Mt Snow Thread

[drjeff]

Yeah, they definitely seem more conservative this year. Would be nice to open Ledges and put up a variable conditions sign. At least there is some tree skiing that they don't officially keep closed. Though they did have a rope at the top of Carinthia trees that pretty much everybody ignored. Not sure what the deal with that is, plenty of other entrances.

Ledge was actually open for a time on Saturday atleast (heard the back and forth patrol was having over its rope status on the radios me and the rest of my race crew folks had on us as we were de-icing about 30 rolls of b-net along the side of Southbowl)..

As for the Nitro woods (Claimjumper) think the rope there had something to do with how wide, deep, and rapidly flowing the stream by the bottom of it was last weekend. Hopefully a few days of cold and dry weather coming up will slow that water flow down and freeze up some of the deeper pools in that stream bed.

Additionally from the slow opening feel this year, #1 you do have to keep in perspective that up until about 10 days ago, if it hadn't had snow made on it, there wasn't any snow on the ground (thank you mother nature ) and #2, it sure seems like to my eyes, that they're laying it on extra deep (like an extra 1-2+ feet deep) on the snowmaking terrain prior to them opening it up. And given how that got them through the UGLY X-Mas week weather with little to no loss in their trail count, unlike many of their competitors, I can see the wisdom in it (if thar is the case) even if it means that I have been staring at some whales behind ropes a few extra days than I wished was the case.

And the way they're burying the park terrain at Carinthia thus far (Nitro is going to get another few day snowmaking run starting tomorrow before its open as a non park this coming weekend ahead of a new build next week, and the bottom of Inferno looks like it will see the massive jumps in the not too distant future based on the size of they whales they're laying down there the last few days) guessing the multiple trail option into late April, mother nature permitting is on the agenda again

 

[SLyardsale]

Ledge was actually open for a time on Saturday atleast (heard the back and forth patrol was having over its rope status on the radios me and the rest of my race crew folks had on us as we were de-icing about 30 rolls of b-net along the side of Southbowl)..

As for the Nitro woods (Claimjumper) think the rope there had something to do with how wide, deep, and rapidly flowing the stream by the bottom of it was last weekend. Hopefully a few days of cold and dry weather coming up will slow that water flow down and freeze up some of the deeper pools in that stream bed.

Additionally from the slow opening feel this year, #1 you do have to keep in perspective that up until about 10 days ago, if it hadn't had snow made on it, there wasn't any snow on the ground (thank you mother nature ) and #2, it sure seems like to my eyes, that they're laying it on extra deep (like an extra 1-2+ feet deep) on the snowmaking terrain prior to them opening it up. And given how that got them through the UGLY X-Mas week weather with little to no loss in their trail count, unlike many of their competitors, I can see the wisdom in it (if thar is the case) even if it means that I have been staring at some whales behind ropes a few extra days than I wished was the case.

And the way they're burying the park terrain at Carinthia thus far (Nitro is going to get another few day snowmaking run starting tomorrow before its open as a non park this coming weekend ahead of a new build next week, and the bottom of Inferno looks like it will see the massive jumps in the not too distant future based on the size of they whales they're laying down there the last few days) guessing the multiple trail option into late April, mother nature permitting is on the agenda again

F these park trails. my goodness, fools gold was lit up longer than highline at killington. prospector took 2 weeks to move it from an open ski trail to a park. what a waste. these natural trails on the main face are what, 8 degree angle? and we're worried about noobs on them. put a lollipop at the top and open it. South bowl is way more dangerous than anything else on the east coast and noobs get free access to that monstrosity

 

[jaytrem]

Ledge was actually open for a time on Saturday atleast (heard the back and forth patrol was having over its rope status on the radios me and the rest of my race crew folks had on us as we were de-icing about 30 rolls of b-net along the side of Southbowl)..

As for the Nitro woods (Claimjumper) think the rope there had something to do with how wide, deep, and rapidly flowing the stream by the bottom of it was last weekend. Hopefully a few days of cold and dry weather coming up will slow that water flow down and freeze up some of the deeper pools in that stream bed.

Additionally from the slow opening feel this year, #1 you do have to keep in perspective that up until about 10 days ago, if it hadn't had snow made on it, there wasn't any snow on the ground (thank you mother nature ) and #2, it sure seems like to my eyes, that they're laying it on extra deep (like an extra 1-2+ feet deep) on the snowmaking terrain prior to them opening it up. And given how that got them through the UGLY X-Mas week weather with little to no loss in their trail count, unlike many of their competitors, I can see the wisdom in it (if thar is the case) even if it means that I have been staring at some whales behind ropes a few extra days than I wished was the case.

