Rate This Season.

[riverc0il]

I mean, last year was a joke compared to this year . . . weather wise at least (personal breakthroughs aside).

to date, i believe my powder day total (6" minimum of legit powder, not 6" "new snow"-there is a difference) this year to last year is 9 compared to 8 (to date, not likely to change at this rate!). the quality of powder days overall last year compared to this year, last year had better quality powder (and for the record, i skied two of the "biggest" days this year). i only had two absolutely sensational days this year, but i recall more sensational days last year than this. to say last year was a joke is misleading about just how much good skiing there actually was at the right times and places. last year was the year of the opportunist whereas this year was the year of delayed gratification.

 

[haines]

This seasons better than last it's like 2005

Skiing last 5 yrs 1 being better being like 2006







1.2002
2.2003
3.2005
4.2007
5.2006

Yeah like I can remember!

 

[twinplanx]

Well I'd have to say better than last when every storm had some rain. Better late than never.
But it's going to be tuff to beat my personal best year of 04-05 when I lived in VT...

 

[dmc]

I may want to change my vote the way it's snowing now....

 

[andyzee]

I may want to change my vote the way it's snowing now....

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[from_the_NEK]

I may want to change my vote the way it's snowing now....

I voted average but I may have to improve my vote after this storm. As mentioned earlier. This is the best turn around for any season that I've ever seen. That should be a voting option :grin:

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I may want to change my vote the way it's snowing now....

yea, I agree...recount after this storm

and no hanging chads....

 

[andyzee]

Hey, a lot of time early April is good for a storm as well.

 

[dmc]

yea, I agree...recount after this storm

and no hanging chads....

Dr Skimeister... Do i recognize you from early May Tucks trips? Drinking on the deck at Hojos...?

 

[mattchuck2]

to date, i believe my powder day total (6" minimum of legit powder, not 6" "new snow"-there is a difference) this year to last year is 9 compared to 8 (to date, not likely to change at this rate!). the quality of powder days overall last year compared to this year, last year had better quality powder (and for the record, i skied two of the "biggest" days this year). i only had two absolutely sensational days this year, but i recall more sensational days last year than this. to say last year was a joke is misleading about just how much good skiing there actually was at the right times and places. last year was the year of the opportunist whereas this year was the year of delayed gratification.

No offense, but I completely disagree. You mention you skied two of the biggest days this year. I skied Valentine's Day in about 30" of fresh and then the day after in 38" of slightly tracked. Does that really compare to a 6" day last year? As far as quality, I rarely see the kind of light stuff that blew around on that Valentine's day storm, especially here in the east.

Now, I will give you the fact that you probably got more powder days last year than me. For some reason, clipper systems that ran through late in the season hit Northern VT and NH, but didn't get down to Gore. But I also would like to mention that, because of last year's extended January thaw, the base at most mountains didn't enable the kind of skiing I like to do (tree shots, resort BC, etc.), at least at Gore. (Yes, HPD, I know the slides opened last year, but that goes back to the point about those late winter clippers).

In fact, you yourself mentioned the problem with limited base at some of your favorite haunts:

jay, stowe, and smuggs at least had a base to put this stuff on. that was the problem with cannon and burke, no base.

This year, I have experienced no such problem with base because after the slow start, the base has filled in and held up nicely. I therefore contend that the powder day of this year is better than last year. And, since I'm going to enjoy yet ANOTHER 24"+ day tomorrow, I stand by my original statement that last year was a joke compared to this year (weatherwise).

 

[riverc0il]

Hey, no worries man. This is a subjective thread and you obviously did not ski the stuff I skied last year. Its all good. Maybe I came off sounding a bit harsh, but I have been on a crusade since last year to argue that last year was slightly better than average at many mountains, mostly those in the Northern Greens (Jay, Stowe, Smuggs, Bolton, etc.) and especially if you could make mid-week days when it dumped. 05-06 often dumped mid-week then it was above freezing or raining on the weekend, it was the year of the opportunist. You probably didn't get out to the right mountains at the right time last year, just the way it goes. Doesn't mean last year sucked, just meant your particularly season was not very good. Big difference between perspective and perception of personal experience versus what actually happened.

No offense, but I completely disagree. You mention you skied two of the biggest days this year. I skied Valentine's Day in about 30" of fresh and then the day after in 38" of slightly tracked. Does that really compare to a 6" day last year? As far as quality, I rarely see the kind of light stuff that blew around on that Valentine's day storm, especially here in the east.

