tnt

One trail... I think we'll head back to hunter.

Maybe sunday in the catskills. Looks cold enough to blow Friday and Saturday night. Might be able to keep what they had alive.....

You know, that town Tannersville outside of Hunter looks pretty nice. Roxbury isn't bad. But otherwise, the catskills are pretty depressed. I really think for what the OP is looking for, southern VT is a much better weekend. Cruising greens and blues, then a nice slope side village or town to hang out after....seems more enjoyable to me.

Favorite trails based on specific days...... 1) Switchback after the only storm last season. The sunday after he snow. They left it un-groomed and it was awesome. 2) NM>DW - ditto. Skied this first and though it was perfect, but then we moved over to SB and that was even better. Oddly, that day, Barney's and Challenge bumps weren't great. IIRC, the snow just didn't stick around on those steeper parts. 3) Sidewinder - the only time I've even night skied at Blue. Had a bunch of kids with me, so I was off doing my own thing. There had been a little snow that day I think and I found that bike trail on the skier's right of the trail, then got involved with the lift line, and the skier's left little un-groomed section. Made for a fun run, especially under the lights. 4) Challenge years ago, on a spring day when they had the bump contest on that trail. Must be 8-9 years ago now. They let the whole trail bump up. Must have been a good season because the were huge, soft bumps. I was shocked to find a trail in that condition at the poconos. 5) Paradise some day when they were demo-ing telemark set ups. Only two runs I've even made on telemark skis. Had a blast. Never did it again though.

Hm. I'd think about Plattekill as much for the town of Roxbury as anything. Great skiing there, if there is snow, and great laid back feeling. But honestly, if you are going to spend a lot of time on greens and blues, I would make the drive to Okemo or Stratton. Much better, longer, more scenic cruisers. The fun of the Catskills IMO is, when there is snow, there is some legit advanced terrain and glade skiing that you won't find in the poconos. For groomed intermediate/beginier skiing, I suppose it's a little better, but not much. And you don't really have the nice mellow, but full service resort vibe of say Okemo.... Any deals on Jackson Gore at Okemo?

Where are you coming from?

We stayed in the new hotel in the summer a few years back. Pretty nice - always keep an eye out for an overnight deal in the winter, but hasn't come together yet.

Forecast is grim for next weekend.

Oldest daughter and I. Coming from central Jersey, 2 hr 45 min drive in the morning including one bathroom/coffee stop. Left at 6:40, on the chair at 10. Ticket line was out the door, but moved fast, lift lines were marginal. Like maybe 5 min. Three top trail sections all feeding into the same lower section. Tons of snow on those trails, temps, in the high 30's, resulting in spring corn on opening day.... Trails were crowded at times, but not terrible. By the end of the day the steepest top section - Cliff? - had super nice large moguls and the lower sections had some nice small bump sections. After a quick home-brought lunch, was basically ski-on to the lift. Had enough by 2 - 13-14 runs, something like that.... Drive home was 3 hrs. even. Great, great what to spend Black Friday. So glad we went. Would gladly pull the drive again to try that Hunter West area if it opens up this year.

Dang - not open till 3. Won't work for us. That would have been perfect. Still weighing the long drive to the catskills. Have fun everyone.

Nice work! What did you ski?

Belleayre just announced Friday opening. One trail at the top and a few beginner slopes at the bottom.

Jeez.... I'm gonna have to go to BB aren't I?

Nice report. Pics make it look pretty nice.... Snow Shark 4th picture down, cresting the surface on the right side.....

Seems to me Belleayre has a reasonable shot at announcing a Friday opening. Plenty cold up there right now, they have a fair amount of natural on the ground already, chance of snow thursday....showing rain friday though. Think I'm switching my mind set to a Sunday season opener, with the hopes of Bell. Not sure I want to drive three hours to hunter on Friday for one trail in the rain.

Gonna be that bad huh?

Any chance they shoot for this weekend? Get the 100 day clock ticking? Web cam has a big blob of ice on it, can't tell if they are blowing snow or not, but temps seem right.

Hey man! Hope everyone had a great year. Looking forward to ski season....maybe I'll finally meet you guys in person!

How long does it take for them to get Main Street open? I think I asked this last year...

Web cam this morning looks pretty promising, but the 5 day doesn't look great. Trying to start the season friday. Would love a drive to PA instead of NY.....we'll see! Better start than lat year no matter what happens....

That was a good day - My CB coupon was blacked out, so we headed to blue. Low crowds, great weather, bumps on challenge....But Main Stree bumps were the best I think.

How far is your drive to blue? I haven't been for like 25 years, but I don't think it's anything better than blue. If you are in reading, couldn't you be to Belleayre or Plattekill in under three? Both are better than blue IMO. Also, isn't there some place in central PA that claims lake effect snow, and the steepest trail in the east, or something like that?

Not the day I was there - Sunday after the big storm.

bumps on challenge? Nice.

You can get Heady Toppers at most bars in Stowe (not the matterhorn) but you just have to act fast to get some to take home... This! So great...