News of 93″ at Jay Peak in November had spread far and wide via many different sources. Social Media, Traditional Media, Jay Peak’s self-promotion, etc. Jay received so much snow that they decided to open one weekend early, further juicing the hype train.

But the weather threw a wrench into the procession. On Friday, the day before opening, the temperature began warming. And during the night, a light rain fell before temperatures plunged.

Unfortunately, the worst case scenario happened, and the natural snow locked up. It was best to stick to groomers, despite what looked like mid-winter conditions.

I saw the train wreck coming, but still decided to join in (hoping beyond hope for a little natural snow and tree skiing). I treated the morning like a powder day, arriving an hour before the lifts opened and still barely getting a spot in the Stateside lot, which was already mostly full.

Thankfully, I got to the ticket window before the lines started to form. Passholders like myself were forced to request a complimentary day ticket because the season pass printers were still not operational.

The line for the Jet backed up like a powder day, but it was anything but a powder day. I was about 50 chairs back from first chair, and got to see the occasional regrettable attempt at skiing under the chair (off the groomed snow).

I ripped a run down the Jet and got back in line. A few chairs from the top, the lift stopped and didn’t restart. “Uh oh.”

Due to the condition of Jay Peak’s Jet and Bonnie chairs, I always dress with consideration for a possible lift evacuation in mind. Both lifts have experienced a lot of issues during the past few years. I have very little trust in either lift.

Sure enough, after a fairly long wait, the backup motor kicked in and I knew my day was over after just two runs. I skied down the Jet far enough to see a mass of humanity leaving the queue and heading for the Bonnie (which also had a considerable line).

I had no desire to wait 30+ minutes for a ride on the Taxi Quad. And who knows how long the Jet might take to be repaired (turns out, it was about two hours). I cut back to the Stateside lodge, changed, and headed for home (attempting to beat a possible exodus).

If anything good came out of today, at least many Four Pass and Indy Pass holders burned one of their tickets, which should decrease crowding a bit later in the season on better days.

The owners of JPR really need to begin investing in the lift infrastructure (especially the Jet and the Bonnie). Years of kicking the can down the road is really starting to show.