Wachusett Update- 11/16

[Zand]

"Our snowmaking crew is ready and waiting for a couple nights of consistently cold temperatures to fire up the guns and get the season started. The current weather forecast should allow us to start snowmaking operations in earnest on Sunday night, November 19th. How cold the temperatures get will ultimately tell whether or not we'll be able to open by November 24. Currently the long range forecast looks like the best consistent snowmaking weather will be in the area from November 25 through 30.

Thanks to our increased snowmaking firepower, if we see temperatures into the 20's or below, we will likely be able to open within approximately 48 hours of operations. More marginal temperatures will require additional snowmaking time before we're able to welcome you to the new season. Our goal is to focus on Connifer Connection first, opening the Polar Express Quad. We will then try to get Indian Summer on the Monadnock Triple and Challenger on the Minuteman Express Quad.

We know everyone is anxious to get the season started, as are we. Please keep in touch with the website or our snow phone 800-SKI-1234 for Updates"

From wachusett.com

 

[Jay's Dip Powcher]

are we that desperate were waiting for WAAAAA CHUUU SSETTTT to open....hell yea I am! Never been there and do not plan on it on opening day either....

 

[hammer]

I'll bet that Wachusett is really a WROD on opening day...:roll:

It is good to see snow reports like that, though...saying "48 hours" is a lot better than saying "soon"...

 

[thetrailboss]

are we that desperate were waiting for WAAAAA CHUUU SSETTTT to open....hell yea I am! Never been there and do not plan on it on opening day either....

Just a reminder that this is a board that is dedicated to Northeast Outdoor Recreation. We have a fair number of posters who ski and ride at places in Southern New England, including Wachusett.

I'm not sure where you were going with your comments, but just wanted to add my thoughts and input as a mod.

On to the substance of the thread, I think that Wachusett and other S-New England places are used to this kind of weather, but it still must be just as frustrating.

 

[Jay's Dip Powcher]

Just a reminder that this is a board that is dedicated to Northeast Outdoor Recreation. We have a fair number of posters who ski and ride at places in Southern New England, including Wachusett.

I'm not sure where you were going with your comments, but just wanted to add my thoughts and input as a mod.

On to the substance of the thread, I think that Wachusett and other S-New England places are used to this kind of weather, but it still must be just as frustrating.

agreed, and point taken. Just snow....anywhere!

 

[Zand]

Be amazing if they were the first ones open. What they did last year to open for Black Friday was amazing. They made snow the Thursday through Saturday before and were about ready to open when a giant two day long rainstorm hit and washed all of it away. They resumed the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving... made snow for about 12 hours and then had 5 hours Wednesday night before it snowed for a few hours Thanksgiving morning. They maybe had 3" from the snow, but that snow warmed it up to about 40 degrees through about midnight. It got very cold after that and they made snow for about 7 hours before they opened. I guess you can say they opened up on about 24 hours of snow spread over 3 days. At the same time, areas in NH, VT, and the Berkshires were all delaying their openings due to the warmth. Wachusett was one of only about 9 or 10 areas open that day... areas that were already open like Killington, Okemo, etc.

Looks like possibly the same scenario this week. The cold air will be tough to come by, but hopefully they can get enoguh hours in to be able to get Conifer covered.

 

[Mark_151]

I just got back from a Wachusett hike. Strage to think it might be snow-covered in a few days. One thing that surprised me when I went to pick up my Century Pass -- the parking lot is now almost entirely paved and painted with parking spaces. And, the instructors were there in force, doing drills on Challenger, with no snow.

 

[Zand]

Webcam shows plenty of ATVs and stuff hauling the snowguns up Conifer. Looks like they may indeed start tonight.

 

[Zand]

Heres the view we've been waiting for. The lights have come on and if the weather forecasts are correct, we should see marginal snowmaking temps and Wa should be starting in a few hours. Whoohoo!

