12/29/22 Elk

[abe]

It was a good day at Elk.  First ski day of the season for me and the closest I have got to Vermont since March. Freezing temperatures in the morning warmed up to 40s for a blue sunny day, but not too the point of too warm I don't think.  Snow surface softened up nicely on most of the trails and was quite good except for a few heavily trafficked or shaded spots.  Generally the trails got slicker again in the afternoon.  There is still natural snow cover in the area. I am not sure what conditions will look like later this week with the temperatures, they may or may not be able to blow tonight yet.

It was busy but lines were not bad at all especially after they started up the north double next to the quad to get all lifts spinning. Ski on north lifts, lodge side was a minute or two wait until after lunch.

Excellent snow surface for telemark skiing and there were a half dozen other guys I spotted.  I switched over to downhill at lunch to avoid the slicker spots later in the day and to rip some runs.  Also I did leg day tuesday for the first time in a while which was not a forward thinking move.

Tunkhannock - nice snow, icy patches, not quite bumped up yet but it was getting there

Lackawanna - ungroomed, bare spots, was somewhat icy

Seneca - ungroomec, bumps starting to appear, bare spots

Wyalusing - very good shape

Susquehanna - mint 👌

Slalom - good

Delaware - narrow spots got icy but it was regroomed mid day from like 2:30-3:30 and was pretty nice afterword

Tioga - slick, crowded 🎳

West slope - soft, nice condition

Lower tunkhannock/spurs - good soft surface

Wissahickon - crunchy but not too slick

Lenape - good shape in morning becoming icy in afternoon

 

Natural cover has been poached and there seems to have been attempts to make snow on the yet to be opened trails.  Terrain parks are not open.  The ticket printer by the north lifts is convenient even if you order on your phone while already there.  Just make sure you get the email because there is nowhere else with your qr code unless you talk to guest services...

Also it would be nice if you could ski back to the north side parking lot at closing time rather than taking the shuttle since patrol ropes it all off like half an hour before although I do understand they need to sweep it.

 

Edited December 30, 2022 by abe