Hunter 12/29/06

[goldsbar]

Ugh, how much more of this can I take? The mountain bike conditions are actually pretty good right now...

Lot's of hard snow with rocks and/caused by the usual sloppy Hunter grooming (generally great at blowing snow but suck at grooming IMO) led to a couple of more nice gouges in the bases. I'm willing to accept this in the woods and MRG type terrain but not in the middle of a trail at Hunter. Still, only so much they can do about it with this weather.

Snow softened somewhat as the sun came out and there was some nice skiing on the side of Hellgate, etc. Nothing to get to excited about. Westway was "open" if you have a good imagination. The bottom was nearly bare.

 

[dmc]

What did you expect? Can't blame Hunter for the rocks.. There's just not enough snow... Would you rather they close the trail?

I did three tuns and went back to the house yesterday... Just not enough terrain right now.. Didn't even bother to ride today...

 

[goldsbar]

I know - just getting frustrated. As for Westway, it's just not even worth running the lift.

 

[kingslug]

I feel sorry for them as they try harder than anyone and spend a fortune. You have to be creative these days to ski in the lower east. I spent a whole day skiing Hellgate, and mini last thursday but it seems conditions have deteriorated. With rain in the forecast there will be a lot of ice to contend with. Just a repeat of last year it looks like.

 

[millerm277]

I feel sorry for them as they try harder than anyone and spend a fortune. You have to be creative these days to ski in the lower east. I spent a whole day skiing Hellgate, and mini last thursday but it seems conditions have deteriorated. With rain in the forecast there will be a lot of ice to contend with. Just a repeat of last year it looks like.

I don't know about that...this pic of Heuga looks pretty good:
http://www.huntermtn.com/img/daily_06-07/12-30-06_2.jpg

I'm going up on Tuesday though, so I'll put up a trip report then.

 

[JimG.]

Ugh, how much more of this can I take? The mountain bike conditions are actually pretty good right now...

Lot's of hard snow with rocks and/caused by the usual sloppy Hunter grooming (generally great at blowing snow but suck at grooming IMO) led to a couple of more nice gouges in the bases. I'm willing to accept this in the woods and MRG type terrain but not in the middle of a trail at Hunter. Still, only so much they can do about it with this weather.

Snow softened somewhat as the sun came out and there was some nice skiing on the side of Hellgate, etc. Nothing to get to excited about. Westway was "open" if you have a good imagination. The bottom was nearly bare.

I skied Hunter 12/30, 12/31, and 1/1. They had a few more trails open on Sat. Conditions were decent enough for me to try out my new skis. Conditions were hardpack with some loose snow on the edges of trails. Managed to avoid any base damage.

The new skis were put away on Sun/Mon though. Sun was fairly hardpack with diminishing snow on the edges. Lot's of loose rocks and pebbles. Yesterday was the big surprise. Woke up to rain at my house, It rained the whole way up the thruway, but tapered to drizzle at exit 20. From there the weather improved until we got the Hunter where the sun was out briefly. I never got rained on. The snow had softened up overnight and we were treated to nothing but soft hero snow. Bumps all softened up nicely, the bump course on Eisenhower was sweet. Great day, nobody there.

But this warm weather really has to stop now.

 

[Greg]

the bump course on Eisenhower was sweet.

They seeded Ike?

 

[JimG.]

They seeded Ike?

Not really...one line with 2 kickers set up for the race teams.

At least you could ski it top to bottom without dodging rocks.

 

[Greg]

Not really...one line with 2 kickers set up for the race teams.

At least you could ski it top to bottom without dodging rocks.

Is it typical that they will maintain that for the rest of the season now? I hope to be back on MLK Day.

 

[JimG.]

Is it typical that they will maintain that for the rest of the season now? I hope to be back on MLK Day.

No way...as soon as snowmaking is resumed that'll get mowed.

A stop gap course just so the race teams can practice a little.

 

[goldsbar]

I really wish they would seed a top to bottom bump run on the front side of the mountain. Just a few bumps wide would do. The bumps on the lower section would be great intermediate bumps - similar to Elk Mountain, for example. Seeding is the way to go as the ones formed naturally by the scapers on the man made snow are ofter way to far apart to be true bumps. The mountain would be MUCH more interesting and I'd be able to tolerate the crowds more.

 

[JimG.]

I really wish they would seed a top to bottom bump run on the front side of the mountain. Just a few bumps wide would do. The bumps on the lower section would be great intermediate bumps - similar to Elk Mountain, for example. Seeding is the way to go as the ones formed naturally by the scapers on the man made snow are ofter way to far apart to be true bumps. The mountain would be MUCH more interesting and I'd be able to tolerate the crowds more.

Rumor has it that Hunter is looking to turn 42nd Street, which is normally ignored and bare of snow, into a terrain park/bump training area. It is ideal terrain for that kind of use.

My fear is that it becomes alot more terrain park than bump training area.

 

[goldsbar]

That would be great. The pitch would be much more learning friendly than crossover. Just dreaming, but if they put in a cheapo rope tow or something...

Like you, I fear the demand for rails and halfpipes will outstrip bumps. That said, many areas in Vermont brag in one way or another about their bump runs (Killington, Okemo, SB, MRG, etc.) and even the two previous areas I mentioned - Belleayre and Elk - make sure they have bump runs when conditions are good. There must be some sort of real skier demand for these things(?).

 

[Greg]

Like you, I fear the demand for rails and halfpipes will outstrip bumps. That said, many areas in Vermont brag in one way or another about their bump runs (Killington, Okemo, SB, MRG, etc.) and even the two previous areas I mentioned - Belleayre and Elk - make sure they have bump runs when conditions are good. There must be some sort of real skier demand for these things(?).

I think more and more mountains are catching on. Seeding bump runs is a great way to give the more advanced skier some fun terrain to play around on at the little local hills. I hope more mountains adopt this approach.

 

[kingslug]

Moguls always turn a boring run into a challenge. It's why a lot of very good bump skiers can be found at Belleayre. They leave most if not all the upper bump runs alone. Prob is that they get too big and icy.

 

[dmc]

Seeding bump runs is a great way to give the more advanced skier some fun terrain to play around on at the little local hills. I hope more mountains adopt this approach.

GAWD NO!!!!

sorry.... you know how I feel about artificial bumps... Instead of seeding - just don't groom..

 

[Greg]

GAWD NO!!!!

sorry.... you know how I feel about artificial bumps... Instead of seeding - just don't groom..

I do. And I love skier-generated bumps on natural snow as much as anybody. However, leave a run of manmade snow ungroomed on a less steep grade and you're bound to end up with crappy erratically spaced bumps made by skiers that can't keep tight enough lines to generate a good run. I have no problem with stubs to help a bump run get started.

 

[dmc]

leave a run of manmade snow ungroomed on a less steep grade and you're bound to end up with crappy erratically spaced bumps made by skiers that can't keep tight enough lines to generate a good run.

I love this kinda bumps!

 

[JimG.]

If Hunter makes 42nd Street into what they say, they can re-name it "The War Room",

bump skiers v seeded bump skiers v freeride boarders v park rats.

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here...this is the war room!"

 

[dmc]

If Hunter makes 42nd Street into what they say, they can re-name it "The War Room",

bump skiers v seeded bump skiers v freeride boarders v park rats.

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here...this is the war room!"

:roll: