Mt Snow Thread

[drjeff]

Just an FYI if anyone is going the next few days. Patrol has closed off a number of trails near the base area and/or that feed into the Lower Exhibition/Charlies Chase area, as a Momma bear and her 2 cubs emerged from a den that is in the trees between Lower Exhibition and Charlie's Chase not too far above where the cross over between Canyon and Lower Ex is, this past weekend. They are trying to keep people away from them for various safety reasons for both humans and the bears. Hopefully people will respect the ropes until these bears can move on from their den

 

[Atomic]

Pretty cool info doc. So any inside dirt on what is expected on freakin Eclipse Monday? I read that everything's booked up around the mt. and that non-skiing public can park for free - expecting a shtshow for skiers? Midweek pass here so would be good to hit it for leftovers but...

 

[drjeff]

Pretty cool info doc. So any inside dirt on what is expected on freakin Eclipse Monday? I read that everything's booked up around the mt. and that non-skiing public can park for free - expecting a shtshow for skiers? Midweek pass here so would be good to hit it for leftovers but...

I know that West Dover is going to be at something like 96% of totality. You have to go 2+hrs North up 100 to Warren (where Sugarbush is) to get to the 1st town with 100% totality. The Killington/Okemo section of 100 is in the 98-99% of totality range.

Not sure how much of a sh$tshow Monday will be at Mount Snow vs further North in the state.

I don't believe the mountain itself has anything formal planned Monday. I do know that multiple other local businesses do have viewing parties per their social media feeds.

Still trying to figure out my plan for the eclipse. Thinking though an early AM departure and a ride up 100 to Stowe for some turns, eclipse viewing, and likely a bunch of traffic on my way back is plan 1... Have a few days to decide though

 

[Atomic]

Ok thanks - sounds like it should be doable. I'm way more interested in skiing without throngs of humanoids than the degree of totality...

 

[drjeff]

Up to two bear dens causing trail closures now in the general Bluebird lift corridor now from Link on down to the base. Lodge, Middle and Lower Ex, Ego Alley, Somerset Road, Drop, Yardsale, Pats Pitch, Charlie's Chase and a part of Low Traverse all are roped off due to the bears.

The original bear and her 2 cubs near the bottom of Charlie's Chase and Lower Ex are out quite often. The 2nd den is located between Lodge and Middle Ex, between towers 11 and 12 on the Bluebird. Lots of paw prints in the snow there, but I haven't actually seen that one yet.

Canyon quad went down with an electrical issue mid morning on Saturday, and not too long after they started spinning Sundance instead. Been nice having both Sundance and Bluebird spinning for the Spring ops. Snow surface is really good. Sun and temps starting to get the new snow that fell a few days ago sticky, especially over the lower half of the mountain.

Crowds this weekend, with the exception of about 45 minutes or so Saturday AM when Canyon went down prior to them getting Sundance going and spreading out again, have been light, with general 2-5 minute lines at most.

The skiing is very good right now as the mountain heads into its last 2 weeks of operations for the season.

Going to be curious to see what the crowds for the eclipse tomorrow are, or aren't like. Roughly 97% totality at Mount Snow, also very likely far less post eclipse traffic issues vs at resorts further North...

 

[MikeW]

Saw them this morning-the cub was already trying to climb up the tree. And Sundance is perfect for me-it's the lift right by my condo. Gonna stay here tomorrow-probably be nuts at Stowe.
Conditions may be the best all season right now.

 

[ctdubl07]

So there’s always a fair bit of MS talk. Rather than start new thread, can Admin retitle this one to “Mount Snow thread” or similar name?

Or should I just start a fresh one? Trying to do my part to minimize thread clutter!

 

[JimG.]

So there’s always a fair bit of MS talk. Rather than start new thread, can Admin retitle this one to “Mount Snow thread” or similar name?

Or should I just start a fresh one? Trying to do my part to minimize thread clutter!

Done

 

[SLyardsale]

Done

Super - I'll contribute here and there Thanks

 

[ctdubl07]

Thanks Mod!!