No offense taken but Valentine's Day, while light snow, was extremely dense. I skied the 14th, 15th, and 16th and while 3-6 feet DID fall, it was not 3-6 feet of powder. The dense snow made skiing any deeper than boot deep to maybe knee deep on some steeper lines almost impossible. When I sunk down to knee deep during that storm, I generally came to a halt. Feb 14th was one of my top 10 lifetime days, but not because the snow quality was exception but rather because it was untracked every run. March 4th was better quality snow even though it was only a foot. ALSO, I was not comparing to 6" a day last year, you mis-read my post. No worries, but let me say again that I was merely defining what I consider a powder day to be at least 6". I skied a lot of boot to knee deep last year and overall, the quality of the powder I skied last year was superior to the quality this year.

Your comment about me specifying the importance of base depths is important. However, base depths did not fatten up in New England until February 14th storm this year. Whereas last year we did have good base going into the thaw and MANY powder days were had before the Christmas beginning melt down. The last week in October (HELLO) and first week of December (HEEEELLLLLO) were INSANE weeks of powder last year and then of course March took off like a bat out of hell. I am not trying to make the case that last year was an awesome year, not in the slightest. But last year had some awesome powder days and the Northern Greens actually had above average snowfall. I had enough spectacular days to rate last year pretty darn good. I have not had quite the same quality this year even though I have had a higher total of powder days this season.

But hey... like I said earlier.... this thread is WAY premature and this weekend could change everything and March is not even over yet and snow in April does happen. So who knows.

 

[VTpowder]

i skied the deepest, lightest snow of my life last year at jay in early march. that is saying a lot because i ski over 100 days a year and have be doing so for the past eight years. last year overall sucked, but there where definately some epics. when you can ski during the week, everyday, it is amazing how a couple days of light snow can make for some excellent skiing, with very few people there to enjoy it.

As far as this year goes, feb. was awesome right into march, until the thaw, amazing snow and weather for a good stretch. and this next storm could be the icing on the cake. other than that, october for 10 days was epic and everything inbetween was a suckfest.

this winter gets a 6 on a scale of 1-10 in my book, so much wasted time, horrible weather for a long stretch, but it turned around and has been a blast as of late. i still think we have some winter left and if we get some spring dumps in april or may, which we have not had in quite a few years, this winter could definately become a 7. Spring powder days rule. warm temps and nobody skiing... bring on the snow!!!!!!

 

[VTpowder]

one more thing, my avatar pic was from the deepest day of my life last season...just a point of reference

 

[riverc0il]

as far as season ratings go, as i said it is still early, but the latest report from T4T on the state of the sherbie is totally disheartening. even with 20" tomorrow (hopefully!), the sherbie is probably going to bow out pretty early this season without more snow and i can only imagine how long snow will last in the gullies. last season i made the last week in june but i am not that hopeful this season. we'll see how things pan out and i'll report back with a more definite feeling on the year in a few months. for now, i am going crazy nuts right now about tomorrow so BRING - IT - ON, and i'll officially rate this season when it is over.

 

[cbcbd]

as far as season ratings go, as i said it is still early, but the latest report from T4T on the state of the sherbie is totally disheartening. even with 20" tomorrow (hopefully!), the sherbie is probably going to bow out pretty early this season without more snow and i can only imagine how long snow will last in the gullies. last season i made the last week in june but i am not that hopeful this season.

I saw the same pictures... if it wasn't for the crazy rain we had this week... it was looking so good (well, ok). I might be up there this weekend.

 

[jerryg]

While it may be too early for this thread, I can at least say that through mid-march, this has been MY best season. I've manged to ski 45 days this year, (includes the Wednesday night racing series at Shawnee Peak) have met more folks then ever, skied mountains and terrain I never had before, and spent 8 days at Heavenly while getting 7 feet of snow dumped on that mountain. From here on out, it's gravy... Knock on wood!

Jerry

 

[Greg]

Hey, no worries man. This is a subjective thread and you obviously did not ski the stuff I skied last year. Its all good. Maybe I came off sounding a bit harsh, but I have been on a crusade since last year to argue that last year was slightly better than average at many mountains, mostly those in the Northern Greens (Jay, Stowe, Smuggs, Bolton, etc.) and especially if you could make mid-week days when it dumped. 05-06 often dumped mid-week then it was above freezing or raining on the weekend, it was the year of the opportunist. You probably didn't get out to the right mountains at the right time last year, just the way it goes. Doesn't mean last year sucked, just meant your particularly season was not very good. Big difference between perspective and perception of personal experience versus what actually happened.


