When will Killington be open top to bottom?

[Zand]

They're not gonna start blowing Snowdon yet with the impending blowtorch on its way Friday. They've said that they're just going to fatten up the North Ridge trails so those will make it through the weekend and then when cold temps return next week that should be time to go T2B.

 

[dlague]

the impending blowtorch on its way Friday.

No kidding - three days and nights with temps above 32 at least at lower levels and r$&#! That will create a nice ice base when it refreezes! I guess that is the gamble of early season snow making!

 

[slatham]

Long range forecast for next 2 weeks+ is for back and forth temps. I do not see a prolonged period of cold where I would make a run toward the bottom. Better to solidify, expand, and resurface (numerous times it looks like) and wait until there is a prolonged perdiod of cold weather. Lets not loose track of the calendar - it is October. Being open is aggressive. Trying for the bottom is foolish.

 

[Newpylong]

They aren't going to touch Snowdon with a 10 foot pole until they know the route down will last. There is still terrain up top including Canyon they can cover while waiting for better temps down low.

Zand, not really any comparison there. By the time Okemo opens, K usually has several "expert" runs open. They already do with the albeit short Downdraft Headwall.

 

[whitemtn27]

They do indeed claim to be blowing snow on Powerline today. I think that and Ridge Run are underrated trails, every year I wish they'd put some hours into getting those open before worrying about getting to the bottom where it's only going to melt out anyway.

 

[deadheadskier]

Long range forecast for next 2 weeks+ is for back and forth temps. I do not see a prolonged period of cold where I would make a run toward the bottom. Better to solidify, expand, and resurface (numerous times it looks like) and wait until there is a prolonged perdiod of cold weather. Lets not loose track of the calendar - it is October. Being open is aggressive. Trying for the bottom is foolish.

Guess Sunday River is foolish. They're trying for top to bottom off two peaks for the weekend.

Sent from my XT907 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[jimmywilson69]

SR has a much shorter run for T2B. That is an advantage over Killington in that department. As you know, it's a long way from Northridge back to the K1, via Great Northern and then Lower Bunnybuster.

 

[yeggous]

SR has a much shorter run for T2B. That is an advantage over Killington in that department. As you know, it's a long way from Northridge back to the K1, via Great Northern and then Lower Bunnybuster.

This is true, but Sunday River is pounding on at least 3 different routes down. They are really optimistic though. I don't know that I see it happening. Based on the shots they are showing so far, they are a long way from getting there. If they had good (or even marginal) weather all week I'd say it would not be a problem. But it looks really warm and wet late in the week.

 

[steamboat1]

Anyone who was up there see if they were blowing the rest of the route down?

Wasn't there but read they were blowing Killink which connects the summit of Snowdon with the North Ridge area. Nothing going on lower from what I've heard.

 

[Puck it]

Wasn't there but read they were blowing Killink which connects the summit of Snowdon with the North Ridge area. Nothing going on lower from what I've heard.

Lower Killink from GN to the NRT only.

 

[mister moose]

They do indeed claim to be blowing snow on Powerline today.

Claim? They started guns running on Powerline Friday afternoon. As well as GN portion below it.

 

[C-Rex]

This thread is killing me. I want to go get some turns in SO BAD, but the 3.5 hour drive is a bit much to do solo and I can't find anyone else willing to go with me.

 

[ScottySkis]

This thread is killing me. I want to go get some turns in SO BAD, but the 3.5 hour drive is a bit much to do solo and I can't find anyone else willing to go with me.

Where do you live just got I really want go to.

 

[Riverskier]

This is true, but Sunday River is pounding on at least 3 different routes down. They are really optimistic though. I don't know that I see it happening. Based on the shots they are showing so far, they are a long way from getting there. If they had good (or even marginal) weather all week I'd say it would not be a problem. But it looks really warm and wet late in the week.

People can debate the wisdom of it all they want, but this is consistent with SR's typical operations plan in the Fall- blow as much snow as possible, whenever possible, and more or less without regard for the impending forecast. I love it! I would agree that it is optimistic that they would have a full, groomed, mid season caliber top to bottom run by the weekend. However, I bet they get enough down on Punch to throw up the experts only/ungroomed/walking required sign. That makes all of the difference in the world! It may or may not be great for lapping, but once crowds pick up, the download line can become unbearable, so that is a godsend.

 

[Vortex]

Getting barker to run really makes it all work. It is not unusual they get Top to bottom open early. They may have to rebuild it, but that does not stop them. I will be up Sat and Sunday and ski. What ever I get will be fine.

 

[Tin]

Last year on the website they claimed to be running guns on Powerline starting in October and didn't end up opening it until almost December. When it's open I will believe it.

 

[Tin]

This thread is killing me. I want to go get some turns in SO BAD, but the 3.5 hour drive is a bit much to do solo and I can't find anyone else willing to go with me.

I'm dying to go. Wedding this weekend but due for a sick day at work.

 

[Newpylong]

Last year on the website they claimed to be running guns on Powerline starting in October and didn't end up opening it until almost December. When it's open I will believe it.

Well, they've been running for a few days on Powerline so I would say tomorrow it should open up.

 

[deadheadskier]

SR has a much shorter run for T2B. That is an advantage over Killington in that department. As you know, it's a long way from Northridge back to the K1, via Great Northern and then Lower Bunnybuster.

If Sunday River's top to bottom focus was solely on Lower Punch, I'd agree with you. The fact that they are trying to get Right Stuff open makes it a fairly even snowmaking effort comparison to the Great Northern > Lower Bunny route. Right Stuff is a wide 1400 vertical foot advanced run with a significant run out.

That argument aside, I don't really think you can compare the two efforts other than offering top to bottom skiing. No one wants to lap GN > LB at Killington. I think it only makes sense to open that route if you're also going for tying in trails off the summit of Snowdon. Given the forecast I can't blame Killington for not trying to go TtoB.

A more appropriate comparison to Right Stuff regarding terrain at Killington would be if they were trying to get Bittersweet open for the weekend. K skiers would be psyched if they were trying to get that open, just the same as Sunday River skiers are psyched their mountain is trying to open Right Stuff.

Maybe it all washes away later in the week or maybe it doesn't. If it doesn't and you're from the Boston area, where would you ski? It's the same drive time; Mountain A is offering top to bottom skiing on two 1400 vertical peaks for $29; Mountain B is offering several 500-600 vertical runs (and maybe lower East Fall) with walking required up stairs to get to a download lift for the price of $49.

No brainer for me being equal distance from both areas.

Getting barker to run really makes it all work. It is not unusual they get Top to bottom open early. They may have to rebuild it, but that does not stop them. I will be up Sat and Sunday and ski. What ever I get will be fine.

90% certain I'll be there Sunday by 10.

 

[Puck it]

Does it really matter at this stage of the game? Just be f'ing glad that there are two options. It could be worse!