Powder Day Strategy?

[St. Bear]

Never underestimate the fun potential of a powder-filled low angle glade.

And I guess that's half the point of this thread. I'm wary that BW will miss out on the amount of powder Jay's likely to get.

The other half, like I said I didn't want to make it all about me, was to get people's opinions and preferences of where they go on a powder day. Do they go to where the highest snow total is, or the lowest number of people?

 

[billski]

I avoid peeps at all cost.

6" of untracked beats 12" of bumped up chop any day.

 

[snowmonster]

^ I will answer that by saying I will go to the closest place that I can hit that gets significant snow. If it gets tracked out less because there's less people then that's a bonus. If Jay and BW are both getting 3-6 inches then I'd rather hit BW since it's about 1.5 hours to my doorstep. That's 1.5 hours I could be skiing (or resting). Now, if Jay were getting 6 inches and BW a dusting, then I'm heading to Jay. You also have to factor in the powderhound factor at Jay. Unless you're on the mountain before 9, you're skiing scraps. BW does not have that reputation so you could be skiing fresh into the afternoon.

 

[St. Bear]

Maybe some overly complicated formula.

(inches of snowfall) / (on trail skier density)

 

[AdironRider]

BW is love hate for me. Love the high speeds everywhere and lack of aggro dudes, but hate the flat terrain. Ive gone on pow days and just wallowed where the snow was to deep (and it wasnt epic) but was getting stuck everywhere due to lack of pitch. Pretty agravating.

That being said, Id do both. One day at Jay, one at BW. You can get some serious laps in at BW, if your aggresive maybe as many as 2x the amount of runs youd get at Jay.

 

[wa-loaf]

Committed to Cannon for Saturday.

 

[mlkrgr]

14mph doesn't really badda me. Head for fixed grip and woods skiing if it stirs up.

@ Ludlow:

BW winds don't look much better. But it's still got an advantage in terms of what gifts Ullr leaves behind.

I was concerned about wind for Saturday but then wind forecasts were downgraded at weather.com and wunderground.com and Accuweather is still predicting gusts in the 30s. Then again, what I wanted to do was sold out for Saturday so I had no choice but to go for Sunday as at this point, ski buses are the only affordable way for me to go skiing especially w/ record winter gas pricing.

That being said, I would think that people would spread out more at BW more than JP although I've only been to Jay Peak. The tram can have a sizable wait on any weekend (like you'd be doing very excellent at 5 minutes on a lesser one) and I think the crowds will come out of the woodwork somewhat especially we're talking a holiday weekend here but I think what will really make it happen is when MA/Southern NH/CT/RI get a few inches of snow. Though, the flyer quad will cover most of what the tram does at a fraction of the wait.

 

[BenedictGomez]

The other half, like I said I didn't want to make it all about me, was to get people's opinions and preferences of where they go on a powder day. Do they go to where the highest snow total is, or the lowest number of people?

I'm a storm chaser, so I go wherever the conditions will be best, which is why I recommended Whiteface! But Jay Peak will likely pull in the 2nd best snow totals if this materializes, so since that's one of your choices, IMO it's a no-brainer.

FYI, I was at Jay on Presidents Weekend Friday, and the longest "line" I waited in all day was approximately 1 minute (probably more like 45 seconds). Lines just aren't really an issue almost anywhere this year.

I avoid peeps at all cost.

6" of untracked beats 12" of bumped up chop any day.

I completely disagree!

Though I admit to loving both. It's like plain pizza or pizza with toppings (they're both great).

 

[mlkrgr]

I'm a storm chaser, so I go wherever the conditions will be best, which is why I recommended Whiteface! But Jay Peak will likely pull in the 2nd best snow totals if this materializes, so since that's one of your choices, IMO it's a no-brainer.

FYI, I was at Jay on Presidents Weekend Friday, and the longest "line" I waited in all day was approximately 1 minute (probably more like 45 seconds). Lines just aren't really an issue almost anywhere this year.

I've been keeping tabs w/ ski cameras to see what's going on and lines looked comparably long for the chondola on Sunday of last weekend (and the biggest line over there tends to be the Barker HSQ). Though, what I like about them is there's always some place to "hide" even when it's busy. With the chondola the NP quad is a ski on to no more than a few chairs wait and spruce peak, Aurora, and White Cap are always great choices. But yes, even on Facebook Friday, lines weren't an issue at Stratton as there was just a couple hundred more people or so skiing than your normal weekday despite free tix. Would say it's a bit gas pricing but there's been a fair amount of ski buses that end up being cancelled this year due to lack of bookings.

But I could see how Jay wouldn't have a wait anywhere the day before the holiday crowd comes up on Friday of Presidents Day Weekend; the next day you would see lines though.

 

[billski]

I

I completely disagree!

Though I admit to loving both. It's like plain pizza or pizza with toppings (they're both great).

Then you partially disagree.

 

[billski]

I've been keeping tabs w/ ski cameras to see what's going on and lines looked comparably long for the chondola on Sunday of last weekend (and the biggest line over there tends to be the Barker HSQ).

Probably the worst day of the year to look!

 

[BenedictGomez]

But I could see how Jay wouldn't have a wait anywhere the day before the holiday crowd comes up on Friday of Presidents Day Weekend; the next day you would see lines though.

That Friday is usually a lot busier than a standard Friday, as many take it off, but it was less crowded than even a "normal" Friday.

And I skied at Smuggs that Sunday of Presidents weekend, and I think 5 minutes was the longest line I "endured"....on Presidents Weekend! The crowds have stayed away this year in general.

I think it boils down to the below four things.....

1) Crappy snow year perception in general
2) Awful economy
3) No snow in "my backyard"
4) High gas prices

 

[St. Bear]

Wife's sick. Son's sick. Probably will have to bag the whole trip. Sorry to waste everyone's time. Hope everyone enjoys the snow.

 

[ScottySkis]

Wife's sick. Son's sick. Probably will have to bag the whole trip. Sorry to waste everyone's time. Hope everyone enjoys the snow.

That stinks, can you get out to catskills for a day at least.

 

[riverc0il]

Most vouchers are still blacked out this weekend. Check your black out dates and call ahead to be sure.

If you are a learning tree skier, BW might be a great option. Low angle and not as much snow as Jay. A lot of snow is not a good thing if you are developing your skills. It is hard to learn in deep powder. You won't have as many powder hounds buzzing you at Jay either. Ultimately, it really doesn't matter. I haven't seen forecasts to indicate wind will be an issue but then again if there is even a chance, BW is always the safest option. Enjoy either way.

 

[legalskier]

That stinks, can you get out to catskills for a day at least.

+1

 

[BenedictGomez]

That stinks, can you get out to catskills for a day at least.

If you add it all up, the 18z NAM is calling for about 7" to 9" for Plattekill through Saturday if you add it all up. I know it's just a model, but lots of mets like that one best once you get within 48 hours of event.

 

[legalskier]

Elk is reporting 6" from last night. Pow is closer than you think. http://www.elkskier.com/

 

[ScottySkis]

Platty has 21 trails open now, I bet they every thing open by Sunday.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Platty has 21 trails open now, I bet they every thing open by Sunday.

I had asked them the other day on Facebook (in anticipation of this storm) if 8" would be enough to get the mountain open 100%, and they responded that that should do it. Given they got 3" today, and look to pick up another 3" to 5", it wouldn't shock me if they could get close to 100% for Sunday.