Snowmaking in March

[Jully]

I've seen at least a dozen areas say will make snow during the Thursday cold snap.The majority of these places would be done by now so its more because they have to.Especially after the Wed blowtorch.

Well last year numerous areas shut down in the first two weeks of March that normally go much later. This year many of those areas are making snow now (Berkshire East is one I'm thinking of). For whatever reason, (can't have two short years in a row, more money to extend this year, they think March will be cold enough to make this snowmaking a good investment), it is nice to see areas committing to a longer year!

 

[benski]

Doesn't help that the low E guns are much cheeper to operate so it's much easier to justify snowmaking than it used to be.

 

[WJenness]

Wachusett has said they will be making snow later this week.

 

[dlague]

My guess is snow making will not be large scale. The objective will be to keep core trails open after the rain but a large percent of the mountains will not get covered. March looks to be borderline freezing with some days staying below and some days getting just above freezing which is decent for March.

 

[zyk]

Watched the crew at hunter hanging hoses from the guns today. Was surprised that they didn't seem to be limiting thus to core trails. Not sure of their strategy but by the end of tomorrow a lot of the mountain may very well be some walking required.

 

[Smellytele]

The crotch says they are blowing Thurs/Friday on their website

 

[Jcb890]

They blew snow a couple years back on SS and talked up June skiing but make it to the 28th of May.

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Two years ago I was there on May 25th and it was a blast! I had planned to ride the 26th also, but was burnt out and the coverage was quite lacking so I called the season quits. I think the 26th was a Sunday and that was their last day of operations. They had planned to open the 1st which was the following Friday I believe, but there just wasn't enough snow on SS.

 

[dlague]

Two years ago I was there on May 25th and it was a blast! I had planned to ride the 26th also, but was burnt out and the coverage was quite lacking so I called the season quits. I think the 26th was a Sunday and that was their last day of operations. They had planned to open the 1st which was the following Friday I believe, but there just wasn't enough snow on SS.

We were there the same weekend and hoped to get to June 1st too. Finally reached my June milestone here instead with the last day on June 11th.

 

[Jcb890]

We were there the same weekend and hoped to get to June 1st too. Finally reached my June milestone here instead with the last day on June 11th.

Nice! That year at Killington was my first riding in April or May, so that was awesome. I was shooting for a day in June also, but it looks like that will have to wait. I doubt anywhere will make June 1 around here this season.

 

[Jully]

Nice! That year at Killington was my first riding in April or May, so that was awesome. I was shooting for a day in June also, but it looks like that will have to wait. I doubt anywhere will make June 1 around here this season.

I'm actually thinking about looking into a trip to Mammoth or Tahoe in the middle of June... haven't decided if it is or is not worth it yet.

 

[Jcb890]

I'm actually thinking about looking into a trip to Mammoth or Tahoe in the middle of June... haven't decided if it is or is not worth it yet.

There ya go! Money-wise, none of these trips are technically "worth it". It all depends on what you want to spend your money and time on.

Will conditions be epic in June? No.
Will you get fresh snow in June? No.
Will you be snowboarding/skiing in June while the East Coast mountains are closed? YES!
Will you have a great time? Most likely YES!

 

[dlague]

There ya go! Money-wise, none of these trips are technically "worth it". It all depends on what you want to spend your money and time on.

Will conditions be epic in June? No.
Will you get fresh snow in June? No.
Will you be snowboarding/skiing in June while the East Coast mountains are closed? YES!
Will you have a great time? Most likely YES!

Outside of the last day we were at A Basin in June, all the other days were awesome. Natural snow just skis better than man made as it gets soft and conditions did not suck. But from May to Mid June we were skiing with shorts and t-shirts, they had a band rocking it our in the court yard in the afternoon and it was an experience that I have never had. Huge party!

BTW, the last day was down to a single run and the place was mobbed. While skiing Lenawee was good, and pond skim (real pond BTW) was fun to watch, the bottom part of the run was on High Moon and it was bumped out which was fine but there were a boatload of people on it.

