Saddleback Feb 28, 2010 - The Snowfield Edition

[salsgang]

Date(s) Skied: February 28, 2010

Resort or Ski Area: Saddleback

Conditions: Poooowdah

Trip Report: Killed it again today at Saddleback. Can't have any better weekend than what we just had.

First runs down Casablaca #3 and #4 drops were to die for. Absolutely smooth with a few inches of fresh over a DEEEEEP base. Absolutely ripped it.

Mid-day the clouds lifted and people were making the trek to the top. We put our skis on our shoulders and hiked to the top of Saddleback. It was very cool. Very little wind, temps in the 20's. It was great. Dropped down the snowfields and skied through some mini trees to drop into Black Beauty. Very deep snow with excellent cover. Lots of fun! Looks like there are great lines all over up there.

Governor Headwall and Professor ledges were buried. These usual thin spots were just pick a line a do it.

Good crowd at Saddleback but not overwhelming. Super, Super weekend had by all.

Some Pics:

Casablanca Run was dreamy smooth

Black Beauty Deep

Sun shown on Wardens Worry mid-day. This is what I love about Saddleback. The Upper Quad was busy all day, but you still had many moments like these. So many options at the top to spread people out.

Starting our snowfield descent from the summit

The fun trees we skied around towards the bottom of the snowfields

Royal Coachman had all kinds of snow

And Silver Doctor giving it up

 

[billski]

Maine is looking it's best.
Gonna be a lot of tired puppies in the office on Monday!

 

[salsgang]

Saddleback reported another foot Monday. Nutty. Anyone get up there Monday? Anyone else check out the snowfields?

 

[xwhaler]

Anyone get up there Monday? Anyone else check out the snowfields?

Skied the 'back Friday/Sat/Sunday....phenomenal skiing....we made first tracks down Black Beauty both Sat and Sunday and were hitting knee deep shots all the way down where it had drifted.

We also were the first ones up into the snowfields on Sunday I am proud to say....we got there about 9:30 I'd say and soon as we were heading down a big group started coming up and it was soon discovered.
Having never been up there I wasn't sure where to ski but we sort of took the main line down above Warden's Worry......really nice turns for maybe 80' of vert I'd guess?

Hit every glade multiple times throughout the wknd....everything is buried, everything up there is so nice. Folks really owe it to themselves to make the trip to Rangeley and see what I've been enjoying all season. 27 days now at Saddleback this season...place is legit.

 

[tipsdown]

If your up for a skin, you should ski the backside...It's really steep and the powder is REALLY DEEP and it's HUGE

 

[Angus]

If your up for a skin, you should ski the backside...It's really steep and the powder is REALLY DEEP and it's HUGE

Have I heard there is some talk about cutting a traverse trail back around to the front...I know of all the issues relative to the AT, etc.

folks who have skied off the back side say it's steep and has very good vertical.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Have I heard there is some talk about cutting a traverse trail back around to the front...I know of all the issues relative to the AT, etc.

folks who have skied off the back side say it's steep and has very good vertical.

I think you are correct with the AT issues, but as it would be a simple cross cut and no additional lifts or additional man made technology it seems as though it is something they could possibly come to terms on. Afterall the Berry's (I believe, not 100%) gave up a lot of there own land to make the AT happy.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Sal, nice pics!!!! How do you get to the snowfields? I assume it's off the quad.

XWhaler, I was there Friday too. Probably ran into you in line somewhere. Let me know next time you are up there if you want to meet up for a run.

 

[tipsdown]

Have I heard there is some talk about cutting a traverse trail back around to the front...I know of all the issues relative to the AT, etc.

folks who have skied off the back side say it's steep and has very good vertical.

I have heard that skiing the backside is being explored. No lifts but some sort of traverse back. They've said they want to develop the West Bowl (no development restrictions there) and the best way back to lift access from the backside would be by way of West Bowl. They know they have a gem with that terrain. If you think the backside Sugarloaf snowfields are cool.....

 

[catsup948]

Saddleback was epic over the weekend! Could not have picked a better weekend for my first time up there. I'm hoping to hit the backside next time I'm up there in late March.