2009-2010 Season, March, Smugglers Notch

Sensational Spring Skiing at Smuggs

“Discretion is the better part of valor.” A proverb I sagely doled out last week at Stowe in the climbing gully to a snowboarder that had never hiked the ridge before. And it was advice I was heeding myself Friday morning. Original plans called for a summit of Mount Washington and descent via a western facing gully that I have yet to ski. Exploring a new area solo when I did not have beta on snow conditions and feared possible wind and clouds blowing in later that day did not add up well in the risk assessment arena. Perhaps I was overly cautious in my decision making but I by passed the Route 3 exit and continued north en route to Smuggs.

A decision to go lift serviced on Friday could not possibly have gone wrong whereas a mishap was certainly a possibility with the alternative (though that is part of the sense of adventure!). I arrived at Smuggs shortly after 10:00 A.M. to find the snow still in the process of softening due to a hard freeze the night before. I took a warm up run on Sterling hitting the lower part of Exhibition under the lift where bumps were still rather firm. I tried to follow the sun and made my way over to Madonna 1 and skied down to the bumps under the Madonna 2 lift which were still firm and a little icy. I opted to take a short break and let the sun do its thing.

(more…)

2009-2010 Season, March, Sugarbush

Bumpapalooza East 2010 at Sugarbush

The MogulSkiing.net held Bumpapalooza East 2010 at Sugarbush this Saturday. Rave reviews of epic spring bumps on Friday yielded way to an overnight freeze and a generally cold and windy Saturday. Temperatures at the base were above freezing but the same could not be said for the temperatures at the Glen House. Winds had all summit lifts at Sugarbush off line though the GMX and Northridge were not effected.

The bumps started out hard, firm, and unforgiving. The groomers were much the same. After our first run, I began questioning the decision to drive five hours round trip for a bump day when temperatures were unlikely to soften the snow very much. But every run seemed to get better.

We cycled Lookin Good and Witch Way in the morning. Lookin Good never skied very well but Witch Way was significantly better every run as traffic loosened up the firm snow. At noontime, we stopped for lunch at the Glen House in hopes of things softening up after an hour break. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case as winds increased at lower elevations and temperatures remained stable at just barely above freezing at mid-mountain elevation.

After our lunch break, we began hammering Cliffs which was a little tricky on the first pitch but occasionally yielded very good lines on the lower two thirds of the trail. My preference was for the slightly lower angle bumps on Witch Way. During one excellent run down Witch Way, I could not suppress a huge toothy grin as I finally found my rhythm and a great line that I hammered quite well.

(more…)

2009-2010 Season, March, Stowe

Stowe

 

Having only skied Stowe nine times (and almost half of those being pre/post-operation earned turns), I had yet to take the full measure of the Mount Mansfield. Despite that short coming of first hand experience and personal knowledge, I have seen enough of the potential first hand and the online reports second hand to endorse Stowe as the best overall mountain in the East. I can now backup that endorsement through first hand experience following my tenth day there.

Spring sprung early in New England with perfect sugaring weather this weekend. While I hope spring retreats at least one last time (and hopefully more) before spring skiing overtakes winter skiing for the remainder of the season, I can not say that I did not enjoy the heck out of today.

After much back and forth trying to determine where would be the best location today given the weather and snow conditions, I made the last minute decision to ski Stowe after I was already on the road. Mom used to always ask me where I was going when taking my road bike out for a spin. “I’ll find out when I get there” was my usual response. Call it a life philosophy, haphazard circumstance style, a wink to determinism but with a tongue stuck out at the same time.

(more…)

2009-2010 Season, February, Magic Mountain, Powder Day

Powder & Crowds at Magic

The last week of February brought record snow fall to the Catskills of New York while leaving most of New England with moderate snow at best and rain at worst. After consulting the radar and weather reports, Magic seemed like the safest bet with the best combination of snow, lack of rain, and good terrain. I was not alone in coming to this conclusion as Magic Mountain saw record crowds and long lift lines.

I awoke extremely early to ensure I made first chair at 8:00 A.M. New snow was variable throughout the mountain. The base area picked up about two inches of very heavy wet snow. The upper mountain was densely powdery with about 4-6″ on the trails and 6-8″ in the woods. Most of the mountain skied great but the lower mountain got more and more manky as the day progressed. Groomer run outs on the lower mountain were the best option skiing back to the Red Chair.

(more…)

Gear

Blizzak WS-60

This post is dedicated to what may be the most important piece of gear any storm chasing powder hound should have in their quiver: good snow tires. Floating may be great in the powder, but not so much on the road. Your fat skis will keep you smiling on the hill but good snow tires will get you there and back.

Many a powder hound has extensively researched the best ski vehicle to suit their lifestyle. And while four wheel drive is great, four wheel drive without snow tires is inferior to two wheel drive with good snow tires. Of course, the ultimate in winter travel convenience is four wheel drive combined with snow tires. But four wheel drive is not a necessity for a New England powder hound.  Even an uber light weight two wheel drive vehicle like my 1999 Saturn SC2 coupe becomes a snow machine with the right set of tires. Ever since I began chasing storms, I have never had an accident nor gotten stuck nor missed first chair due to road conditions.

That being said, not all snow tires are created equally. In the past, I have used Copper Weathermasters and Michelin X-Ice2s and my significant other has had a set of Dunlops whose name escapes me. This season, due to my Michelin X-Ice2s wearing out faster than I had expected, I needed a new set of snow tires. And of course, everyone raves about the Blizzak WS-60.

(more…)