Newpylong
Well-known member
Me neither, which is too bad. Last year we got a lot done. Hopefully they had enough people to get stuff done. They probably will extend the volunteer days and do them right up until opening in December.
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Whaleback Off-Season News
- Thread starter xwhaler
- Start date
St. Bear
New member
I plan on hitting Whaleback this year as my holiday crowd avoidance location. I usually rotate between Magic and Black (NH), but will definitely look into the Whale this year.
xwhaler
Active member
It appears they have pulled their Sunday AM 9-12 $15 special which I have used a 1/2 dozen times over the last few seasons.
It is nice they are making an effort to have 12/13 as the target opening day....and extend the season through March.
May do a Whaleback/S6 combo day sometime this yr.
It is nice they are making an effort to have 12/13 as the target opening day....and extend the season through March.
May do a Whaleback/S6 combo day sometime this yr.
xwhaler
Active member
Bump.....send good vibes Whaleback's way.....still not open for the season. I'd imagine losing out on a week+ worth of holiday kids camp $ hurts.
Have a few vouchers there this season hoping to head up and spend addl $ in the bar. When snow is good, Whaleback is a fun little mtn.
Have a few vouchers there this season hoping to head up and spend addl $ in the bar. When snow is good, Whaleback is a fun little mtn.
Savemeasammy
New member
I drove by the whale this morning, and they were making snow on Spout. They are definitely behind the curve this year 
I have some friends who are passholders there with their families. I'm sure the kids are particularly bummed. Hopefully things turn around in a hurry.
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I have some friends who are passholders there with their families. I'm sure the kids are particularly bummed. Hopefully things turn around in a hurry.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Newpylong
Well-known member
Just got back from getting my pass.
Roughly 6 guns going. 2 fans at base, the rest on Upper Spout. Nothing being made on Lower Spout. Like last year, they simply don't have the capacity to make more at once, which totally sucks as these are ideal temps now. The #1 item on the priority list for their fundraiser is additional pump capacity and line repairs. They need it.
Roughly 6 guns going. 2 fans at base, the rest on Upper Spout. Nothing being made on Lower Spout. Like last year, they simply don't have the capacity to make more at once, which totally sucks as these are ideal temps now. The #1 item on the priority list for their fundraiser is additional pump capacity and line repairs. They need it.
dlague
Active member
Too bad! We drove by there a couple of weeks ago and they were making snow on Spout and the base area and had coverage on Blubber. I bet the r%^n flushed those dollars down the drain! Smal places like that get hit hard with the wrong weather and recover slowly evidently.
Newpylong
Well-known member
The lift was spinning today and they had moved to the lower mt (Spout). Fan guns looked to be getting decent production.
In good news they got the old blue centercab groomer going over the off season. Someone donated another older cat, and anothet is on the way as well. Those 3 are on top of the newer one. Hopefully between all of them a couple will be available all winter.
Saturday for opening most likely.
In good news they got the old blue centercab groomer going over the off season. Someone donated another older cat, and anothet is on the way as well. Those 3 are on top of the newer one. Hopefully between all of them a couple will be available all winter.
Saturday for opening most likely.
xwhaler
Active member
Nice, thinking of heading up Sunday, especially if this storm produces
xwhaler
Active member
Whaleback trying to open in next 5-7 days. Their antiquated snow making system really hurt them this yr
xwhaler
Active member
Sure seemed that way from the email/FB blast I got. Does the new GM, Dick Harris, not have much influence over the mtn ops or? He seemed like a real seasoned vet when he came on board. They do need to push deep into March I agree and not close just before the sledneck derby
Newpylong
Well-known member
Dick definitely knows his stuff - they just are fighting an uphill battle against 15 years of no maintenance.
Everything is limited by water at this point. They can run 4 guns or 8 air/water or any combination at once, but no more.
There should be some positive changes in the near future assuming funds are raised.
They are going to push into the spring as long as the snow is around to make up for losing December.
Best thing to do to support is to come ski for a day and buy a beer! I believe they will be expanding volunteer days in the next off season as well.
Pretty tough to sell the place to anything but locals right now but after a good dump for the money there isn't a better place around. The trees, Jawbone, Blowhole and the largely forgotten West side can't be beat.
Everything is limited by water at this point. They can run 4 guns or 8 air/water or any combination at once, but no more.
There should be some positive changes in the near future assuming funds are raised.
They are going to push into the spring as long as the snow is around to make up for losing December.
Best thing to do to support is to come ski for a day and buy a beer! I believe they will be expanding volunteer days in the next off season as well.
Pretty tough to sell the place to anything but locals right now but after a good dump for the money there isn't a better place around. The trees, Jawbone, Blowhole and the largely forgotten West side can't be beat.
dlague
Active member
We drove by Whaleback on the 89 yesterday and it was nice to see people skiing there! It made me think about fitting in a day there!
Savemeasammy
New member
xwhaler
Active member
Yes sir....from their website
Extended Season Planned: We plan to stay open through weekends in March, so long as the snow will stick around.
Newpylong
Well-known member
If there is good snow cover you really should, you won't be sorry. Tough right now though, it's been pretty mild snow wise for us thus far.
Stache
New member
Sad to drive by there everyday last spring and see good skiable cover going unused.
Savemeasammy
New member
The guns were firing on the Face this morning.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
xwhaler
Active member
They need to get their groomer fixed and made reliable for the entirety of the season.
They didn't open yesterday as they cant groom for the rest of the season. Not an issue when its 40+ degree spring turns but this late March cold results in impossible conditions if not groomed.
I would have thought about going there next wknd but unless it warms up significantly I won't be able to say goodbye to them for the season.
Tough enough with a very antiquated snowmaking system but add limited/no grooming on top of that and it becomes a challenge to even get folks to the hill.
They didn't open yesterday as they cant groom for the rest of the season. Not an issue when its 40+ degree spring turns but this late March cold results in impossible conditions if not groomed.
I would have thought about going there next wknd but unless it warms up significantly I won't be able to say goodbye to them for the season.
Tough enough with a very antiquated snowmaking system but add limited/no grooming on top of that and it becomes a challenge to even get folks to the hill.
Newpylong
Well-known member
Mechanical issues happen mid-season, and you aren't always going to have the ability to fix on-site. They had to send a part to Prinoth. The ultimate solution is having a backup cat of equal capability - it's on the wish list but something that probably won't happen unless someone either donates or practically gives one away.
Another reason for an another cat is to pull the other one off the mountain if it breaks down in a bad spot like Face. The other two they have are utility cats for moving fan guns around, not enough HP to drag the big one back or to push man made snow.
Another reason for an another cat is to pull the other one off the mountain if it breaks down in a bad spot like Face. The other two they have are utility cats for moving fan guns around, not enough HP to drag the big one back or to push man made snow.
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