First chair or "whenever"?

[Sheik Yerbouti]

That is what I consider it to mean as well. Although I have been there early enough to actually get on the FIRST chair loaded one day at Burke. That was a fun run
Anybody else been on the FIRST chair of the day?

I got a few chances to do that at Alta, I stayed with some of the staff and got to ski down from my room to the lift. That was so nice..

 

[JimG.]

That is what I consider it to mean as well. Although I have been there early enough to actually get on the FIRST chair loaded one day at Burke. That was a fun run
Anybody else been on the FIRST chair of the day?

Yup; last time was in 2004 at Plattekill:

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/in...://www.skimovies.com/ftovids/powderdaize.html

 

[kingslug]

I like to be there, anywhere that is, early. I like hearing the bombs going off out west first thing in the morning and really like when you can see them wizz over head from the avy guns. If I don't get in at least 6 to 7 hours, I'm pissed.

 

[SIKSKIER]

I have to be at the mountain no later than 8:00 any day.I just doesn't feel right if I roll in at 9 or so.

 

[shwilly]

I always try for first chair. Often the best runs of the day happen early, in terms of both conditions and crowds. We like to do a lot of runs, and starting early helps that effort.

If the resort 'opens' at 8am, do they start running the lifts earlier, say at 7:30 or something?

It's hit or miss. They may stick to the posted time exactly, or they may let people start 10-15 minutes earlier. I've never seen people loading 30 minutes early.

 

[riverc0il]

interestingly enough, i used to be really hard core about first chair when i lived 2-3 hours away. now that i have the mountains in my back yard and can get up at 7-8 and still make a first chair... i am a lot more relaxed about it. i still make first chair a goal, but i don't set an alarm and don't have a heart attack if i sleep late.

 

[skidbump]

weekend first chair till 2 ish....weekdays when ever till when ever

 

[ajl50]

Always first chair...nothing like making the first set of ski tracks down some nice groomed courd or fresh powder.

 

[riverc0il]

first chair can be highly over rated (seriously) on really cold nasty wintery days without any recent fresh snow. i still go for first chair, but i suspect more than half of my first chairs were not worth any amount of effort what so ever. i suspect only 25% of my lift serviced days are worth getting to the area to grab that first chair, conditions wise.

 

[shwilly]

first chair can be highly over rated (seriously) on really cold nasty wintery days without any recent fresh snow. i still go for first chair, but i suspect more than half of my first chairs were not worth any amount of effort what so ever. i suspect only 25% of my lift serviced days are worth getting to the area to grab that first chair, conditions wise.

Would you not rate "fresh" groomed corduroy first thing in the morning better than skied off ice and granular piles later....or if corduroy is the best condition available do you just not care?

I freely admit that skiing groomers first thing in the morning isn't gnar or cool or anything like a pow day, but as a city-based weekend warrior, I'd still rather be doing that than almost anything else at 8 AM on a Saturday if there is no pow to be had.

 

[riverc0il]

Would you not rate "fresh" groomed corduroy first thing in the morning better than skied off ice and granular piles later....or if corduroy is the best condition available do you just not care?

I freely admit that skiing groomers first thing in the morning isn't gnar or cool or anything like a pow day, but as a city-based weekend warrior, I'd still rather be doing that than almost anything else at 8 AM on a Saturday if there is no pow to be had.

groomed is groomed. generally, freshly groomed first thing in the AM can either be really nice or really bad depending on the weather, how the snow set up, and length of time since less fresh coat of snow. i have skied some truly awful groomed runs first thing in the morning. lack of sun and bitter cold in the middle of winter also are detriments. i no longer kill myself to get to the mountain to be the first one to rip up the corduroy. just a different perspective, i respect your views. 8 AM on a saturday living close to the mountains, sometimes i have found, sleep is better than that first groomed run. like i said, my perspective has changed since moving up here...

 

[shwilly]

Sure, that makes sense. I'm sure the more really epic days you get, the less difference there is between 8 vs. 10 vs. skipping the resort altogether on a weekend day with no new snow.

 

[Terry]

I have been the first person in line at Shawnee Peaks east side plenty of times. When the snow is good, it is fun to make a run and then inspect your tracks from the lift!

 

[skibum9995]

I don't necessarily try to get first chair, but I do try to be skiing within 10-15 mins of opening. I prefer skiing early to get more skiing in before the crowds make it to the hill. Midweek and at less crowded areas it's not as important but I usually find myself on the hill in the first half hour.

 

[ctenidae]

I'd like to be on first chair, but it never happens.

 

[ChileMass]

As someone pointed out, my goal is generally a lot earlier than the reality. My family does not like to be rushed in the AM, so we hardly ever get to the hill before 10AM, even when staying only 5 min away. I like to get the first chair, but it's better for overall family harmony to allow others to take their time.

 

[billski]

As someone pointed out, my goal is generally a lot earlier than the reality. My family does not like to be rushed in the AM, so we hardly ever get to the hill before 10AM, even when staying only 5 min away. I like to get the first chair, but it's better for overall family harmony to allow others to take their time.

The older my girls and my wife get, the slower they move in the AM. (It's a philosophical thing about having "my freedom on my day off" versus "my passion.") Nowadays, I get out first runs, then come back/meet them about 11am and ski the rest of the day on easier stuff. everyone wins.... :razz:

 

[gmcunni]

i only recall trying for first chair once. managed to be 4th or 5th in line but the chair never spun, ended up on windhold. had to hike it over to another chair but still got some fresh tracks.

 

[Smellytele]

Before kids - First chair
With kids - try for opening bell which ends up being 30 minutes after opening bell

 

[boston_e]

I pretty much go for first chair unless the conditions dictate otherwise. (Springtime snow softening through the day after freezing overnight would be an example).

I agree with some statements above that even on a non powder day, fresh courd in the morning is better than skied off courd in the afternoon.