4 more runs in down Escapade / Sunday Punch while we hung in the lodge. He reported it was drizzling harder and it was getting a bit scraped off... especially at the entrance to T2 and Upper Sunday Punch from Jungle Road... but he was glad to get some more turns in. Crowds were pretty tame - no lift lines at the Barker Quad all day.

So we called it early and went home but overall a great day at SR... especially considering it was $0!! The snow is getting wet and with tomorrows possible rain I am afraid the weekend cold weather is going to make the snow pretty hard this weekend. Hopefully they can blow some more snow for those of you getting out over the holiday and this weekend.

Hats of to Boyne. They were doing a lot of work around Barker lodge. I visited this summer and it was washed out big time but they have done a fantastic job getting it back together and getting the ski season off on the right foot. The vibe seemed very good with Boyne now in control.

Here is to a great start to the season! Be safe and have fun everyone!

[Mildcat]

Thanks for the report. I hope to make it up there within the next couple weekends. Glad to hear you and your boys had a good time. It's always sweeter when it's free.