EdBacon

Most of the hill is pretty clear except for the steep part where the t-bar went up. That was pretty much full of briars and saplings.

Elevator looks good. Nice report. Sounds like things started to come together as the season went on up there, although all the snow will help with that.

Is there no Boulder Park this year? They (Vail) got rid of the BB Park social media accounts and their regular mountain account updates on practically nothing regarding conditions and park builds. Blue and BC have gone nuts on their parks this year. I haven't seen this level of activity around BC's parks in 15 years.

BB cuts a mini pipe every year. It's not full length, its like half length.

You too, man! It was nice to finally meet some the pasr crew.

It's like Vermont but without the drive.

Rock the Knob.

Planning on heading up again Saturday morning myself. Not long at all. Maybe 2 miles up.

Rad! So much stuff is open this year. Way to get at it!

One hour from NYC is Snow Bowl Ski Area. Opened in 1964 and closed in 1974 the area had a big three story lodge, tavern, two double chairs and snowmaking on 400 vertical feet. After the owners sold the area expansion plans were formed but warm winters and a fire that destroyed the lodge would result in the area's closure. Unique among lost areas is that Snow Bowl is still actively skied. Locals keep the liftlines and several trails open for gladed riding when conditions permit. If there is snow its a really fun place to bag turns.

Started from the Hamburg reservoir parking lot. Bunch of cars. Lots of folks walking their dogs and taking the AT up to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Hiked straight up the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society/cell tower access road. Not a hard hike at all. There was a solid boot pack about two feet wide the whole way up. Go of the boot pack and you sunk in to your knees. The entire rest of the road surface was deep powder for long stretches. Saw one set of tracks from somebody else with the same idea, and one guy came ripping down from the far side of the reservoir on my hike up. Way to get at it. Strapped in at the observatory then started down. Was a sweet run. Passed a couple groups of folks coming up. I waved. The pitch is really easy. If it were a groomed trail it would be a green "easiest way down" the mountain sort of trail. Could really lay into any big turns but still felt great to float on down for 800 vertical feet. Ate some Trader Joes blueberry fig newton bars then got back to the car. Up and down, including some time taking in the view at Pulpit Rock totaled 2 hours. Not bad at all. So far this year I've bagged three powder days, all hike-to and avoided resorts in the process. Will definitely be doing more hiking for turns in the future as it feels great, is free and you have pow practically to yourself.

Platty is like the old hippie of the group. Blue Knob is your friend from high school who randomly shows up at your place halfway through a bottle of Jack telling you he got tickets to see Metallica... the next state over so you gotta drive him *now* dude but its gonna be epic, just trust him. That said, the Knob is a great place. I hope it holds on. Fun fact: it used to be a USAF radar station for missile defense.

Dreamcatcher glades are a blast. Cathedral brook is overrated.

Debating going up there next weekend. No crowds? Their website says they aren't requiring ticket reservations.

I dropped my pants in the parking lot at platty some years ago. Was in the spring after a big storm but the sun came out and it warmed up turned the parking lot to mud. Backside was covered in brown all day. Good times.

What's worse than "on your last legs"?

Salty is gonna crush it. I'm waiting for him to report how he ripped all the slides including a new one.

Not if he's leaving tomorrow. Isn't this not stopping until Wednesday morning?

How the... heck are you gonna get up there in all this weather?

Out nearish Bear Creek. I figure by the time I can get out wherever I would want to go would be a madhouse or tickets are sold out. I might try hiking something instead.

How are the roads gonna be tmw? Dad says 2 feet on the ground in Berks Co.

Looks like you had fun skiing im gonna come.

Turn comments on.

It's the mountains, it shouldn't feel too built up. I don't like going somewhere and feeling like im in a strip mall parking lot. I mean, I know that's an exaggeration to a certain extent. I'm kinda just joking around here. Jay Peak, for instance, has a paved lot and a whole indoor water park circus thing at the bottom too. But I have to say that you can definitely get a feel for a mountain by hanging out in the parking lot. If a place is loved you see that reflected in the community of skiers, and you can find that expressed when folks are out tailgating or otherwise having a fun time. If there's a party atmosphere in the parking lot, you know the mountain is a good time. If everyone shuffles in and out like they're on a schedule, then maybe not. Best lots, in my experience are at Smuggs and Plattekill. Belleayre used to have a good tailgating scene too. Not sure now though. Jack Frost has/had a good one as well. edit: I can't speak for Blue's lot I haven't been in a while like 6 years

Were they 16 year old? Maybe I know them.