Category: New Hampshire

2003-2004 Season, November, Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley, NH

First turns of the 2003-2004 Season! I matched my earliest opening day with last year’s November 30th at Cannon Mountain. Sadly, Cannon has delayed their opening day one week this year, so I opted for the cheapest lift ticket I could find with Waterville Valley weighing in at only $25.00. Upon parking my car, I started jumping up and down next to my car in anticipation. It was a child-like giddiness.

A park was built next to the lodge but I did not walk over for a closer inspection. Skiing was available on the High Country Double only in the morning with uploading via the High Speed Quad. The High Country Double was running as slowly as ever and offered only one trail open underneath. This lift officially gets my nod for the slowest chair lift in New England. Twice as slow as the Willoughby Quad at Burke without the slightest bit of an exaggeration. With long lines early in the day, one racer decided it would be quicker simply to hike back up! And it was!

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2002-2003 Season, April, Wildcat

Wildcat Mountain, NH

Mount Washington

Thin Coverage on Lift Lion

Closing day at Wildcat Mountain in the White Mountain National Forest. Many trails were open that required side slipping, grass walking, or precision skiing to bypass snowless sections. Skiing was amazing for so late in April! The top section of the old Gondola Liftline was particularly satisfying and challenging. While I often take issue with Wildcat’s management, pricing structure, and operations, I can not fault Wildcat for opening a respectable amount of terrain for just one more day of Spring Skiing.

Northern Presidentials

2002-2003 Season, April, Cannon Mountain, Powder Day

Cannon Mountain, NH

Lafayette from Zoomer Liftline

The plan was originally made a week ago; before it snowed. The plan was to hike a lower elevation mountain with good views such as Mount Monadnock or the Welch-Dickey Loop in Waterville Valley. The southern facing trails on such mountains were completely snow free by the last day of March and I was itching to get a jump on hiking season. With most ski resorts reporting lots of bare ground, slushy snow, and low trail counts… I planned to hike instead. Little did I know that I would be hiking in ski boots up a well known saddle on the northern flank of Cannon to Mount Jackson instead.

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2002-2003 Season, February, Tenney Mountain

Tenney Mountain, NH

Tenney

My dad and I decided to ski Tenney Mountain on the last day of my vacation. This was our first visit to this intermediate oriented ski area at the foothills of the White Mountains. After years of troubled ownership, Tenney was reopened in 2002-2003.

Tenney’s constantly intersecting trails devalue the terrain’s character. The trails lack individuality and continuity. Even trails not bisected multiple times fail to offer any special topographical or visual features of interest, excepting the liftline trail and Forget Me Not.

Tenney is an affordable mid-sized mountain that is excellent for families, first timers, beginners, and intermediates. Hopefully Tenney will dial in its niche market as it is a good mountain. But it may lack long term viability due to nearby competition and lack of terrain diversity.

2002-2003 Season, Articles, Black Mountain, February

The Black Mountain Experience

Doublehead from White Knuckle

Driving into the parking lot, I was directed where to park by an attendant. Upon opening my car door, I was greeted with friendly and warm conversation despite the frigid cold of the morning. Entering the lodge, I was enthusiastically and happily greeted by several employees. The main floor of the lodge is spacious and contains ample tables and chairs, including wood benches surrounding a red brick fireplace. Downstairs on the bottom floor, I purchased my lift ticket for $32 and quickly became engaged in conversation with Black’s attentive and hospitable staff. I was amazed by their Rental setup which seemed well designed and well staffed. Black’s reputation as a family friendly resort that specializes in beginners and those just learning is well deserved. But I was about to learn that Black has more to offer than just for families and beginners!

Black is a Mountain for everyone. First timers to Experts alike will delight in Black Mountain’s classic, narrow, winding trails. Beginners have two dedicated areas for learning which include a J-Bar servicing a wide open practice slope and a Platter Pull Surface Lift which accesses three charming Green Circles. Even expert skiers would do well to try the Platter Pull lift at least once for the experience! If you have never seen a Platter Pull lift, think T-Bar with a plunger instead of a T. The plunger gets placed between your legs which may lead some self-absorbed skiers to believe it is an extension of their man hood.

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