Whiteface has received 35” of powder in the last 8 days

[Skier 4 Life]

I agree we got a lotta snow in past week or so, but don't you think the website quote above has gone a little too far?

 

[freeheelwilly]

No. It's been snowing more or less non-stop up here. It's snowing right now. That sounds about right. they got nearly half of that last friday alone. If it's off it ain't by much.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Plus they use snow totals from the summit.

 

[freeheelwilly]

True. But I'm sure other resorts do too. And considering that the summit is open and that's where many ski anyway, that doesn't seem so indefensible. Plus, they've gotta compete with the infamous "Jay Stick" which often seems to defy several laws of physics. :lol: :lol:

More snow tonight, more tomorrow-Saturday and the increasing chance (now liklihood) of a significant snow "event" x-mas night into Monday. This season's really starting out great. Then another arctic blast mid-week with little pulses and clippers keepin' it fresh. If the trees aren't open yet, they will be by next week. :beer:

 

[GolfingOwl]

Guess I couldn't have picked a better time for my first trip to Whiteface. Driving up tomorrow from Philly and will be there through Tuesday.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

True. But I'm sure other resorts do too. And considering that the summit is open and that's where many ski anyway, that doesn't seem so indefensible. Plus, they've gotta compete with the infamous "Jay Stick" which often seems to defy several laws of physics. :lol: :lol:

More snow tonight, more tomorrow-Saturday and the increasing chance (now liklihood) of a significant snow "event" x-mas night into Monday. This season's really starting out great. Then another arctic blast mid-week with little pulses and clippers keepin' it fresh. If the trees aren't open yet, they will be by next week. :beer:

Speaking of which, what is the underbrush/snow snake situation in the woods at WF? Do you guys deal with the same crap species like hobblebush and striped maple that we do here in the Greens? Any naturally open birch/beech stands in the 2000 - 3000' elevation range? Do the trees at WF become skiable pretty much every year, or does the lower snowfall prevent that sometimes?

 

[goldsbar]

Can't answer your question directly, but I can tell you that those Adirondack forests are DENSE. Think temperate rainforest dense. My very limited experience at Whiteface has given me the impression (the locals might be able to tell you otherwise) that there are very few natural tree lines. Most of the glades are cleared by hand and hence skiable with decent coverage.

The Greens and especially the Cats seem to offer a much more open woodland type of forest.

 

[freeheelwilly]

They're skiable every year - and the lower angle ones tend to stay open once opened. The steeper ones are a little more hit and miss I think. Whether they're Beech or Maple, I don't know. Guess I never paid attention . I don't think they're Birch down lower. I'll check it out though. The snowfields up top are Spruce/Fir with occasional Yellow Birch I think. They're pretty clean I think. More rocks and logs than underbrush. Maybe HPD can comment. Takes some snow to get 'em goin.

 

[freeheelwilly]

Can't answer your question directly, but I can tell you that those Adirondack forests are DENSE. Think temperate rainforest dense. My very limited experience at Whiteface has given me the impression (the locals might be able to tell you otherwise) that there are very few natural tree lines. Most of the glades are cleared by hand and hence skiable with decent coverage.

The Greens and especially the Cats seem to offer a much more open woodland type of forest.

I dunno whether WF tree lines are natural or manmade but I suspect the latter. There are naturally open glades in the ADK bc though. Azure comes to mind as does Phelps and MacKenzie. There's another spot too that I will not mention on a public forum (last time I did I got blasted). You really wouldn't believe this place: 1500' vert of open glades. And it gets a TON of snow. I'm headin' there Saturday to see if it's ready yet. I suspect it is.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Maybe HPD can comment. Takes some snow to get 'em goin.

I have no idea what kind of trees they are. I just ski them when I can.

 

[AdironRider]

I poached the cloudsplitter glades off Northway last friday. Couldnt believe I Was the only one who did! Easily enough snow for me but if they opened em up itd get skied out pretty quick I think.

 

[Son of Drifter]

I poached the cloudsplitter glades off Northway last friday. Couldnt believe I Was the only one who did! Easily enough snow for me but if they opened em up itd get skied out pretty quick I think.

Did you drop in from the top (off Approach) or did you use the NW entrance and duck the ropes? I don't believe the Approach entrance was roped off but that was probably an oversight.

 

[takeahike46er]

Speaking of which, what is the underbrush/snow snake situation in the woods at WF? Do you guys deal with the same crap species like hobblebush and striped maple that we do here in the Greens? Any naturally open birch/beech stands in the 2000 - 3000' elevation range? Do the trees at WF become skiable pretty much every year, or does the lower snowfall prevent that sometimes?

There's some birch glades lower down on little WF, but they can be choked with smaller pines and such. The best naturally occuring lines are found in the upper mountain scrub (the snowfields) where drifting snow and stunted spruce catches the snow.

The trees are skiable every year for sure-- some seasons they open earlier and more consistently than others. The size of the snowfields depends on the amount of snowfall and the severity of the thaw(s).

The lower snowfall totals at WF are somewhat misleading. The base sees far less snow than the mid station or the summit because it sits on the lower, eastern side of a narrow notch. It is fair to say that WF doesn't pick up as much snow as northern Vermont, but it does better than some of the numbers indicate.