Ride Delaware ?

Yes, they are turkeys. Snowgun in the background. Must have just missed them crossing the trail. I try to get over there every once in awhile as a change of pace. Although smaller and more compact, they have a decent mountain and some pretty good cruisers. I'll probably hit up the Loaf next week. Its nice having a pass to 3 pretty legit mountains.

I know you are all gearing up for your own seasons to begin now that BB and CB have set opening dates, but for a little extra stoke, I'll send another trip report your way. After hitting Sunday River for 10 days straight, mostly on the same terrain, I decided to switch it up a little, even if it is a smaller mountain, and head over to Loon for a few runs. I left Bethel a little later than I wanted at 7:25, but still made good time and arrived at Loon at around 8:45. Car thermometer read 26, and the guns were pumping. Suited up inside since they have cubby holes to store gear in, and headed over to the Gondola. There was a nice little line of about 30 people waiting for first chair, but it thinned out quickly, and there was no wait the rest of the day. Only other lift open was the HSQ that services Walking Boss etc on the Northernmost peak. Conditions were not as good as Sunday River has been. Lots of extreme hardpack, some boilerplate, and lots of very chundery granular. Seems like most of the snowmaking has gone towards expansion, and very little has gone toward resurfacing despite the warmup last weekend. Guns were going all day, even at the lower elevations where my car thermometer read 34 at 1 PM. Called it a day after 14 runs. Really good change of pace even though the conditions weren't the best. Pics below:

One day wait, two more runs? Might be worth the wait... Extra lift too?

Bear seems to have a tougher time opening year after year...

There are so many condos that it's really tough to single them out, especially since I haven't stayed in many of them. Is it two couples? I stayed in a one bedroom at Merrill Brook that had 2 sets of bunk beds, and was literally a 100 ft walk to the base lodge. I have also stayed at Fall Line and Sunrise in one bedrooms. All very nice, all very much ski on ski off. I believe there are two bedrooms. If your looking to stay cheaper, the Snow Cap Inn has standard hotel rooms and it is maybe a quarter mile from the White Cap base lodge.

I know I slacked off a bunch last year in writing trip report once I got to Maine, but I'll try to throw you guys a bone every once in awhile when I'm able to get pics and the such. Started work last Friday and finally got out for a legit free riding day today. Last year when I got to SR on the 29th we had 2 lifts with 12 trails, mostly thin cover, and very little snowmaking. Today we had 2 lifts, 21 trails, and snowmaking t2b 24/7. The change from last year to this year has been incredible. We are expecting another 2 lifts for sure this weekend with probably another 10 trails. Decided to go in early today, and hit the snow as soon as the lifts spun. Started out with 3 runs off the beginner terrain in South Ridge. Groomed granular with good coverage. Lots of snowmaking in the Jib Park and the magic carpet area. Snow guns were going on Lower Broadway and Whoville. Some good snow was blowing onto open terrain. Some was very sticky. Some nice snowmaking ridges to hop off of. Next I went to Barker to the other lift and got some news that Monday Mourning was the place to be. Ungroomed manmade yesterday turned into bumps that were then covered last night with more fresh manmade. Really good bump lines were forming. Hit that four times and then hit up Right Stuff, Sunday Punch, T2, and Cascades, which also had more manmade bumps overnight. Outside was really good. The whales themselves were a little wet and sticky. Went to Lazy River afterward. Upper was really good before you got to Risky Business which has guns running top to bottom. Most guns were a little wet and stuck to your goggles and skis. Some chunder also made it a little more challenging. I went back to South Ridge to tool around on some easier terrain while practicing some new stuff. Guns still going at 1:00 when I decided to call it a day. Overall I had a good day and rattled off a bunch of good runs. Took some pictures. The first one is my favorite that shows the snowmaking cloud. Pretty sick.

I knew they could do it... Congrats guys!!! I hope some of you can get out there...

No leaves on the trees... Still some blowing across the trail... Winter is here... Here... It will be there soon!!!

I believe once when I was a wee lad. Way back in the day... I could be confusing it with a different mountain though... You can be a douche if you want... I'm sure it's warranted lol

It would be much more tolerable if they had just Freedom open and were open in the AM. I know it doesn't make financial sense, so they open at 3 when all the JibHonks are done school, but if you could get some uncrowded morning runs, I think even that little but would be worth it... I bet things are starting to fill in nicely up there...

