Fat Lady Thread 2017

deadheadskier · May 17, 2017

Jcb890 said:
Why would they groom it Monday night when they're closed all week until Friday?

Might be the only night all week it was cold enough to do it. If it's too warm/soft the groomer just sinks too deep into the snow for the tiller to smooth out and you get nasty rutted out cat tracks every where.

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Jcb890 · May 17, 2017

deadheadskier said:
Might be the only night all week it was cold enough to do it. If it's too warm/soft the groomer just sinks too deep into the snow for the tiller to smooth out and you get nasty rutted out cat tracks every where.

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I'm looking online and it looks like Sunday/Monday had about the same low temp as Friday/Saturday.
I'll probably go either way though, whether they groom or not.

deadheadskier · May 17, 2017

Sure, but how accurate is a five day out forecast even in winter, never mind May? I think a mountain needs to be much more opportunistic in their operations decisions this time of year. If they groomed Monday night, it was likely because they thought it would be the only opportunity they'd get. It will get to a point very soon and usually is at that point by now already that the only thing you'll see is moving snow around to cover bare spots.

Jcb890 · May 17, 2017

deadheadskier said:
Sure, but how accurate is a five day out forecast even in winter, never mind May? I think a mountain needs to be much more opportunistic in their operations decisions this time of year. If they groomed Monday night, it was likely because they thought it would be the only opportunity they'd get. It will get to a point very soon and usually is at that point by now already that the only thing you'll see is moving snow around to cover bare spots.

I really don't know. I'm just trying to guess since they declined to give a real response other than "we have yet to decide".

2 seasons ago when they went until Memorial Day weekend they groomed that weekend. I can't comment on the previous weekends because I was only there on 5/25. Well, maybe they didn't "groom" per se, but they knocked down the moguls/natural bumps on about 1/2 of the width of Superstar.

Jully · May 17, 2017

Jcb890 said:
I'm looking online and it looks like Sunday/Monday had about the same low temp as Friday/Saturday.
I'll probably go either way though, whether they groom or not.

Saturday and Sunday are looking pretty equally nice I think. I'm probably headed up one of the days. Should be a pretty great spring day!

machski · May 17, 2017

Jcb890 said:
I really don't know. I'm just trying to guess since they declined to give a real response other than "we have yet to decide".

2 seasons ago when they went until Memorial Day weekend they groomed that weekend. I can't comment on the previous weekends because I was only there on 5/25. Well, maybe they didn't "groom" per se, but they knocked down the moguls/natural bumps on about 1/2 of the width of Superstar.

My experience has been they only mow down the middle of the bumps when they freeze solid early in the spring and would be almost unskiable the first few hours. After that, they tend to not groom until they need to start moving snow around to bridge up bare areas, and then it usually concentrated to where they need to be. Once Skylark goes, the odds of having a groomed route declines immensely.

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Smellytele · May 18, 2017

Getting thin on skiers right...

Jcb890 · May 18, 2017

Its hot as f*ck out there today and even in the mid-80s up at Killington. Next week looks like some possible rain, but no temps in the 70s or 80s (as of now). Do you guys think they'll make it to June? June 1st is 2 weeks away. I wonder if they'd open that Thursday - Sunday or just open Thursday to say they operated in June?

deadheadskier · May 18, 2017

If it looks like they can operate Friday - Sunday, I'd imagine they'd open those days and skip Thursday the 1st. If there's still continuous skiing, I don' t see them opening on Thursday and then shutting it down.

Jcb890 · May 18, 2017

deadheadskier said:
If it looks like they can operate Friday - Sunday, I'd imagine they'd open those days and skip Thursday the 1st. If there's still continuous skiing, I don' t see them opening on Thursday and then shutting it down.

That makes sense, but I figured if it was close maybe they'd open just for the 1st to say they were open on the 1st. Kind of like Sunday River staying open Monday, May 1st, just to be "Open into May".

deadheadskier · May 18, 2017

Jcb890 said:
That makes sense, but I figured if it was close maybe they'd open just for the 1st to say they were open on the 1st. Kind of like Sunday River staying open Monday, May 1st, just to be "Open into May".

