2020-21 Sunday River

[machski]

Looks like an HKD Ranger.

Is the River making any effort to work on making snow on the list of remaining blacks?

I love those Dopp terminals the red looks sharp.

Doesn't seem so. Agony, Upper DD, Blackhole, Quantum and all of Oz don't have any guns pulled out and connected with hose. They could surprise us, but after Sunday night, haven't heard a whisper even coming from the snowflake factory. I would hope they at least make Lost Princess in Oz, even if they don't intend to spin Oz Quad as that is an easy lap off Jordan. Upper DD would be nice but anything else isn't likely I fear.

 

[Newpylong]

That seems crazy, I wonder if they got the carpet pulled out from them budget wise, or if there is a system issue or the staff is just getting some time off.

 

[Andrew B.]

That seems crazy, I wonder if they got the carpet pulled out from them budget wise, or if there is a system issue or the staff is just getting some time off.

They didnt blow agony last year and IMO it was a good call. No snowmaking under the Braker lift IMO helped keep that frankenlift running.

 

[machski]

They didnt blow agony last year and IMO it was a good call. No snowmaking under the Braker lift IMO helped keep that frankenlift running.

Yes that, but Agony's current state is prime for an overnight make of smoke dry in this cold. Just packed enough they don't need to load it, just add some fresh, soft material. Doubt it's a system issue, likely banking some $$ for possible recoveries headed into Presidents vacation period. End of the 7 day and this weekends storm constantly shifting to a miss, they may need it.
Also I'd bet money Merrill West Trail is the Merrill preview with the lift over Presidents weekend

 

[skef]

Winds on Sat could be nasty if the storm doesn't take a turn too far out to sea. Black of ME's triple is very sheltered, and Mt Abram has the newly painted t-bar if the Way Back machine needs to be shut, but that is a rare occasion. I would gladly ski either of those during a dump instead of enduring SR's frequent wind shutdowns.

Saturday turned out ok — some lifts shut down — maybe because of winds — late in the day, but I was basically done by then. The afternoon snow was a real treat. Had to skip Sunday, and it looked like that’s when the wind was really an issue.

Despite the crowds, SR delivered.

 

[parahelia]

Saturday turned out ok — some lifts shut down — maybe because of winds — late in the day, but I was basically done by then. The afternoon snow was a real treat. Had to skip Sunday, and it looked like that’s when the wind was really an issue.

Despite the crowds, SR delivered.

Saturday afternoon was delightful! When is American Express ever the run of the day at 3:30 pm? Loved the snow filling in those soft bumps on the side.

We sat out Sunday as well. With the wind holds in the morning it was down to just a few lifts. The parking lots were PACKED on Sunday; they were parking people in Lot 6 uphill of White Cap. We skied down to White Cap from the condo, saw the entire landing filled with the line for Tempest & Little White Cap, and noped our way back up the hill. I gather things opened up some by afternoon for the folks who stuck it out.

This week should be great for the woods - with all the wind, I suspect that's where most of the snow went. We didn't even have to dig out our car Sunday since the wind blasted all the snow somewhere else.

 

[machski]

Saturday turned out ok — some lifts shut down — maybe because of winds — late in the day, but I was basically done by then. The afternoon snow was a real treat. Had to skip Sunday, and it looked like that’s when the wind was really an issue.

Despite the crowds, SR delivered.

Was a good weekend. Saturday the lifts held up well to the winds, they were Northerly and without that West component, most stayed open. WH being the most exposed to all directions other than South went on hold first around 1245p. Surprisingly Locke went on hold about 3p second (only 30 minutes ahead of normal close) and Spruce went on hold shortly after. They were monitoring Barker but believe it turned til the end of day and Aurora and Jordan both stayed open all day. Not sure if Chondi closed early on twilight skiing or not, the winds really picked up after 5pm.

Sunday the winds turned NW and took out all upper lifts to start the day (highest lift running was North Peak). T-Bar crapped out for about 45 minutes (two many stops due to public peeps having zero clue how to ride a T). Made a few skin laps up Barker, winds had blown the trails bare if ungroomed and even then, parts were down to ice. Woods may have packed in but I avoided most as it was very thin to begin with and with the winds we had during the storm, even the tree lines were likely very blown out in many spots. Still, good base and if late week pans out with more white on back half than wet during the front half, will set us up great in the trees.

 

[Newpylong]

Yes that, but Agony's current state is prime for an overnight make of smoke dry in this cold. Just packed enough they don't need to load it, just add some fresh, soft material. Doubt it's a system issue, likely banking some $$ for possible recoveries headed into Presidents vacation period. End of the 7 day and this weekends storm constantly shifting to a miss, they may need it.
Also I'd bet money Merrill West Trail is the Merrill preview with the lift over Presidents weekend

Spoke with my contact there and you're correct. They are just picking and choosing what to cover, watching visitation #s vs spend. Electricity is reportedly pretty expensive for them this year. Can't see the SR crowd letting that fly too long...

