New South Peak Trails

[Johnskiismore]

Since the end of winter Loon has been cutting two new trail on South Peak. Wanted to go take a look and decided to hike Cruiser, cut over to Boon Run and hike down the new trails from there. Can't got up the new trails because they are still cutting and hauling trees. Everything worked until just below the top of Cruiser a bear came out to join me. I waited.... he sat down, I went back down the trail, found a maintenance trail and took some pics at the halfway point. I'll get some better ones next time

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1252

Alright, need a little help from the mods..... seems like it is double linking, this happened before and I do not know why it happens. I'm doing soething wrong....

 

[deadheadskier]

always cool to see a Bear. I usually prefer it from my car.

What kind of trails are these slated to be? They don't look massively wide, which is nice.

Will this complete the planned terrain expansion for South Peak?

 

[bvibert]

Cool shots!

Alright, need a little help from the mods..... seems like it is double linking, this happened before and I do not know why it happens. I'm doing soething wrong....

You had an extra http:// at the beginning of the link. Next time try just pasting the URL into the post body without using the "Insert Link" button.

 

[Johnskiismore]

Cool shots!



You had an extra http:// at the beginning of the link. Next time try just pasting the URL into the post body without using the "Insert Link" button.

Thank you!

 

[Johnskiismore]

always cool to see a Bear. I usually prefer it from my car.

What kind of trails are these slated to be? They don't look massively wide, which is nice.

Will this complete the planned terrain expansion for South Peak?

Its funny because my encounters with bears is getting more frequent every year! Guess they like me.

I think they are supposed to black diamond, but yes the trails are not too wide, I'll post a picture from the town so you'll get a better idea.

No, this will not be the end, in the grand scheme of the south peak expansion, two more lifts and quite a few more trails..... we'll see

 

[AMAC2233]

With 3 legit trails, the trip over to South Peak won't be as painful. On a cold day, I can't stand sitting on the Tote Road for 5 minutes each way with the wind in my face just to ski 3 trails, and that's assuming Ripsaw is open. 2 more trails and the trip will be completely worthwhile.

 

[bigbob]

Some of this cutting was preformed prior to last season, and some was taking place last spring. Are they going to complete the project this summer with stumping, grading snowmaking?

 

[Johnskiismore]

Some of this cutting was preformed prior to last season, and some was taking place last spring. Are they going to complete the project this summer with stumping, grading snowmaking?

Far as I know they are set to open this season with all stumps gone, snowmaking pipes in and water bars.

 

[Telemechanic]

Thanks for the pictures John. From town they're really starting to look really good. Yesterday, when I noticed the cutting had crossed the lift line, I drove up into the Forest Ridge Development to get a better look. A while ago I also hiked down from Boom Run until I could see over the pitch and was impressed. Its not quite as steep as the Ripsaw headwall but it seems like a longer sustained pitch.

The trails name's are Twitcher and Jobber. Twitcher starts at Boom Run just past Ripsaw, stays left at the split, crosses the lift line and ends on Cruiser next to the Lincoln Express. Jobber splits right from Twitcher about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way down and ends on Boom Run next to the Lincoln Express.

I hate throw water on peoples enthusiasms, but they aren't scheduled to be finished for the 2010/11 ski season. They'll probably be graded and get snowmaking next summer. I know some people who skied the skid road on Jobber last winter so if we get a lot of snow next winter maybe we'll have some trails to ski at Loon that the groomers can't touch.

As for the plans for South Peak after Twitcher and Jobber, they complete this trail and lift pod. When the South Peak Resort builds its Condo-Hotel they're will be some connecting trails and lifts in the vicinity of Escape Route. Even sooner there will also be a very short real estate lift coming up from the river, over the road and ending next to the Pemi Base Camp. Someday there might be more trails from the peak, southwest of Cruiser but that would involve another permitting process with the USFS to expand the current Permitted area.

 

[riverc0il]

I know some people who skied the skid road on Jobber last winter so if we get a lot of snow next winter maybe we'll have some trails to ski at Loon that the groomers can't touch.