So here’s an observation and ?….been taking dog for walk and while pretty decent blower activity all over the face at C, Nitro lift still had about 18 chairs lined up at base of super pipe as of this morning. (Im assuming these chairs belong to Nitro)

Even in optimum conditions, how long could it take to lift and hang that many chairs?

If these are down because they need repair/replacement, I imagine they can run the lift without an optimum number of chairs but I’d also think they’d move these as they do look to be a hazzard…

 

[urungus]

they do look to be a hazzard…

Is there a rusty orange Dodge charger there amongst the chairs ?

 

[slatham]

If there are chairs on the ground that should be on the lift that MIGHT be a sign that they haven’t load tested yet.

 

[drjeff]

Thanks Mod!!

So here’s an observation and ?….been taking dog for walk and while pretty decent blower activity all over the face at C, Nitro lift still had about 18 chairs lined up at base of super pipe as of this morning. (Im assuming these chairs belong to Nitro)

Even in optimum conditions, how long could it take to lift and hang that many chairs?

If these are down because they need repair/replacement, I imagine they can run the lift without an optimum number of chairs but I’d also think they’d move these as they do look to be a hazzard…

Couple of hours and those chairs are back on the haul rope.

Probably still off the line since those were the ones that were used likely for the annual testing of the grip assemblies

Some nice snow on the hill this morning! Getting a few laps in before the weather moves in this afternoon!

 

[Zand]

How's North Face skiing? Gonna head up tomorrow for day 1 finally. Not sure how well I'll be able to ski as I'm still coming back from pneumonia but will do my best. If my lungs can handle it I would love to hit Olympic and Jaws au natural.

 

[drjeff]

How's North Face skiing? Gonna head up tomorrow for day 1 finally. Not sure how well I'll be able to ski as I'm still coming back from pneumonia but will do my best. If my lungs can handle it I would love to hit Olympic and Jaws au natural.

Didn't venture to the Northface during the shortish session I did today. Some icing occured Sunday afternoon then some thawing before the system rolled in today. What may look powdery from afar has a crust on it now. Jaws and Olympic and the open naturals on the Northface were what you would expect, a mix of soft bumps with some thin spots in between and water bars in play.

 

[skimagic]

How's North Face skiing? Gonna head up tomorrow for day 1 finally. Not sure how well I'll be able to ski as I'm still coming back from pneumonia but will do my best. If my lungs can handle it I would love to hit Olympic and Jaws au natural.

The easy ones, fallen timbers and chute, had soft bumps all day. The report on pdf was ice between soft moguls. Freefall was groomed out. The passage from timbers to Olympic was blocked by a tree. Looks like its snowing there now

 

[Zand]

The easy ones, fallen timbers and chute, had soft bumps all day. The report on pdf was ice between soft moguls. Freefall was groomed out. The passage from timbers to Olympic was blocked by a tree. Looks like its snowing there now

Be interesting to see what happens tonight. 5 years ago I had one of my favorite days ever at Jay right after a snow to freezing rain event, which then warmed into the mid 30s. Anything untracked was garbage, but tracked out areas were the softest butter snow I've ever skied. Cautiously optimistic that this works out similarly (or just stays all snow tonight).

 

[SLyardsale]

at 7;30 pm - approx 6-7" snowman snow at the base since around noon. Prepare for tough visibility tomorrow with some frozen crap. Vail is hedging on lift op's for tomorrow because of icing - they usually deliver on this promise. Check the useless Epic app before you leave. When it doesn't deliver, at least you can have targeted anger.

 

[Zand]

Looks dreary on the cam but Bluebird is spinning. Gonna take a ride up, will check the app when I get to Brattleboro and see if I need to call an audible. Maybe it will warm above freezing by noon when I get there.

 

[GregoryIsaacs]

Just noticed that the mountain has officially striken Ego Alley from the Lift & Trail Report. A sad way to end the tenure of a historic lift.

I wonder if Vail will see the value in replacing it with a FGQ to help offset crowds during icing events etc. or just let it rot in place. Im not holding my breath