Killington: April 22, 2006

[snowmonster]

Date(s) Skied: April 22, 2006

Resort or Ski Area: Killington

Conditions: Spring conditions, loose granular

Trip Report: Only the Superstar Express Quad was open and, for all intents, there were only 2 trails you can ski on: Superstar and Skye Lark (actually Skye Lark/High Road/Bittersweet). It was cloudy the whole day with no sun at all. Felt like winter more than spring especially if you got to the top of Skye Peak. It later started drizzling in the afternoon and I hope that that doesn't kill off what little snow is left.

The "head wall" on Superstar was all grass on skier's right so to get in, you had to go down a thin patch on skier's left. Trail was all bumped up except for a ribbon in the middle which was flattish. It's either they got a groomer down there or people had just been skidding sideways down the trail and flattening it. Snow conditions were totally mushy. Bumps at the lower portion of the trail were pretty consistent.

Skye Lark was groomed but was getting pretty bumped up in the middle of the day. Bittersweet was where the bumps were and people were losing their footing all over the place. Spots on it were getting thin and I hope this trail survives another week though, if the rains really come down, the connecting trail between Skye Lark and High Road might be gone and you'll have to hike a few yards.

Good sized crowd for this time of the year though with only 2 trails left, it felt like it was still mid-season at K since you could feel someone right behind you everytime you came down the mountain.

I might go again next weekend if the mountain remains open. Still can't say goodbye to winter just yet.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Thanks for the report. Yeah, I had mentioned in my trip report that I wondered if they groomed the middle of superstar. It was weird. Was skyehawk open so you could avoid the nastiness on the Headwall of superstar?

I just read on K's website that they will have a delayed opening due to the weather......uh oh.

 

[thetrailboss]

Sounds like the typical late season K-scene....the Skyelark run and Superstar. From my vantage point on 89 yesterday, Old Superstar (cool trail) was completely bare

 

[BeanoNYC]

Sounds like the typical late season K-scene....the Skyelark run and Superstar. From my vantage point on 89 yesterday, Old Superstar (cool trail) was completely bare

Yep, your right. Not one patch of snow on it from what I could see. I like that trail too.

 

[snowmonster]

Thanks for the report. Yeah, I had mentioned in my trip report that I wondered if they groomed the middle of superstar. It was weird. Was skyehawk open so you could avoid the nastiness on the Headwall of superstar?

I just read on K's website that they will have a delayed opening due to the weather......uh oh.

You're welcome, BeanoNYC.

I started skiing mid-morning. The fellow on the chair with me said that you could get to Superstar from another trail on the right which I assumed was Skye Hawk. But when I got there, Skye Hawk was already roped off though I couldn't see how anybody could actually ski down it at all since Skye Hawk looked pretty much like a garden. Let's hope all this rain didn't wash down what's left of the snow.

 

[Vortex]

Nice report snow monster. I'll be there next Sat am if your around. I hope K is still around.

 

[ga2ski]

Bob- are you just going up for the day? Hoping to get out somewhere next weekend . . .probably tucks, but like to keep my options open.

 

[Vortex]

Ya. I have a b-day party in Woodstock in the afternoon, so my son and I will ski the am and then I heading to my place to ski BW on Sunday, Doesn't sound like riding up together would work, but skiing would together would be fun..

 

[snowmonster]

Nice report snow monster. I'll be there next Sat am if your around. I hope K is still around.

Thanks, Bob R. If K is still around, I'll be there. I might also hit the shops on the access road for some gear. Good end of the season deals on skis and other equipment.

 

[andyzee]

Thanks, Bob R. If K is still around, I'll be there. I might also hit the shops on the access road for some gear. Good end of the season deals on skis and other equipment.

This is the time to shop. I got pants, helmet, shirt, good stuff. Snowmonster good accurate report. I wonder if we bumped into each other. :-D

 

[Vortex]

Snowmonster. I'll have a red coat or green one on. I'm short. I will have my son with me who rides. Probably an Az tye dye. Silver SUV with an Az sticker.

 

[roark]

I probably shouldn't (big exam coming up), but I might stop by for some final turns with ya Bob.

 

[Vortex]

Roark I guess the K bretton woods weekend would not work. I have room for ya. Be nice to see you for a few last turns. I'm out by noon on Sat.

 

[snowmonster]

Andyzee, Thanks for the kind words! I'm pretty sure we bumped into each other at K last Saturday. When I wasn't on the slopes (lunchtime), I was wandering around K1 in an MRG shirt. My friend (who did not ski) was playing on her computer the whole time. We sat by the exit nearest the gondola (near the bathrooms). You're right. It's shopping time. Found a pair of Rossi Z9's for an insane price. What do you guys think of the Z9? Also, may buy all these waxing and tuning tools that are half off. I plan to turn my apartment into a ski shop.

Bob R, I'll keep my eyes peeled for you and your son. Am usually in a blue jacket and a pair of light brown/beige snowpants and wear a black helmet with goggles (gee, I think I just described half the guys on the mountain). If it's warm, I'll be in a white long-sleeved US Ski Team shirt. Am short too! Where can I get an AZ sticker?

See you guys at Killington!

 

[andyzee]

Also, may buy all these waxing and tuning tools that are half off. I plan to turn my apartment into a ski shop.

My experience, I got all the tuning tools, got the bench and vises and this past season, decided to try a season tune at Basin Ski shop. It's good to know how to tune your own skis, but so much less trouble with a season tune. No mess at home, after I ski on the weekend, just drop my skis off and then pick them up the following weekend. Skis always waxed and sharpened.

 

[Vortex]

Note to self we have to do a better job on getting the gear out. www.cafepress.com just search alpine zone. Hats t-shirts, stickers. You have to tye dye your own.:idea:

 

[Greg]

Note to self we have to do a better job on getting the gear out. www.cafepress.com just search alpine zone. Hats t-shirts, stickers. You have to tye dye your own.:idea:

http://www.cafepress.com/alpinezone

 

[snowmonster]

Hope to see you guys at K. AM all set to go Saturday. Will get there before noon. Hope to see you, Bob R. Thanks to Greg for the link to the site for the AZ stuff. WIll get a shirt for next season.