Ragged gets a new GM

[Newpylong]

Meadows, Blueberry Patch, Raggedy to Chute is done and now they are running Upper Ridge to Newfound Ridge to Main Street. If they can eek that all out for Friday that should be a solid opening. They usually pick the first Friday in the month and I can't remember them meeting this date in the recent past, always get pushed back. They have a good shot at this year.

Say what you want about their smallish system but they always put on a hell of a show and get it done.

The last I talked to their Operations Manager they really didn't know how Easy Winder fit into things. The top needs regrading at minimum and yes, I think capacity wise it would be difficult to get done most years. Perhaps if it's a really good winter temps wise., There isn't really anything that they could realistically cut out to get that instead. Maybe Crew Cut and Pines, but they just hit those quickly while they are running ont hose lines anyway. I know Once you get below Blueberry can be challenging for novices coming off the Barnyard so I think if they can get the grade fixed either via earthwork or snow management, it would really fit into the trail system to fill that role.

 

[Abubob]

Easy Winder only opens in a good natural snow year. In the past they’ve groomed the lower half to help skier glide on the long runout. It’s a treat to get out there and ski on all natural. It a small challenge to get all the way out to the top of the run past Micky’s Rock but it’s worth it.

 

[Newpylong]

Working on Barnyard now too. Impressive snowmaking display.

 

[Newpylong]

They just announced Friday opening is a go,

 

[Abubob]

They just announced Friday opening is a go,

 

[Newpylong]

Have fun! Take pictures.

 

[Abubob]

Have fun! Take pictures.

Post in trip reports.

 

[thebigo]

Gun show under way. Upper ridge, newfound, the wilds, main street, bottom of yankee and both sides of barnyard. Not sure i recollect this number of guns running simultaneously in the past.

 

[Newpylong]

No, I have been thoroughly blown away (har har). My buddy did pipework to help them with efficiency last year, but it wouldn't have made this much of a difference. They must have done some other tweaks in the post season. I've always said they are the kings at maximizing what that system can do, and that's the difference between mediocre and excellent snowmaking.

Assuming they can get enough cat time between opening all that new stuff up and the weekend, maybe Wild Side too by Sunday?

 

[ericfromMA/NH/VT]

They will sometimes groom one side of upper EW. That trial is awesome, i hate the long run out but the top half is one of my favorite trials anywhere.

 

[Abubob]

My 2¢

 

[thebigo]

What is 'easy way'?

 

[Abubob]

What is 'easy way'?

I believe it's the way around Head Wall.

 

[Newpylong]

That'd be Upper Ridge. Who knows what they mean, it's not on the trail map.

 

[thebigo]

Building the Himalayas on newfound and barnyard. Progress on the wilds but still work to be done. Wonder if we see a switch to the home run loop or they run on current terrain until temps shut them down tomorrow?

 

[Newpylong]

The Home Run loop IS the barnyard loop which goes up lookers right of Barnyard and the up Home Run then down Lower Cardigan deadheading around across from the Spear Quad. That's the work my buddy did for them last year allowing them to hit both sides of Barnyard easier and to reduce the length of the Cardigan line.

 

[thebigo]

Did not expect them to light up cardigan next. Window this week is maybe 40 hours. Wonder if they mean cardigan below the barnyard cut over only? Wild side/ride was not done when I was last there sunday. Maybe they are planning the wilds, bottom of cardigan and wanna this week?

 

[Newpylong]

Yeah I was scratching my head on that one. They've never been able to make snow on both peaks, but that was before they shorted the Upper Cardigan line above Home Run. It's possible they just mean Wild Side, and Lower Cardigan, plus Wanna Be Wild carpet like you said (that's all the Barnyard loop now).

If they do Upper Cardigan that'd be something, but I am skeptical they have the water for it.

 

[thebigo]

Wow, snow report shows wild side/ride as groomed and open. Snowmaking on cardigan, jug handle and home run.

 

[Newpylong]

I hope the upcoming "weather" next week is kind to them. Pretty sick of it already.