Jay: Not Like Last Year
Last year, Jay went deep into the spring, extending closing weekend to mid-May. That is not going to happen this year.
Amazingly, Jay was running almost all of its lifts except the carpets, Village Double, and the Freezer (the Tram was scheduled but on wind hold). That was certainly above and beyond, as I would not expect more than the Jet and the Bonnie at this point (and I would have been fine with only the Jet). Some other Vermont resorts *cough* Sugarbush *cough* close lifts as fast as possible, long before the snow has completely melted (or, just shut down completely despite ample coverage *cough* Stowe *cough*). But Jay does things differently.
From the Bonnie, the Goat was just hanging on and Northway to the usual runouts had ample coverage (but was not skiing very well). Over on the Jet, Haynes was edge to edge but not skiing very well and the Jet was edge to edge with alternating piles of soft between frozen groomer tracks. Thankfully, there was an irregular bump line under half of the lift line. Montrealer provided access to Northway and the run out trails. Turns could still be linked in Kitz Woods, but connections were sometimes challenging.
The snow was melting fast. I assume it will be Jet only next weekend. I am not sure if the machines will be able to push around enough snow for Jay to make it to May (unless they extend the weekend and stay open for Monday May 1, and then call it a season). It has been a strange season, but Jay still hangs tough to the bitter end while others call it quits. They have certainly earned my business for next season.