Crotched Mountain NH 2/21/2010

[polski]

Maybe it was from watching the Olympics, or simply remembering that skiing even if mainly on groomers/hardpack >>>>>> not skiing, but I didn't let the lack of recent natural snow stop me from getting out with my boys today. (There's also the fact that with my younger son's SkiNH passbook* the total cost of lift tickets for the three of us was $51. And I was able to keep up my streak of not skiing the same area twice yet this year.)

Thought about heading up to MRG but was concerned about reports of freezing drizzle and just wasn't up for the three-hour drive - saving the energy for next weekend, when there might be much more of a payoff. So Crotched (about 1.5 hrs) was our destination, with my old 66mm-waist Atomics instead of the Gotamas I've grown so fond of. We had a fine time ripping groomers but the highlight by far was earned turns from the summit, which I booted up to for the first time (joined by my boys for subsequent runs). It's only about an extra 125' vert but the trail down skier's right - which shows on the trail map as "Natural Terrain" - had decent length and pitch and (amid some boneyness) some real nice soft natural snow. Quite respectable, including one little cliff band of perhaps 10' that I managed to go off of inadvertently and yet "stuck" (well, I went sorta sideways down the face and didn't fall ...).

Again I forgot the camera but I do have some shots from the cell phone that I'll try to upload in a day or two.


* which he earned by making a diorama on the quite interesting history of Crotched

[hammer]

Did you hike up the trail that is uphill from the shorter green run, NCC-1701? Looks interesting...I was tempted the last time I was there, but I was concerned about the lack of natural.

[polski]

Originally Posted by hammer

Did you hike up the trail that is uphill from the shorter green run, NCC-1701? Looks interesting...I was tempted the last time I was there, but I was concerned about the lack of natural.

Hiked straight up from where the lift unloads (well-established bootpack), turned left at the top, clicked in and skated a little (to just past the old T-bar, the poles and cable of which are still there), then skied down that trail (skier's far right) to NCC-1701. Cover was thin in spots but it was eminently navigable. Lots of nice soft turns.

I also skied one run down the opposite side (skier's far left) to Moonwalk but that run is short and the surface wasn't nearly as good - it got more sun and thus was crustier after a couple daytime thaws. I can't say that one was worth the effort but the run that leads to NCC-1701 was a joy; I hit that one three times.

[Newpylong]

This trail you're talking about was called "Turbo Trail" if I remember correctly - and was the only double diamond. I have skied it as well, it's a great run.

[polski]

Originally Posted by Newpylong

This trail you're talking about was called "Turbo Trail" if I remember correctly - and was the only double diamond. I have skied it as well, it's a great run.

This map (via NELSAP) confirms "Turbo." Ratings are relative of course but it's definitely more challenging than anything else on map there. Must be interesting there with 15-16" new today ...

[nighthitcher007]

sounds good to me