And the way they're burying the park terrain at Carinthia thus far (Nitro is going to get another few day snowmaking run starting tomorrow before its open as a non park this coming weekend ahead of a new build next week, and the bottom of Inferno looks like it will see the massive jumps in the not too distant future based on the size of they whales they're laying down there the last few days) guessing the multiple trail option into late April, mother nature permitting is on the agenda again

Didn't notice any wide, deep, rapidly flowing stream. It was perfectly fine. Exit was even in good shape compared to normal. Definitely seem more conservative to me, hope that trend doesn't stick.

 

[ThatGuy]

They were already super conservative last season if its worse Im really glad not to be there this year

 

[Newpylong]

The parks (at the size) these places build are a complete waste of money. Just look at the number of people in them at any given day. I can't believe no one has acquiesced and just decided to build lots of smaller features that require less snow. Or do what we did and build the large hits out of dirt in the off season.

 

[drjeff]

The parks (at the size) these places build are a complete waste of money. Just look at the number of people in them at any given day. I can't believe no one has acquiesced and just decided to build lots of smaller features that require less snow. Or do what we did and build the large hits out of dirt in the off season.

Carinthia atleast, seems to have a pretty high traffic flow through their parks on a daily basis. Granted through now 15 seasons and multiple owners, the commitment to keep it as one of the premier park facilties in the East, as well as the country (half pipe excluded - arguably the biggest waste of resources!!) has been there to keep the brand strong. When week in and week out, season after season you see it done right, there certainly can be a strong market for it, that gives the justification for the resources it takes to build it, then then regular revisions of the parks over the course of the season. It seems like places that just build and keep the same basic set up all season are the ones where the usership of the park is lower.

My opinion on this, even as a non park feature user, has definitely shifted from "what a waste of terrain and resources" to "I can definitely see how this works, even if I don't use it"

 

[icecoast1]

The parks (at the size) these places build are a complete waste of money. Just look at the number of people in them at any given day. I can't believe no one has acquiesced and just decided to build lots of smaller features that require less snow. Or do what we did and build the large hits out of dirt in the off season.

Wrong on so many levels, parks of the caliber of Carinthia, Woodward, and others of that nature are well worth the money and draw tons of people. If they don't make money how does a place like Woodward Park City which is nothing but parks thrive? Just because you don't like parks doesnt mean they shouldn't be built

 

[tumbler]

The park at Sugarbush seems to get a lot of use. IT takes up a beginner trail but it keeps them all in one place.

 

[jimmywilson69]

the peace park at Killington sees tons of traffic. The crazy thing they build in there are impressive. I personally don't use it and think its a waste of a perfectly good intermediate trail on Ramshead, but that's just like my opinion man. I do like to ski down through them at least once to see the crazy shit and may hit a few of the smaller features, poorly LOL.

 

[Newpylong]

Wrong on so many levels, parks of the caliber of Carinthia, Woodward, and others of that nature are well worth the money and draw tons of people. If they don't make money how does a place like Woodward Park City which is nothing but parks thrive? Just because you don't like parks doesnt mean they shouldn't be built

You're making assumptions and putting words in my mouth here.

Nowhere did I say that I "don't like parks". When I ran the Whale after getting a novice run in good shape it was my priority to get our park built, even though it was a tremendous drain on finite resources. I recognize the value that they add to the product.

However, what I said above was specifically about XL features. How many park riders have the skills or are hitting those? I've spent my fair share of time watching around New England, and you can count on one hand over an hour how many hit those features. This is why I said, if they must be built (like at MS for MSA) use earth in the off-season to cut down on the snow requirements.

Woodward is a tremendously powerful brand. It costs several thousand dollars per hour to make snow and when you're taking ~60 hours roughly on Dreammaker, Gulch, etc or anything else requiring XL features, well do the math on the ROI there. They do it because of the brand, not revenue.

I think tons of smaller and more unique features such as the Stash, the Peace Park, etc are a far better investment in most scenarios.

 

[NYDB]

Shocking that a Ski forum with a median age of 55 thinks big features at parks are a waste of money.

they certainly can be, but not at Mt Snow.

Regarding the large features - from MSA website

The mission of the Mount Snow Academy snowboard program is to develop the students-athletes’ mental strength and abilities in order to create well-rounded athletes. We prepare our athletes for all levels of snowboard competition including the USASA Nationals, Revolution Tour, Grand Prix, X-Games, World Cup, and even the Olympics.

