bwt3650

Part of it is just me aching to get the resorts open and out there. I know what late November/early December usually look like, but being this close, it’s an emotional response; overly optimistic based on a few model runs, then the crash when I’m brought back to reality. Most places need the guns to crank more than the natural to get things rolling and when pf starts getting pessimistic about that, I listen. Just need to get out there and get some turns in to take the edge off.

I will never say how optimistic I am about a fast start to the season again. 10 days ago, the ensembles looked like we would see a week plus of consist below normal temps and a few chances of natural. It now looks tough to get anything going in the lower elevations down to load areas. I will say that I looked back at some of the condition reports from last year and it was a struggle until that mid December storm. A lot of places in the single digits open trail count until mid December; so I guess that should put it in perspective.

Just read Killington got the ok for the World Cup. Congratulations to them…impressive show the last few days.

My god we need a big storm soon. These posts are like the beginning of a cheesy romantic comedy…”the underlying smell of the metallic snow”. “the sound of snow blowers humming in the air as I gazed into her deep blue eyes” I picture everyone gazing into the air with a warm smile. It’s like the calm before the season’s melt downs begin.

It definitely looked and felt like winter today. Hope this and the early week upslope is the start of our snowpack.

Yeah, Jersey Only. Up there snow packed is cool, but I still like when it's plowed and shoveled with some kind of organization.

One of my things is that I can't leave snow on the driveway. Some people are ok with the lines of snow from the snow blower or car tracks. It drives me crazy. I have to clear it completely edge to edge, even it's going to be melted by the next day. Probably explains why I'm on a weather forum too.

Taking pride in a yard usually means you take pride in most things you do and don't half ass stuff.

Decent amount of qpf and blocked flow, though ratios don’t look spectacular. Still, should be first legit upslope of the season if I’m interpreting this right.

They might be able to go for the next 72 hours straight. I’m rooting for them too. If they get any kind of flexibility on that measurement this week, I think they are fine for thanksgiving; but they certainly went down to the wire this year.

As this winds down, decent upslope signal on the 3k and Gfs for Monday into Tuesday.

Just flipped to steady light snow.

Thanks, J.Spin. Wasn’t serious about Starr and the chutes but your comments make me optimistic about the start. Last year it wasn’t until early Jan we had that base building storm. Hopefully, this year we build some quick base, get a below normal start to December and then let climatology do it’s thing and we could be in good shape. One thing I’ve learned in the short time up here is don’t fear the red anomalies during mid winter in the northern greens.

18z Gfs has me lapping Starr and Face chutes Thanksgiving weekend. If only… Still, getting stoked about a decent early season this year.

I like the look for a solid start to the ski season late month. After this weekend, there looks to be some solid snow making windows and lots of chances. Jay should see some upslope stuff too next week. Last year, the day before Thanksgiving washed out all but each resorts “signature” first trail and we got off to a very slow start. I feel much better about this year once past this weekend. Would love to see that upslope machine start to build some base up by pf and I.

My neighbor cuts his lawn in circles instead of straight lines and it drives me crazy. Does a crap job of weed whacking too. Not sure how you bring up lawn lines to someone without being a douche.

Going to be real close for that World Cup measurement next week at Killington. They will probably have about 36 hours to bury that thing. This week hurts and looking at the mid-section on webcams, not sure they make it.

Cool learning these details about snowmaking. How long a window do they usually want to turn the system on? I would honestly love to do that job in retirement if it wasn’t for the hours. I could deal with the cold and physical aspect, but after years of working midnights, I don’t if I could do the overnights. Those hours beat the shit out if you.

Yeah, that’s a good call. Mt. Ellen seems like it’s just overlooked. Don’t they open it late, close early and not put a lot of snow making into it? I’ve only been to that side a few times but it seemed like some great terrain.

Agree 100 percent with the trail count thing. Acreage is a much better read. That was my point with some resorts showing six open trails with really only one route down. But Killington does have an advantage with that high terrain with a lift and they will definitely blow snow when others won’t. It’s smart marketing to a point, but they usually lead in open acreage too until natural snow really starts rolling.

Not hating the time change right now..kind of enjoy the early sunset, being lazy watching football. It’s like another step toward full blown winter.

That’s some nice edge to edge coverage..what trail is that?

Nah, I wouldn't say it's a gimmick. You just have to know what to expect. People can't be surprised to find only superstar open on Memorial Day. It's Vermont at 3500'. I think the late season is more for the tailgating and party, with some cool laps in shorts in between. Jay will stay open until May and some years, it's just The Jet. You're not going for the conditions, that's for sure. Early season, Killington does make an effort to blow at every possible moment. And many places only have one or two real trails open even up to the start of December unless there is some good natural so Killington will almost always have more actual skiing. Now if the northern Vermont places get hit early, that's different story. Other places may call it 6 trails, but a lot of times it's just one route down. I think with Killington, it's more about the brand. There is no way they are making money on any skiing before Thanksgiving or April on; and the cost of putting on the World Cup is probably a loss too. I always want Jay to blow more trails early on, but I get it. Jay's "brand" is not first to open. It's the most natural snow in the east, trees, and late season. I like Killington for different reasons I like Jay and Stowe. I don't really know Wildcat, but I should get there this year. I hear when it's on, there is some great terrain and some of the best views in the east.

They start with a 10 minute hike from the gondola to the north ridge on the peak walkway. They blew Great Northern yesterday so now you can ski from the gondola to north ridge and then only have to walk back to gondola to get down. North Ridge is only about 500-600 feet of vertical but its at about 3000' and has its own quad, so they can get it open fast. Once they get another few days of good snowmaking, they will make a connection to Snowdon and have TTB. They can usually pump that out pretty quick, but next week will be tough for the lower elevations. I would guess they will be TTB mid week the following week.

My 9 year old is begging for a go-pro. I might give in this year just to see the craziness.