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uphillklimber · Feb 22, 2004, 7:55 AM

We got back from Saddleback a little early.We were driving up in the rain. As we got closer, it turns to snow, and by the time we got into Rangely, it is really snowing!!! We are, just for kicks, watching the tops of the trees for wind, and the are hardly moving. But when we get to the resort, noe of the lifts are turning, and the wind is howling. I check the wind meter downstairs and it says 38 mph. The locals say there is no wind in town, but the mountain is somewhat known for having winds when the town doesn't. Someone there for the first time is really dissappointed, and we encourage her not to judge this mountian on today. It's really a great mountain.

I check with the ticket desk and ask what the forecast is. We have driven 3 hours to get here mind you. They said the lower T-bar is open, with 3 trails, we can ski that for free. So we do. I have never skiied those 3 trails. Then we see the lower lift opening up. We are at the front of the line, and wait a couple minutes for the top attendant to get set up. And we end up talking to the other T-bar operator. He's heading right up in front of us. To make a long story short, they slowly open up about half of the mountain.

We ski it actually have fun, and get in a dozen or more runs, before it starts getting redundant. Then we try another trail and there is blue ice across it, from where wind has removed the snow. Then we ski intermittently thru blue ice and wind packed drifts. I am thinking that if we loose it here, the landing won't be too soft. We skiied the rest of the bunny trails we haven't done yet and call it day. The trip through Lower Hudson was very reminiscient of my cross country days and very nice, although there a traverse at each end.

http://www.saddlebackskiarea.com/

I did take some pics, but the clouds hid most of the mountain. I'll post those soon.

Feb 22, 2004, 7:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
uphillklimber Pico Mountain, Vermont Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,166	Saddleback 2021004 We got back from Saddleback a little early.We were driving up in the rain. As we got closer, it turns to snow, and by the time we got into Rangely, it is really snowing!!! We are, just for kicks, watching the tops of the trees for wind, and the are hardly moving. But when we get to the resort, noe of the lifts are turning, and the wind is howling. I check the wind meter downstairs and it says 38 mph. The locals say there is no wind in town, but the mountain is somewhat known for having winds when the town doesn't. Someone there for the first time is really dissappointed, and we encourage her not to judge this mountian on today. It's really a great mountain. I check with the ticket desk and ask what the forecast is. We have driven 3 hours to get here mind you. They said the lower T-bar is open, with 3 trails, we can ski that for free. So we do. I have never skiied those 3 trails. Then we see the lower lift opening up. We are at the front of the line, and wait a couple minutes for the top attendant to get set up. And we end up talking to the other T-bar operator. He's heading right up in front of us. To make a long story short, they slowly open up about half of the mountain. We ski it actually have fun, and get in a dozen or more runs, before it starts getting redundant. Then we try another trail and there is blue ice across it, from where wind has removed the snow. Then we ski intermittently thru blue ice and wind packed drifts. I am thinking that if we loose it here, the landing won't be too soft. We skiied the rest of the bunny trails we haven't done yet and call it day. The trip through Lower Hudson was very reminiscient of my cross country days and very nice, although there a traverse at each end. http://www.saddlebackskiarea.com/ I did take some pics, but the clouds hid most of the mountain. I'll post those soon. __________________ lovin life, Bob "My helmet is my LAST line of defense, not my first."