billski
Active member
Getting a little snoozy, but I want this info out tonight to benefit those on the deciding line...
Nice little journey to Dover last night, put me on the hill at opening bell. There was about 5" down by 8AM. The snow was moveable, but a bit heavier than blower pow. Sounds like further north had lighter snow. Definitely more work than last month's 12" in Mt. Wash Valley.
Did some blues on the front face, started on Exhibition; it skied much, much better than last month. There was enough snow that you could go pretty much anywhere without concern about picking your turns. All the trails on front skied rather similarly, bumping up as they day went on per usual. The snow continued heavy most of the the day, lightening up 10-11 and then after 3pm.
This is definitely some of the best snow of the year. Cross fingers, if temps stay cold, the stuff is malleable and will stay in place for a nice base.
Here and there, especially on the steeps, the frozen granular raised its ugly face, but entirely avoidable. Stayed on the main stuff for a while, then wandered over to Sunbrook, which had one of the most delightful trails, mostly because it was lightly tracked and hardly bumped up. I think I skied most of the blues on the front. I had fun on Ledge last time I was there, but it didn't look like fun today. then got bored, so wandered over to North Face, which had some of the nicest skiing of the day. The steeper pitch made slicing through this heavy pow much easier. It wasn't at all windy in the morning.
As a general rule, there was no lift line anywhere.
Canyon express had some nice (ski) lines. I don't think, from a conditions point of view there was a bad trail to be found. There were still several closed trails, which, given the crappy year we've had, should have been open, with "thin cover" posted on top. I guess that's not how MS does things. I am told :wink:those closed trails skied quite nicely and were entirely safe.
I was really surprised how bumped up the green trails were (see, I do go everywhere!).
Now, the woods and glades are starting to come into play. The experience ranged from heaven to hell. On the heaven side, there was a couple of very nice areas where the base was good and there wasn't a lot of crap on the forest floor. Skied like a dream. On the flip, there was some areas that were not ready for prime time, mostly due to lack of coverage over small drainage and brooks. I took a wet one for the Gipper, then got out of there. Oh yeah, and don't bring your pretty skis in there. I took a good one off some 6' rocks I didn't see!
I split the day 50/50 between named trails and everywhere else. By about 2pm my legs were burning. Took and hour sabbatical, went back out for the last hour, found a most wonderful woods stash, but then was bummed that it was getting near closing time and I didn't want to get stuck with no way home...
Net-net, got less snow than forecast, but plenty (maybe 8-10") to make it ski nice. Snow was bit heavy, but when you live in the east, you've got nothing to complain about. I'm sure the groomers will flatten out the usual suspects which should make some most wonderful groomer trail skiing tomorrow and through the weekend for that matter.
Now, between you and us girls, let me share some observations.
First, (and this was the one that really made my socks rot), at 9:00 AM, first bell, I was major, major DISAPPOINTED when me and the rest of the paying public got on the lift to see trail after trail :uzi:ENTIRELY TRACKED OUT. Seems :uzi:every frikkin employee got the goods and beat them hard. Unbelievable. There are always the privileged few (Ski Patrol and select others) who make a could of first tracks down a trail, I've come to expect that. However, that people who paid good money, who in fact pay the salaries of said employees, deserve a good "product". This is NOT RIGHT.:smash: An employee told me that not even pass-holders were on the mt. early. OK, give them couple trails. But 'cmon, the whole freaking place?:angry: I am NOT exaggerating. A "product" is not just about grooming and snow-making. It's about the experience. It's really indefensible.
Next observation. Reasons not to like the bubble chair.
1. You get to hear, loud and clear, the conversations by the brain dead boys who believe the only adjective begins with an F and ends in a K, sometimes with an "ing" thrown in.
After about 12 of these in the first minute, I'm glad I had my tunes with me. This happened three times.
2. You not only get to sit with those who drank way too much, but you hear it and smell it all over them.
3. Then there was the boy (sorry, the immaturity just oozed from these 20-somethings) who bragged about how he bought none of the ski gear or clothes he owns. :blink: He "found" them. Glad I brought my lock. I moved on.
Next - the employees are trained in manners. Imagine that, in America! When I was say adieu, even the lifties said they hoped I had a nice day and would come back again.
Best thing they ever did was the free bag check. So why don't the boys, and yes, I mean boys and only boys not use it?
Why are there so many lid-less guys here? Mostly boarders. WTF? I used to think it was the old schoolers who resisted helmets.
I really like the base layout. It's not a PITA to get from the lodge to the lifts. Pretty much on the same level.
OK, that's enough. These are my impressions from someone who wanders from mountain to mountain never to own a pass. Gives me a lot to compare with. I'm sure I'll be hearing from Dr. J soon!
