Killington: FAILing to open this weekend....

[Highway Star]

Why is Killington not even trying to get open this weekend? Temps have been good enough lately to make snow down to the base, but they didn't. Sure, there's rain forecasted, but forcasts can turn on a dime. Will they open next weekend??? Again, you can't trust the forcast. Remember how in 2006, they didn't open until Thanksgiving? With the stance they're taking now, it's possible we won't see an opening until Thanksgiving or later. Evidently, since they got open early, they seem to think that getting open again soon isn't all that important, and that they have no pressing need to make their scheduled opening day....!

Overall, this really shows the need for a lift setup for uploading and downloading for upper mountain skiing. Something that allows people to use the peak Lodge and download on the K-1. Something as simple as a surface tow on upper downdraft. Or a triple chair on middle/upper downdraft, or a midstation on the K-1. This, combined witht he north ridge triple would allow for 700-800 ft of vert on numerous trails, all above 3350 ft. Even when they opened last week, they were telling people to ski off the NRT and to avoid skiing top to bottom on the K-1....!!! Why not just download people then? They have all the snow up top, why not get people skiing on it???

Tom's word on the blog website:

Light snow is falling and we are currently making snow on nine trails, including Great Northern down to the bottom of Upper Bunny Buster (Mixing Bowl area) with 204 snow guns. Most impressively though, 190 of the snow guns in operation are Low E guns, which means we're not only making a lot of snow and building deep base depths, but we're making very efficient (and low cost) snow!

So when will Killington re-open for the season?

We’re focused on producing “efficient” snow and building deep base depths on the upper portions of the mountain, especially the Northridge area and Great Northern from the peak as far down as we can go. The current weather forecast calls for outstanding snowmaking temperatures – especially – from 3,000 feet and higher – through Thursday morning. Then, freezing rain and just plain old rain move in Thursday night through Saturday. Cold temps return again Sunday night and that’s when we will begin to make the push back to the bottom.

As we look forward into next week, we’ll have deep base depths on the upper portion of the mountain that will be able to sustain any curveballs thrown by Mother Nature, thus allowing us to focus on expansion once we do open again for the season and remain open.

In the meantime, we’re working on finishing $8.4 million in on-mountain improvements, including the new Learn to Snowboard Magic Carpet at Snowshed, and stringing the haul rope for the new Sky Peak Express.

Forecast..subject to change..............

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Light north wind.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Thursday: Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 41. South wind between 10 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly before 1am. Low around 40. Southeast wind between 9 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 52. South wind between 11 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 3am. Low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. High near 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 23.

Monday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 19.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.

 

[Glenn]

Even though I'm a newb, can I vote for the creation of a "Killington" forum?

 

[mondeo]

How did I know Highway Star started this thread? :roll:

Give it a break already. No one here cares.

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, would you want to wager several $100k on that forecast? I understand their concern....blowing the snow to not only watch it melt, but to pay people to stand at empty lifts in the rain and help a few diehard passholders get on and then go home.

Don't get me wrong...I'm, just as :roll: and :uzi: about the weather as the next person, but there is nobody to blame for it...

Oh wait...this is a HS thread....hope it doesn't turn into another brawl. :roll:

 

[Greg]

Why is Killington not even trying to get open this weekend? Temps have been good enough lately to make snow down to the base, but they didn't. Sure, there's rain forecasted, but forcasts can turn on a dime. Will they open next weekend??? Again, you can't trust the forcast. Remember how in 2006, they didn't open until Thanksgiving? With the stance they're taking now, it's possible we won't see an opening until Thanksgiving or later. Evidently, since they got open early, they seem to think that getting open again soon isn't all that important, and that they have no pressing need to make their scheduled opening day....!

Overall, this really shows the need for a lift setup for uploading and downloading for upper mountain skiing. Something that allows people to use the peak Lodge and download on the K-1. Something as simple as a surface tow on upper downdraft. Or a triple chair on middle/upper downdraft, or a midstation on the K-1. This, combined witht he north ridge triple would allow for 700-800 ft of vert on numerous trails, all above 3350 ft. Even when they opened last week, they were telling people to ski off the NRT and to avoid skiing top to bottom on the K-1....!!! Why not just download people then? They have all the snow up top, why not get people skiing on it???

The dead horse is really starting to stink. HS - why don't you just find a different mountain to call home?

Sure forecasts change, but it looks pretty clear that rain is imminent now. Take a look at the national radar:

See that big blob of green and yellow extending from Canada to Mexico? That's all rain, my friend. Even the higher elevation NWS zone forecast is calling for temps from 40-50 and rain starting tomorrow through Saturday. Any snow they might have made at the lower elevation would be wiped out. Stockpiling only at the top is a smart move.

And yeah, your downloading suggestion is a good one, but until they restructure the summit lift layout, it's all a moot point. Suggesting this as a failure based on the idea of downloading which currently isn't even possible is idiotic. Sure, call not implementing a lift system that would allow for downloading a failure if you want, but don't consider not opening this weekend due to a lot of rain forecast a failure.

Put it this way - a few of us were considering skiing there Friday and bagged it due to the rain in the forecast before the announcement that they wouldn't be open anyway. Think about how many other early season skiers were thinking the same thing.

We go through this every year. We all want to ski. It would be great to have a downloading option at Killington, but it's just not a reality right now and it's time to get over it.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Full moon cycle and everybody's antsy and chomping at the bit to ski/board. Maybe a little humor is in order.

Doctor called me up and said “I’ve got good and bad news for you. Which do you want first?”

“give me the good news”

Doc said “You have 1 day to live”
I retorted “If that’s the good news what the hell is the bad news?”








