Category: February

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

NSBS Day 2: Attitash

Pat Rips a Groomer at Bear Peak

Perhaps I need to adjust The List parameters to include more than one visit. My first visit to Attitash, during the now defunct ASC regime, was less than impressive. But that visit was a free ski day during early season with only a quarter of the mountain open. I hardly gave Attitash a fair shake yet still relegated the mountain to the second tier of homogenized resorts. Today I dined on crow and it tasted great!

The morning began with a massive carboload buffet at the Grand Summit. A leisurely slope side start is an unusual luxury experience for this deal hunting day tripper. I can see the attraction of using a slopeside hotel as home base for several days of skiing. For simplicity and relaxing without worry during a ski trip, it is hard to beat. Sitting here totally disconnected from my world is a great feeling. Some people cruise to an island. This is my cruise–my island is a mountain.

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2011-2012 Season, Cannon Mountain, February, Middle Hard the Hard Way, NE Ski Blogger Summit

NSBS Day 1: Embracing Your Nature at Cannon

Harvey at Cannon

Over the years, I have questioned what exactly makes me love Cannon above all other ski areas. Today, the mountain presented us with all the reasons to dislike Cannon: cold temperatures, high winds, extensive hard pack, ice patches on natural trails, (very) thin coverage, and only 4-8″ in the past 72 hours compared to two to three feet (plus) in Northern Vermont.

These are the very reasons I love the mountain so much. Nothing is easy at Cannon, you get what you are given and you have to do something with it. You get out of the mountain what you put into it. The challenges and short comings make you a better skier, and they remind you when you’ve gotten a little too soft.

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2011-2012 Season, February, Mad River Glen, Powder Day

MRG: Boot to Knee Deep is Boot to Knee Deep

Harvey Scoring Powder on Cat Bowl

During a season in which one inch became the new one foot and six inches became the new boot deep, it was nice to finally get pinched into wakefulness: today book to knee deep was boot to knee deep.

Harvey hatched a plan to ski Mad River Glen en route to points further north. I couldn’t help but throw in despite knowing that meant committing to seven days of skiing in a row. Harvey’s passion and enthusiasm for skiing is infectious. To play tour guide during Harvey’s first trip to Mad River Glen was an honor I couldn’t pass up. And Harvey brings good luck with him to Vermont, both times we have hooked up in Vermont were surprise powder days.

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