First?

[machski]

Their President has a hard on for being as good (or better) as Killington it wouldn't surprise me lol.

Yes, but the new GM doesn't want to use the Locke Midstation. Last night they blew down quite a ways but not into the Locke/Barker Basin. I can't see opening Friday and given they got nothing down at lift bases, this weekend could be a stretch. Assuming the midstation skiing isn't happening.

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[Jully]

Yes, but the new GM doesn't want to use the Locke Midstation. Last night they blew down quite a ways but not into the Locke/Barker Basin. I can't see opening Friday and given they got nothing down at lift bases, this weekend could be a stretch. Assuming the midstation skiing isn't happening.

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I find that quite sad that the new GM does not like the midstation. It sucks when there is a whole weekend of midstation, but especially for soft afternoon openings midweek, I'd so much rather get stuck at the midstation than not ski...

 

[machski]

I find that quite sad that the new GM does not like the midstation. It sucks when there is a whole weekend of midstation, but especially for soft afternoon openings midweek, I'd so much rather get stuck at the midstation than not ski...

Agree, but the midstation downloading is painful with any type of crowd (only 2 to every 10th chair doesn't take many on hill to create pain) tot he point int he past, many have hiked or slipped the rope to ski whatever was available below it (all fainess, I was one of those).

I can say this, they definitely beefed up the gun setup and layout into the basin this summer. MM has much better coverage now on the exit and into the Locke load with the lines and new hydrants set up to the right exit skier's right of the lift base. Barker basin between the lift and lodge has way better coverage now than before with the guns shifted to the pond/lift side there. They have gone away from the Boyne Fans on Lower Punch to HKD Impulse towers. If they get the temps, they will be able to lay down cover quickly. The question is will they get the temps needed down low.

 

[thebigo]

Yes, but the new GM doesn't want to use the Locke Midstation.

That is unfortunate, I would much rather hike down from the mid station than deal with K. Early season at SR was a major factor in getting boyne passes this year, they need to figure a long term alternative to compete with K if abandoning the mid station.

 

[Newpylong]

I don't think there is a solution short of installing an upper mountain lift or replacing the triple. The midstation on Locke was the method of buying a few degrees with lack of elevation.

The mid-station was better than nothing. Maybe Brian needs to realize people looking for turns this early will deal with it just like they deal with the Stairway to Heaven? You can put as much new snowmaking equipment on Lower Punch as you want it's not going to raise the resort 2,000 feet.

 

[thebigo]

There are certainly a bunch more knowledgeable sr people in here than me but could they open on Oz? Cut a trail from Oz to the top of Jordan? I have no idea if the topography would allow. I get that running Jordan and Oz would be expensive but no different than k.

 

[ss20]

I don't think there is a solution short of installing an upper mountain lift or replacing the triple. The midstation on Locke was the method of buying a few degrees with lack of elevation.

The mid-station was better than nothing. Maybe Brian needs to realize people looking for turns this early will deal with it just like they deal with the Stairway to Heaven? You can put as much new snowmaking equipment on Lower Punch as you want it's not going to raise the resort 2,000 feet.

I always thought Downdraft-Tourist Trap (?) serviced off of Spruce would be a good bet. That's all high elevation terrain. Upload/Download on the Chondola.

 

[Newpylong]

The base of Spruce isn't much higher than Locke/Barker base so it wouldn't get them much.

 

[machski]

I always thought Downdraft-Tourist Trap (?) serviced off of Spruce would be a good bet. That's all high elevation terrain. Upload/Download on the Chondola.

They did AmEx once as the early season trail, I believe you up and download the South Ridge Express. They also looked and tried doing Aurora, with up and download the Chondi and skiing in on Paradigm, Northern Lights in Aurora and back out via Lights Out to Chondi. They added the extension to Paradigms snowmaking line to the base of Aurora, but they didn't add guns on lower Northern Lights and came up short on the low section. Downloading large crowds on the Chondi is problematic as well, given only the cabins can download. Should have seen the huge download line Fall Festival weekend, formed because they were sending full cabins AND chairs up. Pretty funny seeing some women trying to hike down in what amounted to stilleto boots.

