Date(s) Skied: December 20, 2006 (Afternoon)
Resort or Ski Area: Pico Mountain
Conditions: LG/FG
Trip Report: With the last exam completed and school done, I decided to hit Pico for a few runs beforestopping in Rutland to pick up my copy of Linda Goodspeed's book on the history of Pico and then chaperoning a Boy Scout Climbing Night, I had a packed day and was having second thoughts about taking turns, but with the pass and skis in the car, any turns were better than none.
I handed in my exam, had lunch with a buddy, and then hit the road at about 1:45pm or so, pulling in at 2:30. I was able to park in the front row....literally ten cars there. Booted up and got on the HSQ. It was a ski on, ski off afternoon. Same runs as Sunday. Not much to report, but here goes.
Snowmaking had done a good job filling in Lower Pike. The run off the HSQ was FG/LG, much firmer than Sunday. The top part had not received any SM, which was surprising. Did a couple laps before heading to the triple. That run had not been skied at all and it was because the lower part was thinner than before.....in fact there were only two narrow paths on the last pitch. Why they did not patch this up, I don't know. :blink: But it was good for a couple spins and there was no line. The lifties were stoked to see some life. :wink:
Did more laps on the HSQ. Also, for kicks, tried the learning center. That little double is cute. Slow for beginners, but old school. New drive it appears. The run was like 20 seconds, but fun nonetheless.
I closed with a couple laps on the HSQ. The mini-skis were fun....ripping some nice GS turns. With nobody on the slopes, I could let 'em ride. The last run I took a stop and watched the sunset on the ridges. It was nice.
Every employee today was very friendly and welcoming. I was greeted at every lift and folks were engaging. Even when mountain ops caught me staring at them prepping the Summit HSQ, I was given a smile, wave, and a "how are you sir?" Very nice.
So what is going on: must be they are maxed out on temps or air. They were only blowing snow on 49er and Mid Pike. Friday is a real possibility...49er is ready....just a matter of connecting it to the HSQ. They had built a loading base for the Summit HSQ and were running the lift to get it ready. No other snowmaking going on....much to my surprise.
Nice afternoon....by the way, the Goodspeed book (Pico and the Development of Skiing in the United States), which was just republished, is an interesting book. Lots of old pics and the history of the ski area from founding to 1990 or so. Interesting to see that before the "interconnect" Pico had plans to build "Pico East" in the same spot!
Resort or Ski Area: Pico Mountain
Conditions: LG/FG
Trip Report: With the last exam completed and school done, I decided to hit Pico for a few runs beforestopping in Rutland to pick up my copy of Linda Goodspeed's book on the history of Pico and then chaperoning a Boy Scout Climbing Night, I had a packed day and was having second thoughts about taking turns, but with the pass and skis in the car, any turns were better than none.
I handed in my exam, had lunch with a buddy, and then hit the road at about 1:45pm or so, pulling in at 2:30. I was able to park in the front row....literally ten cars there. Booted up and got on the HSQ. It was a ski on, ski off afternoon. Same runs as Sunday. Not much to report, but here goes.
Snowmaking had done a good job filling in Lower Pike. The run off the HSQ was FG/LG, much firmer than Sunday. The top part had not received any SM, which was surprising. Did a couple laps before heading to the triple. That run had not been skied at all and it was because the lower part was thinner than before.....in fact there were only two narrow paths on the last pitch. Why they did not patch this up, I don't know. :blink: But it was good for a couple spins and there was no line. The lifties were stoked to see some life. :wink:
Did more laps on the HSQ. Also, for kicks, tried the learning center. That little double is cute. Slow for beginners, but old school. New drive it appears. The run was like 20 seconds, but fun nonetheless.
I closed with a couple laps on the HSQ. The mini-skis were fun....ripping some nice GS turns. With nobody on the slopes, I could let 'em ride. The last run I took a stop and watched the sunset on the ridges. It was nice.
Every employee today was very friendly and welcoming. I was greeted at every lift and folks were engaging. Even when mountain ops caught me staring at them prepping the Summit HSQ, I was given a smile, wave, and a "how are you sir?" Very nice.
So what is going on: must be they are maxed out on temps or air. They were only blowing snow on 49er and Mid Pike. Friday is a real possibility...49er is ready....just a matter of connecting it to the HSQ. They had built a loading base for the Summit HSQ and were running the lift to get it ready. No other snowmaking going on....much to my surprise.
Nice afternoon....by the way, the Goodspeed book (Pico and the Development of Skiing in the United States), which was just republished, is an interesting book. Lots of old pics and the history of the ski area from founding to 1990 or so. Interesting to see that before the "interconnect" Pico had plans to build "Pico East" in the same spot!
