Killington is going to open before Sunday River this season.

[Smellytele]

When ski areas compete - skiers win

 

[Conrad]

Props to Killington being open seven days a week. But guess what? That isn't what this thread is about! Sunday River with the win for this one!!!

 

[VTKilarney]

Exactly. This thread is about who opens before the other - and that is all. This year Sunday River wins. But next year, who knows.

Frankly, skiing right now seems to be pretty absurd. I guess there are some diehards who think that it is a good idea, but it doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. It seems a lot more to do with marketing than anything else. But on the other hand, the snow they are blowing right now is all part of what will become a base in the future. There is something to be said for that.

One question, though. I was under the impression that man-made snow should be let to sit for a couple of days so the water could drain. Does it really matter that they are not letting the snow sit before it is skied on?

 

[machski]

That impression is incorrect. Manmade snow can b skied on right away. What you don't want is cats on it for a day or two to let the moisture set up. Skiers can help that process, but the weight of a cat, blade scrapping and tiller compacting would cause the resultant carpet to be a sheet of ice.

 

[deadheadskier]

Letting it drain is ideal, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good surface by grooming it right out to ski on. It really depends on the temps as to what kind of surface you'll get. Could be mank, could be bullet proof.

I've had great WROD days, and poor ones. Some years I'm eager to make it out as early as possible, other years I wait a little. I'd like to ski on Sunday, but only if a place is offering TtB. Lapping T2 at SR has been fun before, but the lift situation can be a pain. Lapping Glades Peak at Killington appeals to me even less. What I'm really hoping for is Wildcat to be open. IMO, Lynx is a better trail than what will be offered at either K or SR for several weeks. Hell, it's a better TtB cruiser than any trail that exists at K or SR period. One of the best in New England.

 

[dangah]

Is opening for a single day really opening?

I totally agree with the post below. Can you imagine if A Basin opened for a day and claimed first to open? They would be absolutely ridiculed. Opening for a day on one trail and then closing down seems to be more of a marketing stunt than a kick-off to the season. Congrats to Sunday River for the best marketing stunt. Congrats to Killington for attempting to open for the season.

Just my .02. I don't really have a dog in the fight as I sit here in the PNW waiting for snow levels to drop.

Killington is making an effort to open "for the season", rather than opening for a random day for lame marketing bragging rights. They get the win on my scorecard.


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[dlague]

I do not have issue with temporarily shutting down mid week - these are businesses. Midweek stoppage happens on both ends of the seasons by many ski areas every year. I do not blame them for trying to preserve base especially if temps increase a little.

 

[VTKilarney]

The problem with micro-managing this issue is that you have to get deep into the context of the opening, such as debating whether walk-on and walk-off counts. That's why, as far as I am concerned, "open" means "open". The other factors should be for a different conversation.

 

[moguler6]

I totally agree with the post below. Can you imagine if A Basin opened for a day and claimed first to open? They would be absolutely ridiculed. Opening for a day on one trail and then closing down seems to be more of a marketing stunt than a kick-off to the season. Congrats to Sunday River for the best marketing stunt. Congrats to Killington for attempting to open for the season.

Just my .02. I don't really have a dog in the fight as I sit here in the PNW waiting for snow levels to drop.

So then Pico never actually opens for the season?

Crystal opened last year for 1-day on October 1st and I thought that was very cool of them.

 

[skiersleft]

This is a non-debate. Sunday River offered lift served skiing 2 hours before Killington did. Therefore, SR opened before Kton. There is no way to spin it.

If "open for the season" is the criteria instead of "open first", then let's start a different thread titled "Killington will open for the season before SR"

 

[Savemeasammy]

I wonder what the reason was for Killington to wait until 11? I was half expecting them to start loading the gondola at 8:30 despite the announced 11 am opening.


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[mriceyman]

I find this whole topic amusing every year.. The best part was ski sugar opened before any of them lol what are the odds if that happening


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[Mariovntr]

I wonder what the reason was for Killington to wait until 11? I was half expecting them to start loading the gondola at 8:30 despite the announced 11 am opening.


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They didn't groom anything until this morning then moved the guns to other slopes. Makes sense since they are staying open daily. SR closed rest of week until weekend.

 

[steamboat1]

Sugar mountain won.

Not quite. It was a tie. Catalochee ski area in NC. opened yesterday also. 2 lifts & 5 trails open.

edit: both Sugar & Catalochee are open today also.

 

[dangah]

I guess I just take issue with popping open for a day to take all the marketing glory just to shut down the next day. SR claims this is the "Kickoff to a six month season." I just don't know how they can straight face that.

Maybe it's because I'm more familiar with the competition between Loveland and A Basin where there are unspoken rules for the race to open first.

You are right, The Crystal thing was super-cool. The difference there was, they never tried to spin that they were the first to open in the PNW for the season or claim their season went from October 1st to June whatever.

So then Pico never actually opens for the season?

Crystal opened last year for 1-day on October 1st and I thought that was very cool of them.

 

[Smellytele]

K may have to close again this week as well. Then no one wins?

 

[KevinF]

Wachusett always blows a patch of snow and sets up one or two terrain park features for the Columbus Day Weekend ski swap. They should claim they were the first to open in the country.

I swung by the swap this year; despite a cold rain, there were a decent number of people waiting for their turn at skiing what consisted primarily of fast mud. I guess some people need their fix more than others.

 

[Domeskier]

Do we argue over midweek shutdowns for last to close as well? What am I saying - of course we do!

 

[SIKSKIER]

Those mts really are upside down in NC.Cataloochee has no snow on the top and middle but a full wall to wall at the base.
http://www.cataloochee.com/cataloochee_info/webcam.php

 

[slatham]

I have no axe to grind - I am not a Kmart or SR local. IMHO the winner is the one who opens and stays opens. A one day opening doesn't count. And it also doesn't count until you open to the general public. Sugar Mountain is still open. Lets see who's still spinning lifts on Thursday.