What were bump conditions like this weekend? And for the upcoming weekend too...

[dmc]

Hunter's bump lines are pretty good...
Espcially the ones that get sun all day..

[snosharkrider]

i skied at okemo on saturday and sunday. surfaces were fairly firm both days. on sunday - as it was marginally warmer - i hit sel's choice and ledges as well as the bump sections on double diamond, big bang, and lower arrow.

there was a fair amount of 'shiny' ice in the troughs. none of it was wonderful much more of it just ok. at least they weren't groomed out.

[deadheadskier]

This all begs the question, should mountains just wait for warmer weather and the bumps to soften or should they mow them down and re-seed?

The latter seems to be the better option, BUT I'm not sure how well you could seed a bump run if the snow is of frozen/loose granular consistency.

[2knees]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

This all begs the question, should mountains just wait for warmer weather and the bumps to soften or should they mow them down and re-seed?

The latter seems to be the better option, BUT I'm not sure how well you could seed a bump run if the snow is of frozen/loose granular consistency.

Bromley doesnt seed to my knowledge. they just leave the east side more or less alone and let it bump naturally. Although, i have seen a course setup on the Pabst trail that is skiers left. Didnt seem seeded to me though.


But to answer your question, my opinion is that in late march just leave them. Close them off on rough days and open them on warm ones. Springtime is for bumps. Even people that dont usually seek them out seem to WANT to ski bumps on a warm day. Its soft, naturally slower and damn fun.

This thread has me jonesin pretty bad already. Thanks Jaywbigred.

[Greg]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

This all begs the question, should mountains just wait for warmer weather and the bumps to soften or should they mow them down and re-seed?

The latter seems to be the better option, BUT I'm not sure how well you could seed a bump run if the snow is of frozen/loose granular consistency.

I really don't think that many bump runs are seeded. And if they are, it's better to just leave them and wait. You can't reseed a bump run without topcoating with snowmaking, having a natural snowfall, or having it get very warm so the snow is soft. Option one ain't gonna happen and option 2 or 3 would make needing to reseed them moot. On the natural bump runs, at least grooming would result in skiable terrain. Not that I'm for grooming, but once it gets warm, things bump up on their own rather quickly. It all depends on how good the frozen lines are. If they're nice and uniform, leave them and hope for warmth.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Originally Posted by jaywbigred

I am thinking/hoping the same thing, being that I just got word that I once again have free digs at Stratton. I don't know how many more days I can handle of that place...Bromley is nice and close, and if they are bumped up, I am seriously considering heading over there instead. How to find out...???

Stay at Stratton and drive over to Magic for bumps..

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by Greg

the natural bump runs, at least grooming would result in skiable terrain. Not that I'm for grooming, but once it gets warm, things bump up on their own rather quickly. It all depends on how good the frozen lines are. If they're nice and uniform, leave them and hope for warmth.

I agree with this statement here. I guess the reason the thought came up was an experience I had at Saddleback on 3/15. Because of the Rain event, all of the natural trails were crusty garbage. I would classify the natural trails as roughly 50% of their terrain. They had about half of these trails left open and mind you, unmarked as ungroomed and the other half were closed. Here's the thing, there wasn't a thing that resembled a bump line on any of these trails. There was no reason for them at all to be left ungroomed, nothing to be gained by warmer temps and thus half the mountain was unskiable despite a ridiculously deep base.

I'm of the opinion that after a rain event, unless there is a SICK set of bumps already formed, groom it as like you said, things tend to bump up quick in warm weather. Frozen corn bumps, leave em' for warming, but rained on bumps need to be darn good to be left alone for warming IMO.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It looks like more snow for Northern Vermont midweek..which could make for nice bumps this weekend..it doesn't look like any above freezing temperatures this week..so the spring bumps will have to wait until at least next week except for the Poconos, Catskills, and maybe the Berkshires..

[happyjack]

although i didn't ski them, from what i saw from the red chair on sunday, the bumps at magic are completely unskiable...most were roped off. maybe they were better on the other side, but i did not venture over there. most of the mountain was a sheet of ice.

at bromley on friday, stargazer was closed and completely iced. but on saturday they opened it back up. i saw a few guys running it, but it didn't look too fun. the bumps were still shining brightly. there were a few well-worn lines that appeared to be getting all of the traffic..what little there was.

[2knees]

Originally Posted by happyjack

although i didn't ski them, from what i saw from the red chair on sunday, the bumps at magic are completely unskiable...most were roped off. maybe they were better on the other side, but i did not venture over there. most of the mountain was a sheet of ice.

at bromley on friday, stargazer was closed and completed iced. but on saturday they opened it back up. i saw a few guys running it, but it didn't look too fun. the bumps were still shining brightly. there were a few well-worn lines that appeared to be getting all of the traffic..what little there was.

damn, sounds like a rough weekend for you.

I hate when you can see that shine on bumps. Reflective is a word i've heard used. Makes my teeth rattle just looking at them.