No offense taken but Valentine's Day, while light snow, was extremely dense. I skied the 14th, 15th, and 16th and while 3-6 feet DID fall, it was not 3-6 feet of powder. The dense snow made skiing any deeper than boot deep to maybe knee deep on some steeper lines almost impossible. When I sunk down to knee deep during that storm, I generally came to a halt. Feb 14th was one of my top 10 lifetime days, but not because the snow quality was exception but rather because it was untracked every run. March 4th was better quality snow even though it was only a foot. ALSO, I was not comparing to 6" a day last year, you mis-read my post. No worries, but let me say again that I was merely defining what I consider a powder day to be at least 6". I skied a lot of boot to knee deep last year and overall, the quality of the powder I skied last year was superior to the quality this year.

Your comment about me specifying the importance of base depths is important. However, base depths did not fatten up in New England until February 14th storm this year. Whereas last year we did have good base going into the thaw and MANY powder days were had before the Christmas beginning melt down. The last week in October (HELLO) and first week of December (HEEEELLLLLO) were INSANE weeks of powder last year and then of course March took off like a bat out of hell. I am not trying to make the case that last year was an awesome year, not in the slightest. But last year had some awesome powder days and the Northern Greens actually had above average snowfall. I had enough spectacular days to rate last year pretty darn good. I have not had quite the same quality this year even though I have had a higher total of powder days this season.

But hey... like I said earlier.... this thread is WAY premature and this weekend could change everything and March is not even over yet and snow in April does happen. So who knows.

I cannot believe the quality of powder is now being debated, especially when we're talking quantities in terms of feet. :blink: Makes me even more happy that I'm not the powderhound type that has to have untracked to enjoy myself....

 

[loafer89]

Last year the weekend of the 16-17th of March had incredibly light powder at Jay and my son and I where lucky to get a 4-6" dump while night skiing at Stowe as well as a suprise 12" + dump at Bolton.

This weekends storm was nice and provided a good quality base to withstand the warmth and rain forecast next weekend, but it was capped with an annoying coating of freezing rain which I see extended into Maine at Saddleback and Sugarloaf.

 

[riverc0il]

I cannot believe the quality of powder is now being debated, especially when we're talking quantities in terms of feet. :blink: Makes me even more happy that I'm not the powderhound type that has to have untracked to enjoy myself....

pfffft, whatever man. skiing is relative as is subjective experience. in my book (this is a subjective thread isn't it? what i cannot believe is people challenging other people's subjective opinions), quality of snow is just as if not more important than quantity. i'll take one awesome knee deep blower day vs. three or four days over the boot tops.

in any case, this season just got a major upgrade compared to last year and just as a season in general. this weekend was off the charts and unreal. i should have known better than to post thoughts on the season before even half way through march, let alone true season's end.

and, btw, i do not need to have powder to enjoy myself. that remark is so far off the mark it is beyond ludicrous. but i certainly enjoy myself MORE in good powder. i am quite frankly really offended by your remark that asserts i need to have powder to enjoy myself. that is bull shit.

 

[Greg]

pfffft, whatever man. skiing is relative as is subjective experience. in my book (this is a subjective thread isn't it? what i cannot believe is people challenging other people's subjective opinions), quality of snow is just as if not more important than quantity. i'll take one awesome knee deep blower day vs. three or four days over the boot tops.

I suppose you're right. Whatever makes people happy (or not), right?

and, btw, i do not need to have powder to enjoy myself. that remark is so far off the mark it is beyond ludicrous. but i certainly enjoy myself MORE in good powder. i am quite frankly really offended by your remark that asserts i need to have powder to enjoy myself. that is bull shit.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy there Steve. Despite the fact that I quoted you in order to state my opinion, it wasn't necessarily directly solely or even specifically towards you. Rather, it was made in response to what seems like a growing mentality that deep untracked powder defines a great ski day. I only wish I was fortunate enough to be able to score enough powder days to be able to qualify each to the point of nitpicking the consistency of the snow. The only truly untracked run I had this season was a measely 10" on a comparatively crunchy base underneath the whole way. You know what? It felt pretty damn good. I had another on an almost track free run of a paltry 4" of snow. For me, still memorable. My earlier reply was meant to express an opinion that it seems silly (to me) to debate snow consistency when we're talking 2-3 feet. Again, just my opinion.

Carry on...