The above applies to their freestyle ski program as well. You cant train for the X games hitting small or med features all the time

 

[icecoast1]

However, what I said above was specifically about XL features. How many park riders have the skills or are hitting those? I've spent my fair share of time watching around New England, and you can count on one hand over an hour how many hit those features. This is why I said, if they must be built (like at MS for MSA) use earth in the off-season to cut down on the snow requirements.

In the case of the small area you ran, probably not many. In the case of Carinthia, woodward, etc, tons. Good parks draw lots of people. I have not been to Mount Snow since vail took over, however I spent a lot of time there prior to that and Carinthia was always busy. With the snowmaking system Mount Snow has, there's no reason they can't make enough snow for parks and the regular ski trails at the same time

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

With the snowmaking system Mount Snow has, there's no reason they can't make enough snow for parks and the regular ski trails at the same time

Yeah, it sounds like mount snow has the most robust system in Vermont right now.

 

[jaytrem]

Will be interesting to see if they blow in the pipe at all. Was it last year that they blew snow there and just left it?

Looks like they got 4 more inches. It's gotta be time to open a few more runs!

 

[drjeff]

Will be interesting to see if they blow in the pipe at all. Was it last year that they blew snow there and just left it?

Looks like they got 4 more inches. It's gotta be time to open a few more runs!

The pipe is a maybe this year, depending on how cooperative mother nature is, and if that area is opened, it's supposed to be some type of hybrid feature pipe, not necessarily an actual half pipe, as I heard one of the freestyle/freeride comp coaches mention at a party not too long ago. I guess we'll find out in the next few weeks if it's going to happen or not. Apparently they really want to do something there as it is the 15th season of Carinthia, and they have multiple big Events scheduled for various parks over the course of the season to showcase what Carinthia has become

And if their snowmaking plan from the daily snowreprt for today is accurrate, once they light up "Upper Exhibition" (what all of us longtime Mount Snowers know as Middle Exhibition), short of Ripcord and the half pipe area, they will have made snow on all of their snowmaking terrain this season

 

[bigbob]

The parks (at the size) these places build are a complete waste of money. Just look at the number of people in them at any given day. I can't believe no one has acquiesced and just decided to build lots of smaller features that require less snow. Or do what we did and build the large hits out of dirt in the off season.

When you look at the percentage of the people at the resort on any given day, the park users are a very small percentage. This is espically true during a season such as this where the amount of snowmaking hours are limited by the milder temps and time spent going back to resurface.

 

[SLyardsale]

The pipe is a maybe this year, depending on how cooperative mother nature is, and if that area is opened, it's supposed to be some type of hybrid feature pipe, not necessarily an actual half pipe, as I heard one of the freestyle/freeride comp coaches mention at a party not too long ago. I guess we'll find out in the next few weeks if it's going to happen or not. Apparently they really want to do something there as it is the 15th season of Carinthia, and they have multiple big Events scheduled for various parks over the course of the season to showcase what Carinthia has become

And if their snowmaking plan from the daily snowreprt for today is accurrate, once they light up "Upper Exhibition" (what all of us longtime Mount Snowers know as Middle Exhibition), short of Ripcord and the half pipe area, they will have made snow on all of their snowmaking terrain this season

I like XL features on Nitro - it is a fun lift to ride while watching the ringling bros performers walk the high wire.

No rope drops today that I saw. Lame.

Idiots broke Canyon by not monitoring the PoleCats. Snapped the comm line.

 

[SLyardsale]

for all you anti-park people - this weekend is the time:

Over at Carinthia, Prospector, Upper Fool's Gold, The Gulch, and Grommet are open with park features. Nitro will be closed for snowmaking and is scheduled to reopen for the weekend as a trail without features, then close for a park rebuild Monday. The Lift and Terrain Status page and My Epic app are the spots to check for the latest updates!

 

[SLyardsale]

Dr,
can you forward this to your Mt. Snow fellow staff members -it's from your nearest competitor, but I'm not sure they can monitor communications from the non approved web sites. Vail has blocks on their web servers for porn, alcohol, firearms, and IKON.

STRATTON DAILY MESSAGE​

1/17 3:00PM - Wowzah! What a day, ropes were dropping left and right. We even got to play in the glades with the fresh new snow we received. Tomorrow you can expect to ski and ride down 75 of your favorite trails, with 46 of those that will catch fresh stripes overnight. 8 lifts will be spinning for you at 9AM

 

[NYDB]

crazy. Mount snow only 44 trails? Is that correct? I know vails websites aren’t accurate a lot.

if that’s true that’s crazy. Like 50% open?

even Magic will be 60% open Tomorrow.

Do they report acreage?

you should at least get some more open trails for your parking money