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Hey All, I’m back from another fun morning session at Blue mountain the true mountain. I arrived at the lower lot at 8450am and it was about 30 degrees out.. In the house were Atomic Jeff, Bethlehem ford guy, BenM, Johnny Law, C1er and many others. Took the quad and hit Razors edge which was the best of the season. The snow was grate, I’m sure better than yesterday’s frozen chicken wings but smooth and firm. I skied razors twice then to Switchback which was way better than expected for opening. Then to Main Street. It was basically chalky snow groomed to perfection. Main Street was the run of the day and I think I skied that three times total with various entry roots from Xing, Chute, Midway. The lines weren't bad since the quad and sixes were both running. In the lot it was in the mid to upper 30s which is mad goldilocks..not too warm, not too cold, just right, but a bit breezy today. Have a great weekend! JADIP

This is going to be a boring summary post. I was in Switzerland once in summer, and it's as beautiful in winter as I remember seeing it in July. Well, the lakes are perhaps less blue, there are no flowers, sheep or cows on the slopes, but the mountain scenery around Grindelwald is hard to beat. I'll definitely want to come back there again some time. Travel-wise, I loved the train access. For the three of us it ended up cheaper to go by train than to rent a car, and the convenience is hard to beat. On the night of departure it snowed hard, but all we had to worry about was how to drag our stuff over fresh snow 100m down to the train station. After that it's a comfy ride down to Interlaken where, chances are, there will be just rain. There are way too many ways to buy train tickets for my liking. Putting all discount cards aside (which I think are not worth getting for a single trip), one is still left with the choice of buying a Point to Point ticket, a Saver Day Pass or a Supersaver Ticket. The first one works on any train on a given day between the two destination, the Saver Day Pass works on a given day on just about any train except for some mountain trains, and Supersaver Ticket is a time- and route-specific discounted fare that works only on the trains departing at the specified time. The relative price of all tickets varies all the time, I didn't quite grasp the logic except that Saver Day Passes become gradually more expensive the closer you get to your travel dates. We ended up buying Saver Day Pass, to have the freedom of taking any route when we arrive and leave. sbb.ch (Web site and an App) is where we bought tickets, planned routes or checked live updates due to service disruptions or just because we ended up in the wrong place and now needed to take a different train. sbb.ch covers both trains and buses, lists departure time, platforms for trains, stops for buses, and bugs you on your way if there is a change coming soon. Between ZRH and Grindelwald there are at least two changes (one in Bern, one in Interlaken), but sometimes the app suggests jumping a train in Zurich or Spietz, saving a few minutes. We preferred a more relaxed, slower ride to hauling skis and bags one/two extra times. Typical connection time is 7-10 mins and for us it always involved going from platform to platform through a tunnel or via an overpass. Still, even overloaded with skis and luggage, this was manageable. Tickets were always checked in the trains between Zurich, Bern and Interlaken and were never checked between Interlaken and Grindelwald. The way how they do it is by scanning QR code in sbb.ch app, print-at-home paper ticket and then matching it you our ID, a US DL works just fine. As far as lodging is concerned, we were picking between a whole house near train station in Wilderswil (second station from Interlaken toward Grindelwald, about 20 mins by train to the nearest lift) and a spacious studio on the main street in Grindelwald, both costing about the same. Both options would actually provide reasonably convenient access, and trains in Jungrfau regions are free with a valid skipass, but Grindelwald is of course a nicer place to stay at, it has the atmosphere of a ski town, whereas Wilderswil is just a quiet residential area with a train station on the way up the mountains. Two thumbs up for staying in Grindelwald, one thumb up for Wilderswil. There are three access points for the slopes in Grindelwald: First - a separate ski area accessible by a gondola lift from the main street. You get there by walking or taking one of 4 buses (free, thanks to hotels and airbnb charging you 4.70 CHF tourist tax pp, pd). Terminal - a modern hub with 15-min lifts reaching Kleine Scheidegg and Mahnlichen. It's accessible by two buses and is a one train station, 3 min away from Grindelwald on the way down toward Interlaken. Kleine Scheidegg - half way between Grindelwald and Wengen, accessible by a separate train departing from Grindelwald station via Grund and going further up the mountain. Travel time 30mins, leaving every 30 mins. It's a nice trip, especially in summer. And we were the only passengers in our car when we took it to Kleine in early morning. Unfortunately we never got to the farthest Schilthorn/Murren area accessible from Lauterbrunnen, so I can't say much about it. Of those three that I've seen, I liked First the most. It's disconnected, requires an additional bus travel if you don't stay in Grindelwald and are arriving by train, hence less people, but enough trails of all kinds, and they were in far better condition than those at Kleine or Mahnlichen. Trails around Kleine are too narrow, crowded and scraped, especially in the afternoon. Same is true for the loooong trail that goes back along the train tracks to Grindelwald. Interestingly, the trail following the tracks in the opposite direction, i.e. from Kleine to Wengen is much quieter and hence pleasant. It actually makes a great loop, taking train/gondola from Grindelwald to Kleine, then taking long trail to Wengen (nice car-free town!), then lift up to Mahnlichen and skiing down to Grindelwald. Mahnlichen can be busy too, but it has more trails, they're wider, and people disperse nicely across the slopes. What works against Mahnlichen is that this the main place that Wengen people go to, and it's just a single gondola ride away. Snow was great there. Around our visit snow was in the forecast every day, but in reality it snowed about half the time. Up the mountain the coverage was 100%, and since most of the snow was fresh, it was easy to try going off-piste. IDK if it's a norm or we just got lucky, but I do know that e.g. in Dolomites, which are touted for having the most number of sunny days, and hence are a more reliable destination for a quick skiing trip, we once arrived to brown slopes with only man-made trails. As far as COVID is concerned, unless you have a EU vaccination certificate, Switzerland requires visitors to purchase a Swiss cert. It can be done by scanning US CDC card, uploading image to some ch website and paying 30 CHF. Once you do, it gets loaded in a Swiss Covid Cert App or can be downloaded/printed as a PDF. This certificate was scanned diligently in every restaurant on the slopes before allowing us in. Besides certificates one must also have a 24-hour antigen test or 72-hour PCR. It was an absolute nightmare getting tested around holidays in NJ, but on the way back the antigen test was done in the Terminal for 40 CHF pp, took about an hour to wait in line and get the results. Airlines in JFK asked for both test and vaccination, passport control in ZRH checked vaccination as well.

