First to Open - 2007-08 Predictions

[trtaylor]

Gonna be a tough call. It's Peak vs. Boyne this season as far as I'm concerned though.

Yeah, Mount Snow already making a small statement by publishing the picture of just blowing water out of the new fan guns! You think they're anxious to show what they can do??

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Killington

 

[Greg]

Yeah, Mount Snow already making a small statement by publishing the picture of just blowing water out of the new fan guns! You think they're anxious to show what they can do??

No doubt!

Killington

Ha ha ha ha... :lol:

 

[ERJ-145CA]

They say that every year.. Don't get your hopes up...

Belleayre was the last in the Catskills to close this past season, I think the last day was 4/22, I skied there on 4/16.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Yeah, Mount Snow already making a small statement by publishing the picture of just blowing water out of the new fan guns! You think they're anxious to show what they can do??

Unfortunately Mount Snow isn't as cold as places farther north..

 

[Greg]

Unfortunately Mount Snow isn't as cold as places farther north..

No, but they have a lift infrastructure that allows for downloading. That's almost as big an issue as a latitude or altitude advantage. Killington has already announced that 11/16 will be their opening date and I doubt they will make a run at opening earlier unless it's unseasonably cold at the beginning of the month. I bet if it's marginal, Mount Snow will take a stab at beating Killington. Sugarloaf doesn't need a downloading option since they have plenty of lat/alt right at the base. Bottom line is I believe Boyne and Peak will try to make a statement this year so I think it's going to be either Sugarloaf or Mount Snow. Now, of course Sugarbush could jump in and beat them both over at Mount Ellen, but they historically haven't been overly aggressive at trying to be the first to open, but with Killington openly out of the game, anything's possible.

 

[catskills]

Last week it was down to 37 degrees at Plattekill. A few more degrees and they were thinking of making some snow to claim the first to open in North America :blink:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Maybe Belleayre will be first..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Last week it was down to 37 degrees at Plattekill. A few more degrees and they were thinking of making some snow to claim the first to open in North America :blink:

But what was the wet bulb temperature..even if it hit 30 or 31 degrees,,it was almost definitely too humid to blow snow..

 

[pepperdawg]

No, but they have a lift infrastructure that allows for downloading. That's almost as big an issue as a latitude or altitude advantage. Killington has already announced that 11/16 will be their opening date and I doubt they will make a run at opening earlier unless it's unseasonably cold at the beginning of the month. I bet if it's marginal, Mount Snow will take a stab at beating Killington. Sugarloaf doesn't need a downloading option since they have plenty of lat/alt right at the base. Bottom line is I believe Boyne and Peak will try to make a statement this year so I think it's going to be either Sugarloaf or Mount Snow. Now, of course Sugarbush could jump in and beat them both over at Mount Ellen, but they historically haven't been overly aggressive at trying to be the first to open, but with Killington openly out of the game, anything's possible.

Snow wont download.....

 

[Greg]

Snow wont download.....

Snow did download this past season...

 

[snoseek]

Snow wont download.....

didn't they last year?

edit-beat me to it, with a pic even. damn!!

 

[Greg]

edit-beat me to it, with a pic even. damn!!

Step off! :lol:

 

[pepperdawg]

wow - i stand corrected....

i think theres some monkeys flying out of my butt....

 

[JimG.]

Hunter will be the first to open...not because it's cool or because they care about being open first, just because the snowmaking crew at Hunter will make snow if temps and a decent long range are in place. Every other resort seems to have an agenda tied to the first to open label.

And just because of that, I'm voting for Killington to open first if Hunter does not. I think Killington is looking for a reason to shut alot of people up.

 

[Greg]

wow - i stand corrected....

i think theres some monkeys flying out of my butt....

:lol: I think last season they were pressured to download based on how slow it started last year and I'm sure they want to avoid downloading. It seems from the challenge responses they plan to get Standard skiable early:

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/2007/response.htm?resort=mountsnow (#8)
http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/2007/response.htm?resort=peakresorts (#3)

It's nice to know they are not totally opposed to downloading though...

 

[Greg]

And just because of that, I'm voting for Killington to open first if Hunter does not. I think Killington is looking for a reason to shut alot of people up.

I still believe we are in store for some surprises out of Killington this season.

 

[Newpylong]

Last year it was great having the download option on the Canyon at Mount Snow. Although, I don't know if they will do it this year instead of trying to use the fans in marginal temps to have top to bottom.... I think I read in one of the Q&A's that was their plan... so not sure if they will make a run at first to open, but no doubt they will have decent terrain when the lifts turn.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Hunter will be the first to open...not because it's cool or because they care about being open first, just because the snowmaking crew at Hunter will make snow if temps and a decent long range are in place.

I'll think you're correct in your analysis, but I also think Belleayre may be opening along with them or at worst a day or two after.

 

[Terry]

You can't rule out Sunday River either. Last year they opened within hours of Sugarloaf.Could be going for bragging rights within the company!