Recent content by polski

Hear hear. And even for someone who skis groomers not glades, more high-speed lifts would mean a lot traffic on the slopes, not necessarily a more enjoyable experience. I hit Jay after a 2-foot dump in Feb 2013 and had a blast but mid-afternoon the second day there was one run near the top, I...

Is the point of these announcements so mountains get the most possible business before they close - "ski it while you can"? I understand how/why demand drops off the deeper you get into spring but it just seems incongruous, and perhaps ill-advised from a marketing perspective (especially if...

All right, via another board, THIS is some serious POV: I once met a guy, Mike Holland, who for not quite half an hour held the world record for longest ski jump ever. He did it on that hill, Planica.

What the hell is that thing on the left side of his head, fuel for the camera? edit: or maybe ballast so he doesn't tip over to the right

I have to say, the day I feel compelled to loosen my bindings to account for the possibility of getting slammed by another skier is the day I quit skiing resorts, at least anyplace where I feel the risk of a collision is really that great. I do like to watch POV of back/sidecountry that I'm...

Look, if we need to have this thread every year at least spin it as "Ski Resorts Staying Open The Latest"

There was a huge crowd Thursday and trails got tracked out quickly; woods somewhat less so. Also, it went above freezing Saturday on roughly the lower third of the mountain (below the Single midstation and top of Sunnyside) so although there was more snow Saturday night and lighter crowds...

Yeah, are we only talking about operating ski areas? :wink: Gotta love the NELSAs. Euler's approach is generally mine as well - my goals are at least as much "what" and "how" as "where." Tops on my list are increasing backcountry skills (though there's a big "where" component to this as I...

In other words, prepending the "Q" was a business decision. Fine. I'm all for owners of a for-profit business taking steps to stem historical losses, turn things around and make a valued place sustainable. But prudent business leaders also evaluate their decisions for effectiveness and net...

Umm, yeah, I was gonna say ... I don't have anything to compare to first-hand but the EMS class was solid. Definitely helps if you are in decent shape, familiar with skinning and a competent skier. I see EMS now offers 4-day avy 1 courses for skiers/skinners only - an extra day in the field and...

Just Chute, below the rock hourglass. I admit I was a bit beat (not enough sleep, for one thing) and didn't actually get a huge amount of skiing in for the effort, but just being up there in the beautiful weather was great. Thought about Left Gully as there was good coverage to near the top...

^^^ BW is good on like a 6-8" powder day. If it's too deep there's very little terrain with enough pitch to enjoy ungroomed/glades i.e. keep moving downhill (although I admit I have not skied the Stickney area). I will say though that despite a reputation for being tame, BW was surprisingly...

p.s. Biggest regret: I managed not to make it to Magic this year. But a great season all in all. Here's perhaps my favorite photo of 2012-13, from Gulf of Slides Trail (looking up at the first gully/avy runout)

Wachusett - a couple hours one Friday evening for free as I shuttled some kids from my son's race team out there. It was OK for the price. Trails skied longer than I'd expected but man what a zoo. At one point I got off a chair and literally could not start downhill because there were too many...

Real solid season and, as of yesterday, it's over. Not sure whether this beats 2010-11 in my book - I had 35 days on skis that year compared to 30 this year, but far more earned vertical this year than ever before, with six days on Mt Washington. And just a real good mix of experiences. Late...