snoskier

There is still a very small chance it could come together just right and we could see snow, but it looks like it will hit maine instead. Sugarloaf will probably to ok.

I think they are a doing a 4 for 50 deal for night skiing. 12.50 a ticket to ride a night session isn't bad, but I think you need to have 4 people and they have to be used the same day. I think they are also doing an xmas special of 3 night tickets for 60 or 3 day tickets for 90. I think you can use those any time. Those are some good deals.

Thanks man. Great spot.

I've got a pair of RS130's on order too. Very excited.

Assumption of risk comes to mind as a valid defense.

But that computer at the mountain still needs honest input.....

You ask a lot of questions and I'll try to break them out as best I can. The OEC class I took ran from the end of August until the start of October. Met a couple times a week then a test at the end. After the test every area handles your progression differently. At some you are a full patroller, others you have to shadow for a season and still others have additional classes. Generally all areas will give you additional training on how to handle injuries in the snow. Back-boarding is very different on flat ground vs a black diamond. OEC is basically teach the EMT program, without car accident extraction and hospital interaction, but you add wilderness management. You can take OEC anywhere, but mountains like for you to take it where you are going to patrol. If you have OEC and then come to another patrol you will likely have to demonstrate skills ect. / take the candidate class before becoming a patroller. E.g. if lived in Delaware, but were joining a patrol 2-3 hours north. I would tell you take it close to home liberty/roundtop. But talk to the patrol director where you want to patrol. Generally you will be affiliated with one patrol e.g. Blue mountain, camelback, Sno ect. You will be a member of that patrol first and NSP second. You have to pay dues to national ski patrol and your mountain dues. 75 a year total I think. However, you can't just join one patrol then patrol where ever you want. Every mountain has their own protocols and candidate programs. The big issue you will have is that most mountains want you to also work nights. Where I patrol over the course of the season you are free to choose what weekend days you work, but you must have an assigned weeknight. The exception is if your night is sat or sun. Then you come in at noon and work until ten. That satisfies your weekend and weeknight credits. I know other mountains assign you certain weekends e.g. you work both days every third Saturday & Sunday. I disagree with Johnny about the lack of skiing. You will have plenty of time to ski once you are a full patroller. I also doubt you will get stuck in the park b/c people get really hurt there and you need someone experienced. Bottomline, patrol is a lot of fun and if you have the time get the certifications you will really enjoy it. If you let us know what areas you are looking at might be able to give you some more insight.

Sick report. That looks like an awesome trip.

Respect.... If you're really thinking about a trip up read the reports for at least a couple weeks prior so you have some understanding of the condition history. If in doubt ask. Conditions change daily and will change throughout the day so you must be aware.

I'm trying to get up there, but my skiing partner has a conflict this weekend and next weekend doesn't look like good weather. Went last year and it was a blast.

You could ski on the NF till mid-april.

I think they are done. For the season.

26 inches plus here at snow. They didn't groom the north face! We are hitting knee deep shots on the trails and woods. Fresh tracks in the white woods. It's powder powder powder

I'll be up too... has been a fun time the last couple years.

There are still spots where the lighting isn't great, ahhhem whistler ahhhhem... but it has improved a lot. Actually haven't skied U/LFT or U/LRW at night so can't say as to those, but everything else is pretty good.

Agreed awesome conditions last night. Sweet sweet edgeable powder. Kicked up rooster tails the whole way down.

The dump is just a big snow or dirt covered field. It took me a year of skiing at Sno before I learned the big open field across the valley way a dump. At night the lights of Scranton are really nice. They view going to fasttrack is great.

Super jealous right now. You guys have it timed perfectly!

I echo the lights and trees. My guess is that any winter improvements are going to come after at least one full season of the water park in operation. I think once that is up and running they will take care of a lot of little things for a season then do something big.

Thanks for the report. During the day was certainly the time to go. I was up for the night and it set up and was a little stiff in places.

That would account for all the screaming coming from allentown! Very cool GSS!

I've been curious how ski areas "seed" moguls. If anyone can explain this I would appreciate it. I've looked only seen references to using cats, but never an explanation of how. Anyone?

I believe they do a 4 tickets for 40 dollars promotion on Family nights (sat/sunday nights). I think the scranton ski club has a good deal on tickets. Best thing to do is call up there and ask.

I was up. Got some nice runs in on east mountain. But the highlight was meeting Plake. Very very cool guy. Got an autographed poster that will be going up at my house! I also stayed for the movie which was really good too.

You are somewhat correct. Skiers left is unskiable and maybe, but it is a big maybe, there might be enough light to ski skiers right. At best you could cut in 1/2 way down and have enough light. I'm pretty sure that Sno closes the "glades" trail (off fast track) at night. I don't think you could identify one area that allows glade skiing at night. Skiing glades at night is a recipe for disaster. You have a low visibility condition where you may not see obstacles and if you're hurt you may not be seen by other skiers. The discussion between night and day skiing on white is totally different. From the OP it sounds like he was skiing them at night.