Why is it that...

[Terry]

I am still skiing. Did Attitash yesterday and Bretton Woods today. Plan on Sugarloaf next weekend, then Sunday River after that till they close. Then my season will be over when I can't ride a lift! Have gotten in 71 days so far and plan on at least 5 more. :beer:

 

[Greg]

I don't think real skiers and riders do. I think it's more the casual now and then segment of the skiing public, which is a very large segment. Has anyone in here put their gear away? I'll bet not too many.

Well, I'd consider myself a real skier, and probably not part of the typical skiing public. I usually get a handful of days in April, but that may or may not happen this year. This week is likely my only chance. For me, part of it is location and another part is simply that I have other things I usually start to concentrate on this time of year.

I'm not the type of person to lounge around and I usually have a long list of projects that I put off all winter because I was skiing. By the time April rolls around my procrastination on various projects starts to really get to me. I'm a bigtime DIYer and I get a lot of satisfaction out of keeping my property looking sharp, as well as doing other enhancements inside and outside the house. Spring is indeed a few weeks early this year so I'm more anxious than normal at this time of year to get started. Couple that with the fact that we just bought a brand new house last summer and there's a ton of landscaping to do makes me that much more anxious to knock out some of the items on my project list.

Today is a perfect example. The original plan was to hit Jiminy this morning, but when I learned that they lost a few of their better trails, I opted to stay home and start on some projects. So, what did I do on this bluebird day? I started to put a floor down in my attic. :blink: The goal is to open up a ton of storage so I can clear out my basement so I can start refinishing that. This was a winter project I've been putting off for months. I wanted to get this one done before I headed outside start the landscaping, building a deck, etc. Kind of sucked to be in a dark attic all day knowing how nice it was outside, but for me, I got a ton of satisfaction out of what I accomplished today, so much so that I didn't at all regret not skiing. Sure skiing would have been fun, but not tackling the attic floor would have been on my mind all day. That's just how I am.

I do like spring skiing and don't mind mashed potatos, but traveling 90+ minutes to ski limited terrain after I already got in a fair amount of skiing (for me) this season was not worth putting another thing off. I have plenty to keep me busy until next season and I really look forward to each project. The homestead is going to look rad when I'm done....in like 10 years...

 

[JimG.]

I'm still going strong...had a great day at Hunter on Saturday. Had to dodge about 45 minutes worth of rain at around noon, but other than that it was a great day. Awesome bump lines everywhere. Mountain is holding up well and despite some rumors, there is certainly enough snow to last until the 4/16 closing date.

I think most folks quit now because of 2 things:

1) Dislike of mashed potato snow. Most folks can't enjoy skiing it because they aren't willing to go faster and surf the snow a little more.

2) Dislike of bumps. Combine this with the need to go faster in the wet snow, and most folks are back inside by 11am if they ever get out at all.

 

[dmc]

Yesterday was EPIC!!! Sunny and warm... Great soft conditions...

These kind of days are something I look forward to every year!!!

 

[Greg]

Do you guys think the nice bumps lines at Hunter will hold on this week? Friday is a possibility...

 

[JimG.]

Do you guys think the nice bumps lines at Hunter will hold on this week? Friday is a possibility...

The headwalls on upper crossover and lower K are deep with snow.
Those bump lines will be awesome come Friday, and I think most of Clairs will still be good too.

 

[AdironRider]

Well I for one have no problems with spring skiing but honestly when you have rain and puddles everywhere its no fun to ride. Nothing pisses me off more than losing all my speed crossing streams and puddles along the trail. I think you guys are being a little optimistic saying these recent conditions have been epic, but believe you me, Im still making turns anyways.

 

[trailertrash]

if the snow isnt carveable, either too soft (like now) or too hard im bored. when i say carveable, i mean the snow has to support my weight on my edge completly through the turn, no skid involved. if i lay into a turn and feel the board grinding on the ice below the mush im done. yeah, you can straight line it and blast through but that gets old for me.

 

[dmc]

I think you guys are being a little optimistic saying these recent conditions have been epic, but believe you me, Im still making turns anyways.

No optimism at all... i was out there yesterday and it was awesome!!!

At least where I was...

 

[skibum1321]

if the snow isnt carveable, either too soft (like now) or too hard im bored. when i say carveable, i mean the snow has to support my weight on my edge completly through the turn, no skid involved. if i lay into a turn and feel the board grinding on the ice below the mush im done. yeah, you can straight line it and blast through but that gets old for me.

I love this kind of snow. I think that carving is boring and that this kind of snow is great. Nothing quite like spring bumps. On the other hand, 2 runs of carving and I'm ready to go home.

 

[AdironRider]

Thats cause carving on skis doesnt compare to carving on a board. But trust me, everytime I try and rip an epic bump run with the skiers, I get my ass handed to me.

 

[blacknblue]

spring skiing... two thumbs up!

I can certainly understand getting that spring fever itch and just wanting to shoot hoops in the park, throw the frisbee, do yard work, and enjoy the warmth and daylight savings. As well, there's always plenty that I have put off each winter that suddenly comes calling in April.
Still, the part I find funny is when people get all excited about going skiing the day that they open in October or November, when there's two crappy, crowded, man-made trails open, and then in April when the coverage is good and the snow is soft and the sun is warm... nobody! (I'm talking about a more normal snow year, of course.) I always laugh when people act amazed that I don't want to join them to ski in November, knowing they will be burnt out by February. I'll wait for the base to develop, thanks.
I love skiing this time of year. Soft snow, hero bumps, apres on the deck of a restaurant/bar, warm sun, getting home and still having daylight ...

 

[eatskisleep]

Why is it that whenever there is a huge "off season" powder dump at The Cat I am not there?

 

[skibum1321]

Why is it that whenever there is a huge "off season" powder dump at The Cat I am not there?

I wouldn't call this one a pow dump. It's a pretty heavy snow so far.

 

[riverc0il]

not to get this thread too far off topic, but mount washington summit is currently 17 degrees so there may actually be real POW at higher elevations. figures crossed! though you are right in the other thread, a wet base building snow is better in the long term. most good trails could no longer be skied on light fluffy pow since there is no base.