Where to go tomorrow?

[lazyasian]

Tomorrow is going to be an epic powder day everywhere in the Northeast south of Boston. I've never been around for any powder days in the southern Northeast, and I was wondering which places won't be crazy packed, and which have the best terrain for a day of pow.

I live in Stamford, so I'm close enough to get to Camelback or Blue in PA, or go to Sundown. I've got to be at JFK at 2:30 to pick up a friend, so I don't really want to get any further away than that... How do these resorts stack up on a powder day?

I've only been to Sundown of the three mentioned, and it's quite small so I'd imagine it's pretty full and gets skied out pretty quickly. Camelback and Blue are both a bit bigger, but I don't know how the terrain or the crowds will be...

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Greg]

Gonna be a big crew from AZ at Sundown tomorrow. If you like ripping bumps, it's a good option.

 

[RootDKJ]

Blue and Camelback will probably be busy tomorrow, so get their early. Blue offers an 8-12:30 pass so maybe that's a good option for you.

 

[abc]

Don't forget the wind.

 

[twinplanx]

Don't forget the wind.

speaking of the wind...its likely that flight is delayed, at the least. Check w/ the airline. Area airports are shut down as we "speak". That may work out for you, as me thinks it will take you 2.5-3hrs to get from Blue to JFK

 

[bigbog]

The temps are great...good snow exists everywhere.

 

[riverc0il]

Gonna be a big crew from AZ at Sundown tomorrow. If you like ripping bumps, it's a good option.

Dude's got a foot of fresh heading his way and Greg can't stop talking about bumps.

:uzi:

:lol::-D

I am trying to figure the same thing out from a slightly different perspective and that is what is the best mountain for terrain without compromising getting too far away from the powder. Not an easy decision to be made. I keep thinking Wa even though they are going to get a lot less than places closer to the coast that do not have as much terrain (relatively speaking).

 

[2knees]

doesnt wachusetts typically groom out everything though? I swear i've read posts from people complaining about that very thing. I would have no idea, never been there myself.

 

[riverc0il]

doesnt wachusetts typically groom out everything though? I swear i've read posts from people complaining about that very thing. I would have no idea, never been there myself.

I would think most hills in SoNE would groom everything out... I would be counting on the storm still going strong through the night and into morning.

Honestly? This coming from a guy that lives for powder, the very best powder in the world can be as little as 6" of untracked on top of groomed. That stuff is absolutely sensational.

 

[Zand]

If you're lucky Wachusett might leave a couple summit trails ungroomed till the evening session.

 

[billski]

I'd be thinking about Berkshire East if it wasn't so far "north" from the snow sweetspot.
The storm seems to have slowed down a bit. at least in terms of it's initial assault on SNE.
I guess there is a blocker that won't let it get very far.

The smaller areas don't have the equipment or manpower to groom a lot too quickly, so often you'll find a lot of ungroomed.
Also, if the precip continues in force after the opening bell, there will not be groomers out. If it snows heavily into the morning, you could be good to go with untracked/ungroomed most anywhere.

 

[riverc0il]

BEast is in the 6-8" range on the maps that I have seen. Not a jackpot but the best terrain south of the border. I am hoping for more information before the evening is up on how the storm will play out.

I am definitely counting on not enough grooming power to get it all done over night and then a ton more snow coming in after the groomers have had to stop working.

I feel so unsure of this decision. I have no idea how things work south of the border. I do remember how short 300' vert is but I won't snub that little vert if the skiing is boot deep untracked! Then again 1000' vert runs with more pitch but less pow could be just as good.

In any case, I am counting on the snow being deep enough that most folks in SoNE will be snow getting to the hill due to the need to dig out. This has always benefited me in big pow days when driving conditions are crap and the average person is not willing to wake up super early to be there for the opening bell.

 

[polski]

Steve, coming from the north as you are, consider Crotched for some decent terrain (and if there's enough snow you can earn turns on the last ~100' vert from the top of the quad to the summit). NWS only has them progged for 3-5", half of what's currently forecast for Wachusett area; Crotched's website says they expect 5-8". Crowds far less likely to be an issue at Crotched than Wa I would think. As of today they reported 60 of 75 acres open, including Pluto's Plunge, which has decent pitch and is good fun in fresh.

Me, I expect to be earning turns on local NELSAP hill Big Red.

Mike

 

[riverc0il]

Crotched was definitely a consideration and the crowd situation was certainly a plus as well but the snow totals look to be about half. Was already putting them in consideration... but not for 3". Early morning refill factor unlikely as well that far north. Interesting that their web site is calling for 5-8"... they know something the NWS does not?

Good on you for the turning earning locally. I will be packing my touring gear and alpine gear and will be ready for alternative options as needed.

 

[polski]

Yeah, a lot of variables to consider. If I were you I'd watch the radar, except for the conflict with sleep ;-)

I can't do a long gnarly drive tomorrow, plus we're likely to have more locally (I'm ~5 mi. from coast, outside Newburyport) than farther inland. Local hills are small but this is pretty much a perfect setup to earn 'em around here. Five-minute drive to a place that once was a genuine working ski area, and there are even some tempting woods on the edges there if it really gets deep ...

 

[deadheadskier]

Pawtuckaway might be a good skin tomorrow. Wonder what the big A will end up with.

enjoy it guys

 

[polski]

heh, I just asked Matt Noyes on his livecast what he thought for snowfall in Peterborough NH (near Crotched) and he said 4"; said 5-8 too high

You're welcome! (I LOVE the Internet)

 

[snoseek]

Pawtuckaway might be a good skin tomorrow. Wonder what the big A will end up with.

enjoy it guys

You live close enough to either, do it, really. How much are you planning on there? Big A is rocky as hell and needs at least 2 feet minimum but there is good tree skiing off the north side of pawtuckaway. short little laps could be real fun.


Edit-yeah checked noaa and it looks a little too small in that area.

 

[billski]

In any case, I am counting on the snow being deep enough that most folks in SoNE will be snow getting to the hill due to the need to dig out. This has always benefited me in big pow days when driving conditions are crap and the average person is not willing to wake up super early to be there for the opening bell.

Steve, never underestimate the power of a LandRover wannabe. After a big dump down here, I always see a lot of silly non-skier behavior - those guys that wanna see how well his vehicle will handle in the snow. So he drives 10 miles for a cup of gormet brew. It's worse since it's a weekend day. These people really make me nerveous.

Extrapolating that to a bunch of kids wanting to experience their first powder day. I suppose if you can come down from the north and somehow avoid the metro traffic.

 

[RootDKJ]

I'll be at Blue tomorrow. Puking on their webcam right now.