Nice little journey to Dover last night, put me on the hill at opening bell. There was about 5" down by 8AM. The snow was moveable, but a bit heavier than blower pow. Sounds like further north had lighter snow. Definitely more work than last month's 12" in Mt. Wash Valley.
Did some blues on the front face, started on Exhibition; it skied much, much better than last month. There was enough snow that you could go pretty much anywhere without concern about picking your turns. All the trails on front skied rather similarly, bumping up as they day went on per usual. The snow continued heavy most of the the day, lightening up 10-11 and then after 3pm.
This is definitely some of the best snow of the year. Cross fingers, if temps stay cold, the stuff is malleable and will stay in place for a nice base.
Here and there, especially on the steeps, the frozen granular raised its ugly face, but entirely avoidable. Stayed on the main stuff for a while, then wandered over to Sunbrook, which had one of the most delightful trails, mostly because it was lightly tracked and hardly bumped up. I think I skied most of the blues on the front. I had fun on Ledge last time I was there, but it didn't look like fun today. then got bored, so wandered over to North Face, which had some of the nicest skiing of the day. The steeper pitch made slicing through this heavy pow much easier. It wasn't at all windy in the morning.
As a general rule, there was no lift line anywhere.
Canyon express had some nice (ski) lines. I don't think, from a conditions point of view there was a bad trail to be found. There were still several closed trails, which, given the crappy year we've had, should have been open, with "thin cover" posted on top. I guess that's not how MS does things. I am told :wink:those closed trails skied quite nicely and were entirely safe.
I was really surprised how bumped up the green trails were (see, I do go everywhere!).
Now, the woods and glades are starting to come into play. The experience ranged from heaven to hell. On the heaven side, there was a couple of very nice areas where the base was good and there wasn't a lot of crap on the forest floor. Skied like a dream. On the flip, there was some areas that were not ready for prime time, mostly due to lack of coverage over small drainage and brooks. I took a wet one for the Gipper, then got out of there. Oh yeah, and don't bring your pretty skis in there. I took a good one off some 6' rocks I didn't see!
I split the day 50/50 between named trails and everywhere else. By about 2pm my legs were burning. Took and hour sabbatical, went back out for the last hour, found a most wonderful woods stash, but then was bummed that it was getting near closing time and I didn't want to get stuck with no way home...
Net-net, got less snow than forecast, but plenty (maybe 8-10") to make it ski nice. Snow was bit heavy, but when you live in the east, you've got nothing to complain about. I'm sure the groomers will flatten out the usual suspects which should make some most wonderful groomer trail skiing tomorrow and through the weekend for that matter.
Now, between you and us girls, let me share some observations.
First, (and this was the one that really made my socks rot), at 9:00 AM, first bell, I was major, major DISAPPOINTED when me and the rest of the paying public got on the lift to see trail after trail :uzi:ENTIRELY TRACKED OUT. Seems :uzi:every frikkin employee got the goods and beat them hard. Unbelievable. There are always the privileged few (Ski Patrol and select others) who make a could of first tracks down a trail, I've come to expect that. However, that people who paid good money, who in fact pay the salaries of said employees, deserve a good "product". This is NOT RIGHT.:smash: An employee told me that not even pass-holders were on the mt. early. OK, give them couple trails. But 'cmon, the whole freaking place?:angry: I am NOT exaggerating. A "product" is not just about grooming and snow-making. It's about the experience. It's really indefensible.
Next observation. Reasons not to like the bubble chair.
1. You get to hear, loud and clear, the conversations by the brain dead boys who believe the only adjective begins with an F and ends in a K, sometimes with an "ing" thrown in.
After about 12 of these in the first minute, I'm glad I had my tunes with me. This happened three times.2. You not only get to sit with those who drank way too much, but you hear it and smell it all over them.
3. Then there was the boy (sorry, the immaturity just oozed from these 20-somethings) who bragged about how he bought none of the ski gear or clothes he owns. :blink: He "found" them. Glad I brought my lock. I moved on.
Next - the employees are trained in manners. Imagine that, in America! When I was say adieu, even the lifties said they hoped I had a nice day and would come back again.
Best thing they ever did was the free bag check.
So why don't the boys, and yes, I mean boys and only boys not use it? Why are there so many lid-less guys here? Mostly boarders. WTF? I used to think it was the old schoolers who resisted helmets.
I really like the base layout. It's not a PITA to get from the lodge to the lifts. Pretty much on the same level.
OK, that's enough. These are my impressions from someone who wanders from mountain to mountain never to own a pass. Gives me a lot to compare with. I'm sure I'll be hearing from Dr. J soon!
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