Convince Marc that Whiteface is the place to be -OR- Lets discuss Whiteface

[AdironRider]

My hope is more people from this board make the trek over to the face this year. Between the few Face regulars on this board, weve had little success in showing people the light. Ill be out west, make my dream come true fellas.

 

[Marc]

My hope is more people from this board make the trek over to the face this year. Between the few Face regulars on this board, weve had little success in showing people the light. Ill be out west, make my dream come true fellas.

While this is definitely a topic better left to a new thread, I've yet to be convinced Whiteface has something that is worth the very long drive for me, that'why I've never been. In less drive time I can be to any of the N VT resorts or the Presi's.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Whiteface is located on the wrong side of Lake Champlain..too far from most coastal Nor-easters...

 

[AdironRider]

While this is definitely a topic better left to a new thread, I've yet to be convinced Whiteface has something that is worth the very long drive for me, that'why I've never been. In less drive time I can be to any of the N VT resorts or the Presi's.

Well I have a feeling you're not going to let yourself be convinced despite HPD, myself, et all singing constant praise.

Lets see the stats, 3100 vert (most in the east), best semi in bounds skiing in the slides, new expansion, 260+ inches snowfall last year with over 200+ average, some of the most consistent pitch in the east, steep, fast, and its got Lake Placid to keep everyone else happy. If thats not enough I dont know what is, but like others have mentioned, this isnt the thread for it.

 

[kcyanks1]

Well I have a feeling you're not going to let yourself be convinced despite HPD, myself, et all singing constant praise.

Lets see the stats, 3100 vert (most in the east), best semi in bounds skiing in the slides, new expansion, 260+ inches snowfall last year with over 200+ average, some of the most consistent pitch in the east, steep, fast, and its got Lake Placid to keep everyone else happy. If thats not enough I dont know what is, but like others have mentioned, this isnt the thread for it.

All fair points, except possibly the average snowfall. I think they are closer to 170" than 200+". For example, see http://www.whitefacenewyork.com/index.php/main/mountain_stats/ (" Last year we recorded 193” of total snowfall at the base of the mountain. On average we receive 168" yearly"). However, if that 168" refers to the base of the mountain, then I would completely believe that they average 200"+ further up. My sense is that it is probably not at the base, because ski areas generally don't give numbers at the base unless they specifically specify that's what they are doing. Also, before looking it up, I figured it would be in that range, and from my personal experience (only around 6 visits, admittedly, and not necessarily right before or after a visit to northern-VT), Whiteface does get less snow than northern VT. Maybe a regular who has access to official numbers can chime in. I know you are a regular, but I'm guessing that you were going based on your own estimates. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

 

[campgottagopee]

Getting off track here---wouldn't call myself a Whiteface regular, but do go 5ish times a year-----simply stated, they had the Olympics there for a reason, so go and check it out. Worth the drive, effort, or whatever else to ski that place.:beer:

 

[Marc]

Well I have a feeling you're not going to let yourself be convinced despite HPD, myself, et all singing constant praise.

Lets see the stats, 3100 vert (most in the east), best semi in bounds skiing in the slides, new expansion, 260+ inches snowfall last year with over 200+ average, some of the most consistent pitch in the east, steep, fast, and its got Lake Placid to keep everyone else happy. If thats not enough I dont know what is, but like others have mentioned, this isnt the thread for it.

It's not a matter of being convinced, it's a matter of what they have to offer. I agree, the slides would be worth skiing, but as HPD will freely admit, they are very rarely open, and when they are it's big news. If I want that kind of terrain and with fewer people I can driver the much shorter distance to the Presi's.

What would be enough to get me to drive that far would be snowfall or glades like Jay, Burke or Smuggs, narrow and steep trails with natural snow like Stowe, MRG or Magic, or hell, even the variety of Killington. I'm not disparaging Whiteface at all, but so far all of the pluses I've seen touted here just aren't important in a ski destination to me. If the slides were open more than twice a year with some predictability and it wasn't such a big deal to everyone when they did, I would consider the possibility of a trip there much more seriously.

 

[Marc]

Getting off track here---wouldn't call myself a Whiteface regular, but do go 5ish times a year-----simply stated, they had the Olympics there for a reason, so go and check it out. Worth the drive, effort, or whatever else to ski that place.:beer:

And what do you think that reason was and how does it have to do with me or skiers like me from this area wanting to ski Whiteface?


Balls, I really didn't meant to hijack this. Someone ought to start a new thread.

 

[AdironRider]

Check the new whiteface page, they claim a 4 year average of 200, with 263 at the base last season.

Ill concede the slides are way over-protected by the patrol, doesnt stop me from poaching them regularly.

 

[campgottagopee]

And what do you think that reason was and how does it have to do with me or skiers like me from this area wanting to ski Whiteface?


Balls, I really didn't meant to hijack this. Someone ought to start a new thread.

