Snow Depth/Travel Limit for Early Turns

[Greg]

What's your minimum snow depth and maximum travel time for earning turns in the fall? I would say for me, 1 foot and 2 hours. Basically that puts Hunter as just about the only viable option. Maybe Catamount if a major fluke. I really don't think anywhere in CT will score a foot before lift-serviced begins, but I'll rip the snot out of Mohawk if it happens... :lol:

You?

 

[gmcunni]

enough for lift served operations

3 hours

 

[roark]

skiable without unacceptable risk of injury (depends on what's underneath as well as actual depth).

daytrippable (<~3hrs)

 

[jbs1677]

I would say it depends on the cirmumstances.. Driving from NYC there have to be some conditions as min requirements. Very few people on the mountain (Midweek); at least 6-12 inches of snow with some pack underneath; and a cheap place to stay over. 5 HOURS for a Mid to late november trip.

Could consider hunter but typically there is not enough snow there to make the effort and it usually turns to rain midday because of how far south it is.

 

[snowmonster]

3.5 hours - front door to Barker Lodge parking lot at SR

 

[JD]

If there's 4 inches at the lot I'll go for a lap. Probably means the top 3rd will have some real good turns, middle mtn. will be low angle grassy, but good turns, suvival for the last few hundred vertical. I've got as far as whiteface and I'd certainly do that again...1.5 hours.

 

[AdironRider]

To tell you the truth Im not the most aggressive person in these early season times. A couple years ago I was really out there getting after it and most of the time I ended up dissapointed. For me, these first snowfalls are a prefect time to break out the split and just cruise around a ridgeline up high on the pass. Im much more apt to get after it until the last little bit of skiing in the spring.


That being said I need a skiable base of around 12" and Id be willing be willing to drive 3 hours or so to ski it. Thats settled skiable base, not just a a foot dump on nothing.

 

[riverc0il]

Snow depth does not tell the whole story. 4" of think mank is barely enough but one foot of blower on bare ground is a recipe for disaster. However, I have never seen blower pow in October or November which favors wetter snow generally. 4-6" is where I start thinking its go time. I have driven around 3 hours before for earned turns. Early season, I think 2 hours is reasonable. But then again, most places that I normally ski at are within that drive time.

 

[JD]

Blower last November....


Notice the snow depth at the lot in thge beginning...

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Snow depth - open, I'll use my rock skis if I have to.
Travel time, 3:45.

 

[bvibert]

A foot or so of denser snow and around 2 hours drive I guess.

 

[skidmarks]

If you can ski with out hiting rocks I'll drive.

 

[Trekchick]

If it snows enough I'll ski in my back yard, but I suspect that I'll drive an hour to ski on a WROD.
I'm itching to get out there!

 

[Greg]

A foot or so of denser snow and around 2 hours drive I guess.

So like Hunter, maybe?

 

[bvibert]

So like Hunter, maybe?

More or less.

 

[ta&idaho]

Blower last November....


Notice the snow depth at the lot in thge beginning...

That's a cool video. Your dog really goes after it...

 

[Warp Daddy]

less than a ft i ski hills on local golf course with my Xc skis -- if lift service i 'd drive 2 hrs

 

[skiadikt]

Blower last November....


Notice the snow depth at the lot in thge beginning...

yeah i'd 'suffer' through that ....