Balsams Wilderness, NH: 12/31/2010

[riverc0il]

More than eight years in the making! Balsams is finally off the list. I am a big fan of the mid-sized ski area. I usually get to Black Mountain, NH at least once per year. Last year I finally tagged Abram on a powder day. Most of the places on my list are in the mid-sized category. There is a lot of fun to be had at many of these areas (Sundown AZ skiers will attest! ). And there is a lot to be said for these areas as well, particularly on a vacation week. Particularly when the lift is nearly ski on all day. And particularly when holiday rate is only $45. Bring it!!!

Unfortunately, even far northern New Hampshire was in on the heat wave (can any one remember a New Year's Eve day so warm in recent memory?). So natural snow that had not been packed down yet (there was actually still a few small untracked snots left!) were totally manked and to be avoided as the packed pow was skiing better. I had a great day and I think Balsams is the antithesis of the modern ski resort and I think that's a great thing. But the place is flat as a pancake and as such I think this might be my only visit. Great day, essentially 100% open. Only trail closed was due to maintenance on the closed double.

Full Report

 

[MrMagic]

steve great report!! i like the sound of balsams being way up there in new hampshire def on my list to ski plus the old school double chair looks like a trip

 

[billski]

Great report, well-articulated.
Geez, the woods look great. I know what you mean by the pitch, but for the right crowd of blues and greens, it's perfect. I may be back there regardless. I'll bet you paid full freight too!

 

[Warp Daddy]

As per usual ,Great report Steve ! I too am a fan of local and mid-sized areas, especially on holidays . Fun can be had a most areas especially those with retro , friendly well operated , well kept trail systems and decent poachable sidecountry for those enthusiasts


My family posse skied ON almost all day on the 27th .Our longest wait was no longer than 5 minutes while most lifts were 1-3 ahead of us . Balsams looks pretty good , i MIGHT have to put that on my list too

Its a haul from NNY and would have to be a combo with several others in that region if i'm going to get there someday

 

[hrstrat57]

Nice.

Kinda looks like a big King Pine...which is also flat....except for Pitch Pine which as I am sure you know is seriously steep.

I think my family crew would like that place there......

Happy New Year RivercOil

 

[riverc0il]

Great report, well-articulated.
Geez, the woods look great. I know what you mean by the pitch, but for the right crowd of blues and greens, it's perfect. I may be back there regardless. I'll bet you paid full freight too!

Thanks. Absolutely the perfect area for the right crowd. I tried to both paint a fair picture of the area but also report on my feelings as well without my personal feelings effecting my picture. Hopefully I did the place justice in my write up. I think for "Joe average skier and family" there might not be many better places for a 2-3 day holiday weekend.

I did pay full. No deals on holiday week what so ever. But for $45, who cares. That is only $5 higher than my preferred average ticket price and during a holiday to boot. Can't beat that but at a small handful of locations.

 

[billski]

Thanks. Absolutely the perfect area for the right crowd. I tried to both paint a fair picture of the area but also report on my feelings as well without my personal feelings effecting my picture. .

That's what makes reviews here so valuable - expressing your own opinion about your experience and the mountain counts big time. Let people draw their own conclusions about suitability. Otherwise, why not be writer for SKI magazine or other resort mouthpieces?

I truly have fun no matter where I ski, except for the rainiest of days. Picking the appropriate resort and knowing how to adjust and refocus yourself to the goods at hand is key to a good day. Since we play outside, we have to be adaptable to what Mother Nature throws our way.

Hoping to hit some new-to-me areas off-radar areas in the next two days. And dammit, I'll remember the camera!

Again, nice job. Balanced. And this ain't no love-fest!