First to open poll.

[Chris I]

The biggest question is WHEN they will open. I dont care who opens first, i'll be there Even if not i'll be hiking on wed or friday for turns

 

[Brettski]

Hunta

 

[tcharron]

LOL!

Whaleback is already open!

*tounge in cheek*

Ok, I'm not sure I'd qualify two small ramps as being open, but hey, they're trying, right?

http://www.whaleback.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=200

 

[kcyanks1]

I put in Killington. It surprised me that they started this early, but given that they have, I think they have the right location to balance getting people to go (close enough to NY and Boston) and climate (not as far south as Mt. Snow). I'd have gone with Sugarloaf or Mt. Snow otherwise, but I think Mt. Snow might be too far south and Sugarloaf too far away.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Since the poll doesn't mention the quality or quantity of the opening I'm going with Woodbury but the Loaf, SR, BW, Attitash are the frontrunners but don't forget about Okemo. Those western slickers their snowmakers wore a few years ago in all their ads made them look so cool and at the same time totally lame...:wink:

 

[Geoff]

I put in Killington. It surprised me that they started this early, but given that they have, I think they have the right location to balance getting people to go (close enough to NY and Boston) and climate (not as far south as Mt. Snow). I'd have gone with Sugarloaf or Mt. Snow otherwise, but I think Mt. Snow might be too far south and Sugarloaf too far away.

Killington: It's tough to make snow on lower Bunny Buster. It faces east at fairly low elevation. Until they replace the two Snowdon lifts with a high speed 6-pack so they can upload-download on that and offer early skiing on the Glades triple, Killington will struggle with being the first to open. I'll bet they'll stick to their plan and blow the wrap-around at the top of the K1, the trail pod on the Glades triple, maybe the Downdraft headwall, and maybe the Great Northern connecting trail as far down as the Snowdon triple. They won't bother fooling with the rest of Great Northern, middle Chute, or Lower Bunny Buster until they have a better sense that they won't melt out. They can get the rest going with two or three cold nights.

Mt Sneaux: I guess they could do the North Face. It faces the correct direction and it's high enough to get the temerature drop.

The Loaf: They have very limited compressor capacity. They may try to open first just to market the place.

My money is on Sunday River. The new owners will want to create a buzz in Boston before the ski show opens on November 15th. A first to open banner would attract attention.

 

[Newpylong]

Sunday River, or the Loaf, possibly a sneak attack by Attitash.

Forget Okemo, Brettons Woods or Killington.

Woodbury doesn't count...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

My vote is for Belleayre...since their early season run...lower Onienta..is above 2500 feet in elevation

 

[snowman]

I went with Attitash. Based on last nights test results it looks like the proprietary fan's they have there are the real deal for marginal temperature snowmaking. They actually made some snow while everyone else was making slop and/or next to nothing. They also have the temp advantage over Mount Snow. Attitash will either win, or will open with the most terrain in the east with the best conditions when they do (if they get scooped by someone blowing 6 inches of ice on a short run).

 

[danny p]

They actually made some snow while everyone else was making slop and/or next to nothing.

not too sure about the "slop", people on k-zone are already posting trip reports saying that the snow was a little wet but not bad, and as far as "next to nothing" same reports are saying huge WHALES of snow.

 

[snowman]

not too sure about the "slop", people on k-zone are already posting trip reports saying that the snow was a little wet but not bad, and as far as "next to nothing" same reports are saying huge WHALES of snow.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha :lol: I once caught a fish and it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big. I wonder why these HUGE whales are not present in any of the 30 or so PROMOTIONAL pics K posted on their site today from the same time frame? One would think they would want to show a picture of a HUGE whale of snow if they had one, wouldn't one? Instead, they have pictures of icy/slop snow covered blades of grass. They did atleast use the right equipment to maximize production and made more snow like substance than Sugarloaf.

 

[snoseek]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha :lol: I once caught a fish and it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big. I wonder why these HUGE whales are not present in any of the 30 or so PROMOTIONAL pics K posted on their site today from the same time frame? One would think they would want to show a picture of a HUGE whale of snow if they had one, wouldn't one? Instead, they have pictures of icy/slop snow covered blades of grass. They did atleast use the right equipment to maximize production and made more snow like substance than Sugarloaf.

