Mad River Glen, 2/19/2012

[Nick]

Date(s) Skied: 2/19/2012

Resort or Ski Area: Mad River Glen

Conditions: Packed Powder / some Hard Packed

Trip Report: My first time at Mad River - only regret I have is that I never went sooner! Overall, a completely awesome day today at Mad River Glen. Went with a buddy of mine who I haven't skied with in probably seven or eight years and bonus, got to make turns all day with Snowmonster himself.

Started off on the day at 9:30 after a 4 hr drive up (ugh!). Went right up the single with Dean, and we went skier's right the entire way down. What a first run - Upper Antelope --> Catamount --> Lower Antelope. By the time I got to the bottom of lower antelope and had to do that short hike back to the Rockefellers, I was sweating through every piece of clothing I had and my calves were already on fire. I went into the lodge to drop off my fleece and met Snowmonster for the first time.

We went back out and rode the single again - this time had some great lines in Fall Line / Creamery / Upper Glades. It was really a blast. I LOVE all the bumps and the opportunities for short (3, 4') drops all over the place. So much fun. A few icy / rock spots, but the majority was in great shape.

We then rode the double a few times, and spent a lot of time in non-gladed woods next to various trails. Snowmonster might recall but I think they were Chipmunk / Lark / etc. I have a lot of video of that, some funny stuff and a lot of just flopping over when some random branch caught my boot somewhere. But a blast and every so often when you could grab 2, 3 turns of powder back to back - all worthwhile.

Grabbed a Single Chair Ale and a burger for lunch in between, then the double a few more times.

Last run of the day was Paradise, which I had been itching to ski since I saw that video Greg posted sometime ago here. It wasn't that good (no fresh powder .. wahhh) but it was still very nice and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Overall the snow was excellent, lines weren't too bad - probably 20 min at the most on the single right before lunch time - definitely better than I was expecting. We spent a ton of time in the woods and got to make a few fresh powder turns as well which was very nice.

Also wanted to say, my first time at MRG, while the "uphill capacity and speed" can seem tedious, it all is paid back when you ski down in relative isolation. It's so nice skiing and only seeing a couple other people around you. While there may be waits at the lift line there was not even a remote hint of a crowd anywhere on the slopes. A+

Paradise - best run of the day for me, the last section that pops out on Fox was absolutely amazing




I *think* this was also Paradise


Some woods .... forget where this was exactly. Perhaps Snowmonster will remember - that's him in the pic Might have been between Quacky and Gazelle? WE had lost Dean at this point when he went skier's left into some other area and I was actually wondering for a bit if he would turn up below. It was very dense in here, a couple turns and then planning out the next move was necessary.


Looking down Chute from the top of the single


Paradise, towards the top, our last run of the day. Snowmonster making the turn


Alternated between sunny and cloudy all day, but overall very nice - mid 30's. Snowmonster on the left, Dean on the right


My buddy Dean as we are waiting on the line for the Single chair


End of the day


Here are my AlpineReplay stats for the day -- http://www.alpinereplay.com/stats/u?uId=5547&vId=56261

I have to say I think it missed the last run. I think we did 7 runs for the day, three on the single chair and four on the double - the last run down Paradise didn't take. I'm not sure if my battery died or what. My phone was still on when I pulled it out of my pocket but it was down to 15% or so so it's possible it just killed the GPS to save battery.

Here is the Youtube vid!

[eatskisleep]

Can't wait to see the pictures. I love skiing at MRG.

[emmaurice2]

Looking forward to pictures and video. It's on my list for early March. Glad some powder was found!

[Cornhead]

Looking forward to the full report also, MRG has eluded me in my travels. The first time I drove by it, I didn't realize I would be. I was taking 17 to 100 to get somewhere else, probably Stowe. I had no idea I'd be driving by it. Came around a hairpin turn, there it was, single chair so close to the road. A month ago I drove by it again on my way home from Sugarbush. I was with my Son, a darksider, I suggested we hike it and make one run, he didn't want any part of that. I still have two vouchers to Sugarbush, I'm off the last week of February, maybe skiing MRG is in my near future, finally.

[Nick]

Bump with pics, will do the vid a bit later

[Ski Stef]

Looks like a lot of fun, never skiied MRG. Excited to see the video, sounds entertaining

[WoodCore]

Great report!! Hoping to get back up to MRG once again this year right before the AZ Summit.

[vdk03]

Looked like a great trip, it sounds like the conditions were pretty good, pics seemed to show good amount of snow. Way to get after it.

[powhunter]

Nice report! Cant wait to first time it myself

Steveo

[Mr MRG]

Nick

Glad you had a good time and it was a pleasure to meet you guys. Hope to get some runs in with you next time you come up to MRG. I'll be sure to show you the goods. Wasn't the cover amazing and suprising. Not bad for 3 snow guns!!!