Elk 2/6

[RootDKJ]

Date(s) Skied: Feb 6 2011

 

Resort or Ski Area: Elk Mountain

 

Conditions: Super. Fast and firm in the morning, fast and soft in the afternoon.

 

Trip Report: At a street fair in October, I had entered my name in a contest for a free ski trip with the Watchung Area Ski Club. Well I won, and I decided that I'd go with them on a their trip to Elk Mountain, PA.

 

I've always wanted to go to Elk, but the drive makes it hard to justify. Since I'm not driving, why not? Turned out to be a great day.

 

I left home at 5:30 to the bus meet. I had a quick safety meeting in the parking lot, then went to go find the club president. After introducing myself, I took a seat on the bus. Once on the way, they started passing out plates and cups. Next thing I know, I've got a cup of coffee, an egg/ham steak burrito, bagel and banana. Stellar.

 

 

 

After getting booted up and waiting for the ski club folks to get assembled, we get ready to head up when AlpineZone's 4APrice comes and introduces himself to me. So we head up, and wait for the ski club up top. 1st run of the day was Delaware, which was really fast and nice, but I got separated from the ski club already. Waited up for them at the top and 4Aprice went to go see his kids race. Did Seneca from the cut-through by the fence which was nice and soft, 3"-4" of a firm new snow.

 

 

 

 

On the next ride up, I rode with the president of the ski club, and told him that I wanted to go check out the west side. The rest of the club decided "why not". So I did a few more runs with them but they were kinda slowing me down. Not that they weren't fast, but they have a redundant stop in their skiing habits, where they all wait up for each other and the bottom, and then re-assemble again once everyone gets to the top.

 

So I skied solo on the west side for a while and had such a great time. Conditions were firm and fast, perfect for carving rails all day. 4APrice found me again and we had an awesome time lapping the quad for a while after another safety meeting.

 

 

 

 

Liftlines were non-existant

 

Run of the day

 

4APrice

 

 

 

 

 

Bump skiers would have a field day here

 

In the afternoon, the sun came out and I think I even got some goggle tan. Things started to get softened up so I skied from 9:15 to 2:40 with out taking a lunch break. Total of 22 runs and 18802 vertical.

 

Once I got back to the lodge, I saw 4APrice again and he was good enough to buy me a beer while I was getting unbooted. Thanks again. I made a pit stop in the cafeteria got a burger to go for the ride home. I had such a good time, I wanted to stop at the store for a Elk sticker to vandalize my cargo box with. The girl behind the counter gave it to me for free! Wow.

 

Final safety meeting while walking back to the bus and then I spy:

 

But I don't care because I've got

 

Next thing I know, there's booze everywhere.

 

and Merlot, dried meats and cheese

 

This stuff is passed around for the 1st hour of the ride home. By this point, I've feeling pretty comfortably numb and decide I'm due for a nap. Got home in time to watch the Superbowl.

 

The Watchung Area Ski Club is a great group of people and they have some really talented skiers as well. It's just not the right match for me. Too much waiting around. The president even joked with me that their acronym is often reffered to as the Waiting Around Ski Club. That being said, they extended me an offer to go on their Elk trip next season and I intend to go.

[moe ghoul]

I think I gained 2 pounds reading this TR, lol. How'd you like Elk overall? Worthy of another trip this season?

[RootDKJ]

I think I gained 2 pounds reading this TR, lol. How'd you like Elk overall? Worthy of another trip this season?

 

Worthy, yes. Will it hit Elk again this year, doubtful. Loved Elk.

[rummy]

Glad you enjoyed Elk Root. Sorry I didn't get to meet you. It was your rib TR pictures that got me hooked on an Orion, I now have one at home and at the cabin at Elk. The bus trip looks like lots of fun. Next time back give me a shout and we'll take some runs together. Herm and I are non-stoppers. Was that your first time there?

[trackbiker]

Great report and pics. Glad you got to experience Elk. I was there on Friday; a blue sky day, great conditions and no crowds. Looks like they avoided the r@!n event Saturday. We went to ski Sno on Saturday but decided to pass due to the nonfrozen precipitation. That must have kept the crowds down at Elk.

I hate the stopping all the time too. I was having too much to fun on Friday and didn't realize until I left that I didn't take one picture.

[RootDKJ]

Glad you enjoyed Elk Root. Sorry I didn't get to meet you. It was your rib TR pictures that got me hooked on an Orion, I now have one at home and at the cabin at Elk. The bus trip looks like lots of fun. Next time back give me a shout and we'll take some runs together. Herm and I are non-stoppers. Was that your first time there?

 

Nice! Yeah, that was my 1st trip to Elk. I'll post up if I'm headed there again.

[Ride Delaware ?]

Awesome report!!! I love to see new people try out Elk and fall in love... The only downside to it is its location in respect to driving... From a bunch of places, it almost makes more sense to the catskillz... That being said, you usually wont find a place with lesser liftlines or a better ability to rebound quickly after adverse weather... They are dedicated to their snow conditions and usually blow well into March, even when they close the 3rd or 4th weekend out of the year... Hopefully I'll make it again this year...