Razors was good ... but Main Street was butter. Main had the best snow on the hill. I do enjoy a good Midway -> Lower Main though when she's empty, and it was skiing great today. See everyone Sunday!

love a good raceway(widowmaker)>midway combo off of the dubs

Winter Storm Watch from MON 1:00 AM EST until TUE 1:00 AM EST 1 of 2 Action Recommended Make preparations per the instructions Issued By Burlington - VT, US, National Weather Service Affected Area All of northern New York and Vermont Description ...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM EST SATURDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT... WHAT...For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 30 to 45 below zero. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches possible across northern New York and portions of south-central Vermont, while 5 to 8 inches across the Champlain Valley and northern Vermont. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. WHERE...All of northern New York and Vermont.

Last night was pretty solid. One of my few night sessions but RAW is where it's at. Temps were super comfortable, the lines looked bad but went really fast and the snow was pretty great. Only got Coming Soon once but i was the only one on it at the time and really got to noodle around and enjoy it. Sat at a fire pit at the end of the night for a few minutes and it was actually lovely. Nice to look up at the mountain all lit up and those string lights and fire pits change the ambiance of the bottom lodge a lot

nm, dw, central park, switchback, yeti. anticipating challenge tomorrow

Maybe will keep crowds away?

The widowermaker midway lower main line is awesome once the other side opens and you can get a clear run with decent snow. The last little pitch of raceway into the roll over on midway always makes you want to check speed at least for a millisecond. Warm and the snow was so good on main and pretty good elsewhere. So nice to have switch back even if the snow was just ok. They even ran both chairs. Tomorrow is going to test the stiching on my clothing but this has been a very good stretch of snow for blue. Basically since it's gotten cold all they've done is open trails and within two or three days the snow has been quite good.