Oz/Jordan just wouldn't work because there is no direct lift access over there to either. The only real parking is at the Hotel, which would mean you would have to blow Lolla. Good luck getting that open quick. Eureka would be a fantastic trail to open early though would need a big upgrade to the snowmaking line as they are no where near spaced tight enough for a quick build. Just no way to get there.

Newpy, I agree with your sentiment. But I have seen issues with folks not wanting to wait 45+ minutes to download. Hiking/skiing down has both been ugly and can only imagine personal injury attorneys salivating over midstation use. The other issue with the long waits is there are no restroom facilities on hill up there. At least at Killington, you can walk the staircase without a big wait to get to the heads. Always thought they could have put some porta-potties up on the flat entry into MM for early season to alieviate that concern.

 

[Smellytele]

They did AmEx once as the early season trail, I believe you up and download the South Ridge Express. They also looked and tried doing Aurora, with up and download the Chondi and skiing in on Paradigm, Northern Lights in Aurora and back out via Lights Out to Chondi. They added the extension to Paradigms snowmaking line to the base of Aurora, but they didn't add guns on lower Northern Lights and came up short on the low section. Downloading large crowds on the Chondi is problematic as well, given only the cabins can download. Should have seen the huge download line Fall Festival weekend, formed because they were sending full cabins AND chairs up. Pretty funny seeing some women trying to hike down in what amounted to stilleto boots.

Oz/Jordan just wouldn't work because there is no direct lift access over there to either. The only real parking is at the Hotel, which would mean you would have to blow Lolla. Good luck getting that open quick. Eureka would be a fantastic trail to open early though would need a big upgrade to the snowmaking line as they are no where near spaced tight enough for a quick build. Just no way to get there.

Newpy, I agree with your sentiment. But I have seen issues with folks not wanting to wait 45+ minutes to download. Hiking/skiing down has both been ugly and can only imagine personal injury attorneys salivating over midstation use. The other issue with the long waits is there are no restroom facilities on hill up there. At least at Killington, you can walk the staircase without a big wait to get to the heads. Always thought they could have put some porta-potties up on the flat entry into MM for early season to alieviate that concern.

K does put Port-a-potties at the bottom of the north ridge chair so you don't have to hike back up to go.

 

[machski]

K does put Port-a-potties at the bottom of the north ridge chair so you don't have to hike back up to go.

That's right, they do. But they also have the little Hot Dog stand food thing, so that is probably why they need those porta potties there. Not just out of the niceness of their hearts.

 

[Smellytele]

That's right, they do. But they also have the little Hot Dog stand food thing, so that is probably why they need those porta potties there. Not just out of the niceness of their hearts.

Hot dog stand thing also serves beer. Although always brought my own and stored it at the top of the lift with snacks and water.

 

[machski]

Hot dog stand thing also serves beer. Although always brought my own and stored it at the top of the lift with snacks and water.

One of the nice things about the walkway, plenty of naturally refridgerated stash spots!!

 

[NYDB]

Watching North Ridge cam - there is a guy with a little kid who can't snowboard at all. like can't make 1 turn. I feel bad for the Kid. Dad is an idiot.

Also, the chair hasn't moved for 5 minutes. Can't imagine the line at the bottom

 

[Smellytele]

Watching North Ridge cam - there is a guy with a little kid who can't snowboard at all. like can't make 1 turn. I feel bad for the Kid. Dad is an idiot.

Also, the chair hasn't moved for 5 minutes. Can't imagine the line at the bottom

And no one is on it.

 

[ss20]

Definitely some type of issue.

 

[Smellytele]

Definitely some type of issue.

People are hiking up - good for those season passholders to help work out the bugs before us unwashed can go.

 

[Zand]

Hope everyone enjoyed their hour of skiing lol.

Lift seems to be running at normal speed on the webcam right now. Pretty bizarre.

 

[Pez]

website says wind hold, but it doesn't seem very windy

 

[skiur]

Website never said wind hold, just said on hold. Whatever the problem was it has since been fixed.