Well, looky what we have here.....

[Black Phantom]

The very interesting part this this "test" is that they chose to do this on T2 as opposed to somewhere more visible. The question I have is; what was the temp 6 hours ago at that same elevation. Everyone knows this was blow for show, but they did it on the trail that they open first. SR may have just tipped their hats. It's K's turn for the next move so we can get this season started!

Unfortunately, this is not a game of chess. It is a simple game of checkers. SR is playing with a board of kings. Killington is not in this match. There is zero desire for K to be FTO.

 

[Greg]

I didn't realize how extensive the test was:

http://news.alpinezone.com/83637/

 

[thetrailboss]

Bob R texted me first thing yesterday with the news. It made me very excited!

 

[wa-loaf]

Today:

 

[MommaBear]

Whether they're laying a base or just clearing their throats, it only means that the season is near and, man, I'm not yet ready.

Had that moment of panic myself...just not ready yet! Guess it's REALLY time to get going on the preseason conditioning and getting all my other ducks in a row to be able to escape every weekend.

 

[billski]

Had that moment of panic myself...just not ready yet! Guess it's REALLY time to get going on the preseason conditioning and getting all my other ducks in a row to be able to escape every weekend.

I'm about to fast forward past the pumpkins and apple pie and go directly to holiday decorations!

 

[jerryg]

This is one of the larger tests I've seen. I mean a few guns on T2 or at South Ridge is one thing, but they've blown out of at least 60 guns this weekend, if only few a brief period. They appear ready when Mother Nature gives the green light.

I would expect K would throw a show of force in the near future, but apparently the early daylight temps haven't been as kind. No point in blowing for show if no one can see. I wonder if they'll tested any lines yet.

 

[catsup948]

Killington needs to up it's game and at least open for Halloween weekend. 10 day is looking decent for them. I'm only two hours from Killington, 4.5 from Sunday River and I'm looking for October turns.

 

[skiingsnow]

I didn't realize how extensive the test was:

http://news.alpinezone.com/83637/

Interesting that they claim first in east for past 3 years yet the actual number is ONE. They have opened first in the east for the past 1 seasons.

 

[mondeo]

Sunday River's opening day for the 2010/2011 season is weather dependant and slated at this time for mid-November.

Mid November?! What is that crap? I can't believe they set an opening day, assuming a Friday opening, of November 12th. That's BS.

Wait, where did I see someone else put down a November 12th opening?

 

[bobbutts]

Mid November?! What is that crap? I can't believe they set an opening day, assuming a Friday opening, of November 12th. That's BS.

Wait, where did I see someone else put down a November 12th opening?

Larson adds

"Of course, if we can start the winter off any earlier we will. We're just waiting on Mother Nature for a helping hand."

 

[mondeo]

Larson adds

And K's Twitter feed adds:

May be earlier if Ma Nature is in a good mood!

So they're saying the same thing, which is what I was trying to point out.

 

[bigbob]

I'm about to fast forward past the pumpkins and apple pie and go directly to holiday decorations!

Lowes and Home Depot have had Christmas stuff out for 3 weeks already!!

 

[WWF-VT]

Marketing works - Channel 5 in Boston had a picture and quick news story about testing of snowmaking at Sunday River on last night's 11 PM news.

 

[wa-loaf]

Marketing works - Channel 5 in Boston had a picture and quick news story about testing of snowmaking at Sunday River on last night's 11 PM news.

I was just about to post this. They used a couple of the picture's that were posted on facebook.

 

[Riverskier]

And K's Twitter feed adds:



So they're saying the same thing, which is what I was trying to point out.

Huge difference. Sunday River has a history of under promising/over delivering. Killington's history shows quite the opposite. Sunday River skier know they will open as soon as they can, while that remains to be seen for Killington.

 

[bvibert]

while that remains to be seen for Killington.

Quite. I was expecting a response from Killington in the form of a 'test' of their system early Sunday morning. Maybe they're just laying low, waiting to strike?

All I know is there's going to be a lot of very disappointed snow riders if Killington doesn't really go for it this season!

 

[billski]

Huge difference. Sunday River has a history of under promising/over delivering. Killington's history shows quite the opposite. Sunday River skier know they will open as soon as they can, while that remains to be seen for Killington.

Would not SR have the climatological advantage over Kmart with somewhat lower temps to sustain any snow they put down?

 

[jerryg]

Maybe they're already done some testing during the night up high and don't want to tip their hat. It's no secret that SR will go for it early and the mid-November thing is clearly BS. Why they would even say it is silly unless they've seen a long range forecast and want to play it safe. I think Brent (Larson) has every intention of laying down snow whenever possible.

 

[Riverskier]

Would not SR have the climatological advantage over Kmart with somewhat lower temps to sustain any snow they put down?

I am not in anyway qualified to answer that, but I am guessing no. Sure, Sunday River is further north, but their early season trail runs (very approximately) from 2000-2600 feet in elevation. Doesn't Killington's upper mountain lift run from something like 3500-4000 feet in elevation? If so, I would think the elevation advantage would equal or even surpass any advantage Sunday River has in latitiude. Just a guess though, not an expert in weather or the stats.