1/29/2013
Ragged Mtn.
Packed Powder
Wow, first time to Ragged for me! It was a quick trip mainly to meet a couple of co-workers for a few runs before I had to head back early. A solid 1.5 hours from S NH and no real direct route but I enjoyed the drive through classic NH countryside. The base area had a nice country feel too--inside the lodge seemed rather roomy but cozy. No surprise that crowds were light on a weekday but they scored 5" of freshies from yesterday's snowfall!
The Summit 6-pack loaded nice and close to the lodge so I hopped on and with Exhibition staring me in the face the whole time up, it had to be the first run! (pic attached) Powder turns the whole way down. A leg-burner for sure and got me sweatin a little--had to take a few breaks to get my legs under me (legs were already tired from 3 hours of hockey training the day before). I was curious where the Spear Triple would take me until I noticed how slow it was--and a long lift to boot! I took Cardigan even though Flying Yankee looked tempting but I wasn't about to take Spear again with limited time. The rest of the time was on the 6-pack taking repeated runs on Exhibition, and the left-side trails like Upper Crewcut (pic) Chute, Lower Ridge, and Newfound Ridge...even Headwall which was scratched down a bit.
For a quick two hour stay, I got in about a dozen runs and enjoyed powder/packed powder the whole time...didn't seem like much grooming...maybe some cord here and there. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just I was so used to the groomed conditions from my previous 4 trips to Gunstock--but that was before the snowfall. I simply haven't been able to ski much powder conditions in recent years. I would say that Ragged is slightly more rugged terrain--maybe a little too tough for my son who is still learning.
I was lucky to have enjoyed a fresh snowfall like that and I'm glad that I was finally able to experience Ragged! It's a nice pocket of skiing goodness nestled into the heart of New Hampshire! I'll be sure to get back soon.
Had to skip apres
Ragged Mtn.
Packed Powder
Wow, first time to Ragged for me! It was a quick trip mainly to meet a couple of co-workers for a few runs before I had to head back early. A solid 1.5 hours from S NH and no real direct route but I enjoyed the drive through classic NH countryside. The base area had a nice country feel too--inside the lodge seemed rather roomy but cozy. No surprise that crowds were light on a weekday but they scored 5" of freshies from yesterday's snowfall!
The Summit 6-pack loaded nice and close to the lodge so I hopped on and with Exhibition staring me in the face the whole time up, it had to be the first run! (pic attached) Powder turns the whole way down. A leg-burner for sure and got me sweatin a little--had to take a few breaks to get my legs under me (legs were already tired from 3 hours of hockey training the day before). I was curious where the Spear Triple would take me until I noticed how slow it was--and a long lift to boot! I took Cardigan even though Flying Yankee looked tempting but I wasn't about to take Spear again with limited time. The rest of the time was on the 6-pack taking repeated runs on Exhibition, and the left-side trails like Upper Crewcut (pic) Chute, Lower Ridge, and Newfound Ridge...even Headwall which was scratched down a bit.
For a quick two hour stay, I got in about a dozen runs and enjoyed powder/packed powder the whole time...didn't seem like much grooming...maybe some cord here and there. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just I was so used to the groomed conditions from my previous 4 trips to Gunstock--but that was before the snowfall. I simply haven't been able to ski much powder conditions in recent years. I would say that Ragged is slightly more rugged terrain--maybe a little too tough for my son who is still learning.
I was lucky to have enjoyed a fresh snowfall like that and I'm glad that I was finally able to experience Ragged! It's a nice pocket of skiing goodness nestled into the heart of New Hampshire! I'll be sure to get back soon.
Had to skip apres
