The original plan was to burn one of my two remaining ticket vouchers at Mad River Glen. With free skiing being offered on the upcoming Share Holder day, I effectively had five potential days to use the ticket vouchers assuming Mad River Glen does not extended operations. Online reports from Southern Vermont ski areas indicated heavy wet snow on Friday. Northern Vermont received a few paltry but fluffy inches. Nothing looked like a lock for a great powder day based on initial reports Friday night, so the Mad River Glen plan seemed the most worth while option.
But last night the radar loop showed the Whites getting hammered. Another sign of possible White Mountain powder were the off and on flurries in Ashland. I had a hunch about Cannon and a huge craving to visit Cannon once more before lifts closed. Cannon’s snow report last night showed only 4-5″ which had me on the fence but leaning towards Mad River Glen. I decided to wait for the morning reports. With Cannon ringing the jackpot bell at 10-11″, I packed up my gear and sped up I-93 towards Cannon with dreams of powdery trees floating through my mind.
Cannon was windy and cold today, especially on the upper mountain. The Peabody Chair had reasonably comfortable temperatures and wind conditions. But the Cannonball featured a continuous tail wind blowing out of the north that chilled to the bone. Due to the magnificent conditions, I went bell to bell today (first time this season) catching the first and last lifts minus a ten minute break for lunch.
Snow conditions were simply sensational. Major untracked vertical was ripped until my lunch at 11am followed by some harder to snuff out but still viable untracked all the way to closing bell. The official report listed 10-11″ but a few of those inches got blown off by the wind overnight. A more reasonable measurement woudl be about eight inches. Very light and fluffy at higher elevations. Closer to the base, the snow was still powder but much less fluff factor.
Today, I found half as much snow as Jay last Saturday but had twice as much fun and then some. I am finally satisfied with my fill of powder for the season. I can end the lift service season a happy man rather than slightly less than fulfilled. Bring on the spring corn!