Another fun Thursday night, ski’d with Nastar Glenn, a few runs with Edge and Dirtwolf- I got to yell “Dirtwolf!!!” in the doubles line which always makes my night, beers with PSUFlyguy, schifdawg and skinancy! No Ridge sighting… Edit: Quad was running smooth all night until 8ish, I just assumed they shut it down? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hej! Zee lights were fabulous tonight. Got there around 6:30 with @Schif. I booted up while he drove, so headed straight for the 6 pack. Did 12 runs or so. coming soon was ungroomed but it was in good shape. Around the bend near paradise (and lazy mile) we’re gaggles of teenagers. no frozen chicken thighs on razors. So lapped it a bunch. genuinely surprised by the lack of ice and decent condition. Would definitely do raw again. Maybe in 2 weeks? While de-booting, Schif spotted Glen, @mbike-skiand @PSUFly. Head some beers and ikea festligt chips. ———— ⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars

Props to American Airlines...sent a complaint through regarding my experience and they credited me 12,500 miles which is enough for a one way easily...I think maybe a round trip. Pretty pleased with that.

Some scenery from the main street chair http://

thanks, i was wondering why.

Snow was decent last night, some spots were scraped off but can't really complain. One of the last turns on Burma was dark and icy which made for some chaos. Beers with Glenn, Mike, Schif, and Nancy to end the night.

What's that Seinfeld thing when your girl is arguing with your friend......Do I want to be right or see this girl naked again ? On principle I would say ski but I'm also addicted to titties so I can definitely understand the dilemma. Different strokes I say.....also I'll be there all days, peeps better sack up for Saturday

Looks like JF Dan didn't get a seat on that lift either

Can't believe this was only two years ago. @JFskiDan @AtomicSkier @mute1080 @Johnny Law

Sun came out about 10:30, and the wind coming up Razors moderated a little, but would still slow you down quite a bit. Left a little after 11, and still wasn’t crowded. Parking area near the ski patrol was roped off, apparently to allow buses to unload.

That's what he said and I don't have any reason not to believe him.

Seems like a huge waste of taxpayer dollars to treat the roads for a rain storm

The string lighting and fire pits definitely add a touch of class to the base area. No doubt

Sorry, we forgot you were here.

Quad started spinning later. At 8:30, the lifty on the 6er told us to go to Comet afterwards. They shut down the 6-pack and transitioned to the quad. Could it be because they’re short staffed?

Nightmare won’t have bumps, it will have a booter.

Important life skills. Without that I couldn't survive the Blue mountain parking lot

Lmao at you or anyone telling me what my wife "should be" doing and when my son's covid shot should be.

That was awesome

looks like sidewinder is getting some treatment? if so, i wonder how much of the snow isn't being blown into the woods and boy is it busy

Head to the Knob if you can!

Thanks. I modeled it after the best trip reporter PASR has.

Grate report, 9.5 out of 10. Since 8450 am isn't a real time I have deduct 0.5 points.

You're welcome at any time.

Thanks

So you're going somewhere?

You talk like a hillbilly

Yeah, right? I mean, a friend of mine is a die hard Cardboard Classic guy.....i told him in November there was no way, and WMMR should start looking somewhere else to have it. A common friend of ours who works at JF, (and drinks the Vail kool-aid everyday) said WMMR might have a contract for the event and Vail may have to honor it. To which i said I dont think Vail has any interest in Tubing, this is the first issue.

@saltyant titties talk. I trust you'll be wearing flip-flops.

It’s 27 years old and needs to be replaced soon.

Conditions are nice for the most part. Coming soon is excellent. Love these lights! What a difference a week makes

They taught you how to drink and that’s what’s important

Right now? Thinking about what a great husband she has. Thanks for asking.

lol i totally made up “frozen chicken thigh” as a snow type. It was larger than any cookie I’ve experience I’m heading up for some raw tonight

Yep. We'll have a 50% chance of knowing what will happen with this storm on Sunday morning.