 

[dlague]

Nice! That year at Killington was my first riding in April or May, so that was awesome. I was shooting for a day in June also, but it looks like that will have to wait. I doubt anywhere will make June 1 around here this season.

We have always hoped for June turns at Killington. They are the only game in the Northeast that has a chance outside of hike to terrain.

 

[deadheadskier]

There ya go! Money-wise, none of these trips are technically "worth it". It all depends on what you want to spend your money and time on.

Will conditions be epic in June? No.
Will you get fresh snow in June? No.
Will you be snowboarding/skiing in June while the East Coast mountains are closed? YES!
Will you have a great time? Most likely YES!

You could get fresh snow in June or July even out there. 4th of July 1993 it was 60 degrees when the day started at 8AM at Abasin. By mid afternoon it started snowing and we were ringing in the New Year with 6-8" of new snow on the ground up in Montezuma.

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[Jcb890]

Outside of the last day we were at A Basin in June, all the other days were awesome. Natural snow just skis better than man made as it gets soft and conditions did not suck. But from May to Mid June we were skiing with shorts and t-shirts, they had a band rocking it our in the court yard in the afternoon and it was an experience that I have never had. Huge party!

BTW, the last day was down to a single run and the place was mobbed. While skiing Lenawee was good, and pond skim (real pond BTW) was fun to watch, the bottom part of the run was on High Moon and it was bumped out which was fine but there were a boatload of people on it.

Killington was pretty busy that weekend too I recall. Well, not really THAT busy, but it doesn't take much when you've only got 1 trail and 1 lift and that 1 trail is basically down to 1/2 of the trail's normal width.

We have always hoped for June turns at Killington. They are the only game in the Northeast that has a chance outside of hike to terrain.

Yeah, definitely. I think Jay has had an outside shot sometimes and same for Sunday River. But, it seems like Killington is the only resort that really pushes it and goes for it every year. Whether it is marketing or not, it works because it brings crowds and makes people feel good about the mountain and their efforts.

You could get fresh snow in June or July even out there. 4th of July 1993 it was 60 degrees when the day started at 8AM at Abasin. By mid afternoon it started snowing and we were ringing in the New Year with 6-8" of new snow on the ground up in Montezuma.

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Pretty awesome stuff. I was just generalizing, I'd say getting fresh snow in June is more the exception than the rule is all I was trying to say. Of course none of these trips really make sense technically, but neither does spending all of our free time and hard-earned money on snowboarding/skiing, yet we gladly do that! :grin:

 

[dlague]

You could get fresh snow in June or July even out there. 4th of July 1993 it was 60 degrees when the day started at 8AM at Abasin. By mid afternoon it started snowing and we were ringing in the New Year with 6-8" of new snow on the ground up in Montezuma.

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People here have seen years and talked about snow in every month. Nothing that stays but ..... its a thing! Personally I would like that but my kids are off to dirt biking!

 

[SnoDevil97]

Was told Bretton Woods would be blowing snow Thur/Fri. Combine that with a chance for some snow showers on Thurs, & their expertise in managing snow - probably where I'll head this weekend. Otherwise looking pretty thin in NH till another storm (fingers crossed).

 

[Jcb890]

Anyone been to Loon or Stratton and can comment on their snowpack? Was thinking of heading to either on Saturday/Sunday.

 

[boston_e]

As far as snowmaking in March, Pico's snow report says they are turning the guns back on tomorrow once the temps drop.

 

[medfordmike]

Looks like Sunapee will make a push this weekend too:


Welcome to Staycation at Mount Sunapee! Ski any day this week through Friday, March 3rd for only $37! Buy, here on-line or at the ticket window! This is your opportunity to get out and have some fun at Mount Sunapee! Learn more here.

It's officially March and we've got some exciting news for you: snowmaking continues this weekend! We're firing up the snowguns on Friday night and will be making snow all day on Saturday into Sunday morning. We'll be resurfacing all your favorite trails including Blastoff, Bonanza, Skyway Ledges, and Wingding! We'll have 8 lifts and 51 trails ready for you this weekend with 100% of our snowmaking terrain open for your skiing and riding enjoyment. Get ready for some fresh surface conditions!