Belleayre, Dec. 18,19

[legalskier]

This year's trail map reveals two interesting developments: First, the old t-bar line between Esopus and Peekamoose (the worst kept poaching secret on the hill) has been named the "Big T Glades." As I skied past it on Expressway on my way back to Overlook Lodge from Seneca, I didn't see the old concrete footings of the defunct t-bar run; unfortunately, I couldn't get any closer to scope it out as the neighboring trails aren't open yet. It will be nice being able to ski in there without worrying about loss of lift pass or tripping over a concrete block. Also, there's now a "Lower Cathedral Brook" trail which runs below and parallel to the existing Cathedral Brook run-out. Cathedral Brook isn't open yet so the only thing I'm going on here is what's shown on the map. (I don't believe the online trail map reflects these changes yet, although the daily Condition Report does.)
Conditions were surprisingly good and liftlines were nonexistent (everyone must have been out shopping) and all major lifts were running. Cold temps let the snow guns blast all weekend on Dot Nebel and Yahoo on the upper mountain; a cloud of artificial snow could be seen blanketing half of the the lower mountain. They don't have Hunter's capacity but their crew does well with what they have, and with cold temps forecast for this week things look promising for Christmas week. On Saturday upper Seneca was awesome, and this morning the blue groomers were perfect for carving. I stayed out until the lifts closed today, much more fun than watching the Giants melt down.