Stowe Skiing

[Mauleflyer]

I haven't skiied Stowe in years so I decided to take the family to Stowe next week for 4 days of skiing. Checking the web site today I was seriously disapointed to see that they are only 60% open :sad:. Yet the site says they have recieved 144 inches of snow this year. Since I don't live near Vermont I can't explain that unless there has been serious snow melt. Are things that bad?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Well they received alot of snow in November and December but they had a thaw followed by a freeze so alot of the steeper ungroomed terrain has coverage but the snow is most likely bulletproof..hopefully with todays snowfall more terrain will open up.

 

[hardline]

me and steeze go there often and they have way more snow to come. they most likely have most of natural closed because its boilerplate ice. there is still a lot of snow there its just not usable.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yes, we had a serious thaw during Christmas week. Remember that the annual snow totals are cumulative...you can't expect to drive up there and find 144 inches of snow on the ground or whatever. That measurement reflects the total snow accumulations we have received, not counting thaws, wind, skiers, groomers, etc.

 

[from_the_NEK]

There was a big thaw the weekend after Christmas. It hurt the natural snow trails pretty bad. However, today's storm should fix quite a bit of the damage. Unless you ski/ride the harder black diamonds (no snowmaking) the 60% number shouldn't deter you. What is not open is primarily non-snowmaking trails. The number of open trails is going to increase by next week and a lot of the icy spots should be better too.
See the Mt Mansfield snow depth graph for more info (ignore the spike down to 4 inches): http://www.uvm.edu/skivt-l/?Page=depths.php

 

[billski]

I haven't skiied Stowe in years so I decided to take the family to Stowe next week for 4 days of skiing. Checking the web site today I was seriously disapointed to see that they are only 60% open :sad:. Yet the site says they have received 144 inches of snow this year. Since I don't live near Vermont I can't explain that unless there has been serious snow melt. Are things that bad?

Yeah, and IMHO, they are doing better than most. Trail counts lie.
Remember, on the groomers Stowe has an impressive investment in grooming equipment. Take that crappy snow and make it tolerable. Now, remember, they've been getting a couple inches or more a day since the 1st. There is also a good shot a a half-foot between now and the time you arrive. They've got great elevation.
Word is that Jay, known for all it's snow, got real beat up last week, partially from the weather and partially from the masses the invade from the north.

If I was you, given what I see this week, I'd be at Stowe or Sugarbush this weekend. Me? I won't decide till Friday.
It's worth the trip.