Pats Peak and Sunapee: March 6-7, 2006 (Hanging with the AZ Race Crew and a Bluebird Day at Sunapee!!!)
Date(s) Skied: March 6-7, 2006
Resort or Ski Area: Pats Peak (March 6th) and Sunapee (March 7)
Conditions: MG/FG/PP
Trip Report:
I had a small window to do some skiing before the weather and my schedule went downhill. With good weather, the AZ racing crew in town, and some free tix to Pats Peak, I leapt at the opportunity to ski :beer: Gotta love class cancellations and Town Meeting Day in VT!
Pats Peak: Oh, the Memories and the Racing!)
The game plan was to cash in one of my vouchers (thanks to Pats!) and ski from 2-9pm, exploring the terrain I once stomped and watching the race. I pulled in at 2pm and got suited up only to find that the place was going to close at 4pm :blink: which made no sense considering the race was to be held.
I had to look far and wide for someone to get my ticket...the place was dead. Finally I got someone at guest services and she confirmed that I had two hours to roam around on the slopes before the place closed for just the racers :x
This was no problem considering that I knew the place too well and knew I could get in several runs on what I wanted to ski before then. So I went to work, nailing ten runs or so in under two hours.
Hurricane was mowed and icy in spots. My short-boards did not like the ice patches. Next run was down a smooth Tornado. Nice. The surfaces were the hard snowmaking bases...there was no natural snow to speak of
Vortex was a combo of drifted snow and icy bumps, but entertaining nonetheless. Twister, soft and in the sun, was the run of the day. Cyclone was in decent shape as well. I found the Breeze-easy route off the top to be fast and well covered. The small glade at the bottom of Zephyr was in good shape. I did take a spin over to Downdraft revealed some new lights and snowmaking A run down Duster was OK but firm. I closed with a run down Twister.
While sitting on the deck and waiting for the crew, I reflected on the small changes since I had last been there. The kitchen/pub was slightly larger. The stand of pines in front of the lodge is now firewood They added ticket windows by the parking lot and added some signs akin to a downtown market ("Tickets here," "Finish Line Market," etc). Nice. The terrain, except for snowmaking on Downdraft, was unchanged and the new drive on the triple was barely noticeable. Same speed, same lift with a new coat of paint.
Bob arrived and we grabbed a burger and beer. Both of us were miffed at Pats closing early and also delaying the race due to a memorial service without giving him or the crew any notice :blink: This lack of organization was not typical Pats Peak management I must say.
Slowly, the rest of the crew arrived. Tree_skier, Ga2ski, his friend and his wife, and Chile. The crew invited me to ski with them and I took them up on the offer. Thanks to Pats for opening up the mountain to us for nightskiing--it was like having a private ski area. We did the diamond runs again as well as a run down Duster and East Wind. There was a two-hour delay for the race which was quite frustrating.
Finally, the race began after 8pm or so and the team did their two runs on FIS. Tree_skier had to re-run his first run because the clock did not catch it, but other than that, the team did well. The stars and lights in the village were pretty. It was nice to relax up high and not worry about being run over by POP skiers or anything.
We all headed down after the race to the pub where we talked and had a few drinks. It was great hanging out with the boys. After the torch-light parade for the Memorial Service, I headed home. The pub was still packed
Bluebird Day at Sunapee
I did have a hard time getting up, but I knew that I had to ski now or forever hold my peace considering the warm up and schedule. So I left my place at 8:30 and was on the slopes at 9:15. Did five or so runs on the fresh grooming of North Peak. Goosebumps was probably my choice for this side. Cataract into the Sunbowl was nice, but overall 'the Bowl was kind of a disappointment--firm base similar to Pats Peak. It was clear we were skiing on the snowmaking base. Porky's Wingding, and Skyway were all hit.
The frontside was the place to be and I hit each of the front runs at least twice. Bonanza, once again, was tops with me finding soft snow and great rolls. Hansen-Chase was decent as well. Blast Off was not skied off and had some great rolls. Skyway Ledges was in good shape as was Westside. I was in my element.
I called it quits at 12:30 after a looonnnggg run down Ridge. Plenty of snow and great grooming on the front side. I imagine that they will till the Sunbowl some more. Lots of great skiing left....now if we had some more natural snow!
