Belleayre, Leap Day 2012

[legalskier]

Dust on groomed, becoming fresh powder
Temp: 26 (arrival), 28 (departure)

Originally I planned on hitting Blue or Elk today but the forecast changed early this morning to ice/rain for Pa. so I headed north. Arrived just after 9 & it was snowing already. And it snowed the entire day, dumping a good 4". This was my first true pow day of the season. If they had night skiing, I'd still be there- it was that enjoyable. Sparse crowds, no lines. Started off lapping Superchief, then moved to 7 lift, and on to Tomahawk. No one was paying any attention to the closed signs- there were tracks everywhere. After lunch repeated the same strategy but also decided to venture onto a lonesome trail on the extreme east side- it was awesome. Saved the last couple runs for the bumps of Onteora, which were amazing as they'd been pounded with fresh pow all day long. Forecast calls for more snow all day tomorrow. Get while the gettins good!

Belleayre glades


Looking down Wanatuska berm


Looking down Big T glades


Tongora


Winisook


Winisook, skier's right


Looking up said unnamed trail


Different view


Cayuga


Warming up by the crackling fire


Yes, Nick- I brought my camera this time.

[twinplanx]

Hmmm, looks tempting.... What was the weather like there today, How much snow will they end up with and were they able to avoid any mixing? lots and lots of please:

[legalskier]

Hmmm, looks tempting.... What was the weather like there today, How much snow will they end up with and were they able to avoid any mixing? lots and lots of please:

Unfortunately I couldn't stay past Wednesday, but they reported 6" total into Thusday- a nice shot in the arm. I've been watching the total snow count on their website and lately it's been increasing steadily.

[k123]

Anybody been skiing Belleayre in the recent spring conditions? Are they really grooming upper tongora like it says in the conditions report? I've never seen tongora groomed. Is lower onteora bumped up?

[skidbump]

Anybody been skiing Belleayre in the recent spring conditions? Are they really grooming upper tongora like it says in the conditions report? I've never seen tongora groomed. Is lower onteora bumped up?

Upper tongora by end of today should be almost unskiable as with almost all trails that had no snow making.
Lower onterora is being allowed to bump up as is left side of belleayre run top to bottom/ and top of winnisook