Although your post are solid entertainment, you really a a first class asshat. Carry on.

 

[snowman]

Although your post are solid entertainment, you really a a first class asshat. Carry on.

I am a bit of a killjoy when it come to this. Without me though, the rumor mill would already be spun up to 23 foot deep whales on 12 trails at K.

 

[snowman]

If anyone wants to look at actual snow made, go to Attitash's site and check out the video. I would guesstimate they made 12-16 inches in some spots.

 

[2knees]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha :lol: I once caught a fish and it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big. I wonder why these HUGE whales are not present in any of the 30 or so PROMOTIONAL pics K posted on their site today from the same time frame? One would think they would want to show a picture of a HUGE whale of snow if they had one, wouldn't one? Instead, they have pictures of icy/slop snow covered blades of grass. They did atleast use the right equipment to maximize production and made more snow like substance than Sugarloaf.

I read the tr also and its hard for me to imagine how you would know the quantity and quality of the snow on the glades better then someone who actually took the time to go up and ski it first hand. But i guess we can wait for gpetrics to post his pictures and video, assuming he hasnt doctored them. :roll:

 

[Johnskiismore]

Still, pretty sure that Sunday River will open first

 

[snowman]

I read the tr also and its hard for me to imagine how you would know the quantity and quality of the snow on the glades better then someone who actually took the time to go up and ski it first hand. But i guess we can wait for gpetrics to post his pictures and video, assuming he hasnt doctored them. :roll:

Go look at the pics K has on their website! I can't spot any more than a maximum of 12 inches in one spot in 30 pics! Huge Whale - Def. A whale made by one or multiple snow guns totalling a visible 6 feet ot higher. Typically made on cold nights in January. Snow covered blades of grass - Def. When you can still see where snow formed around blades of grass when snowmaking. Typically made during snowmaking tests in October and November.

 

[bvibert]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha :lol: I once caught a fish and it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big. I wonder why these HUGE whales are not present in any of the 30 or so PROMOTIONAL pics K posted on their site today from the same time frame? One would think they would want to show a picture of a HUGE whale of snow if they had one, wouldn't one? Instead, they have pictures of icy/slop snow covered blades of grass. They did atleast use the right equipment to maximize production and made more snow like substance than Sugarloaf.

I read the tr also and its hard for me to imagine how you would know the quantity and quality of the snow on the glades better then someone who actually took the time to go up and ski it first hand. But i guess we can wait for gpetrics to post his pictures and video, assuming he hasnt doctored them. :roll:

The KZone thread in question:

http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19363

I see no reason for this guy to lie about there being snow-making whales... Perhaps they couldn't be seen through the falling snow when they were taking the pics this morning...

 

[2knees]

Go look at the pics K has on their website! I can't spot any more than a maximum of 12 inches in one spot in 30 pics! Huge Whale - Def. A whale made by one or multiple snow guns totalling a visible 6 feet ot higher. Typically made on cold nights in January. Snow covered blades of grass - Def. When you can still see where snow formed around blades of grass when snowmaking. Typically made during snowmaking tests in October and November.

to further drag this argument down into the abyss of stupidity, let me just say the original poster did not say huge whales. He only said whales of snow. He did, however, say there was a ton of snow up there. I dont know the exact weight of the snow they put down so you could certainly argue that one for a while.

 

[snowman]

to further drag this argument down into the abyss of stupidity, let me just say the original poster did not say huge whales. He only said whales of snow. He did, however, say there was a ton of snow up there. I dont know the exact weight of the snow they put down so you could certainly argue that one for a while.

Ha ha....what did I say about the fish? Guy says whales of snow...exagerating, another guy says HUGE whales of snow here, exagerating, and by the end of the day the story is K is ready to go with 2 lifts and 23 trails. :lol: I only ever believe what I see with my own 2 eyes. The snow they laid down would be heavy as hell as they would have it as wet as possible to maximize production if they are really trying to open and base build.