Ascutney 1/31/09

[reefer]

Since I couldn't get out midweek to enjoy the conditions, I decided to go to the one (or maybe two) places that wouldn't be all tracked out. Genius! Arrived at 8:15 with my bud Peter to maybe (30) cars in the lot. At noon there were maybe (50). Beautiful bluebird day, cool, not much wind to speak of here. There were more empty chairs than chairs with people on them - on a Saturday?!!! Really had that Wednesday feel. Had many trails to ourselves. All lifts were turning. Mountain was 100% open and conditions were excellent. No scraping at all on the groomers, tons of powder on the naturals. Great thing about Ascutney is that they leave at least 50% of the mountain un-groomed - all the blacks and a few blues! Skied from 9-4 with a (45) minute lunch.
This is a hidden gem with plenty of challenging terrain. I love the vibe here too. Very no frills and laid back!
I don't actually know why I am writing this, I promised a lot of people I met not to tell anyone of this secret..........
Should be tried out by everyone but you have to have good snowfall. They do not make a lot. It was Peters first time here and his quote was "this is a bad-ass mountain". Maybe a little over the edge there, but it rocked and I left feeling that it was the best place in the world to ski Saturday. Left me with that MRG/Magic beat-up feeling!

 

[reefer]

Forgot to mention the "Coops Cabin" of Ascutney. Quite a location on the edge of a cliff looking out over a ravine. My first venture out there. Pretty beat up, but a classic.

 

[SnowRider]

I was with some friends and we whent left into the woods up there and my brother ended up almost falling off that cliff.

 

[loafer89]

Proceeding on a straight path past the cabin is a definate no no.

 

[rocojerry]

this picture doesn't do it justice.... but had to try to snap one anyway... (and adjust brightness a lil)

If I only knew how far down it went..... Those were some nice pillows on top of the rocks

 

[Paul]

Beat me to the punch, I was there with the wife and kid on Saturday as well. We went from about 10 - 3. Agree totally, conditions were great. The groomed trails had no scratch and were buttery smooth everywhere. The trees had plenty of soft powder and we never waited in a lift-line. My wife enjoyed the groomers, my daughter just wanted to do laps in the Enchanted Forest glade and the ungroomed line under the double chair. I had a great time on sidewinder, Heartbeat, Ledges and all the areas on the upper part of Skier's right on the mountain. Great day, I'll try to add pics when I finalize the disc they're on.