Wind holds

[Gurus]

So, I'll be riding at Stowe on Tuesday. The forecast is for NW winds of 22-25 MPH. Is this enough to force wind holds on the lifts. Is there any difference 'tween Smuggs and Stowe when it comes to the wind?

Do wind holds typically affect all upper lifts?

Forgive my ignorance, being from PA, wind holds are un-heard of...as is deep snow, verticals of 2000 ft, etc.

 

[thetrailboss]

Wind holds impact different mountains depending on the direction of the wind. Sugarbush and Jay are prime culprits for wind. Pico can be as well. I can't speak for Smuggs or Stowe.

 

[KevinF]

I'd think that a mid-20mph constant wind would not be a problem for running the lifts for most mountains. The wind affects different lifts differently as well -- gondolas (with huge surface areas) tend to get closed down quickly. Chairs that are lower to the ground or sheltered by the trees (and thus protected from the wind) can run in higher wind velocities. The velocity of gusts can also be a factor... i.e,. 20mph constant breeze isn't a problem, but if they're getting frequent gusts of, say, 50mph then they'll shut it down.

 

[MikeTrainor]

Wind holds impact different mountains depending on the direction of the wind. Sugarbush and Jay are prime culprits for wind. Pico can be as well. I can't speak for Smuggs or Stowe.

We should also add Wildcat and Cannon into that mix

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Smuggs refit their lifts to below the tops of the trees to avoid the potential for wind holds...I was up there in Jan, and all lifts at Smuggs were running, while i heard all but 1 or 2 lifts at Stowe were on hold.....also, the trails at Smuggs were designed to hold snow (narrower, windy trails rather than wide open trails where the wind can blow off all the snow)

 

[KingM]

Wind holds impact different mountains depending on the direction of the wind. Sugarbush and Jay are prime culprits for wind. Pico can be as well. I can't speak for Smuggs or Stowe.

I know SB gets some holds, but I think Stowe has more. There have been several times where guests have come from Stowe the previous day complaining about WHs and SB had none of this. Of course, the reverse might occasionally be true as well.

 

[Breeze]

Wind velocity doesn't tell the whole story, wind direction has a lot to do with the mix.

Wildcat has a reputation of being tender to wind, but we can easily withstand 40's constant( even with gusts to 50) from the N and NW.

If that wind ( at same speed) was significantly east of north or south of west, or eddying mid-mountain.......chairs would swing in a crosswind and all bets would be off.


Breeze

 

[JD]

The quad will run, and I'm sure the gondi will too. May be a late opening, but if that happens, cruise out rim rock over to the gondi side for any freshies from the Monday clipper.

 

[Birdman829]

We should also add Wildcat and Cannon into that mix

and SUGARLOAF. As much as I love the place, winds shutting down Spillway and King Pine can be a PITA.

 

[SkiSkee8]

Windy as hell at Snowmass last year, but they aren't a bunch of pussies. They don't close their lifts.

 

[Skier75]

and SUGARLOAF. As much as I love the place, winds shutting down Spillway and King Pine can be a PITA.

Yep, we were up there the Friday after Valentines storm and didn't get to ski much. Big disappointment.

Sunday River also shuts down Jordan Bowl, as well as some other upper lifts. Probably wouldn't want to be up there anyway, since the snow tends to get blown off the trials only to make it icey and crappy anyways.

 

[Birdman829]

Windy as hell at Snowmass last year, but they aren't a bunch of pussies. They don't close their lifts.

Well I bet they do if they get winds high enough. Different lifts have different tolerances for wind. Direction of the wind matters also. I highly doubt that Snowmass operates their lifts in something like sustained 40 mph winds blowing right across the lift. Perhaps you are the pussy since your definition of it being "windy as hell" isn't even enough to close lifts?

 

[tomski]

Wind velocity doesn't tell the whole story, wind direction has a lot to do with the mix.

Wind velocity tells the entire story. It implies direction by definition.

 

[Birdman829]

Wind velocity tells the entire story. It implies direction by definition.

Ohhhhhhh a physics guy. Touche sir. Speed doesn't tell the entire story, nor does direction. Velocity does.

 

[nelsapbm]

If the wind is anything like it is here near Burlington in the mountains, I would imagine there will be plenty of holds today. Heck, maybe even shutdowns. -30 windchill in Burlington...can't imagine up in the mts.

 

[AdironRider]

I bailed on today. Only the high speed quad at Whiteface is open. Not worth blowing off studying for my exam tomorrow for beginner terrain.

 

[threecy]

Direction, gusts, and sustained speed all play a factor. Exposure, chair weight, and line speed are amongst factors on the chairlift side of it. All it takes is one big gust to get a few chairs swinging enough to break a brittle bar. I'd rather be cussing in the lodge over closed lifts instead of waiting for an hour to slide down a rope!

 

[nelsapbm]

MIddlebury Snow Bowl is closed today (according to someone on the NELSAP board) due to the extreme cold.

 

[mlctvt]

Mount Snow - Northface and Main mountain lifts on wind hold this morning. -15 degrees with strong 30mph+ winds. Hopefully they'll open soon. Yesterday was truely an epic day, knee to even thigh deep powder in some spots, no crowds, no liftlines. I can't wait to retire so I can ski every weekday.

 

[kbroderick]

Direction, gusts, and sustained speed all play a factor. Exposure, chair weight, and line speed are amongst factors on the chairlift side of it. All it takes is one big gust to get a few chairs swinging enough to break a brittle bar. I'd rather be cussing in the lodge over closed lifts instead of waiting for an hour to slide down a rope!

...and most resorts would rather have you in the lodge getting a voucher than on a lift getting hypothermia because the chairs are swinging too far to run the lift. Wind velocity is only part of the story--the exposure to guests and employees on the lift matters, too. Part of the judgement call is a determination of whether or not a resort can safely evacuate the folks on the lift in the event of unfortunate stuff happening (such as an increase in wind that breaks a brittle bar).

I do agree with a few of the other posters who have suggested that in most wind hold situations, you really wouldn't want to be on the lift anyhow. I've skinned up during them a few times, and in one case I almost got knocked on my butt by the wind. When that happens on the ground, I can only imagine how pleasant it would be to dangle in the air.