Date(s) Skied: February 2, 2008
Resort or Ski Area: Stowe Mountain Resort
Conditions: MG/LG
Weather: Cool temps, some gusty winds. Clouds and snowshowers eventually lifting.
2007-2008 Report # : 31
Trip Report:
What do you do when we get a snowstorm, but you have bar prep classes during the day? You go night skiing.
As a kid, I liked night skiing because it took skiing to another dimension. As a busy adult, I see it as a way to offer more opportunities to hit the slopes.
I can remember the media splash that Stowe made in 1991 when it introduced its new Gondola and nightskiing. I had always wanted to give it a try…
In talking with some folks, I had heard two common complaints. The first that the Gondola was slow, the second that there was only one trail lit at night. I figured that it was worth $27 to find out…
After getting confirmation that Gondolier was freshly groomed before the night session (a MAJOR bonus) I made the drive up to find a string of cars leaving the area. I had no problem securing a great parking spot within stone’s throw of Midway Lodge. The Lodge was clean and offered plenty of room to spread out. I got my ticket and skied down to the Gondi.
The snow held up really well. The grooming was immaculate…and with a handful of locals, there was plenty of leg room. I was really impressed. Yes, that lift ride was 10 minutes or so, but it is over a mile and a half to the top. One trail to ski on? Yes, but it is a solid 2,100+ of vertical with plenty of coverage, plenty of different angles to ski, and great for high speed cruising. To put that in perspective: that is the vert of Jay Peak or Cannon. That’s a lot. Did I get bored? Not at all.
There were two minor problems that did occur. One, completely uncontrollable, was there were some strong wind gusts that made the lift ride interesting. But being in the gondi was nice…and it was sheltered and warm. Second, for the first few hours there were some local teens who preferred to straight line down the trail rather than ski in control. They left pretty early though…
So my review is an enthusiastic two thumbs up. The snow was soft, MG which became LG as the night went on. I did find some nice deep soft snow on the edge of the race course that I played in. Nice.
A great four hours of high speed cruising and some nice turns…I can honestly say that after maybe 10-15 runs at 2,100 vert each, my legs were a bit tired.
It was also fun watching the groomers working the rest of the mountain. I counted 5 or 6 on Mansfield side and 2 on Spruce.
So the verdict: I liked it. Will be back. If there was more season left, and if they had more nights that they were open, I would consider the $95 night season ticket.
The gallery. I had fun experimenting with my camera and the settings…and I think that the results came out pretty well...
Resort or Ski Area: Stowe Mountain Resort
Conditions: MG/LG
Weather: Cool temps, some gusty winds. Clouds and snowshowers eventually lifting.
2007-2008 Report # : 31
Trip Report:
What do you do when we get a snowstorm, but you have bar prep classes during the day? You go night skiing.
As a kid, I liked night skiing because it took skiing to another dimension. As a busy adult, I see it as a way to offer more opportunities to hit the slopes.
I can remember the media splash that Stowe made in 1991 when it introduced its new Gondola and nightskiing. I had always wanted to give it a try…
In talking with some folks, I had heard two common complaints. The first that the Gondola was slow, the second that there was only one trail lit at night. I figured that it was worth $27 to find out…
After getting confirmation that Gondolier was freshly groomed before the night session (a MAJOR bonus) I made the drive up to find a string of cars leaving the area. I had no problem securing a great parking spot within stone’s throw of Midway Lodge. The Lodge was clean and offered plenty of room to spread out. I got my ticket and skied down to the Gondi.
The snow held up really well. The grooming was immaculate…and with a handful of locals, there was plenty of leg room. I was really impressed. Yes, that lift ride was 10 minutes or so, but it is over a mile and a half to the top. One trail to ski on? Yes, but it is a solid 2,100+ of vertical with plenty of coverage, plenty of different angles to ski, and great for high speed cruising. To put that in perspective: that is the vert of Jay Peak or Cannon. That’s a lot. Did I get bored? Not at all.
There were two minor problems that did occur. One, completely uncontrollable, was there were some strong wind gusts that made the lift ride interesting. But being in the gondi was nice…and it was sheltered and warm. Second, for the first few hours there were some local teens who preferred to straight line down the trail rather than ski in control. They left pretty early though…
So my review is an enthusiastic two thumbs up. The snow was soft, MG which became LG as the night went on. I did find some nice deep soft snow on the edge of the race course that I played in. Nice.
A great four hours of high speed cruising and some nice turns…I can honestly say that after maybe 10-15 runs at 2,100 vert each, my legs were a bit tired.
It was also fun watching the groomers working the rest of the mountain. I counted 5 or 6 on Mansfield side and 2 on Spruce.
So the verdict: I liked it. Will be back. If there was more season left, and if they had more nights that they were open, I would consider the $95 night season ticket.
The gallery. I had fun experimenting with my camera and the settings…and I think that the results came out pretty well...
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