$1M for Mittersill "improvement project"

[SIKSKIER]

You can pretty much see the before and after on the upper section.

 

[bobbutts]

Looks like every black trail at Loon except half the vertical and a slow chair instead of a high speed.

 

[Puck it]

Looks like every black trail at Loon except half the vertical and a slow chair instead of a high speed.

Except there is not the same exact trail on either side.

 

[Puck it]

You can pretty much see the before and after on the upper section.

Looking at that pic, makes me think. What is going to happen on a race day and you ski the Birches? How are they going to handle that one with all of the variations on entry into them.

 

[MadMadWorld]

It's been Cannon-ized!

 

[SIKSKIER]

Except there is not the same exact trail on either side.

That will be interesting.I think I'm headed there this weekend to take a looksee in person.

 

[skiberg]

Actually the vert on Mitt is not much different than Loon with the exception of maybe Picked Rock and that's about 1,800. Barons is 1,500 ft of vert. South Peak at loon is also about 1,800. Really nothing else has much more continuous vert. But you are right it is similar to many runs at loon, Sunday River et. We will have to see how it skis to know if its any different.

 

[machski]

No way in hell South Peak has 1800 vert, maybe 1500. It sits lower than the shoulder below the gondi summit and the base is the same elevation.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Actually the vert on Mitt is not much different than Loon with the exception of maybe Picked Rock and that's about 1,800. Barons is 1,500 ft of vert. South Peak at loon is also about 1,800. Really nothing else has much more continuous vert. But you are right it is similar to many runs at loon, Sunday River et. We will have to see how it skis to know if its any different.

Huh?Barons is 1300 and South Peak is about 1460.

 

[Puck it]

Huh?Barons is 1300 and South Peak is about 1460.

More like 1200' from the start of the Super G but from top of the lift 1300'

 

[bobbutts]

North Peak and Walking Boss are 1,584' Vertical.. That was the trail I had in mind to compare. So Baron's is 80% as much drop.
To me, the cool thing about the double chair and smallish pod is that you don't need big when it's all natural. When it's a groomer, every foot of vert matters as does the speed of the chairlift.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Barons starts at the lift.1300 ft.

 

[skiberg]

Was up at the mountain this past weekend. Took a look but did not walk the trail. Apparently there really has been a lot of work done on the bottom half of the trail including rolls, jumps, side hills, berms etc. They have really reconfigured the bottom. Long and short of it is that when its groomed and you are carrying speed of 50 mph or so coming off the top, that trial is going to be an absolute blast on the bottom half.

 

[skiberg]

Good article about the process on snow country. Attached below.





In a unique public-private partnership, New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain and Franconia Ski Club have begun the first phase of trail improvements and enhancements for the Mittersill Terrain Area at Cannon.

The trail improvement project involves enhancing and widening some existing trails at Mittersill and installing snowmaking lines along with a new T-Bar surface lift.

The project was originally proposed by Franconia Ski Club to improve access for the general public and create additional ski race training opportunities. Franconia Ski Club will fully fund the project through fundraising; all assets and improvements will become property of the State of New Hampshire upon completion.

“This is a unique opportunity to create a world-class racing venue right at Cannon,” Cannon’s Greg Keeler told SnoCountry.com. Widening and clearing Baron's Run to a width of 50 meters will make it suitable for Super-G and Giant Slalom training and racing, along with the efficient and safe training slope on Taft Slalom, which will also serve as a popular public trail.

The current phase also includes the addition of a new snowmaking compressor that will add 28 percent more snowmaking capacity to Cannon's current snowmaking system.

“The new compressor will increase the main snowmaking system at Cannon, providing better coverage for all skiers, as well as covering the improved trails at Mittersill,” Keeler told us. All of the Mittersill terrain will remain completely natural for the 2014-2015 winter season, with snowmaking installation expected in Phase II.

“One of the biggest public benefits of snowmaking at Mittersill is the ability to open the Double Chair and its skiing terrain consistently, rather than relying solely on natural snowfall,” said Keeler.

Other major improvements for Phase II include the clearing and widening of the Taft Slalom training slope to 90 meters, a new 20 meter width connecting trail back to Baron's Run from the training slope, and a new T-bar for mid-mountain access and to service the Taft training slope. Snowmaking plans also include the popular Skyline and Ridge Run route.

Franconia Ski Club has been fundraising the estimated $4 million needed to complete the entire project. The improvements at Mittersill will allow the club to train on a dedicated trail with T-bar lift service and up to four training lanes on the Taft Slope during predetermined timeframes. Baron's Run will also see limited training or racing. The T-Bar will be open to all skiers and riders, and is expected to run on weekends and holidays.

As Franconia Ski Club's training efforts shift to the new venue, it will free up more space for the general public at Cannon on some of the more popular trails like Gary's, Rocket, Turnpike, Banshee, and Avalanche.

“This will create a safe, segregated training area that won’t disrupt normal skiing activities,” David Fitzgerald, Franconia Ski Club President told SnoCountry.com. “Baron’s is one of the most outstanding trails in the Northeast, and skiers love it. The public will have a lot of use of Baron’s as we build on the state’s investment of the double chair. Ski clubs from the entire region will have access to this training and racing area as well.”

Fitzgerald added that Franconia Ski Club has been vital in maintaining and sustaining Cannon since before the ski area opened. “We realize that we are stewards of the mountain and we are very respectful of that relationship.”

Photo: Mittersill Improvement Map (New Hampshire State Parks)

 

[Abubob]

The project was originally proposed by Franconia Ski Club to improve access for the general public and create additional ski race training opportunities. Franconia Ski Club will fully fund the project through fundraising; all assets and improvements will become property of the State of New Hampshire upon completion.

...

“This will create a safe, segregated training area that won’t disrupt normal skiing activities,” David Fitzgerald, Franconia Ski Club President told SnoCountry.com. “Baron’s is one of the most outstanding trails in the Northeast, and skiers love it. The public will have a lot of use of Baron’s as we build on the state’s investment of the double chair. Ski clubs from the entire region will have access to this training and racing area as well.”

So ... it'll be open to the public but stay the heck out ie:"segregated" while FSC trains? As long as they stay the heck off Rocket - fine.

 

[Puck it]

Sounds like the public will have very limited access to it with other ski clubs using it.

 

[skiberg]

Not Barons it will only be closed like 20%. That will be limited training time, but much more extensive training once they open up the slalom training venue on the lower mountain.

FSC hardly ever trains on Rocket.

 

[bobbutts]

So did anyone figure out how you get back to Cannon when Barons is closed?
Is the t-bar going to start low enough so you can go to the bottom without walking back up?

 

[skiberg]

I don't think they will close the whole trail that often. I think almost all training will happen on upper 2/3rds. That's why they are cutting second snowmaking trail off the top that will cut across eh hill and come into Barons below the training area and won't affect access to main mtn. When they have closed trails in the past, like middle ravine, they station a coach at a crossing point and he acts like a crossing guard.

 

[Abubob]

FSC hardly ever trains on Rocket.

Who trains there then? Seems like when I'm at Cannon someone is setting up gates there or there's ruts everywhere from previous training.