rummy

Don't laugh. Is a HSL really quicker? Both a HSL and a fixed grip chair are spaced to load/unload at 6 second intervals. That's 10 sets/minute and 600/hour (assuming no stops). My conclusion: on a completely goofy crowded day there's no difference, only more waiting in line. What really makes a difference is the actual number of seats heading to the top in a given hour. Follow?

Have fun but be careful out there. I've been reading reports on TGR of an in-boundary avalanche that killed a 54 year old in Sun Valley, and real hairy avys in Utah that closed both the LCC and BCC access and had Alta and Snowbird closed in a lot of places. Apparently this has been a terrible year for safe snow conditions all over.

2" rain and 58 this morn in Western Schuylkill Co. SUX

I skied Wed and was surprised to find really good conditions. The only ice was on the bump trails of Chippewa, Tunkhannock, and Mohawk. I did not find any ice on any other trail. Grooming was it's usual excellence, and the only snow-cone like frozen granular was in front of the lodge at the B and C lifts. Sky was overcast all day and temps were steady around 28. Two busloads of a NY ski club were the only sizeable crowd producers. Lines were non-existent. Beer was cold. MoeGouhl and his Dad were laughing it up in the bar.

Yes the snow was perfect on Sat. I'm sure Moe will update conditions on Tues after he gets there with his Dad. I'd expect the snow to be "semi-frozen cord" (another term) first thing in the AM, softening up by mid-morning warm up and skier use. And finishing the day as almost perfect "soft butter". HA

Checked out the weather report on the Elk website a couple times yesterday afternoon and evening,and they were saying Snow/mix. Checked out Union Dale total precip the last 24 hours, and the total was .47", so no big deal with the base they have Sounds like fun and your Dad will like the "half-way house" environment. I met Capt Dave the other weekend, now it's time to meet you! I'll be up Wed and a couple of friends are going to be hanging at the HW house, so I'll try to find you. If I miss you, you can always find me at the bar in the afternoon. We have reserved seats. Just ask for Stu and Herm.

The races are on Slalom and that is the only trail affected. The usual weekend crowds are there, no big change in lift lines etc. Most of the one or two times a year skiers are out on MLK and PD weekend. LOL this Sat, as we were quitting for the day, 10:45AM, there were peeps just coming in with rental skis and that exasperated look on their faces of "look at those lines". Ya gotta get there early, to beat the crowds. PS--The West Chair broke down on Sat afternoon and the lines got real bad on the two doubles in front of lodge.

Don't know what the set-up will be this year, but in the past, they had live entertainment and goodies by the "Coors Lite" girls in the bar starting around 4:00 PM. Coors Lite would spring for the band and maybe marketing $$ are tight this year.?? If you know a friendly distributor, you could probably get some freebie coupons, but the idea is to sell beer and get the coupon on the case. The beer store at the Convience Mart exit 206 (Elk Exit) has the coupons. I'll give a follow-up report on the entertainment after Wed.

How were the crowds?? WVIA day and Winterfest?

Just back too. Best conditions so far this year. That's why I'm an ELK-aholic! Asked some very reliable sources about expected crowds, etc on WVIA day this Thurs. and winterfest on Fri. They said both days are usually very busy. Thurs you see all kinds of old equiptment and goobers, and Fri., the first winterfest day, the crowds can be heavy but the caliber of skier is much better. So look for atypical weekday crowds.

Boy, this is late and not really what you're asking, but, between last Wed and Sun morning we had about 8" of powder at TLCITW. Conditions were great, and not too crowded. They opened Lehigh today, and that trail doesn't have snowmaking ,although it was on the leeward side of all this wind and probably got all the snow that fell the last couple of days. And upper and lower Seneca were open Sat. (I see upper Seneca was closed today, so it got skied off since then). I think they'll have all the mtn open by this weekend.

