12/31 - ??? Storm Discussion Thread

[Johnskiismore]

Five inches so far, just waiting fir the rest of the storm

 

[RootDKJ]

Updated Accuweather map...

 

[deadheadskier]

Saddleback or the Loaf looks to be the winners. Do not like that line for Ragged. Puts us closer to the 6 inch side of things. Was hoping for at least 10.

 

[riverc0il]

Saddleback or the Loaf looks to be the winners. Do not like that line for Ragged. Puts us closer to the 6 inch side of things. Was hoping for at least 10.

Fear not, this thing is just getting started. Storm total so far about 4-5" here in Ashland, I would guess Ragged is similar or just a touch more. NECN is forecasting more snow for the NH whites than western Maine now with most of central NH in the one foot range. Tomorrow should be sensational any where the lifts turn.

 

[WinnChill]

Saddleback or the Loaf looks to be the winners. Do not like that line for Ragged. Puts us closer to the 6 inch side of things. Was hoping for at least 10.

I wouldn't take the exact lines of these maps verbatim DHS....they're rough estimates, especially with this irregular storm. The northerly flow from this storm does put Ragged in a bit of a shadow but I still think they'll get more than 6"...we've got almost that now and the storm hasn't even got cranked up yet. Hang in there and take those maps with a grain of salt.

 

[Angus]

Tomorrow should be sensational any where the lifts turn.

So, that's my dilemma - Cannon or Brettonwoods or do we head over VT where I suspect winds will not be as intense?

 

[WinnChill]

So, that's my dilemma - Cannon or Brettonwoods or do we head over VT where I suspect winds will not be as intense?

You're right to think VT would be less windy but I don't think it will make a difference with this storm--too close and the core of the strongest winds will be spread out fairly evenly from VT/NH to ME. Even if Jay, Burke or Killington winds are weaker, it wouldn't be by very much at all. I think it comes down to slope orientation and individual resort criteria for wind holds. From what I just saw in another thread, Bretton rarely has wind holds and Cannon may have a south/southeast facing slope for some protection (I could be wrong on that).

 

[petergriffen]

well I'll be at Bretton tomorrow afternoon. 12-4 $15 for grafton residents.

 

[WJenness]

SR was really nice today (with the exception of Obsession (being prepped for the NorAm race, and Northern Lights)...

Hoping for an epic tomorrow...

May go out and night ski a bit tonight... but needed the break as my legs were beat... In the condo now.

-w

 

[polski]

Still hoping for enough snow locally (NE Mass) to hit some promising local steeps tomorrow - spent 3+ hours there yesterday clearing woods lines. It got above freezing yesterday afternoon and then we had a little mist/drizzle when the snow first started, which actually was good, to help solidify the base - but that base was just a couple inches ... and only ~3" new on top of that now, so I figure I need at least 6" and preferably >8" more to consider trying those steeps. But with 4" more I've got a couple other nearby NELSAP options to revisit. Then when the holiday crowds go home and winds slacken, Monday I hit somewhere big up north - not Maine, which is either too far or too expensive; more likely the Bush or Burke (have good deals for both, and will be with a snowboarder so no MRG).

Making the destination decision is a non-trivial part of the fun of skiing for me.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

It's gonna snow, Maine will get the most followed by NH then Vermont. It might be windy at times. The drive might be trecherous. Just pick a place and go, I bet you will have an awesome time. What a concept. :wink: Happy New Decade!

I think driving to Rangeley for Saddleback could become one of those driving adventures you'll be talking about for years. I had several of those in my younger days. Always made it, never an accident but it sure took awhile. I think Mount Abrams would be an interesting choice as I assume SR will be crazy busy. The Loaf will probably be totally sweet but then your getting back to that adventure travel possibility again. How much are you willing to risk to get where you really want to go.

Looking forward to some awesome reports come Monday. Please include some pics, if possible. This is not Playboy or Penthouse where we all " didn't look at the pics, just read the articles" . :lol:

This is my dilemma. There is a stretch of 27 from Augusta to Farmington that is scary driving. White knuckle, clench the sphincter and pray driving. Coming home this afternoon I would have been better off strapping on my skis and ditching the car. It sucked This leads to tomorrow...

Sugarloaf was awesome today and I know that tomorrow will be exceptional IF they spin the lifts. (and if not, you can always hike it) With gusts to 50, I wonder if and when they will turn. I couldn't seem to find info on the wind threshold there.

Thoughts?

 

[Masskier]

Northern Vermont update from the NWS

"NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/...
AS OF 1043 PM EST SATURDAY...MAJOR SNOW STORM IN PROGRESS FOR THE
NORTH COUNTRY. STILL EXPECTING UP TO 18" OF SNOW THROUGH TOMORROW
NIGHT THOUGH IT APPEARS THE BULK WILL BE COMING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.
HAVE BUMPED UP THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS TO A FEW 20 INCH OR SO
TOTALS.

 

[JD]

only about 4 here overnight....go north my firends.

 

[nelsapbm]

Only 4 in Northfield?
25" in South Burlington is being reported by the NWS.
Have not been out to measure but we must have 18" or so inches here in the foothills of the western slopes.

 

[polski]

Even to the north it appears to have been highly localized to Champlain Valley and western slopes of the Greens. From NWS spotter reports: Essex Junction 26", S. Burlington 25", Stowe 4.5" (the ski area reports 6-9 in last 24 hrs). MRG says 8-10" at the summit but hardly anything at the base.

 

[nelsapbm]

WOW...Crazy!

 

[Northernflight]

18-24 at Bretton Woods

 

[Greg]

Dumping here right now...

 

[drjeff]

I'd say atleast 6" at Mount Snow, really tough to tell as it's really dry, fluffy stuff and the wind is HOWLING out of the NW. Tough to tell if it's still snowing or just blowing around????? Had to dig out about a 4 foot deep drift from my front door to let the dog out this AM. Some nice pockets of soft pow on the mountain, but you had to look for it as there's lot's of wind blown slabs/drifts and dust on crust depending on exposure to the wind. COLD here too, just over 8 degrees at 11:15AM - kind of hoping that some of the warmer air trying to back in across Maine right now moves West and gets in here to atleast moderate temps into the 20's

 

[Ski Diva]

We probably got 6 to 8 inches here in Plymouth, VT, between Ludlow and Killington. The wind is HOWLING, though, which is less than pleasant. I went over to Okemo this morning for the free hour, opened my car door, and decided it wasn't for me. I turned around and went back home. Okay, I'm a wuss.

Besides, I'll be skiing the rest of the week.