Plattekill Mountain 1/19/09

[braciole]

Plattekill Mountain 1/19/09
Powder, PP, Windblown Drifts, Twigs

Woke up on Sunday to about 8-10 inches of super light powder at the house, scooted over to Plattekill, got there about 11AM, all three lots were just about full, good to see a big day for the local mom and pop ski area. Personally for me if they have snow this is my pick over any of the other catskill areas as I love the terrain and there's never a line to be found at a lift. On and off the lift all day, powder, pp, wind blown knee high pockets to be found everywhere. Steeper stuff had ocassional twigs poking through etc, typical au natural Plattekill conditions. Hopefully they will hold the base as you can't beat the $40 all day ticket vouchers from Potter brothers. Light was real flat so the pics were a little washed out and dark. Go easy...this is my cherry popping report !

 

[andyzee]

Sweet, heard it was good but couldn't make it. I'll be ready in two weeks, hope it's still good then.

 

[TheBEast]

Glad to see someone enjoyed the freshies today!

Nice report and pics. Mountain Biked at the kill but never on snow there, need to make it out there.

 

[skiadikt]

i'm an old plattekill fan but curious how all 3 lots could be full and there were no lines?

 

[andyzee]

i'm an old plattekill fan but curious how all 3 lots could be full and there were no lines?

I've seen that in the past, the lots are pretty small.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Platekill is on my hit list..I want to hit up one of their Powder Daze..it's on the bucket list along with Pond Skimming..

 

[ta&idaho]

I was in Idaho skiing in the sun while it snowed out here this weekend, but I'm thinking of heading to Plattekill on Saturday if they get any more snow this week. Thanks for the report!

 

[JimG.]

Plattekill Mountain 1/19/09
Powder, PP, Windblown Drifts, Twigs

Woke up on Sunday to about 8-10 inches of super light powder at the house, scooted over to Plattekill, got there about 11AM, all three lots were just about full, good to see a big day for the local mom and pop ski area. Personally for me if they have snow this is my pick over any of the other catskill areas as I love the terrain and there's never a line to be found at a lift. On and off the lift all day, powder, pp, wind blown knee high pockets to be found everywhere. Steeper stuff had ocassional twigs poking through etc, typical au natural Plattekill conditions. Hopefully they will hold the base as you can't beat the $40 all day ticket vouchers from Potter brothers. Light was real flat so the pics were a little washed out and dark. Go easy...this is my cherry popping report !

Plattekill rocks...as much as I love to ski at Hunter, I tend to agree that Plattekill is the hidden gem of all the Catskill ski areas.

 

[denvervega]

All lots were full plus a couple of dozen cars parked down the road. Driving up the valley (hollow) at 9:00 AM we counted 7 cars driving in front and 10 behind us (Doesn't happen often.) While that said it seemed as if most people were there to socialize/campout in the lodge. Or, all that fresh powder took its toll on the "once in awhile - holiday wknd. skier/boarder." We were still getting fresh tracks at 3 PM Sun. (skiers right of Northface, Ridge, & Freefall)
Mon. 1/19 was a cruisers dream- all groomed (odd for Plattekill) except Plunge & Block. No crowds. People need to give Plattekill another look. I'm biased as it is our home mtn. and love to have it to ourselves, but also recognize the economic needs of one of the few family run mountains. A true gem.

 

[braciole]

I've seen that in the past, the lots are pretty small.

Yes, the lots are that small...as a matter of fact they started lining cars on the access road. If there's snow in the Catskills, well then it just can't be beat for terrain and old school ambiance.
Now, on the other hand on Monday I went real old school and scouted out Bobcat, which is currently not operating, another great old school catskill resort. I did snap some pics of the empty slopes full of untouched pow, but it does not warrant a real trip report as I happen to have been on skis that had a motor :grin:, but next time they will be strapped on for the ride :lol: , I didn't see any tracks other than ones left by non-skiers but the base was deep & begging for someone to carve some powder turns. Catskills are holding up real nice now.

