Is this weekend's rain going to kill chances for season extentions?

[Greg]

Think about it. A number of ski areas including Hunter and Gunstock pulled the plug based on the forecast. If we get a deluge this weekend, I wonder how it might impact resorts that were planning to stay open though the month. Obviously, skier visits are going to take a big hit this weekend. The following weekend, we're just further into spring and more people will be thinking about warm weather activities.

 

[drjeff]

That's a HUGE possibility, since so much of season extensions is based on daily revenue.

On the flip side, I will admit to being suprised to hear that the admins at Mount Snow were thrilled with the number of folks on the hill this past weekend which as they put it "made it easy" for them to decide to continue daily operation through atleast April 20th. I was 1/2 expecting to hear something to the contrary becuase frankly the mountain really seemed empty to me. So the positive I take on it with erspect to this weekend weather is that atleast for Mount Snow it DOESN'T take alot of tickets being sold for them to cover expenses this time of year, and with how much snow they have on the hill right now, this weekend won't make too much of a dent on atleast the majority of the snowmaking trails.

 

[andyzee]

Yep. So this is the only thing left: http://forums.alpinezone.com/24347-tuckerman-ravine-2-day-trip-april-5.html#post255426

 

[Greg]

Yep. So this is the only thing left: http://forums.alpinezone.com/24347-tuckerman-ravine-2-day-trip-april-5.html#post255426

Here we go with the turn earner coolness... :roll:

 

[andyzee]

Here we go with the turn earner coolness... :roll:

Not coolness, just a great time. Are you cool? :razz: Last year there were some nice bumps at Tux..

 

[loafer89]

Anyone who cares to check the weather can see that snow in in the forecast for the Northern New England ski region, so that may entice some folks up north. Alot of ski areas still have events planned such as Regaee Fest at Sugarloaf and a freestyle event at Saddleback.

Sugarloaf is 99% open and Saddleback has all 62 trails opened and next week is school vacation, and I think quite a few families will be out skiing when the weather turns sunny early next week.

 

[dmc]

Here we go with the turn earner coolness... :roll:

I'll be right beside you when we earn our hunter turns...

 

[severine]

Yep. So this is the only thing left: http://forums.alpinezone.com/24347-tuckerman-ravine-2-day-trip-april-5.html#post255426

Um, yeah. I don't think my knee is up to that right now.

Unfortunately, I do think this rain is going to make a huge impact. I was really holding out hope for at least 1 more ski outing before the trip next month (preferably somewhere we can use free tickets/gift certs we have on hand). I'm not driving 3 hrs up north this weekend with 2 kids in the car (which makes a 3 hr trip into a 4-5 hr trip) only to get rained upon. So that means I have to wait for the following weekend and HOPE that those who have posted they'll be open, still will be. OR that it isn't raining like crazy again (sucks when you get into that weather pattern of rain every weekend).

 

[Greg]

I'll be right beside you when we earn our hunter turns...

Touché. :lol:

I've never hiked for turns and I'm really looking forward to seeing if it satisfies me as much as lift serviced. I know, I know, it's not meant to be the same thing...

 

[180]

Make sure you make the Annual June 1 Hellgate hike.

 

[nycskier]

I'm heading up to Sugarloaf. They still got a ton of snow up there and there is even a chance that this rain might come in as snow up there.

 

[loafer89]

I'm heading up to Sugarloaf. They still got a ton of snow up there and there is even a chance that this rain might come in as snow up there.

I was just on the phone with a lady at the White Wolf Inn inquiring about a room for next week and she says there is a ton of snow in Stratton with no grass showing anywhere and the local weather people are forecasting 3-5" this weekend.

We will probably be there tuesday-thursday.

Needless to say she is sick of snow:lol:

 

[2knees]

loafer, how long does it take you from coventry?

 

[loafer89]

loafer, how long does it take you from coventry?

Sugarloaf is about 5 hours and 15 minutes and 298 miles from my house. Sunday River is 255 miles and 4 hours even.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

I'm not sure we should be worried about a wash out. Latest forecast from the NWS in Burlington calls for rain changing to snow in the upper elevations Saturday night, with snow showers continuing through Monday. My guess is that the northern tier areas with higher elevations like VT from K-Mart northwards, Wildcat/Cannon, and Sugarloaf/Saddleback will do prety well out of this when all is said and done.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I don't know if it will play a role when the big boys decided to close, but its sure going to hurt the trail count.

 

[vcunning]

That's a HUGE possibility, since so much of season extensions is based on daily revenue.

On the flip side, I will admit to being suprised to hear that the admins at Mount Snow were thrilled with the number of folks on the hill this past weekend which as they put it "made it easy" for them to decide to continue daily operation through atleast April 20th. I was 1/2 expecting to hear something to the contrary becuase frankly the mountain really seemed empty to me. So the positive I take on it with erspect to this weekend weather is that atleast for Mount Snow it DOESN'T take alot of tickets being sold for them to cover expenses this time of year, and with how much snow they have on the hill right now, this weekend won't make too much of a dent on atleast the majority of the snowmaking trails.

I heard there were more people in Cuzzins on Saturday than on the slopes. Actually, the comment was "it's packed". There's certainly a better margin atthebar than with us passholder's skiing for free. Nobody's drinking for free.

 

[loafer89]

I don't know if it will play a role when the big boys decided to close, but its sure going to hurt the trail count.

Maybe not, the models keep trending southward with the heavy rain and it's looking like a Southern New England rainstorm. Who know's maybe tomorrow the storm will be in Florida:lol:

Next week looks very sunny and much warmer beyond tuesday.

 

[andyzee]

Make sure you make the Annual June 1 Hellgate hike.

The what?

 

[polski]

Mad River Glen had been saying they'd be open through 4/13 for sure and through 4/20 if snow and skier visits hold out. In their snow report today they've dropped the mention of 4/13 and say they do plan to remain open through the 20th.

There was plenty of base when I was there Tuesday and to the extent the Mt Mansfield snow stake is an indicator for MRG a bit to the south, not much base has been lost in this week's freeze/thaw cycles (Mansfield was at 94" as of yesterday; I believe the season high was 110" a couple weeks ago). Yes there will be rain this weekend but temps will stay in the 30s or maybe into the low 40s and some snow may mix in, so it doesn't sound like a base-killing event (though it can't do much for business). By Tuesday it sounds like we'll be back to a classic spring cycle