How bad will it really be this weekend?

[crank]

This upcoming ice glazing event seems to be yearly event, at least for the past two years now.
We've been doing the school vacation trip to Sugarloaf almost every year so what's coming is is an exact replay of events from 2009 and 2010:
just as the Presidents weekend comes up, so does a warm up, showers and immediate freeze. What a pisser!

I know that Sugarloaf has had some really superb conditions, great moguls, that new tree skiing area that (Bracket ? basin) they opened up this year - all that stuff will be taken out of play.
Sure, the mountain will do a good job working the groomers, they always do, so not all's lost, but so much of what makes Sugarloaf great fun will be just crap.

Oh well, I guess I won't feel bad taking time off downhill and snowshoe to top of Burnt Mt or XC.

You should perhaps shift ski areas? President's week 2009 we skied very good packed powder conditions near Quebec on Pres. weekend and a major storm moved in on Wednesday that had us skiing in a foot by Thursday and progressively deeper after that as we moved down to Jay Peak. It snowed steadily for over 3 nights and 2 days.

Feb. 2010, I went up to Jay on Pres weekend and skied about 6" of fresh on top of a soft surface... It snowed another 6" that night.

Not to say that I haven't been in that neck of the woods for bullet proof followed by dust on crust... Heading up Saturday - Thursday and keeping fingers crossed and skiing options open.

 

[frozencorn]

I'm headed to Disney World with the kids next Friday for 5 days. You can expect an epic dump during that timeframe.

 

[WinnChill]

It will be so bad, I'm heading to NJ :blink:

Uh oh, that'll do it!

Thread Hijack: I had a great time at Tuesday's meeting Bill--thank you for letting me chat weather! :beer:

 

[billski]

In the 50's right now from Mass. all the way to Stowe and 48 at Saddleback. Ouch.

 

[billski]

Strikes me the best conditions may be at Rangely and and Carrabassett Valley.

 

[watchoutbelow]

How high do winds have to be for a mountain to shut down their lifts?

 

[John W]

Well said Warp Daddy! I think it is great to hear from those that are closest and most knowledgeable about local weather, but the outlook you receive should not deter you. Get out there, get cold, warm, wet, fast, slow etc, but MAKE SURE NO MATTER WHAT THAT YOU GET OUT THERE. Because sitting here is WAY more boring. See all you Ladies and Germs in the rain or snow at Jay peak this starting tomorrow.

 

[2knees]

How high do winds have to be for a mountain to shut down their lifts?

all depends on the lifts. type, exposure etc.

trams and boxes are usually the first to go down, for obvious reasons. detachable chairs next and then fixed grips.

 

[WJenness]

How high do winds have to be for a mountain to shut down their lifts?

What 2k said + wind direction is VERY important... cross winds bad... winds blowing directly up the lift line, not so bad...

Also, gusty unpredictable winds are MUCH worse to deal with than steady winds.

-w

 

[Black Phantom]

It will be so bad, I'm heading to NJ :blink:

Are you heading to Mountain Creek or to Campgaw? Both will have pins available.

 

[Vortex]

I have a pass, have gear, will be out Sat through Monday night. What the hell is the big deal its skiing. Some nice weather days, some bad. Don''t like the weather move.:razz:;-)
or pick another sport. ow yea I have the following week off when its going to snow. :beer:

 

[from_the_NEK]

Its getting quite a bit hotter than predicted today. Was only supposed to get into the mid thirties. St J is looking at 47 right now. Even the hilltops are pushing 50.
At the 4000' station on Mt Washington, the temp is 44!

It would actually be pretty nice out on the slopes in the sun today.

 

[WJenness]

Its getting quite a bit hotter than predicted today. Was only supposed to get into the mid thirties. St J is looking at 47 right now. Even the hilltops are pushing 50.
At the 4000' station on Mt Washington, the temp is 44!

It would actually be pretty nice out on the slopes in the sun today.

Yeah, I hope it cools off quick, don't want to see too much snowmelt yet... But I agree, I wish I was out skiing today instead of behind this desk... </grumble>

-w

 

[Puck it]

Its getting quite a bit hotter than predicted today. Was only supposed to get into the mid thirties. St J is looking at 47 right now. Even the hilltops are pushing 50.
At the 4000' station on Mt Washington, the temp is 44!

It would actually be pretty nice out on the slopes in the sun today.

Is the front moving sooner since the temps are higher or is it just warmer temps being pulled more?

 

[from_the_NEK]

Is the front moving sooner since the temps are higher or is it just warmer temps being pulled more?

I think the sun has been out from behind the clouds a lot longer than expected. It is really baking things out there. At least the winds are light.

The cold front is still 30+ hours away :x

 

[watchoutbelow]

Well, I'm looking forward to Sunday and Monday. Praying for shortish lift lines.

 

[gladerider]

I'd be surprised if the conditions are even decent on saturday what with the thaw freeze and winds. Should improve on sunday to the point where the groomers are OK.
Quite the bummer given how great things have been the last few weeks. But this has happened the last 3 Presidents day weekends IIRC, followed by copious snow and powder days at the end of the week. Here's to a repeat of the late week heroics.

2008 prez was the worst. plan was to ski from mon-thurs. rain forcast sunday nite at stowe. convinced wify to go up saturday to ski sunday. sunday was great. monday and tuesday sucked. wed and thurs were OK. this one looks similar.

prez week thaw. think i'm gonna head out west next year.

 

[snoseek]

Awesome corn this evening at crotched!

I'm now taking the next 7-10 days off in skiing. I can't say as I've done that in the last ten or so years in the middle of winter. Think I'll do some ice fishing (drinking).

 

[iSki]

NECN reported 3-6" of snow for the Northern White MTNs over the weekend and a return to winter conditions for the entire week. Enjoy fishing I'll be enjoying the POWDAH

 

[riverc0il]

You should perhaps shift ski areas? President's week 2009 we skied very good packed powder conditions near Quebec on Pres. weekend and a major storm moved in on Wednesday that had us skiing in a foot by Thursday and progressively deeper after that as we moved down to Jay Peak. It snowed steadily for over 3 nights and 2 days.

Feb. 2010, I went up to Jay on Pres weekend and skied about 6" of fresh on top of a soft surface... It snowed another 6" that night.

Not to say that I haven't been in that neck of the woods for bullet proof followed by dust on crust... Heading up Saturday - Thursday and keeping fingers crossed and skiing options open.

Its going to rain/freeze everywhere in New England and in the Eastern Townships. I think absolutely everything south of the St Lawrence is getting in on this rain/freeze action. Choice of area is pretty much irrelevant for this weekend.

Everyone else covered it pretty well. Get out there for first chair and ski until it gets scraped down. Expect all of the ungroomed terrain to be off line. And that still effects you even if you don't ski ungroomed terrain. Because that means people who do are forced onto the groomers scraping an already delicate snow pack down faster. The great long lasting packed pow everyone got used to this past month will be gone replaced by quickly deteriorating face pack. Enjoy!