dlague
Active member
We decided early on that if the lifts were spinning we would make the trek. We knew it was going to be cold and windy so we dressed accordingly. On the way up the roads were in tough shape in areas south of Tilton and improved as we went north. The wind and light snow on the road made for interesting visibility at times. We arrived at the base with temps around -6 without wind chill and reported -30 at the summit and around -20 at the base including wind chill. We entered Notchview to a practically empty room. Peabody Lift had no line so the cold temps were working in our favor.
We geared up and while still heated up from getting dressed opted to take Peabody Lift. It seemed calm almost going up. Wind at the base was exactly as the report said NW wind that favors lift operation with minimal wind at the base. It was all at higher elevation. As we neared the top terminal, the winds made their presence felt. We skied Middle Cannon->Rock Garden->Lower Cannon and found that the wind was blowing up and across the trails and they were biting. While Middle Cannon was wind blow in spots Rock Garden and Lower Cannon had loose powder on PP and skied very well. We opted to ski down to Eagle Cliff Lift to go back up and ski down Gary's. Gary's was really nice with powder bumps to the right and loose powder on PP on the rest of the trail. Rocket was the same. I do like the drop in section of Rocket which is fun to catch some air on. The front trails were blocked from the wind and we decided to ski those for the day. Zoomer looked scraped off in the middle but actually skied very well. The bumps on that trail under the chair were well spaced and had nice snow. Pauli's Folly and Avalanche skied pretty well with soft snow or powder bumps forming but nothing too dramatic. Banshee was natural. Lakeview skied pretty well and had new snow since I last skied that trail (probably blown in by winds). I like that glade.
After lunch (now -4 at the base), we did another run from Peabody but this time Middle and Lower Ravine. While the trails were in great shape the winds over there were not much better. We went back to the front trails and skied the rest of our time there. Never even attempted the Summit.
Overall a great day considering the temps and winds. Layering and having proper protection - face masks, hand warmers etc. makes the difference.
There were quite a few tourist there from Europe and Asia. They were being given tours of the mountain with guides (alternative use for ski instructors). Lots of group lessons over on the Tuckerbrook side. Saw a few jackets that said Russian Olympic Team. There was a point where I wish I had my phone ready - There was a group of about 20 kids maybe 5-10 years old being guided around and all dressed in bright gear. We were on the Zoomer Lift and all of a sudden the whole group ascended on Zoomer Lift Line skiing the bumps in chaos - looked like something out of a Warren Miller Movie. Most entertaining part of the day, well besides some of the whack jobs that come out to play on vacation weeks. Those stories to be told while drinking beer in the Pub.
I have to note that the food is pretty good at Cannonball Pub.
Temp at time of departure in the parking lot 0F.
Picture taking was limited - hands would get cold!
Zoomer Lift Line
Zoomer Middle
Zoomer From Bottom
Looking Up Avalanche where everyone crosses to Banshee Got pretty scraped off there, then again it always does.
Another from Zoomer
We geared up and while still heated up from getting dressed opted to take Peabody Lift. It seemed calm almost going up. Wind at the base was exactly as the report said NW wind that favors lift operation with minimal wind at the base. It was all at higher elevation. As we neared the top terminal, the winds made their presence felt. We skied Middle Cannon->Rock Garden->Lower Cannon and found that the wind was blowing up and across the trails and they were biting. While Middle Cannon was wind blow in spots Rock Garden and Lower Cannon had loose powder on PP and skied very well. We opted to ski down to Eagle Cliff Lift to go back up and ski down Gary's. Gary's was really nice with powder bumps to the right and loose powder on PP on the rest of the trail. Rocket was the same. I do like the drop in section of Rocket which is fun to catch some air on. The front trails were blocked from the wind and we decided to ski those for the day. Zoomer looked scraped off in the middle but actually skied very well. The bumps on that trail under the chair were well spaced and had nice snow. Pauli's Folly and Avalanche skied pretty well with soft snow or powder bumps forming but nothing too dramatic. Banshee was natural. Lakeview skied pretty well and had new snow since I last skied that trail (probably blown in by winds). I like that glade.
After lunch (now -4 at the base), we did another run from Peabody but this time Middle and Lower Ravine. While the trails were in great shape the winds over there were not much better. We went back to the front trails and skied the rest of our time there. Never even attempted the Summit.
Overall a great day considering the temps and winds. Layering and having proper protection - face masks, hand warmers etc. makes the difference.
There were quite a few tourist there from Europe and Asia. They were being given tours of the mountain with guides (alternative use for ski instructors). Lots of group lessons over on the Tuckerbrook side. Saw a few jackets that said Russian Olympic Team. There was a point where I wish I had my phone ready - There was a group of about 20 kids maybe 5-10 years old being guided around and all dressed in bright gear. We were on the Zoomer Lift and all of a sudden the whole group ascended on Zoomer Lift Line skiing the bumps in chaos - looked like something out of a Warren Miller Movie. Most entertaining part of the day, well besides some of the whack jobs that come out to play on vacation weeks. Those stories to be told while drinking beer in the Pub.
I have to note that the food is pretty good at Cannonball Pub.
Temp at time of departure in the parking lot 0F.
Picture taking was limited - hands would get cold!
Zoomer Lift Line
Zoomer Middle
Zoomer From Bottom
Looking Up Avalanche where everyone crosses to Banshee Got pretty scraped off there, then again it always does.
Another from Zoomer