For some reason I can't load my picture... but you can check the webcam and see all the lights on the 3 summit trails are indeed lit for the first time since March. Let's hope they're lit every night through this March now.

 

[askstowell]

I just got back from a Wachusett hike. Strage to think it might be snow-covered in a few days. One thing that surprised me when I went to pick up my Century Pass -- the parking lot is now almost entirely paved and painted with parking spaces. And, the instructors were there in force, doing drills on Challenger, with no snow.

Yeah for paved parking lot! Now if Pat's Peak and a few others would do this, I'd be very happy on those warm days when you're slogging through mud!

Was at Boston Ski & Snowboard Show today. Wachusett folks confirmed instructor training, etc. out there today and that they were fully expecting to blow snow tonight!

 

[Mark_151]

Interesting -- lights are on full on Indian Summer as well. They've never tried to open the Monadnock lift before mid-December. Wonder if they'll blow snow on it tonite as well?

 

[Zand]

Actually 2 or 3 years ago they had Indian Summer open on opening day and it was right around the first of December. But they didn't have Challenger that year. Who knows what'll happen. The most interesting part to me is that they have the entire parts of all 3 summit trails lit up. They can regulate lighting to certain trails and usually they at least keep Smith dark until they start on it.

 

[ctenidae]

Hey, if Wachusett can get open, then there's hope for everyone. I take it as a good sign.

 

[Zand]

The more I look at the cam and the forecast, the more I think they're not going to start tonight. The temp is currently 37 there (the summit station is on weatherbug) and has been 37 since about 4 this afternoon. It's cloudy out and pretty humid and I don't see temps falling all that much. They might go to 30 or so later but I honestly can't see it being cold enough to make snow. What I think they have everything lit for is just to set up all the guns and hook up the hoses which is what they've been doing so far. However, the forecast for tomorrow night is for temps below freezing by sunset and lows in the low 20s. Same goes for Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday look slightly warmer but should be cold enough for snowmaking later in the night. It doesn't seem like a lot of time, but last year and the year before Wachusett had literally no snow on the ground 3 days before opening both times and pulled the rabbit out of the hat both times. They have some of the best snowmaking in the east and I have confidence in them that they can go for it and if the weather cooperates, we'll be on the hill Friday.

 

[awf170]

Do they allow you to ski on the snow making whales before they open? I think I'm going to go get my picture taken and pick up my pass on tuesday...

 

[Mark_151]

Do they allow you to ski on the snow making whales before they open? I think I'm going to go get my picture taken and pick up my pass on tuesday...

Sure! Bring your climbing skins, or hike up ( I usually hike, telemark boots spoil you)

 

[awf170]

Sure! Bring your climbing skins, or hike up ( I usually hike, telemark boots spoil you)

I'm expecting pure epicness!

 

[Skierman]

Is that snow I see way at the top of Conifer?

I hope so... I think that pic was taken thrs morning.

 

[Zand]

"There's some white on the mountain this Monday morning as cold temperatures last night allowed us to start some snowmaking on Connifer Connection -- although we really need colder temperatures to make progress quickly. Our snowmaking crew got a head start last night and will make more again tonight and tomorrow night. We'll make snow every chance we get, however, the current weather forecast is not looking promising for opening on November 24. Currently the long range forecast looks like the best consistent snowmaking weather will be in the area from November 25 through 30. Thanks to our increased snowmaking firepower, if we see temperatures into the 20's or below, we will likely be able to open within approximately 48 hours of operations. More marginal temperatures will require additional snowmaking time before we're able to welcome you to the new season. Our goal is to focus on Conifer Connection first, opening the Polar Express Quad. We will then try to get Indian Summer on the Monadnock Triple and Challenger on the Minuteman Express Quad. We know everyone is anxious to get the season started, as are we. Please keep in touch with the website or our snow phone 800-SKI-1234 for updates."

 

[Skierman]

So then why are they bothering to blow snow on Ollies...?