Date(s) Skied: March 6-7, 2006
Resort or Ski Area: Pats Peak (March 6th) and Sunapee (March 7)
Conditions: MG/FG/PP
Trip Report:
I had a small window to do some skiing before the weather and my schedule went downhill. With good weather, the AZ racing crew in town, and some free tix to Pats Peak, I leapt at the opportunity to ski :beer: Gotta love class cancellations and Town Meeting Day in VT!
Pats Peak: Oh, the Memories and the Racing!)
The game plan was to cash in one of my vouchers (thanks to Pats!) and ski from 2-9pm, exploring the terrain I once stomped and watching the race. I pulled in at 2pm and got suited up only to find that the place was going to close at 4pm :blink: which made no sense considering the race was to be held.
I had to look far and wide for someone to get my ticket...the place was dead. Finally I got someone at guest services and she confirmed that I had two hours to roam around on the slopes before the place closed for just the racers :x
This was no problem considering that I knew the place too well and knew I could get in several runs on what I wanted to ski before then. So I went to work, nailing ten runs or so in under two hours.
Hurricane was mowed and icy in spots. My short-boards did not like the ice patches. Next run was down a smooth Tornado. Nice. The surfaces were the hard snowmaking bases...there was no natural snow to speak of
Vortex was a combo of drifted snow and icy bumps, but entertaining nonetheless. Twister, soft and in the sun, was the run of the day. Cyclone was in decent shape as well. I found the Breeze-easy route off the top to be fast and well covered. The small glade at the bottom of Zephyr was in good shape. I did take a spin over to Downdraft revealed some new lights and snowmaking A run down Duster was OK but firm. I closed with a run down Twister. While sitting on the deck and waiting for the crew, I reflected on the small changes since I had last been there. The kitchen/pub was slightly larger. The stand of pines in front of the lodge is now firewood
They added ticket windows by the parking lot and added some signs akin to a downtown market ("Tickets here," "Finish Line Market," etc). Nice. The terrain, except for snowmaking on Downdraft, was unchanged and the new drive on the triple was barely noticeable. Same speed, same lift with a new coat of paint. Bob arrived and we grabbed a burger and beer. Both of us were miffed at Pats closing early and also delaying the race due to a memorial service without giving him or the crew any notice :blink: This lack of organization was not typical Pats Peak management I must say.
Slowly, the rest of the crew arrived. Tree_skier, Ga2ski, his friend and his wife, and Chile. The crew invited me to ski with them and I took them up on the offer. Thanks to Pats for opening up the mountain to us for nightskiing--it was like having a private ski area. We did the diamond runs again as well as a run down Duster and East Wind. There was a two-hour delay for the race which was quite frustrating.
Finally, the race began after 8pm or so and the team did their two runs on FIS. Tree_skier had to re-run his first run because the clock did not catch it, but other than that, the team did well. The stars and lights in the village were pretty. It was nice to relax up high and not worry about being run over by POP skiers or anything.
We all headed down after the race to the pub where we talked and had a few drinks. It was great hanging out with the boys. After the torch-light parade for the Memorial Service, I headed home. The pub was still packed
Bluebird Day at Sunapee
I did have a hard time getting up, but I knew that I had to ski now or forever hold my peace considering the warm up and schedule. So I left my place at 8:30 and was on the slopes at 9:15. Did five or so runs on the fresh grooming of North Peak. Goosebumps was probably my choice for this side. Cataract into the Sunbowl was nice, but overall 'the Bowl was kind of a disappointment--firm base similar to Pats Peak. It was clear we were skiing on the snowmaking base. Porky's Wingding, and Skyway were all hit.
The frontside was the place to be and I hit each of the front runs at least twice. Bonanza, once again, was tops with me finding soft snow and great rolls. Hansen-Chase was decent as well. Blast Off was not skied off and had some great rolls. Skyway Ledges was in good shape as was Westside. I was in my element.
I called it quits at 12:30 after a looonnnggg run down Ridge. Plenty of snow and great grooming on the front side. I imagine that they will till the Sunbowl some more. Lots of great skiing left....now if we had some more natural snow!
