“For the Record” seems to be the standard trip report for spring skiing this year. Despite incredible spring base depths and most major resorts going later than average and/or scheduled, weekend weather has not been weekend warrior friendly to say the least. Most spring weekends have been split between bad and not as bad. Occasionally, the weekend splits with a sunny day and rain. Back to back sunny spring days in any given weekend has yet to happen.
Sugarbush closing weekend was better than average at Lincoln Peak with top to bottom skiing. Most years, Sugarbush only has Stein’s or perhaps Spring Fling after skiing barely tolerable coverage on Snowball. Off the summit, Ripcord, Organgrinder, and Jester were skiing to the always horrid Downspout. The bumps on Ripcord absolutely sucked with huge gaps between the irregular mounds. Organgrinder was much better with mostly tight lines. Jester was beyond thin coverage and in the “guaranteed base damage” aspect. But being the only way to go top to bottom, Jester was mandatory.
The Lower mountain had Stein’s, Spring Fling, and Snowball with better than usual coverage for closing weekend. Stein’s had fun bumps though there were no lines to speak of, just rip em’ fast and grab some air.
Weather was cool with no freeze during the prior night. Jackets were mandatory, especially up high where a cool breeze felt decidedly unspring like.
It was a day for the record books and nothing more. The bumps on Organgrinder were the highlight and the only trail worth lapping. But I was extremely tired and fatigued… which is to say it felt like any other day these past few months. My health is out the window and my enjoyment of ski days has declined in lock step. I should be at my peak performance of the season. Instead, every turn is a struggle. Every breathe is a gasp. Every lap something to be endured. Not for lack of desire. But something isn’t quite right.
Sugarbush is closed leaving just two eastern United States areas open. Onward to close out Jay next weekend… trudging towards the end of my vouchers one area at a time.