How are the Conditions Holding Up? (EC)

[Paul]

"Sheer ice" or hard pack? Too often do people qualify hard pack as ice. Sticking to the sides and you're sure to find LSGR, I'd imagine....

I'll clarify it by saying that on 12/30 Pat's had a few spots that were scratchy, but totally edgeable. And that was until at least 4pm.

 

[SnowRider]

I'll clarify it by saying that on 12/30 Pat's had a few spots that were scratchy, but totally edgeable. And that was until at least 4pm.

Like I said it was icy when I was there. That day they were making tons of snow. I am sure that they blew snow on scratchy spots. Not to mention half the trails you did were not open when I was there.

 

[Paul]

I was there the night of the 12/29/06 and the conditions were like mentioned above .. it was icy. A snowboarder knows when his edges are not digging in .. it feels like your ice skating.

If you guys want to call it ice, that's fine by me. Just hate to see places get ragged-on for being icy, when its really hardpack. Hell, maybe the conditions did a complete 180 degree turnaround in 24 hours, I don't know, but Saturday, I seriously only saw one spot (at skiers left where the trails put you in front of the lodge) that I would call ice-like. The trails I skiied (not sure how Snowrider knows which ones, since I never said) were scraped down pretty good in many spots, but certainly not ice. I have a hard time believing that they did constant snow-making on all trails in that time-frame. They were concentrating all their efforts on Hurricane (which had yet to open), and it looked like they had been for some time. I think with the current "winter" conditions, Pat's did a hell of a job with what they had. It was my first time up there, and I was sincerely impressed. Its a really nice little hill that has a bigger feel to it. I would really hate to see it get an undeserved bad rap. It was in far better condition than Okemo was on 12/27, despite all the hype about Okemo's superior snow-making and grooming.


By the way.... knowing when your edges are digging in isn't exclusive to snowboarding. There's a few skiers (maybe even a few around here) that may know a thing or two about that.:wink:

 

[AdironRider]

So wait, your telling us that even though you werent there, you dont believe that conditions were icy on the day in question. Hate to break it to ya killer, but thats just talking BS. Conditions can very easily change in a 24 hour period, hell even over the course of a given day, especially holiday periods when the slopes see the most traffic of the entire season.

If you werent there on the day in question, you cant comment on conditions.

 

[MarkC]

The way I look at it is if you can get bamboo in without a drill or if it will support a pole it is hardplack. If not it is ice.

 

[Paul]

So wait, your telling us that even though you werent there, you dont believe that conditions were icy on the day in question. Hate to break it to ya killer, but thats just talking BS. Conditions can very easily change in a 24 hour period, hell even over the course of a given day, especially holiday periods when the slopes see the most traffic of the entire season.

If you werent there on the day in question, you cant comment on conditions.

Like commenting on which trails someone was on without being there either?

I was there, less than 24 hours later. Apparently, its a matter of opinion as to how much conditions can change in that time-frame. My opinion is that what is being called "ice" really isn't ice, but hardpack. there is a distinct difference.

Does your gang have leather jackets? It would make you a lot cooler.

 

[DEVO]

OK to sorta steer this back to it's original topic, how is Loon/Waterville going to hold up after this weekend???? We are spending all of next week at Loon (condo already booked and we are pass holders) and it looks like REALLY warm temps and maybe some rain this weekend?!?!?!?!!?

Are we gonna be shopping all week?

 

[Paul]

.. plus I view icy hard pack right now as my friend because there will be something there for the warmer days ahead..like next week.

Also makes for good practice. If you can ski/ride on that, you can ski/ride on just about anything.

 

[Paul]

OK to sorta steer this back to it's original topic, how is Loon/Waterville going to hold up after this weekend???? We are spending all of next week at Loon (condo already booked and we are pass holders) and it looks like REALLY warm temps and maybe some rain this weekend?!?!?!?!!?

Are we gonna be shopping all week?

Sorry...

Accuweather's forecast for Franconia Notch doesn't look too bad, some afternoon rain on Fri, then the usual pattern all week. Looks like it may cool down enough for some fakies during the overnight. I've heard that the Lincoln area isn't in too bad shape, but that is just heresay. With the lack of snow, you could take the Kanc over to Pinkham/Crawford notches. Austin had a good day at the cat....

 

[Terry]

I skied Shawnee Peak last night and the conditions were better than I expected. Loose granular but definately edgeable snow. Just stay on the groomers! Everything else is ice right now.

 

[billski]

Sorry...

Accuweather's forecast for Franconia Notch doesn't look too bad, some afternoon rain on Fri, then the usual pattern all week. Looks like it may cool down enough for some fakies during the overnight. I've heard that the Lincoln area isn't in too bad shape, but that is just heresay. With the lack of snow, you could take the Kanc over to Pinkham/Crawford notches. Austin had a good day at the cat....

I was at Loon yesterday. "better than expected" is the watchword. More skiing choices than expected, didn't bore. FGR, well-packed, with some snowmaking. Don't come without sharp edges. about 3/8" ice atop ungroomed/closed areas. Today should be better with temps near 50's losening up the FGR. I'll post more in the trail report section today.