Category: February

2012-2013 Season, Black Mountain, February

Crossing Black Mountain, ME Off The List

Black Mountain, Maine

During my first drives to Saddleback, I would gaze west from Route 17 in Mexico and contemplate Black Mountain of Maine. I originally mistook it for a lost area, making a mental note to research the area for possible turn earning.

But the lifts have been spinning steadily at Black since 1935. More well known for hosting numerous high profile nordic championship events, the alpine portion of Black focuses on affordable family friendly skiing for local area residents.

The reason that the lifts still turn at Black Mountain is Maine Winter Sports Center’s financial support from the Libra Foundation. Without the financial support of the Libra Foundation, Black Mountain would not be able to offer its record low lift ticket price of $15.00 and sustain operations.

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...is AWESOME!!, 2012-2013 Season, February, Mount Abram, Powder Day

Abram is AWESOME!!

The Way Back Machine & Fractured Fairy Tales

Driving up the access road to Abram, it happened. The flood of endorphins. Arm hairs standing up a bit. An emotional reaction to a pile of rock topped by flora and frozen water under a blue bird sky. I knew there was still untracked powder on yonder trails a day after the powder day. Abram is a special place and I knew I was in for a good day.

After grabbing a seat on The Way Back Machine (man, I love that lift’s name and the area’s theme), I surveyed the snow conditions and I liked what I saw. I REALLY liked what I saw. Loose powder was everywhere and the edges of the trails had plenty of untracked. A day after the powder day.

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2012-2013 Season, Cannon Mountain, February, Middle Hard the Hard Way, Powder Day

Cannon: NE Wind FTW

After fierce deliberations during the evening prior, I decided to make a “driveway decision” in the morning. Seeing the winds on Mount Washington blowing only 40-50 MPH out of the northeast suggested that all lifts at Cannon would run and they did. Indeed, the Peabody Quad was as calm as I’ve ever seen it during a storm.

I would like to personally thank Deval Patrick for being a pussy. Otherwise, I would have feared the hoards of Massachusetts skiers heading north. Other options included four mid-sized ~1000′ areas that would have had snow and no crowds but not the same level of terrain. I’d say that I choose wisely.

Cannon reported a two day total of 16″ and that sounds about right. Six of those inches fell yesterday and the remainder fell last night. It snowed all day and they might have picked up another two inches this afternoon. Much deeper drifts could be found so while boot deep was the average, exploding knee deep was still plentiful.

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2012-2013 Season, Burke, February

Groomer Ripping at Burke

Wind Tower at the Top of Big DipperToday was like skiing in late November with four times as much open terrain. But despite that factual description, I can’t entertain any negative thoughts about today. If anything, I was surprised how good the skiing was despite two weeks of thaws including the worst January blow torch that I have ever witnessed.

Even if the groomer ripping wasn’t fun (it was), I was just happy to be skiing after twelve straight 12-15 hour work days sans any break to speak of. I’m past the hump of my work cycle and I’m ready for winter. And even if winter isn’t ready for me, I’m happy just to be making turns.

Burke had four distinctive routes from the mid-Burke Express. Willoughby was the icy hard pack that I had expected. Chute to Bear Den was marginally better. Upper Warren’s was an improvement; solid and edgable, firm but not hard packed. Upper Dipper had the best snow due to snow making efforts. Skier’s left had enjoyable soft and chalky man made snow forming irregular bumps and obstacles.

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2011-2012 Season, February, NE Ski Blogger Summit, Wildcat

NSBS Day 3: Wildcat

Pat on Lynx Lair

Our Northern New Hampshire ski safari continued today at Wildcat Mountain. Before booting up, we made a stop at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and partook in a scrumptious breakfast buffet. All the classics were skied including top to bottom runs down Wildcat, Lynx, and a nonstop Polecat. Conditions were a respectable packed powder with the rare pocket of left over powder.

The highlight of my day was finally skiing Wildcat’s sidecountry which had somehow eluded me for years. The trees reminded me of Cannon’s tight and steep longer lines, I was in my element. Though after four previous days of skiing, my legs did not allow me to do the shot justice. Despite my lack luster turns, I found the descent exhilarating. I definitely need to make some time for more exploration.

Wildcat is an interesting mountain to juxtapose against my home mountain, Cannon. Both mountains are rich in history and date back to the original New England CCC race trails. While both mountains have expanded the original trail widths and added new trails, Wildcat’s trails retain far more curves than all but a few of Cannon’s trails. I enjoyed cruising around those classic bends again.

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