Jay
For the record.
Category: March
Smuggs: Exploring
The snow forecast was a bust with barely an inch of fresh. But the forecast wasn’t for much more and I hadn’t planned on a powder day. Word on the ‘net was that Smuggs was solid packed powder despite not much new snow during the last two weeks. So I did as I do when the snow is packed and the powder has long since been tracked: I go exploring.
A Jay “Powder” Day
Early and late season powder days are usually my favorite of the season. Especially when almost all of New England is receiving a drenching rain. Shoulder season means fewer people. Rain in metro areas means even fewer still. After two shit springs, March finally delivered. But few stick around to enjoy the harvest.
After driving almost two hours through rain and upper 30 degree temperatures, I must admit to having my doubts. I passed through Jay village and began the ascent up 242 but the temperature was not dropping. The rain was not changing to snow. But when I opened my car door at the base area, sure enough, the precipitation was frozen.
Smuggs: Just for the Historical Record
I wasn’t feeling it today. The snow was wind blown and stripped. A little wind blown natural snow remained from the powder day two days ago. But for the most part, any remaining snow was blown clear of the mountain. The wind was fierce, the snow was wind blown packed, and I was feeling tired and uninspired. I packed it in after two runs due to exhaustion and fatigue. An entry just for the historical record if there ever was one.
Mansfield: Profanely Good & Devilishly Deep
After plans fell through for the weekend, I took Saturday off to rest and decided on Stowe for Sunday. I wasn’t expecting much. The storm was three days past and base temperatures on Saturday were above freezing. But I knew the ridge would have some great skiing regardless. So I set a late alarm. I woke up in no hurry and checked my phone for a weather update only to discover Stowe reported 4-8″ of new snow overnight. Lesson learned, never set a late alarm.
Between Stowe’s early lift openings and the 2.5 hour drive, first tracks were not going to happen (nor second or third for that matter). But that wasn’t why I was making the drive. I see no reason to ski Stowe unless I am going to hike the ridge and I figured (correctly) traffic up high would be limited.