Whoa dude, that post is like two years old... Relax... I think we all realize that the weather is all over the place this time of year... I'm riding pretty much every day right now... No complaints... Not bitching either... I didn't mean to upset you... And there's some natural coming this week for you guys in PA... I hope you get something open so you can ski it... Or earn it...

I still think they can do it. Temps look decent and they have the firepower. While I still don't see CB opening this weekend, I wonder how much headway they made last night?

It was more of a joke than a serious suggestion. I was just saying that since DSL runs off the phone lines...

I wouldn't be surprised if BB has Boulder Park by Wednesday for their afternoon openings, with Freedom Park and a couple others by the weekend... Still no word from Blue?

I would imagine that with temps down in the teens, and a later starting snowmaking date than usual, BB will blow on more than just Boulder Park. I've seen that whole mountain lit up at once. If they get the temps, it's more than doable. As for CB, they may open a hike park next weekend, but they are pretty set on making an 8' base so they never have to blow there again for the rest of the season. A couple years ago they had a 5' base on their early season setup off the Sullivan, and waited an extra week. For them, the 7th is probably the day. I hope you guys get something going soon. I would imagine we will see some crazy expansion up here at SR next week, and that most NE ski resorts will be opening up next weekend if they haven't already.

That's good to hear!!! We are anticipating a quick expansion once this next cold front hits SR on Saturday... Just got off the mountain... Typical early season fun... Better than nothing!!! I hope BB has something for you guys by next weekend...

If the resort uses DSL, than maybe that's why KC hasn't chimed in... Anything from his favorite reputable newspaper?

Hunter, Windham, and Platekill have not started snowmaking in earnest. I'm not even sure they have tested the guns. Belleayre has started blowing on their typical early season setup above the lookout lodge. I haven't seen anything on opening, but unless the long range gets better, it's going to be tough for them to open anytime around T-Day...

Looks like plenty of options are going to be out there this weekend if you care to take a drive to get at it. Killington and Okemo are both open t2b with double digits trails. Stowe and Sugarbush will both be open t2b. Loon will be open with downloading. Bretton Woods will be open with limited terrain. Sunday River and Sugarloaf will both be open t2b. I think Jiminy will also be open. Still not a full contingent, but the gaps are getting slowly filled in. By Thanksgiving, that number should jump a little but more.

I was surprised to hear that knowing the BB is usually the early season mountain... I guess the word test clears up the confusion...

I'm definitely not worried. I'll be back on the snow working next Monday. Temps look good to keep the snow SR has made, if not expand the offerings. As I said before, temps are average and should continue to drop. Imagine that, I'm not worried about the lack of cold or open resorts. I just found out that Killington is t2b as of tomorrow and should be for the rest of the season. Snowdon lift won't be open tomorrow, but should be for Friday and Saturday. I would still take some runs off the K-1 t2b. Ticket prices are going to increase from $39 to $49 for the extra 800 ft of vert. That's definitely worth the cost in my book. IIRC, Jeff and GSS went for t2b opening weekend for $65 a couple years ago. And there won't be any crowds tomorrow. Winter is on it's way. It should be creeping southward anytime now...

I haven't taken a look back at the average temps for the pocono area, but I think the high temps are fairly in line with the long term averages. The lows are a little higher than normal. Temps for Blakeslee will be fairly consistent over the next 10 days, but only tonight through Friday seem to be good enough to blow any snow. With the lows being around freezing for the 7 days after that, I just don't see it being good enough for them to waste money on blowing snow. However, ski resorts don't always seem to do the most logical things early season. Temps look similar in NE, but higher elevation peaks should still be able to make snow at night and hopefully get the ball rolling on a decent Thanksgiving. Killington is right on the cusp of being t2b, and SR is already there. However, neither has beginner terrain available and will be looking to get to a different base area for beginner operations by T-Day. All of this seems to be the norm for the past couple years, so hopefully the Pokes will open up on a normal schedule in early December.

Is there some kind of retro thing going on at the mountain today?

See, it even has it's own type of tree snakes lol

A cemetery would be unorthodox, but I guess it would be similar to glades? Only GSS would think of that one... I may try to get some type of uphill setup for early and late season once I'm permanently at the Bush...