Date(s) Skied: Sunday, May 7, 2006
Resort or Ski Area: Killington Mountain Resort. Trail(s) Hiked and Skied: Outer Limits
Conditions: 75 percent of Outer Limits was skiable in two sections: Upper Headwall and Lower Section. Divided only by a 50 foot strip of grass. SC Corn!
Weather: Sunny Skies, slight breeze, temps in the 60's.
Trip Report: After leaving my Con Law final on Thursday, I began to think of a short study break for this sunny weekend. I originally thought about a short hike. Sunapee maybe. And then I thought, "hmmm, bet there is still some snow up there." And that became, "why not hike for some turns? That would be fun!" :beer: I have been spoiled by lift serviced skiing, but hell, I hike and have the equipment and always wanted to try earning turns to expand the season. So I decided to go ahead.
The original game plan was for Saturday. I got the skis strapped on my new bag and then got the stuff into the car. I hesitated a bit--the skies were ominous and it was a bit later than planned (11:30 am or so). Just as I was stepping into the car, Ms. Trailboss called me from the road (she was on the way to CT).
"I'm in Springfield, VT. It is raining." So I decided to bag it and wait for Sunday. Glad I did.
Sunday I made the drive to Bear Mountain. 32 miles and 40 mins. Not bad! Almost the same distance as getting to Sunapee for us. I pulled into the drive and parked by the gate. There were about half-a-dozen cars parked in the road and I could see some folks climbing up Outer Limits--which was about 75 percent skiable
After crossing the lots, I got to the lodge and booted up. Met K-Zoner Phantom and learned that the skiing was great.
"That upper headwall has some great snow. Good runs."
I thanked him and began my climb. There was a well-boot packed trail on the right--I found that the hiking part was a bit easier than I was expecting. Thanks to the snow, I could wear my ski boots right up the slope. After about 40 mins or so, and some stops, I found myself on the steepest part of the run. I talked to Mtn Man, Tree Rat, and another guy from Killington Zone. Sitting at the top of the patch of snow, precariously balancing myself on the slope, I shared the view and some chatting with Lisa, a Killington local. Her dog Otis was friendly. She strapped on her board and hit the snow--it was corn and I was excited to start.
After she was out of sight, I carefully laid my skis against the steep fall line and stepped in. My first few turns, on the steepest part, was one hell of a warm up. Very steep pitch but soft snow. I got into the groove and was hooting all the way down to the grass strip.
Next run was on the same headwall though just below the very top of the snow. I again chatted with Lisa and then set off down the snow staying to skier's right. Soft corn and settled bumps. When I got to the grass, I shuffled across it and stepped in.
The lower patch was longer but not as steep. I headed to skier's right, hitting some untracked soft corn. Perfect for hero turns. I skied most of this patch before heading back up the trail for one more. I was accompanied by a guy with FOUR Golden Retrievers :blink: that liked to slide on their backs headfirst down the snow and fight with each other. They provided great entertainment while sitting at the top of this patch. After some more conversation with the few folks sitting at the top, I headed down staying to the middle. This patch of snow was deep and almost edge-to-edge! At the bottom, I passed some jibbers who had moved a rail and were jamming.
I got out of the bindings and headed to the lodge to put back on the hiking boots. I scouted out the base area and walked to Devil's Fiddle base. Not much snow there.
Satisfied, I headed back to my car. Four runs, about 2000 vert or so. Some great laid back runs and conversation. Lots of fun. :beer:
About 20 people at the area during the afternoon total. A few folks were down at the access road with cameras observing the fun! This made my season seven months thus far and 43 days.
Pictures coming soon....
Resort or Ski Area: Killington Mountain Resort. Trail(s) Hiked and Skied: Outer Limits
Conditions: 75 percent of Outer Limits was skiable in two sections: Upper Headwall and Lower Section. Divided only by a 50 foot strip of grass. SC Corn!
Weather: Sunny Skies, slight breeze, temps in the 60's. Trip Report: After leaving my Con Law final on Thursday, I began to think of a short study break for this sunny weekend. I originally thought about a short hike. Sunapee maybe. And then I thought, "hmmm, bet there is still some snow up there." And that became, "why not hike for some turns? That would be fun!" :beer: I have been spoiled by lift serviced skiing, but hell, I hike and have the equipment and always wanted to try earning turns to expand the season. So I decided to go ahead.
The original game plan was for Saturday. I got the skis strapped on my new bag and then got the stuff into the car. I hesitated a bit--the skies were ominous and it was a bit later than planned (11:30 am or so). Just as I was stepping into the car, Ms. Trailboss called me from the road (she was on the way to CT).
"I'm in Springfield, VT. It is raining."
So I decided to bag it and wait for Sunday. Glad I did. Sunday I made the drive to Bear Mountain. 32 miles and 40 mins. Not bad! Almost the same distance as getting to Sunapee for us. I pulled into the drive and parked by the gate. There were about half-a-dozen cars parked in the road and I could see some folks climbing up Outer Limits--which was about 75 percent skiable
After crossing the lots, I got to the lodge and booted up. Met K-Zoner Phantom and learned that the skiing was great.
"That upper headwall has some great snow. Good runs."
I thanked him and began my climb. There was a well-boot packed trail on the right--I found that the hiking part was a bit easier than I was expecting. Thanks to the snow, I could wear my ski boots right up the slope. After about 40 mins or so, and some stops, I found myself on the steepest part of the run. I talked to Mtn Man, Tree Rat, and another guy from Killington Zone. Sitting at the top of the patch of snow, precariously balancing myself on the slope, I shared the view and some chatting with Lisa, a Killington local. Her dog Otis was friendly. She strapped on her board and hit the snow--it was corn and I was excited to start.
After she was out of sight, I carefully laid my skis against the steep fall line and stepped in. My first few turns, on the steepest part, was one hell of a warm up. Very steep pitch but soft snow. I got into the groove and was hooting all the way down to the grass strip.
Next run was on the same headwall though just below the very top of the snow. I again chatted with Lisa and then set off down the snow staying to skier's right. Soft corn and settled bumps. When I got to the grass, I shuffled across it and stepped in.
The lower patch was longer but not as steep. I headed to skier's right, hitting some untracked soft corn. Perfect for hero turns. I skied most of this patch before heading back up the trail for one more. I was accompanied by a guy with FOUR Golden Retrievers :blink: that liked to slide on their backs headfirst down the snow and fight with each other. They provided great entertainment while sitting at the top of this patch. After some more conversation with the few folks sitting at the top, I headed down staying to the middle. This patch of snow was deep and almost edge-to-edge! At the bottom, I passed some jibbers who had moved a rail and were jamming.
I got out of the bindings and headed to the lodge to put back on the hiking boots. I scouted out the base area and walked to Devil's Fiddle base. Not much snow there.
Satisfied, I headed back to my car. Four runs, about 2000 vert or so. Some great laid back runs and conversation. Lots of fun. :beer:
About 20 people at the area during the afternoon total. A few folks were down at the access road with cameras observing the fun! This made my season seven months thus far and 43 days.
Pictures coming soon....
