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Stowland- October 27th 2013

Huck_It_Baby

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After my scouting hike yesterday ( see thread: http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php/125364-Snow-Report-Mt-Mansfield )I was sure it would be worth a skin up the Stowe side of Mansfield for some early season turns.

Just bought new touring boots, Dynafit Titans, and had to try them within 30 days of purchase. Def a big difference on the downhill. I felt less in control and without the normal power I can throw into a turn when on downhill boots. Nice and EZ on the hike up though. light and comfortable for hiking.

A few of the turns:


A short hike up and I was on a fairly direct skin track on Liftline. A quick bootpack up National and the Quad was in sight.
20131027_132754.jpg

The top 1/3 of the mountain was pretty solid but you really had to ski with caution. No base under the powder. I chose Nosedive since I thought it wouldn't be too steep for the amount of snow which was between 6 inches to 2 Feet. I started hitting rocks a little more than 1/2 way down and that ended my linked turns.

All in all it was a good afternoon and I'm elated that the season has officially started for me!

20131027_143444.jpg
 

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Huck_It_Baby

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Looks great! Are those the Bacons? The snow looks significantly better than I anticipated.

Yeah Bacons. I've had them for a few seasons now and LOVE them.

The snow up top was pretty awesome. I had to ski conservatively since there was no base but it was powdery!
 

watkin

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Also quite alot of tracks out there as well. I really wonder how many people were on Mansfield hiking for turns this past weekend.
 

Huck_It_Baby

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Also quite alot of tracks out there as well. I really wonder how many people were on Mansfield hiking for turns this past weekend.

Yeah lots! I certainly didn't get first tracks although I probably could have skied another trail which saw less traffic.
 

Huck_It_Baby

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What is the policy at Stowe on earning turns, preseason? Anything?


I don't think anyone cares when it's preseason. People were hiking and skiing/riding all over the mountain.

I like it before the resort opens up. It's a free for all and nice and quiet up there.
 
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Cornhead

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20131027_143444.jpg
Sweet panoramic shot. Mansfield/Spruce Peak is one beautiful area. Way to get after it.
 

WWF-VT

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Nice report from Stowe. Looks like better snow and more vertical to ski than the open ski areas in New England this weekend.
 
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