Date(s) Skied: Sunday, February 20th, 2011
Resort or Ski Area: Gunstock Mountain
Conditions: Cold and Windy to start, wind mellowed throughout the day. Sunny. Packed Frozen Granular surfaces, hardpack, icy in spots
Trip Report:
2nd trip to Gunstock for me, first time during the day where I could ski the full mountain as the summit quad does not operate for night skiing. My expectations were fairly low considering the recent thaw and freeze. I chose Gunstock today over the home hill Ragged. If conditions aren't going to be that great, convenience counts a lot. Definitely appreciated the 35 minute shorter drive.
Gunstock apparently isn't an early morning type of place, or at least today it wasn't. I pulled into the parking lot at 8:15 and was only 5 rows of cars back.
First thing I noticed when I pulled in was what looks like could be some very cool natural terrain above the beginners quad. Probably better pitch (though short vertical) than anything they have on the mountain. Not sure if they could ever develop it and I wonder if it skied today by turn earners. There's a hiking trail out to the ridgeline off of Flintlock though it says 'hiking, snowshoes and XC skis only'.
The Ridge:
Close up of the terrain in there:
Classics found in the ski shop. I should've asked if they were for sale
Though the skiing wasn't anything great, you sure can pick worse places to be on a bluebird day than the top of that mountain. As expected, the views were simple awesome
All of the natural snow trails and glades were closed due to the thaw. They did have bumps on Redhat. They were solid as a rock and slick, but the lines were great. Glad to see they didn't mow them down as the lines were pretty much perfect. Once it warms up they'll ski great. They could ski great right now if they did a quick top dress with the tower snowfuns lining the trail, but I imagine their snowmaking season is done. A bump skier would be totally fine with just the one Redhat trail, so kudos to Gunstock.
Overall, I enjoyed myself for what it is. The runs off the summit are very long for only a 1400 vert mountain. Not a lot of pitch to the summit runs, but they were interesting. It would be nice to have a bit more challenging terrain, but then again, I didn't get to ski the glades or Hot Shot. They could definitely have some very steep trails in places that aren't developed. A couple of nice narrow trails from Upper Ramrod under the chair and down to Hot Shot would be nice. Really steep for a short bit in there. It would help keep advanced skiers entertained. The stuff over on the ridge above the beginners quad would be simply awesome, but that's a pipe dream I'm sure. Other than that, my only real complaint for the mountain is the lodge is far from adequate in size to handle the crowds. The lift system certainly handles the crowds well though. Panoram Quad was a 2 person wait in the singles line all day. Other lifts were ski on.
I'm contemplating a switch from Ragged to Gunstock next season due to convenience and better snowmaking. Ragged has the better advanced terrain, but it sure was nice only having to travel 55 minutes. This especially on a day when the skiing isn't all that great. Provided Gunstock offers a similarly priced early bird season pass product as Ragged, I think I will make the switch.
Resort or Ski Area: Gunstock Mountain
Conditions: Cold and Windy to start, wind mellowed throughout the day. Sunny. Packed Frozen Granular surfaces, hardpack, icy in spots
Trip Report:
2nd trip to Gunstock for me, first time during the day where I could ski the full mountain as the summit quad does not operate for night skiing. My expectations were fairly low considering the recent thaw and freeze. I chose Gunstock today over the home hill Ragged. If conditions aren't going to be that great, convenience counts a lot. Definitely appreciated the 35 minute shorter drive.
Gunstock apparently isn't an early morning type of place, or at least today it wasn't. I pulled into the parking lot at 8:15 and was only 5 rows of cars back.
First thing I noticed when I pulled in was what looks like could be some very cool natural terrain above the beginners quad. Probably better pitch (though short vertical) than anything they have on the mountain. Not sure if they could ever develop it and I wonder if it skied today by turn earners. There's a hiking trail out to the ridgeline off of Flintlock though it says 'hiking, snowshoes and XC skis only'.
The Ridge:
Close up of the terrain in there:
Classics found in the ski shop. I should've asked if they were for sale
Though the skiing wasn't anything great, you sure can pick worse places to be on a bluebird day than the top of that mountain. As expected, the views were simple awesome
All of the natural snow trails and glades were closed due to the thaw. They did have bumps on Redhat. They were solid as a rock and slick, but the lines were great. Glad to see they didn't mow them down as the lines were pretty much perfect. Once it warms up they'll ski great. They could ski great right now if they did a quick top dress with the tower snowfuns lining the trail, but I imagine their snowmaking season is done. A bump skier would be totally fine with just the one Redhat trail, so kudos to Gunstock.
Overall, I enjoyed myself for what it is. The runs off the summit are very long for only a 1400 vert mountain. Not a lot of pitch to the summit runs, but they were interesting. It would be nice to have a bit more challenging terrain, but then again, I didn't get to ski the glades or Hot Shot. They could definitely have some very steep trails in places that aren't developed. A couple of nice narrow trails from Upper Ramrod under the chair and down to Hot Shot would be nice. Really steep for a short bit in there. It would help keep advanced skiers entertained. The stuff over on the ridge above the beginners quad would be simply awesome, but that's a pipe dream I'm sure. Other than that, my only real complaint for the mountain is the lodge is far from adequate in size to handle the crowds. The lift system certainly handles the crowds well though. Panoram Quad was a 2 person wait in the singles line all day. Other lifts were ski on.
I'm contemplating a switch from Ragged to Gunstock next season due to convenience and better snowmaking. Ragged has the better advanced terrain, but it sure was nice only having to travel 55 minutes. This especially on a day when the skiing isn't all that great. Provided Gunstock offers a similarly priced early bird season pass product as Ragged, I think I will make the switch.