Date(s) Skied: 12/21/06-12/23/06
Resort or Ski Area: Loon Mountain, NH
Conditions: Variable
Trip Report:
Thursday 12/21
I finally got up to Loon Wednesday night, having the week off from school. The first day of the season was delayed many times, originally thanksgiving weekend, but the opening date kept getting pushed back. Anyhow, I picked up my threedom pass Thursday morning and went off. The Gondola line wasn't bad all day, the crowds were minimal Thursday. Only 9 trails were open, from the summit only Flying Fox, Picked Rock and Bear Claw, then the only ways down were Lower Picked Rock and Brookway. For lifts there was only the Gondola and the Kanc Quad. Thursday was the best day of the three, the snow was the best and the crowds were the best. I did U. Picked Rock to L. Picked Rock most of the day, then back up the Gondola (with no line.) Flying Fox was great, but the only way down from there is Brookway, which is extremely flat (although scenic.) Except for a short break at 1, I skied the entire day right until the lifts closed. This was the best day of the trip.
Friday 12/22
Knowing there would be crowds, I got to the mountain right at 9 to ski while the crowds were little. As expected, the crowds grew around 10. There was the same trail configuration as Thursday, although the snow was slightly better due to snowmaking Thursday night. The snowmaking continued throughout Thursday morning on Picked Rock and Grand Junction (connector between Bear Claw and Brookway.) All day they were also making snow on Haulback and L. Walking Boss, which was slated to open Saturday but didn't. Small moguls were beginning to form on L. Picked Rock at the end of the day from all of the snowmaking, which were nice.
Saturday 12/23
The plan was to only ski 8-11 Saturday, which was what I did. When I woke up, it was pooring rain and I was thinking about going home early, but decided to ski since I was in no rush to be home. I arrived at the mountain at about 8:10, with no one in the Gondola line. The liftie said I was the first of the day. First tracks on Flying Fox was nice, but with the rain the snow wasn't as good, and there were many bare spots. East Basin Double opened up, so I kept doing laps on U. Picked Rock and Flying Fox all morning. I finally quit at 10, since I was thoroughly soaked at that point and had enough.
I didn't bring my camera on Saturday because of the rain, so pics are from Thursday and Friday only:
Upper Picked Rock
View of Octagon Lodge from Gondola
Angel Street from Gondola-Needs a little more snow:-x
Depressing pic from Gondola
Brookway
Resort or Ski Area: Loon Mountain, NH
Conditions: Variable
Trip Report:
Thursday 12/21
I finally got up to Loon Wednesday night, having the week off from school. The first day of the season was delayed many times, originally thanksgiving weekend, but the opening date kept getting pushed back. Anyhow, I picked up my threedom pass Thursday morning and went off. The Gondola line wasn't bad all day, the crowds were minimal Thursday. Only 9 trails were open, from the summit only Flying Fox, Picked Rock and Bear Claw, then the only ways down were Lower Picked Rock and Brookway. For lifts there was only the Gondola and the Kanc Quad. Thursday was the best day of the three, the snow was the best and the crowds were the best. I did U. Picked Rock to L. Picked Rock most of the day, then back up the Gondola (with no line.) Flying Fox was great, but the only way down from there is Brookway, which is extremely flat (although scenic.) Except for a short break at 1, I skied the entire day right until the lifts closed. This was the best day of the trip.
Friday 12/22
Knowing there would be crowds, I got to the mountain right at 9 to ski while the crowds were little. As expected, the crowds grew around 10. There was the same trail configuration as Thursday, although the snow was slightly better due to snowmaking Thursday night. The snowmaking continued throughout Thursday morning on Picked Rock and Grand Junction (connector between Bear Claw and Brookway.) All day they were also making snow on Haulback and L. Walking Boss, which was slated to open Saturday but didn't. Small moguls were beginning to form on L. Picked Rock at the end of the day from all of the snowmaking, which were nice.
Saturday 12/23
The plan was to only ski 8-11 Saturday, which was what I did. When I woke up, it was pooring rain and I was thinking about going home early, but decided to ski since I was in no rush to be home. I arrived at the mountain at about 8:10, with no one in the Gondola line. The liftie said I was the first of the day. First tracks on Flying Fox was nice, but with the rain the snow wasn't as good, and there were many bare spots. East Basin Double opened up, so I kept doing laps on U. Picked Rock and Flying Fox all morning. I finally quit at 10, since I was thoroughly soaked at that point and had enough.
I didn't bring my camera on Saturday because of the rain, so pics are from Thursday and Friday only:
Upper Picked Rock
View of Octagon Lodge from Gondola
Angel Street from Gondola-Needs a little more snow:-x
Depressing pic from Gondola
Brookway