Can start a new one later----obviously the constant vert is one reason, terrain, snow, etc...For me it's just the vibe from the mountain, olympic village and all that goes with it. You can ski the downhill course and think of all the greats that have raced there. Walk thru olympic village and remeber the "Miracle on ice", if that doesn't get your blood pumping nothing will. Maybe I'm too patriotic but it's sooooo worht the effort just one time.:flag:

 

[kcyanks1]

Check the new whiteface page, they claim a 4 year average of 200, with 263 at the base last season.

Ill concede the slides are way over-protected by the patrol, doesnt stop me from poaching them regularly.

"Winter 06-07 Whiteface recorded 263” of snow. Winter 05-06 Whiteface recorded 202” at the base of the mountain. Four year average of 200”"

Not clear that the 263" is at the base, but since the other measurement is, there's a good possibility. Surprising and impressive if the four-year average of 200" and last year's measurement are at the base, because I assume the 250"-ish average of Sugarbush and somewhat higher average of Stowe are not measured at the base.

Edit: To be precise, Sugarbush says 262" (http://www.sugarbush.com/skiandride/cm.asp?pn=mountainstats&pid=68) and Stowe says 333" (http://www.stowe.com/mountain/), which is actually higher than I had expected.

 

[Marc]

Can start a new one later----obviously the constant vert is one reason, terrain, snow, etc...For me it's just the vibe from the mountain, olympic village and all that goes with it. You can ski the downhill course and think of all the greats that have raced there. Walk thru olympic village and remeber the "Miracle on ice", if that doesn't get your blood pumping nothing will. Maybe I'm too patriotic but it's sooooo worht the effort just one time.:flag:

I've already been to LP on vacation. And it was nice, but to go there just for the skiing, as I explained above... sorry just doubt it's my thing. And regarding poaching the slides... well there's a not much chance I'd drive 4 1/2 hours to risk getting my ticket clipped.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

While this is definitely a topic better left to a new thread, I've yet to be convinced Whiteface has something that is worth the very long drive for me, that'why I've never been. In less drive time I can be to any of the N VT resorts or the Presi's.

Only one way to find out for sure.

Whiteface is located on the wrong side of Lake Champlain..too far from most coastal Nor-easters...

Depends on the storms track. Also noreasters have been rain, sleet and mixed alot the past several years. Cold Alberta Clippers one after the other can add up the inches too. WF also has latitude and elevation going for it.

Whiteface. Everyone Ive met there is chill, laid back, and its a kick ass place to live.

Really one of the first things I noticed about the place. I grew up skiing at Hunter so the contrast was striking. I didn't say better, I'm just saying very different.

My hope is more people from this board make the trek over to the face this year. Between the few Face regulars on this board, weve had little success in showing people the light. Ill be out west, make my dream come true fellas.

I'm pretty sure that's going to happen.

And speaking of WF check out the pic Takeahike46er posted on SKIADK. If you look at the far right you can see the liftline cut and one expert trail cut on Lookout Mt. Out of the pic is a 2 mile intermediate trail, I hiked it, it's going to be the most kick ass blue trail I'll ever ski. They will also be cutting 2 more black trails. Also 60 acres of new glades. This expansion is going to balance the mountain out nicely.

 

[campgottagopee]

I've already been to LP on vacation. And it was nice, but to go there just for the skiing, as I explained above... sorry just doubt it's my thing. And regarding poaching the slides... well there's a not much chance I'd drive 4 1/2 hours to risk getting my ticket clipped.

That's cool---not trying to change your mind (or anyones), just sayin' the place works for me. :beer:

 

[bvibert]

Note, the above posts were moved from this thread because they really had little to do with the original topic.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Note, the above posts were moved from this thread because they really had little to do with the original topic.

That and you just want to stir the pot a little, but that's cool.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

. And regarding poaching the slides... well there's a not much chance I'd drive 4 1/2 hours to risk getting my ticket clipped.

People who pouch the Slides generally have skied them many times and know what to expect. To go to WF for the first time and pouch the Slides would be very fool hardy. In the wrong conditions it really is very dangerous.

 

[koreshot]

well there's a not much chance I'd drive 4 1/2 hours to risk getting my ticket clipped.

Boohoo! At 4.5 hours in I am usually a bit past Brooklyn. But thats cause the Niva starts to shake after about 80 kph.

 

[Marc]

People who pouch the Slides generally have skied them many times and know what to expect. To go to WF for the first time and pouch the Slides would be very fool hardy. In the wrong conditions it really is very dangerous.

Ok, add that to the reasons I wouldn't poach them (or if I did, I'd prepare as thoroughly as I would for a tour in new to me terrain and take all the usual precautions.... you can stop laughing now, Austin).

 

[Marc]

Boohoo! At 4.5 hours in I am usually a bit past Brooklyn. But thats cause the Niva starts to shake after about 80 kph.

Yeah, but when you lived in Siberia you probably had to drive at least that far just to buy your vodka, so, irrelevant perspective.













I'm a dead man next time I ski with kore....