Killington is different. Except for the Nyberg years they've always gone until they can't go no more.

Now if you mean close as in there's a decent amount of trail available, say 90% and some walking required? Then I could see them opening up 6/1 just to say they got June. They likely wouldn't go beyond that though you never know. Years ago I remember having to walk down the full upper head wall and other sections of the trail and they still ran the lift. Basically patch skiing.

Jcb890 · May 18, 2017

deadheadskier said:
Killington is different. Except for the Nyberg years they've always gone until they can't go no more.

Now if you mean close as in there's a decent amount of trail available, say 90% and some walking required? Then I could see them opening up 6/1 just to say they got June. They likely wouldn't go beyond that though you never know. Years ago I remember having to walk down the full upper head wall and other sections of the trail and they still ran the lift. Basically patch skiing.

Ah, thank you for the info. I'd love to go ride in June so I'm all for it if they can be open that whole weekend.

Yeah, that's what I meant by "close", close to being done/out of snow. I'll try and go as late as the trail is actually lift serviced. If I'm going to have to walk/hike, I might just try and make the trek up to Tuckerman.

My only "historical information" in regards to Killington going into May/June is from 2 years ago. I have technically been snowboarding since 2000-ish, but from '00 - '03 I'd go 2-3 times per year over a weekend at Killington as part of a family trip and then basically stopped from '03 - '14, starting back up in '14.

dlague · May 18, 2017

deadheadskier said:
Killington is different. Except for the Nyberg years they've always gone until they can't go no more.

Now if you mean close as in there's a decent amount of trail available, say 90% and some walking required? Then I could see them opening up 6/1 just to say they got June. They likely wouldn't go beyond that though you never know. Years ago I remember having to walk down the full upper head wall and other sections of the trail and they still ran the lift. Basically patch skiing.

I have been going to Killington right to the end since the management change from 2012-2013 season to the 2014-2015 season with hopes they would make it to June 1st. They always fell short. IIRC, one year they made May 26th and we were walking, in fact many of my last days there require walk on walk off which I thought was cool. I hope they make it but I agree with an earlier post - doubt they would open just for June 1st with limited trail now if there is close to TTB on SS then all bets are off. The S turn is really starting to attack though so you shall see.

180 · May 18, 2017

I doubt they'll make June 1. There will be snow left though. My goal is to hike the same day my son graduates KMS, on June 3.

Domeskier · May 18, 2017

Jcb890 said:
I'll try and go as late as the trail is actually lift serviced. If I'm going to have to walk/hike, I might just try and make the trek up to Tuckerman.

Like DHS mentioned, there can be significant amounts of walking even if the lifts are running. I guess it's easier to hike down to the snow in snowboard boots, but more of a pain to strap in and out of your board each time. Some folks just ski the grass and mud. That might be easier on a board too, I guess.

dlague · May 18, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/ArapahoeBasinSkiArea/videos/10158639224765332/

chuckstah · May 18, 2017

Jcb890 said:
Ah, thank you for the info. I'd love to go ride in June so I'm all for it if they can be open that whole weekend.

Yeah, that's what I meant by "close", close to being done/out of snow. I'll try and go as late as the trail is actually lift serviced. If I'm going to have to walk/hike, I might just try and make the trek up to Tuckerman.

My only "historical information" in regards to Killington going into May/June is from 2 years ago. I have technically been snowboarding since 2000-ish, but from '00 - '03 I'd go 2-3 times per year over a weekend at Killington as part of a family trip and then basically stopped from '03 - '14, starting back up in '14.

This weekend no grooming, walk on, walk off lift per K report.

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dlague · May 18, 2017

chuckstah said:
This weekend no grooming, walk on, walk off lift per K report.

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They are toast! More than likely will not open next weekend.

Jully · May 18, 2017

chuckstah said:
This weekend no grooming, walk on, walk off lift per K report.

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Only Friday. Might be different for Saturday. Wait and see though!

JDMRoma · May 18, 2017

Jully said:
Only Friday. Might be different for Saturday. Wait and see though!

No they said no grooming this weekend. So we shall see what's left come Sunday

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Fat Lady Thread 2017

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