 

[180]

Thats funny, I called Bobcat this morning just to see if they were open.

 

[skiadikt]

Yes, the lots are that small...as a matter of fact they started lining cars on the access road. If there's snow in the Catskills, well then it just can't be beat for terrain and old school ambiance.
Now, on the other hand on Monday I went real old school and scouted out Bobcat, which is currently not operating, another great old school catskill resort. I did snap some pics of the empty slopes full of untouched pow, but it does not warrant a real trip report as I happen to have been on skis that had a motor :grin:, but next time they will be strapped on for the ride :lol: , I didn't see any tracks other than ones left by non-skiers but the base was deep & begging for someone to carve some powder turns. Catskills are holding up real nice now.

yeah bobcat is another catskill gem. someone need to buy that place and reopen it. it would rock on powder days.

 

[ta&idaho]

All lots were full plus a couple of dozen cars parked down the road. Driving up the valley (hollow) at 9:00 AM we counted 7 cars driving in front and 10 behind us (Doesn't happen often.) While that said it seemed as if most people were there to socialize/campout in the lodge. Or, all that fresh powder took its toll on the "once in awhile - holiday wknd. skier/boarder." We were still getting fresh tracks at 3 PM Sun. (skiers right of Northface, Ridge, & Freefall)
Mon. 1/19 was a cruisers dream- all groomed (odd for Plattekill) except Plunge & Block. No crowds. People need to give Plattekill another look. I'm biased as it is our home mtn. and love to have it to ourselves, but also recognize the economic needs of one of the few family run mountains. A true gem.

Anyone have a take on how Plattekill will be come Saturday? I have access to a car for the day, so I'm somewhat eager to try out somewhere the bus won't take me. Sadly, the weather report now indicates "a chance of freezing drizzle after midnight" tonight. I guess I'm out if they get freezing rain and in if they get snow instead, but what if they get neither? Will the good conditions from last weekend hold up through the week?

 

[denvervega]

Conditions should be excellent. I teach at a school at the bottom of the mountain and it's been cold (single digits-teens) w/ flurries all week. They've been blowing snow as well. We'll be there Fri. so I'll try to give you a heads up Fri.eve.

 

[ta&idaho]

Conditions should be excellent. I teach at a school at the bottom of the mountain and it's been cold (single digits-teens) w/ flurries all week. They've been blowing snow as well. We'll be there Fri. so I'll try to give you a heads up Fri.eve.

Thanks for the info. I'm excited to give it a try.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Its a hidden gem on a pow day....

 

[braciole]

A couple of people asked to see my pics of Bobcat Ski Center, I'm not sure if it warrants another thread from my trip report, if a mod wants to break it off be my guest. Pics are here http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1036 Off to VT in the AM !

 

[180]

Nice pics

 

[ta&idaho]

Since this has turned into a discussion of the off-the-beaten-path Catskills, I thought I'd ask a Belleayre question. What's up with Cathedral Brook and the surrounding area? I've never been there when there's been enough natural snow to venture into the trees, but it looks interesting from the map, the east coast TGR folk mention it occasionally, and when I did some searching on the internet I saw some references to a cat that would take lazy folk along the traverse. Any input from the bell-folk?

 

[kingslug]

Since this has turned into a discussion of the off-the-beaten-path Catskills, I thought I'd ask a Belleayre question. What's up with Cathedral Brook and the surrounding area? I've never been there when there's been enough natural snow to venture into the trees, but it looks interesting from the map, the east coast TGR folk mention it occasionally, and when I did some searching on the internet I saw some references to a cat that would take lazy folk along the traverse. Any input from the bell-folk?

The cat rarely runs, but when it does it takes you to the top of Cathedral which is a decent pitch and different from most of the regular runs. if it isn't running and you don't feel like hiking it you can go down Roaring Brook and duck the rope midway down to get to the middle of the run which is more interesting. Never skied the trees there, you can make a wrong turn and end up in town!!