Loon Mountain - December 5, 2004

[Charlie Schuessler]

December 5, 2004

Loon Mountain

30's - Cloud Cover –Snow – Sunshine – Snow Making in Progress

With the evening temperatures falling below 32°F, mother nature has provided some snow as well as mountain operations making snow. They were making snow on closed trails preparing them for opening this week.

The Kancamagus Quad Lift & the Gondola were open. The Gondola line was 20-minutes long and we skied right on to the Quad.

We skied from 9:00 to 2:00. Overall the upper mountain trail conditions were hard pack with some natural on top, otherwise VERY GOOD. Of the number of upper trails open, Upper Bear Claw was in the best condition. Lower elevation trails were hard pack with the trail center "skied off" and the sides loose granular. Advanced skiers who enjoy "side-line dancing" were having more fun than "center-line ice dancers."

There were a lot more skiers today than the last few weeks with both base lodges operating and the Peak Café’ open. We had a great lunch in the peak café’ with Caribbean cuisine including complementary music. Bring your lunch and enjoy yourself, ski down after eating vs. getting on a chair heading up.

There were anumber of Instructor clinics where one group was particular fun to watch, the handicap crew. Two legged skiers using one ski with arm outriggers...you could hear them giigling as they were learning to ski "handicapped."

Mountain conditions are looking good. The Ski Patrol informed us that the North Peak Quad traveling cable was spliced last week and they were expecting to load chairs next week. They left us with the impression that new lift would be open for Christmas.