BackLoafRiver
New member
Date(s) Skied: January 2, 2011
Resort or Ski Area: Saddleback
Conditions: Spring, PP, crust
Trip Report:
I had a friend up from Virginia this weekend for the New Year. He loves Saddleback and his wife hadn't been there before. Decided since Sunday was Maine day it was worth it.
The day had an upside/ downside aspect.
Got to the lot at 8:30 and on the chair by 9:30. 3/4 of the mountain was covered in fog. Quite warm. Mid 30's easily. By about 10:30, the fog was lifting and the sun peaked out.
The crowd was good despite conditions. Their trail report said over 50 trails open. Unfortunately, it was more like 10. If it wasn't groomed, patrol threw up the ropes. They claimed all the glades were open however, the only ones not roped off were Thrombosis and Casablanca. Dark Wizard, Intimidator (upper and lower) as well as a few others were roped off. North West Pass was also roped off so you couldn't get to a lot of the stuff. Silver Doctor was just plain scary.
The quad was spinning but only Tri-Color and Casablanca were open. The storm absolutely had it's way with Saddleback. Looking into the woods I didn't dare venture in. Rocks, Trees, and stumps EVERYWHERE.
The upside, the groomers skied great. Really great. The edges were soft, buttery, and delicious. ROTD was definitely Tri Color -> Grey Ghost -> Lower Golden Smelt. Stay to skiers right on all of them and it was fantastic. Lower Peachys Peril was fairly good as well. Big bumps but soft and forgiving. Upper Peril was not so awesome.
Overall, a good day. Ended it with a trip to the Swig and Smelt. Once they get a foot or two of more snow, they will be in great shape.
Here are some pics:
Connector from Grey Ghost to Lower Hudson Highway:
Silver Doctor: (you can't really get the idea of how exposed it is)
Upper Peachys:
Upper golden smelt: (you can't really see it but the headwall was almost impassable)
Lower Smelt:
Resort or Ski Area: Saddleback
Conditions: Spring, PP, crust
Trip Report:
I had a friend up from Virginia this weekend for the New Year. He loves Saddleback and his wife hadn't been there before. Decided since Sunday was Maine day it was worth it.
The day had an upside/ downside aspect.
Got to the lot at 8:30 and on the chair by 9:30. 3/4 of the mountain was covered in fog. Quite warm. Mid 30's easily. By about 10:30, the fog was lifting and the sun peaked out.
The crowd was good despite conditions. Their trail report said over 50 trails open. Unfortunately, it was more like 10. If it wasn't groomed, patrol threw up the ropes. They claimed all the glades were open however, the only ones not roped off were Thrombosis and Casablanca. Dark Wizard, Intimidator (upper and lower) as well as a few others were roped off. North West Pass was also roped off so you couldn't get to a lot of the stuff. Silver Doctor was just plain scary.
The quad was spinning but only Tri-Color and Casablanca were open. The storm absolutely had it's way with Saddleback. Looking into the woods I didn't dare venture in. Rocks, Trees, and stumps EVERYWHERE.
The upside, the groomers skied great. Really great. The edges were soft, buttery, and delicious. ROTD was definitely Tri Color -> Grey Ghost -> Lower Golden Smelt. Stay to skiers right on all of them and it was fantastic. Lower Peachys Peril was fairly good as well. Big bumps but soft and forgiving. Upper Peril was not so awesome.
Overall, a good day. Ended it with a trip to the Swig and Smelt. Once they get a foot or two of more snow, they will be in great shape.
Here are some pics:
Connector from Grey Ghost to Lower Hudson Highway:
Silver Doctor: (you can't really get the idea of how exposed it is)
Upper Peachys:
Upper golden smelt: (you can't really see it but the headwall was almost impassable)
Lower Smelt:
Plan to pull into Rangeley by 6PM friday. My snow magnetism this season so far has produced at least a foot or more of freshness for destinations (NH, W.VA) outside PA. Sorry, PA, no soup for you.:-o
