Belleayre St Pat's day 2010 with video link

[evil]

Oh glorious 55 degree day!
In my old age I am desperately trying to get back on the good graces of the lord who I have largely ignored since graduating catholic school so many moons ago.
This week, I decided to pay homage to the flute playing, serpent leading patron saint of beer by riding.
Being concerned about the fate of my ladyfair's eternal soul, I convinced her to see the light and repent with me instead of going to work.
We left at 6:00, picked up Mr. Nacho, and were out of Brooklyn and on our way up the Thruway, across 28 and at Belleayre in no time (there were a TON of DEC and DEP police on 28, perhaps getting ready for fishing season?).
Fist run was actually pretty firm, a nice leg warm up cruiser.
Every run after that got considerable softer and softer.
The snow was soft and still oh so deep, blue skys and fantastic temps all day.
Didin't make it out to Cathedral since the conditions on trail and in the close woods were perfect.
I also had a wonderful glass is half full moment when I came to the realization that the rain and melt meant that all the tracks had been erased and once again, there were fresh lines to be had.
About noon I grabbed my pack, threw ladyfair's sneakers in and made our way to Highmount (she ski's and the walk out in hardshell boots can be rough).
It was AMAZING out there, sunny, soft and wide open.
Here's some video of one of the sections - http://www.vimeo.com/10248036
My better half had never been back there before.
She flipped! LOVED it and tore it up like a champ, in fact, you would never know that she grew up below sea level just outside of N.O.
Awesome day, temps, conditions, and weather, if the states budget concerns don't close Bell down for the season, they will be open for quite some time.
Thanks to Nacho for manning the camera.
Cheers everyone and HAPPY SPRING!
http://vimeo.com/10248036

 

[legalskier]

Sweet. I've been tempted to try that but can't seem to get past those pesky No Trespassing signs. Wouldn't it be great if Belleayre could finally acquire Highmount? It's a shame that it's lying fallow.

 

[kingslug]

I've never skied Highmount..stared at it for 15 years though.

 

[keyser soze]

Great report. Do you think we'll get a few more weekends in the season with all this warm weather.?

 

[oakapple]

Sweet. I've been tempted to try that but can't seem to get past those pesky No Trespassing signs. Wouldn't it be great if Belleayre could finally acquire Highmount? It's a shame that it's lying fallow.

As I understand it, they've acquired it already; the problem is getting all of the permits approved. When I was there about 6 weeks ago, someone who is on the town planning commission told me he is positive it will happen. It is probably still 2-3 years away, though.

But of course, once it's an in-bounds ski area again, there won't be the thrill of being one of the few who has braved the No Trespassing signs.

 

[evil]

Oh yeah, it will be skiing for at least 2 weeks no matter what mother nature throws at it.
We noticed some new no trespassing signs but they seemed to be very hunting specefic.
Looked like it may have scared a few away though since there was little evidence of traffic.
From what I have seen, no one really cares if you ski it though by no means do I hang out at the bottom.
If asked by passerby, I just flat out lie.
Board in hand, snow covered, grinning,and totally straight faced, unless it's the guys running the lodge shuttles, they are cool.
For me, personally (not getting in on the save the mtn/more jobs= less taxes fight) just as a rider, I hope that place stays the exact same way it is now.
Expansion will make it just another side of the mtn.
The long hike out serves to keep the un-deserving away.