Doc said
“I tried to get hold of you yesterday”

Snow will come, gang. It's so close now that impatience gets the best of us.

 

[Highway Star]

Oh, I forgot.....PEOPLE CAN'T SKI IN THE RAIN....OMG.

That doesn't even look like much rain. Maybe a few hours here and there.

More proof of fail..........

The fan gun going at Ramshead. Additional guns are set throughout Ramshead base area and through the learning areas. Guns are set and ready on Great Northern down to Ramshead as well...

 

[Vortex]

Sr did roll the dice again.
There is value in season pass sales and real estate.

Look at the Buzz Mt snow got early, look at the Buzz K got early.

Sr just has kept it going.

Option pay the $25 and make the tin mountain round up at Sr


Sunday River will open for Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 4 pm out of the Barker area. Lift ticket prices are $39 for all day and $30 for half day. Or, ski and ride for only $25 by bringing in three or more canned goods for our annual Tin Mountain Round-Up also taking place this weekend. Check back here for more updates on terrain and lift openings.

linc http://www.sundayriver.com/TheMountain/MountainReport/index.html


The last two years Sr marketing is snow on the hill early and late.
K had more elevation than SR.

 

[Greg]

Oh, I forgot.....PEOPLE CAN'T SKI IN THE RAIN....OMG.

I would bet most of us don't have a problem skiing in the rain. I sure don't. Rain bumps rule. The problem is 95% of the skiing population, especially those that would need to purchase a lift ticket or drive some distance to get there, does. It's the same contingent that hangs the skis up at the end of March, or earlier. Just the way it is. You can't fault any mountain for that. What you're suggesting is to operate at a great loss to make some pass holding locals happy. You're not a good business man.

 

[2knees]

dont worry hs, the news just reached the shores of Britain. The hooligans are coming to help you with your cause.

 

[Greg]

The last two years Sr marketing is snow on the hill early and late.
K had more elevation than SR.

Sunday River has a downloading option. Until Killington is willing to forgo the T2B requirement for opening, early openings at K are going to be weather sensitive, regardless of an elevation advantage. This is one point I agree with Highway Star on.

 

[Vortex]

Greg SR will not be down loading this weekend. As least that is the plan. The base elevation of K is similar to the elevation where Sr started making snow mid mountain.

K has a terrain advantage and elevation advantage. Sr is making a go casue they want to.

K could do that.
That is how I see it.
Sr is big time weather sensitive also. I think K is handling this entire thing fine. As a skier, early and late season boyne is coming through for us.

I do get yours' and highways stars' point. If they got a new lift Early Oct would be early season not late oct early Nov.

 

[Marc]

How did I know Highway Star started this thread? :roll:

Give it a break already. No one here cares.

Because it says who created the thread just below the title?

Only a guess.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Sunday River has a downloading option. Until Killington is willing to forgo the T2B requirement for opening, early openings at K are going to be weather sensitive, regardless of an elevation advantage. This is one point I agree with Highway Star on.

Thanks Captain Obvious...:lol:

 

[2knees]

Because it says who created the thread just below the title?

Only a guess.

i was thinking it, you posted it.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Why is Killington not even trying to get open this weekend? Temps have been good enough lately to make snow down to the base, but they didn't. Sure, there's rain forecasted, but forcasts can turn on a dime. Will they open next weekend??? Again, you can't trust the forcast. Remember how in 2006, they didn't open until Thanksgiving? With the stance they're taking now, it's possible we won't see an opening until Thanksgiving or later. Evidently, since they got open early, they seem to think that getting open again soon isn't all that important, and that they have no pressing need to make their scheduled opening day....!

Overall, this really shows the need for a lift setup for uploading and downloading for upper mountain skiing. Something that allows people to use the peak Lodge and download on the K-1. Something as simple as a surface tow on upper downdraft. Or a triple chair on middle/upper downdraft, or a midstation on the K-1. This, combined witht he north ridge triple would allow for 700-800 ft of vert on numerous trails, all above 3350 ft. Even when they opened last week, they were telling people to ski off the NRT and to avoid skiing top to bottom on the K-1....!!! Why not just download people then? They have all the snow up top, why not get people skiing on it???

Tom's word on the blog website:




Forecast..subject to change..............

I don't see Killington building a new lift strictly for a week or two of early season skiing and riding. The cost of the lift would be alot more than the added early season profits..if they even profit from all the snowmaking in marginal temps combined with a relatively small amount of people skiing before Thanksgiving. I'm sort of glad they're not opening this weekend so I don't have to drive 5+ hours to ski a white ribbon of death..at this point..I'm content maybe getting a day or two next weekend at Hunter or Mount Snow and then taking a steezy 3 day/3 night Ski-fari to Vermont from Black Friday to the Monday after Turkey day..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Even though I'm a newb, can I vote for the creation of a "Killington" forum?

Once all the resort are open in 1-2 weeks..there won't be so much Killington banter..

 

[mondeo]

Because it says who created the thread just below the title?

Only a guess.

Not on the main page, it doesn't. Just the thread title and last poster.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

HighWayStar..even if Killington made enough snow top to bottom to open this weekend..it would make economic sense for them not to open because even a few hours of rain will scare away most of the ticket buyers..

 

[ctenidae]

For those of you keeping score at home, here are the stats on teh latest HighwayStar/Killington Thread-o-Rama:

# Replies: 17
# HS posts: 2
# Snarky Marc comments: 1 (and a good one at that)
# GSS posts: 4
# of Katie Holmes pictures: 0

Overall thread rating: FAIL.