Mittersill Photos (September 2010)

[skiberg]

I was at Mittersill this past weekend. Walked up the mountain a bit. The old pilons are down and collected at the base. they have cut the grass on the lower portions of the hill. this is normal. The lift line is cut back and opened up a bit. They have poured the cement but have not yet filled in the titanic holes for the base of these pilon stations. The lift will allow you to ski the bottom of the mountain which prior to the lift you would miss because of the cut back or walk. I did not take any pictures but spoke to some people on the crew. Its cominag along. Still at least a month to completion. I have no idea about the cutting on the other parts of the mountain but from what i saw last winter its a bit more than I would like. The patrol wants to be certain they can rescue safely. I am excited for the prospect of the "new" hill but a bit sad it just means more people on that side of the mountain. Good news is that skier visits will probably stay the same so snow will hold on the other well known glades on the main mountain longer. I am a bit concerned about people finding come of the entry points for "Bear Gut" and the likes of these stash's.

 

[bigbob]

Are you afraid of a little rain?

I don't want to melt! :roll:Just worried that if we get a lot of rain my dump truck will get stuck when I have to move off road.. Thursday looks like 1"-2", I work outside, so I just have good raingear.

 

[thetrailboss]

I was at Mittersill this past weekend. Walked up the mountain a bit. The old pilons are down and collected at the base. they have cut the grass on the lower portions of the hill. this is normal. The lift line is cut back and opened up a bit. They have poured the cement but have not yet filled in the titanic holes for the base of these pilon stations. The lift will allow you to ski the bottom of the mountain which prior to the lift you would miss because of the cut back or walk. I did not take any pictures but spoke to some people on the crew. Its cominag along. Still at least a month to completion. I have no idea about the cutting on the other parts of the mountain but from what i saw last winter its a bit more than I would like. The patrol wants to be certain they can rescue safely. I am excited for the prospect of the "new" hill but a bit sad it just means more people on that side of the mountain. Good news is that skier visits will probably stay the same so snow will hold on the other well known glades on the main mountain longer. I am a bit concerned about people finding come of the entry points for "Bear Gut" and the likes of these stash's.

Thanks for the report and welcome to the boards!

 

[skiberg]

Thanks. You know how it is. Every year at this time I start to get neutotic. I keep looking at the weather. I go to the Loveland site every day. I check the web cams at B woods and Stowe. I just need to get on the snow. By the way is it always like this? Some of these guys argue like a bunch of middle school girls fighting over a boy.

 

[thetrailboss]

By the way is it always like this? Some of these guys argue like a bunch of middle school girls fighting over a boy.

Generally no. Take note guys. :wink: :roll:

 

[Smellytele]

Generally no. Take note guys. :wink: :roll:

+1

 

[riverc0il]

By the way is it always like this?

One month or less before folks get their first turns? Yes. And if you stick around long enough, it may just happen to you too.



Back on topic, does anyone know if they are going to keep the original or currently established names for the trails? Or even if they are going to name the trails at all. I mean, if it is truly "backcountry", then the entire area should be open if the lift is turning and trails should lack definition.

Which ever, I just hope they don't going placing dumb new names on everything. Knowing Cannon, Mittersill will have like 45 new trails or something. Or maybe they will start with a dozen but gradually grow to 45. How many does Stowe have? I but Cannon can top Stowe for sure with all the options they have for trail naming at Mitt! :-?

I don't like that quote regarding ski patrol being concerned about resque. The mountain currently has no issues with that though there are some tight spots but no tighter than a typical glade. Hopefully they don't go whacking everything because patrol can't handle a sled in tight quarters.

 

[threecy]

I don't like that quote regarding ski patrol being concerned about resque. The mountain currently has no issues with that though there are some tight spots but no tighter than a typical glade. Hopefully they don't go whacking everything because patrol can't handle a sled in tight quarters.

In talking to a Cannon patroller, I was told they'll want a cat pass down the mountain at all times in order to get a sled down. If they don't have that on a given day, they'd apparently close the entire Mittersill area (with no hiking allowed).

 

[riverc0il]

In talking to a Cannon patroller, I was told they'll want a cat pass down the mountain at all times in order to get a sled down. If they don't have that on a given day, they'd apparently close the entire Mittersill area (with no hiking allowed).

Sounds like Cannon patrol needs a brush up on their skills and should take some lessons from the MRG patrol. :lol: In all seriousness, I always see MRG patrol training on really difficult and nasty areas like Creamery. If they can get a sled down Creamery, then there is no reason for a one cat pass at Mittersill. There are some really nice narrow trails that will not allow for a cat pass.

Ah well, whatever I guess. Time to just let it go. Gotta keep reminding myself that this is really an opportunity...

 

[Tin Woodsman]

In talking to a Cannon patroller, I was told they'll want a cat pass down the mountain at all times in order to get a sled down. If they don't have that on a given day, they'd apparently close the entire Mittersill area (with no hiking allowed).

