Sunday River 11/18

[deadheadskier]

Weather: high 20's, lots of sunshine

Surfaces: Hardpack mixed with soft snow where the guns were blowing

As much I'm jealous of what the Northern Vermont crew got to experience over the weekend, I really can't complain about the conditions at the River for the early winter. I worked late last night and got a bit of a late start this morning, heading out the door at 8 and arriving at quarter til 10. I was VERY suprised at the number of cars in the lot, quite a bit of business going on.

One things for certain, I'm definitely out of shape. I took my 9 top to bottom runs and called it a day as my legs were laboring the last couple of runs and no need to push it on the first day. Right Stuff was a mix of hard pack and soft snow where the guns were going. There were some okay bump lines here and there, lots of boiler plate on the steeper section of the trail. Coverage was pretty decent with most of the trail having a consistent base side to side. Ecstacy, Lower Sunday Punch were quite rock hard as well.

Best terrain for the day was definitely T2 and Cascades. T2 was hardpack, but much more edgeble than the other hard snow areas. Cascades was pretty sweet top to bottom. There were some decent six to seven mogul bump lines all the way down in spurts. It was great getting into them on the first day and trying out the new boards in them.

Overall a great first day, though lots of incentive to hit the rowing machine hard during the mid-week. My only disappointment was my fitness level. I was VERY happy with the performance of my new B2's. They're definitely all wheel drive boards capable of going anywhere in whatever the conditions. They certainly will need to be in top tune condition to handle the hardpack, but they bit in pretty good with minimal chatter.

Great to have winter back, looking for to next Sunday.

 

[thebigo]

I just came in to post a report for the river today and saw this thread.

We arrived at noon and skied until around 3:30. Best run for us was right stuff under the guns. Cant speak for the morning but in the afternoon the center of every trail, except for right stuff, was scraped off but the sides were all great. Sugar on frozen hardpack with a number of irregular bump lines.

Day two was a good one, conditons similar to mid december last year. Based on the snow making pattern today I would say the river will be looking at up to five lifts and three lodges for the holiday weekend.

Ill second 'deadhead' regarding the number of people and I was suprised by the number of day passes.

 

[Vortex]

Thankx for the updates guys. I could have made the ride if I was motivted today. I have noticed alot of day ticket buyers as well. Glad to see folks getting out. I agree more early December conditions than mid November. Barker was pretty packed in the lodge on Sat. Getting another lodge open will help alot.

 

[deadheadskier]

I personally got my day ticket through the Warren Miller promotion. I'm not sure if there were just a lot of folks like me or perhaps their Halloween efforts and publicity from it brought in the crowd. Either way, kudos for them. Successful early seasons will make them more inclined to do it the future. Good first impression of NE skier visits in November for Boyne.

 

[ga2ski]

Here's my take of the weekend:

Saturday November 17:

Got to Barker around 7:50. They were blowing snow on Cascades, Right Stuff, Risky, Tourist Trap and Lazy River. The Mrs. and my dad headed out around 8:15, while I hung out with my son in the lodge until 10:00 or so. The guns on Cascades were turned off around 8:30 to allow packed pow without the guns blasting. The snow was firm and fast with nice soft snow on the sides of T2, Ecstasy, and Sunday Punch. Cascades had great packed pow with a few scratchy spots. I loved the fact that there was packed pow bumps again (powder shots again today). The trails got scraped off by 12:30 so we headed back to rest for Sunday. There was still good snow on the edges, but I get spoiled getting the good snow in the mornings. Besides it was someone's naptime.

Sunday November 18:

Got to Barker around 7:40 and was pleased to see the guns blowing on Cascades (top to bottom) and a few still going on Right Stuff. Again I started the day in the lodge, while my wife and father skied, but I got on the hill early (around 9) The guns on Cascades were off and the guns on Monday Morning were starting up. The manmade powder really refreshed Cascades on what was an overused and abused trail on Saturday afternoon. Again powder shots on both Cascades and Right Stuff. Tough to decide which trail was better. Cascades had the better snow, but the Right Stuff snow was almost as good with less traffic. T2, Sunday Punch and Ecstasy remained fast and firm. Great frozen granular pillows lined skier's right of middle Punch. Snowmaking continued on Risky, lazy River and Tourist Trap. The guns were also blasting Lower Lazy, Mixing bowl, Broadway, and Easy Street.

 

[Terry]

I skied from 8 till shortly after 11 when my legs gave out.The parking lot was full, but the slopes didn't seem to crowded to me. Maybe it was because of multiple ways down to the base now. I thought right stuff was pretty awesome. I spent the last hour just making runs on it. It had such a variety of conditions that it really kept you on your toes. Great skiing for mid nov. I am real pleased with what Boyne is doing so far! Looking forward to good things in the coming months!!
When I got back to my car, I noticed that I had a tire that was almost flat. I walked over to the barker garage and asked if I could use an air hose to blow it up and they were very accomodating. They went out of their way to help me out. It seems everyone up there is going out of their way to be helpful. Good vibes from the staff!!!!!!