 

[machski]

Spoke with my contact there and you're correct. They are just picking and choosing what to cover, watching visitation #s vs spend. Electricity is reportedly pretty expensive for them this year. Can't see the SR crowd letting that fly too long...

Two weeks ago they were standing on the fact that they were ahead of everyone else in New England terrain wise (and yes, they were). I'd let the half runs go (upper DD, BlackHole, Quantum) but all of Oz empty is poor IMHO. Of course, looks like mother nature may be bailing them out now on that front.

Edit:. I've heard electricity is now 6X what it was at this time last year for them. Not sure if they tried to setup their electric but differently or were somehow subject to big rate hikes they couldn't avoid. I know a lot of power generation costs in NE are spiking this January and/or February at the residential level. Looks like ma nature did pull thru, now 100% open. And I guess the higher electric costs won't stop them from spinning Oz for the first time this year today.

 

[oldfartrider]

What an incredible day was yesterday. Been a long time since I got so many fresh tracks.

 

[parahelia]

Last weekend was the type of skiing you dream about. It was the reason you grind out the groomers all Dec/Jan, so your legs are ready to go all day when the trees are finally in.

I’m still beat. Everything was skiable. Coverage was terrific. I was still getting fresh tracks in spots midday on Sunday.

I heard the mountain was packed, 10K+ and traffic out to Bethel. But with all the lifts and terrain open, you wouldn’t know it on the mountain. I lapped Oz, Aurora, White Heat with no lines both days. Jordan built a line mid mornings, but I think even that was <10mins. Never went to South Ridge so can’t speak to the lines there.

The only down side… we hit it so hard that I got skier’s toe! It’s never happened before, but those were two long, aggressive days in the woods and bumps. I guess I need to get my boot tweaked. But mostly I just want it to stop hurting so I can get after it again this weekend…

(I realize on some level all woods pix look similar, but can’t resist…)

 

[Smellytele]

The only down side… we hit it so hard that I got skier’s toe! It’s never happened before, but those were two long, aggressive days in the woods and bumps. I guess I need to get my boot tweaked. But mostly I just want it to stop hurting so I can get after it again this weekend…

More likely too far in the backseat

 

[parahelia]

More likely too far in the backseat

Yeah, I think you're right, now that I think about it. I could feel that contact on the top of my toes when I was getting in the backseat. And it's been a while since there's been that much snow, so it happened more than I'd like.

Clearly, the solution is for it to snow this much a lot more often.

 

[machski]

Great day yesterday at the River as I'm sure most of NE was with the spring warmth. The natural closures are mounting this morning due to the freeze up and the 10 day isn't promising for a good recovery. Though the river did indicate today the guns are coming back online this week.

Now looks like the sea storm is tracking a bit closer, but not close enough. Blue Hills and Yawagoo for the win again tonight.

 

[machski]

Well, SR has once again dropped a cabin to the ground off the Chondola. Unfortunately this time it was while they were trying to unload the lift and shut it down with a passenger inside. The previous drop several years ago was while they were racking a cabin on the storage rack at the top by hand. That cabin dropped a similar height and the cabin was totalled. Not good.

Chairlift incident at Sunday River | Media Center

February 23, 2022

www.sundayriver.com

 

[pinion]

Well, SR has once again dropped a cabin to the ground off the Chondola. Unfortunately this time it was while they were trying to unload the lift and shut it down with a passenger inside. The previous drop several years ago was while they were racking a cabin on the storage rack at the top by hand. That cabin dropped a similar height and the cabin was totalled. Not good.

Chairlift incident at Sunday River | Media Center

February 23, 2022

www.sundayriver.com

I drove up into MWV from Boston yesterday afternoon and those gusts were wicked... like "catch the side of the car / ski box and shift you into another driving lane" wicked. Glad to hear that kid is ok. Makes for a good story when he gets back to school on Monday.

 

[thebigo]

Heading up with the kids Friday, planning a full day, they have only skied SR early or late season with operations contracted to Barker.

What is our best bet for on mountain lunch? Looking for pub food, kids menu and decent draft beer.

I used to park at Whitecap to avoid crowds and the Barker hike. Do they allow you to cubby your bags outside at whitecap? Boot up inside?

 

[Andrew B.]

Heading up with the kids Friday, planning a full day, they have only skied SR early or late season with operations contracted to Barker.

What is our best bet for on mountain lunch? Looking for pub food, kids menu and decent draft beer.

I used to park at Whitecap to avoid crowds and the Barker hike. Do they allow you to cubby your bags outside at whitecap? Boot up inside?

Whit Cap has outside cubbies and inside booting

The foggy google at South Ridge lodge has good beer menu and good food selections. On a Friday it shouldn’t be that crowded.

Shipyard at White Cap has good pub food and beer. If you’re not a fan of Shipyards Beers the barker lodge upstairs bar has a good selection on chicken finger/burger type menu.

 

[Smellytele]

Why are we posting in a thread with 20-21 in its title?

 

[machski]

Why are we posting in a thread with 20-21 in its title?

Because we don't have a dedicated SR thread other than this. OP titled it badly.