A minute ago, I spoke to my Bud who is spending the weekend in my LCITW (little cabin in the woods) about 1 mi from Elk. He said it didn't do much rain or snow yesterday, but he woke up to freezing rain and strong winds this morning. Not a lot of freezing rain but he said it's "NASTY", and is going to spend the day by the fire.

SHHHH!! Don't tell anyone...

Skied today with about 80 other people...Ski patrol said temp at opening...minus 17 wind chill, 6* without the wind. Conditions excellent, packed powder, all groomed corduroy. Slopes open, Delaware, Slalom, Susquehanna, Upper and Lower Tunk, Tioga, Tecumsah, Whissihickan. (all these are top to bottom runs) Additionally, East, West, Beginners, Little Foot Terrain Park, Hiawatha, Lackawanna and Tioga Spurs. No snow blowing during the day (snow crew day off?). Work on main T-park is supposed to start soon, with the possibility of opening next Tues, according to a park crewman. Beer was cold too.... Merry X-Mas!!!

There's a model predicting 18"-24" for most of the state this weekend. 18z NAM http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=215386&st=140 scroll down to post 146 then fall off your chair!!

Sorry, work calls... I'll be up Fri night for the weekend. Have fun at the "half-way" house. According to the bar-keep they had a plaque with the fellows name posted up last year, so I don't think that was the issue. I heard the family just wanted the mount back. Also the fireplace is gas/propane, as the chimney never worked properly for wood and would smoke out the restaurant when lit.

Just got back. Sorry I missed you Moe, I camped out in the lodge bar after loosening up my legs a bit. Conditions did get a bit better in the afternoon, but the snow was a lot more "chunky" than other opening days. A victim of the big temperature changeover. They were blowing at three spots all day-- the beginner terrain park, the Snowbowl by the quad lift, and I think Whissahickon out West. I think they'll have upper and lower Tunk, and the Lackawanna spur open by the weekend--maybe Whiss too. And the surface will be better after another couple of days of grooming. They actually had a fire going in the bar fireplace, first time in about 15 years, but the Elk head mount has been replaced by a picture over the mantle.

It's Official-- on the website -- under picture of the day. Wednesday 12/16/09 8:30-4:30

under the new picture of the day is the official announcement----Wed is opening day---8:30-4:30

Bumping this for SK and BLC Here's some info from last year on Elk accomodations. Moe ended up staying at Orazzis, and liked it if I remember correctly. Here are some more thoughts: Stone Bridge is closest and can be a romantic ($$$) getaway. 2 miles from Elk, also within spitting distance of my Little Cabin in The Woods. (you're invited) Candlelight Inn, best reasonable food in area with some rooms available, recently remodeled (5-6yrs ago). Nothing fancy, reasonable and 4 miles from Elk. Chet's Place. Home of the ultimate buzz, the locals hangout, cheap food and beer with pool table, Wed and Weekend entertainment. Nothing fancy but clean rooms cheap. 2 miles to Elk Wiffy Bog B&B, about 6 miles to Elk (on rt347), all I've ever heard has been good. Also check out Clark Smmit Area. Special deals, more restaurant choices etc. about 25 miles from Elk. Pretty sure all these places have web sites and give you a range of choices. Rummy

If you are a beer drinker, Elk and some local (Scranton area) beer distributors place a coupon for a $20. lift ticket on cases of either Miller or Coors light. Buy a case get a coupon. This was the practice for the last 5 yrs or so and I imagine they'll do it this year too. It usually starts early Jan and runs to the middle of March. There's a beer store at the Convenience Mart at the Elk exit off of 81 (206) that has the coupons. I'm guessing at the price, I can remember $10., and $15. coupons. They are usually the same price as the Wild Wednesday tickets to college ID holders. I think the coupons are only good on a Wednesday too. Melissa, drive about 40 mins. North of Sno and give Elk a try. If you come up on a Wed or the weekend, let me know and we'll give you a guided tour, and introduce you to the bartenders...

Go to www.accuweather.com and check out Henry Margusity's blog from yesterday (meteo madness). Lot's to smile about if it comes true.