One cat pass on one trail, or one cat pass on every trail?

Sounds like Cannon patrol needs a brush up on their skills and should take some lessons from the MRG patrol. :lol: In all seriousness, I always see MRG patrol training on really difficult and nasty areas like Creamery. If they can get a sled down Creamery, then there is no reason for a one cat pass at Mittersill. There are some really nice narrow trails that will not allow for a cat pass.

Amen.

A friend of mine tore his ACL about 1/2 way down Paradise Lost (just below the cliff), and Patrol got him down just fine. If you know the area, that's serious business just to get down to Creamery, let alone Broadway and beyond.

 

[threecy]

One cat pass on one trail, or one cat pass on every trail?

My understanding was one cat pass from the top of the chairlift, not every trail, but clearly I'm not credible.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

My understanding was one cat pass from the top of the chairlift, not every trail, but clearly I'm not credible.

Well at least you're honest.

 

[Black Phantom]

I don't want to melt! :roll:Just worried that if we get a lot of rain my dump truck will get stuck when I have to move off road.. Thursday looks like 1"-2", I work outside, so I just have good raingear.

How far up are you bringing your rig? Are you hauling up, down, or both? Has the work-road been regraded?

 

[SIKSKIER]

In talking to a Cannon patroller, I was told they'll want a cat pass down the mountain at all times in order to get a sled down. If they don't have that on a given day, they'd apparently close the entire Mittersill area (with no hiking allowed).

This would be a first.Cannon has never stopped anyone from hiking over to Mittersill regardless of the conditions since lift operations stopped there.Who would this patroller you speak of be or are you just making this stuff up also.?

 

[Puck it]

This would be a first.Cannon has never stopped anyone from hiking over to Mittersill regardless of the conditions since lift operations stopped there.Who would this patroller you speak of be or are you just making this stuff up also.?

I have never been stopped by any patroller heading over the saddle. In fact I have never been bothered anywhere skiing ob or under ropes. This makes no sense now. It may be a new policy since there will be a lift there.

 

[skiberg]

The patrol of the new area is definetly a concern. I have spoken to people on patrol. This is the biggest reason why they have cut back the trails already. I complained last year about this to people at the moutnain and the resposne was the concern is rescue. They want to be abel to get around easily. Keep in mind that in the past they were not obligated to assist. It is now officially part of Cannon and they have liability. You can ski off the back side, which is still ourt of bounds, and there is no cutting there.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Keep in mind that in the past they were not obligated to assist. It is now officially part of Cannon and they have liability.

To the contrary,they certainly were obligated to assist and Mittersill was officially part of Cannon last year as well.

 

[skiberg]

I understand that, that is why the began cutting last year. I do not beleive that had an obligation to assit prior to this. I am speaking purely form a legla perspective. In fact, i think there was a sign that said leaving ski area boundaries. They may have assited even prior to last year but the obligaiton legally proabblay was not there.

 

[threecy]

This would be a first.Cannon has never stopped anyone from hiking over to Mittersill regardless of the conditions since lift operations stopped there.Who would this patroller you speak of be or are you just making this stuff up also.?

I was told that they expect that policy to end the minute that lift goes into service this year, but clearly I'm not credible.

 

[Cannonball]

It's pretty obvious that, intentional or not, there will be a evolution of more and more development and resortifying of Cannon/Mittersill as time passes. For now it's the new lift, no hiking, cat tracks, etc. Then will come 'just a bit of trail widening and cutting'....then ticket increases.....then lodge development at Mitt.....then ticket increases. How long before an intermountain lift like Sugarbush? In less than 10 years (maybe 5) all their current press about "the Mittersill backcountry experience" will be a distant memory and you won't be able to tell it apart from any other muti-base ski area.

There are two debates going on here 1) the financial aspects of a state run facility, and 2) the pros and cons of how it affects the skiing. I don't live in NH and don't know enough about the issue to comment on #1. As for #2: I personally think it is a MAJOR detriment to the mountain where I hold season pass, have winter rental house, and that I ski more frequently than anywhere else. Obviously others disagree.

There is certainly no way that I can stop or change it. If the things that draw me to Cannon (price, vibe, terrain, lack of crowds) change significantly I will start looking for my next 'favorite place'. That's how it works in this free market world. Cannon needs to make business/market decisions, the skiers need to make consumer/market decisions. I hope for Cannon's sake that they have accurately understood the markets. I can't tell if that's the case. On AZ there seems to be a fair amount of supporters of the development. That's great, although it generally seems to be from infrequent Cannon skiers. On other boards there is strong and almost unanimous opposition to the the new development. That is coming from a group of very frequent Cannon skiers (albeit a smaller group). Time will tell.

In the meantime, I just bought my mid-week Cannon season pass and can't wait for the snow to fly.