It amazes me that with all the new trails going in that they did not plan for at least one natural snow trail with natural contours (with or without snow making though preferably without!). Loon could really use a few more natural runs to even out their assortment. Cannon is really going to show them up in that regard next season with a lift at Mittersill. But I guess that is not their target demographic.

 

[Telemechanic]

It amazes me that with all the new trails going in that they did not plan for at least one natural snow trail with natural contours (with or without snow making though preferably without!). Loon could really use a few more natural runs to even out their assortment. Cannon is really going to show them up in that regard next season with a lift at Mittersill. But I guess that is not their target demographic.

Too true x 2. Cannon has already done it with beginner terrain. If management remains cautious about the economy maybe the new trails could remain without their snow-making and manicure awhile longer giving time for the expert-demo to show their appreciation by ripping them up. Pray-For-Snow!

 

[thetrailboss]

It amazes me that with all the new trails going in that they did not plan for at least one natural snow trail with natural contours (with or without snow making though preferably without!). Loon could really use a few more natural runs to even out their assortment. Cannon is really going to show them up in that regard next season with a lift at Mittersill. But I guess that is not their target demographic.

I agree. Folks go to Loon to ski groomers.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

I agree. Folks go to Loon to ski groomers.

Does Loon get enough snow to even have natural trails that are sustainable for more then a week or two?

 

[Telemechanic]

Does Loon get enough snow to even have natural trails that are sustainable for more then a week or two?

Sure. Even this poor snow year its token natural snow trail (Triple Trouble) and tree runs were open for much more than that.

 

[riverc0il]

Does Loon get enough snow to even have natural trails that are sustainable for more then a week or two?

They get a little less than Cannon annually but more than enough natural for trails without snow making to open for at least half the season.

 

[bobbutts]

For the record they do have a marked glade run over there so it's not entirely groomers. I agree they should have added a classic style natural run, why not?

 

[deadheadskier]

when is the last time a natural 'classic' ski trail has been cut in the east? I can't think of a single new trail in the last 20 years that has been cut that doesn't have snowmaking. only glades.

 

[riverc0il]

when is the last time a natural 'classic' ski trail has been cut in the east? I can't think of a single new trail in the last 20 years that has been cut that doesn't have snowmaking. only glades.

Interesting observation.

How about Black Beauty and Frostbite at Saddleback? I have not skied them yet. Maybe Salsgang is reading and can provide some info.

Mitty really does not count since those trails have long since already been cut.

Perhaps lift line from new pods but I can not think of the last trail that was cut (glades aside) for specific usage as a natural snow trail. Natural snow trails seem to be bastard children due to lack of snow making pipe on select trails.

 

[deadheadskier]

Saddlebacks trail expansions did come to mind with that statement, though I wasn't sure whether they had snowmaking or not on their new cut trails. Given their elevation and 40% more natural snow, I could see a mountain like Saddleback cutting natural trails. Their 'niche' as being old school and different probably plays in as well. That's certainly not Loons image.

I would for sure be cool to see them cut some classic trails. I've often thought that many areas could benefit from such with available space in between trails on the map. More than likely in this day and age, you'd be ruining an on or off map glade with such cutting. That said, I'd be willing to sacrifice some good glades here and there for more trails like Rumble.

 

[billski]

when is the last time a natural 'classic' ski trail has been cut in the east? I can't think of a single new trail in the last 20 years that has been cut that doesn't have snowmaking. only glades.

And I don't think you're gonna see one. It's not what the money wants. Really too bad.

I actually was thinking when I viewed the trails about how wide they are, which seemed funny after I read the other comments. But what is worse than wide is that they appear to be straight shot down the mountain. I could deal with wide, if it wasn't a straight shot. Kinda dull.

Just this morning I was thinking about how boring Loon it is to ski at this point in my career. Once upon a time, when I was far less comfortable on skis, I loved Loon. I actually called it my favorite for a few years in the 80s. But between the floods of people on the trails and the homogenous nature of the trails, it lost its appeal.