TR Jack Frost 3-4-08

[RidgeRacer]

steady rain at a ski area....not fun

skiing in wet, soggy clothes....definitely not fun

having the entire mountain to yourself on fast, wet snow PRICELESS!

 

Just back from a suprisingly nice outing at JF. I got to the lot maybe a bit before 11. The rain went from a spritz when I left my house 15 minutes earlier to a somewhat steady rainfall when I got to the mt. It was pretty much off and on (mostly on) the entire time. Obviously the place was empty as I may have seen 7 or 8 different people all day. I got my ticket and made my first run of the day down one park, which there was not one person on. The snow was a groomed, wet granular surface. It was soft but it was fast which was nice. After One I hit Thunderbolt. Here I noticed some thin / icy patches starting to surface. You could easily slide out if you turned on them at speed so I had to be careful.

 

After Thunderbolt I beared right past Challenege to East Mt. which is where I remained for the rest of the day since the Abstract lift was closed. River Shot was nice for high speed turns and Floyds had me bust out in laughter the couple of times I skied it due to how fast it was. I stayed on skiers left to avoid the ice and was making shorter turns than normal but was still able to get speed. I also hopped off the last headwall off of River Shot into the gully a few times which is still very skiable and still has plenty of snow. I did make a run on the upper portion of the Challenge glade which is a bit sticky and you have to turn closer to the trees to avoid bare spots and rock. I popped out and finished the run on the trail because it looked like it was taking a beating.

 

Over all a pretty awesome day today...I'm glad I went as I usually don't ski in the rain. I did cut it short after about 1 1/2 hours becuase I was drenched a thick fog started to roll and the rain started to come a bit harder.

Edited March 4, 2008 by PA Ridge Racer

[Robert2]

I just have to say WOW what a difference a day makes around here.

Yesterday I skied 4 hours with my daughter in slow speed sunny slush...... great for her ...first time on skis in 8 years.

I actually got sunburned. First time all winter.

Today we had wet ice everywhere.

ICE is NICE.

Hose is down with some water and even better.

Incredible speeds just not found in powder.

Give me Poconoe hardpack any day.

I snowboard on ice and ski when it gets soft so

doing laps again and again and again for 3 hours with

no lift lines is definitely my cup of tea.

Oh... and about the rain.... forget about soggy clothes.

Wear rain slickers and never get wet. Ever.

I go every day so I never let a little water stop me from

sliding down the hills.

Just think about it like a water park.

You wouldn't give up the ride just because you might get wet.

And the ride is still there.... even when it rains.