MRVexpat

Up in the NEK. Skinned up Burke yesterday and things looked and skied decently well! Natural trails looked like they could even be carefully navigated up high. First time making turns on this hill and shocked at the minimal crowds this time of year. Otherwise it's definitely a wintry look around here. 6-8" pack when we got here a few days ago has condensed a little bit.

Had a chance to tour in Rogers Pass right before the world went into lockdown. Got up into the 6,000 elevation on Mount Tupper. Could definitely see 500" at that elevation. Pack was deep!

Yeah, I feel like this gets discussed at the start of every season. Chalk it up to a marketing ploy with the goal of capitalizing on that early season demand? I know we've also debated their seasonal snowfall #s as not lining up with others in the area.

Definitely looks like Sunday will be the day. Especially if this prompts any additional trail openings.

Looks like they're progged to not be too bad until the overnight hours Saturday and into Sunday AM? Have a free place to stay at Killington so am debating the drive up. Saturday should at least be soft... EDIT: sorry, I realize this probably belongs in the ski thread. also I was looking at the wrong graphic...definitely seems windy.

There's also the effect of spreading out skiers by ability a little bit. Expert skiers can stay on the upper mountain lifts and not ski the often flatter run outs, thus yielding more quality vert per time on chair. Beginners can have their own trail pod. Works out well.

Yeah I've literally only done it once, on a spring day with inadequately waxed skis and plenty of crowds at the Barker base, hence the need for skate skiing on my part. What you're saying makes complete sense tho, just not the same 2300ish fall line vert at places like Stowe, SB the Loaf etc.

Technically it can be linked by taking a green from OZ to the base of White Cap but there's some skate skiing involved and so definitely not 2300' of fall line vert lol. Having said that, if you can't have fun with an old slow double and 1000', you're doing it wrong. Outpost double at Pico is a prime example (may be closer to 500' than 1000' tho)

Per reports it is fun but damn thin. No surprise given the liberal trail opening policy there.

It's pretty good for opening day, but the snow surfaces are definitely inconsistent. Still fun to get the legs back.

Always take with grain of salt

Opening day at Stowe today. I'm sure the guy was busy haha. Reports I've heard from SB have been pasty snow, avg snow growth most of the day but getting better.

Pounding on the Stratton cams. Tomorrow should be a hell of an opening day

Stratton opens tomorrow. Will be there to report back on conditions.

lo-res NAM nasomuch. GFS coming back online as well

Bush open with downloading. Looks like they're working hard to get the Snowball to Spring Fling route laid down for the weekend for T2B runs.

There were a few years (maybe 4-5 years ago?) where the snowmaking plan at SB included getting upper Jester, Downspout and Organgrinder open first, running Heavens Gate and downloading on Super Bravo. Didn't seem to get much guest push back but its more expensive to operate that way in the early season. Recent years have all started by running the Valley House quad and using the Snowball > Spring Fling route which is the more sensible option if temps allow. Not sure what the plan is for this year.

Not PF but can chime in with some bits of advice and relatable piece of experience on that front: I went out to the midwest for school and graduated with a regarded business degree from a Big Ten university. Moved to Chicago and realized that the corporate life and midwest (although the 13-14 winter was a snow and cold weenies dream) wasn't for me. Had a high school friend at the time who had graduated UVM and was working/living at Sugarbush with extra living space and decided to take the chance on an open internal audit position at the resort for one winter. Well, one turned into four and the seasonal auditing job became a software management position after a few months. That inevitably led to some invaluable experience (working with the Austrians at Axess on our RFID transition (the bane of many on here, apparently) was one of the coolest things ever). I've since moved on from the mountains on account of life etc. but wouldn't trade that experience for anything. At the risk of sounding too self indulgent, what I'm really trying to say here is if your son has a passion for snow sports and knows deeply that he has a future in the industry, there are certainly opportunities. I knew several guys at SB that started out as lifties but through inquisitiveness/hard work/trade school related knowledge, were able to eventually get positions in mountain ops management etc. Working at a ski resort is most certainly a labor of love however, you can make a good living off of it with some savvy and passion for whichever place you land at. Obviously, in this day and age there are nuances what with corporate takeovers etc. What cant be beat though, is the quality of life and people you meet in a mountain town who are there for the same reasons you are. P.S. yes this is a plug for Sugarbush, the greatest and (nearly) snowiest place you can ski in New England

Alternately, one could always go whale jibbing! I do wonder how that drain period is impacted by the temperature/web bulb at which the snow is blown. For example when its 10 degrees out and you're skiing under a bunch of guns that are immediately producing gun powder, that feels like a finished product.

Bummer, was looking forward to that one. Will still watch but like you said, was hoping for some skiing!!!

I have only owned a vanguard 97 for touring duties. Minimal camber and plenty of rocker (like most of their models) made for a ski that liked to pivot and make quick turns in the woods. I have skied the Nomad 105 as well. Not the stiffest ski I've ever ridden but a progressive flex made for a poppy yet stable ride. I think they make a 115 as well.

Good points, though even when I was more reckless about stuff like this I would want at least 5" over mowed MRG slopes before getting out there. Also icelantics have bulletproof bases so on that front he's probably incurring less risk as well, lol.

Hard pass. Good for him I guess?

Please check out Vermont Adaptive! They are doing great work and building a new facility at Sugarbush's Mt. Ellen. https://www.vermontadaptive.org/

That's great. I've always enjoyed foliage most on overcast/grey days. To me, that helps it pop that much more.