Leaderboard

Afternoon skin. Went to the top of Madonna II lift. Ugly enough that I skied about 300 yards hitting bottom about 25% of the time, next 100 or so was link 2 turns, side step for a bit, repeat. Last 100 or so I toted the skis down. If I was 130 lbs or if the trails were golf course fairways, it was skiable to the bottom of Madonna I lift. Legs felt great, lungs pretty good. I'm burning the Cochise's. Diagnosis: terminal slop.

LIFTS INSPECTED!

As always, I started off the morning with grand expectations of getting to the mountain at opening, which is currently 9 AM. Unfortunately, I slept like garbage, so I slept in until about 8 AM. I wasn’t too concerned, because I knew that it would be busy due to the holiday, that lines would decrease throughout the day, and that the storm would begin around noon, so conditions would ultimately be refreshed. I may be in the minority with this statement, but I would rather have slightly worse conditions than wait in a lift line to get fresh cord first thing in the morning. After snagging a coffee at our local market, I drove down to Killington and arrived in the parking lot at 10:30. Flurries were in the air and the temperature hovered around 28 degrees. All early season base operations are still out of the K-1 base lodge, but due to the construction of the new base lodge in front of the old one, a good chunk of the parking lot there is inaccessible and you can’t drive up the main road. I parked just off the access road on Vale road where there were shuttles waiting to shuttle us up to the base. Since the ticket booth is in the front of the old lodge, which is currently blocked by new construction, Killington setup a temporary ticket booth and stairs just below the new gondola cabin storage garage with a very nicely paved walkway all the way around it to the now heated K-1 Gondola lift corral. They really went above and beyond to make the temporary experience enjoyable. Since I already had a One Pass (Killington’s RFID card), I reloaded it online the night before and went straight to the lift. The K-1 lift corral was about halfway full, but I hopped in the singles line, and there were only about 15 people in front of me. Unfortunately, this happened to coincide with the same time they decided to remove a cabin from the haul cable, so the gondola was stopped, and the entire corral filled up behind me. After a ten minute wait, the gondola started back up and I was finally able to get through the gate. I was a little wary since it was the first time I had ever reloaded a lift ticket online, but I went right through without any issues. After unloading the gondola, I checked the thermometer at the peak, and it also registered 28 degrees. There was snowmaking ongoing at elevation, but it must have been about as marginal as it gets. There were intermittent snow showers and some freezing fog, so humidity had to be close to 100%. Killington was advertising 10 open trails today, but it is really only 5 distinctive trails at the top along with the Great Northern/Bunny Buster runout to the bottom. Downdraft was open, but since I didn’t walk around the unload at the top of the gondola, I missed it. Double Dipper was also open, but coverage was very shoddy and I didn’t want to beat my gear up unnecessarily. I mostly stuck to a combination of Rime, Reason, Upper East Fall, and Great Northern. I was pleasantly surprised that coverage was decent enough that they didn’t need guns on open terrain, which really helped visibility, since I’m sure the guns were running quite wet. Rime and Upper East fall had very similar conditions. Slick down the middle, but tons of packed powder on the side with some small bumps. Reason is the new Woodward park and looked to have a great setup. There were tons of jibhonks. I usually don’t mind, but the bottom feature is basically at the intersection of Great Northern/Upper East Fall/Reason, so there were tons of jibhonks blocking the trail off the gondola so they could watch their buddies hit the last feature. Great Northern/Bunny Buster was probably the best run of the day. It’s the widest trail, is slightly flatter, and it has the freshest snow, so it had the best conditions by far. I was pleasantly surprised that Killington made the unprecedented decision (since the World Cup started) to suspend snowmaking on Superstar to get t2b. They knew they could finish the course with the cold weather coming this week, and they have an extra week for course prep, so they went for it. Kudos to them. Overall, I mostly stayed at the top of the mountain off the brand spanking new North Ridge Quad. The singles line was basically ski on all day. I think I had to wait twice. Once was a line of 7 and once was a line of 3. I made the mistake around 1 PM of switching it up and going t2b, and despite the NRQ being ski on, the gondola was mayhem. The entire corral was full and the singles line was about 15 minutes long. After 6 more runs at the top, I asked a skier how the line was down at the bottom. He told me that it was only 5 minutes long, so I decided to go down again. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was no lift line and I was able to walk right on. I took two more runs up top and finished my day with another run to the bottom. Overall, I finished my day with 14 runs. 10 off the NRQ and 4 t2b. It was a great first day and my entire body is exhausted. My legs were really starting to feel it at the end. I really wanted run #15, but my turns weren’t crisp and I knew I was on the verge of pushing it too far. It started snowing in earnest around 1, but it only amounted to about an inch by the time I left. I would grade today as an overall B+. I have yet to have a bad early season day at Killington, and I’m glad that continued. I still think the North Ridge pod of trails is one of the best early season offerings in New England, especially if it’s not t2b. There is solid tree skiing, some good bump runs, and a good cruiser. I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow. As usual, pictures are below (I’m sure GSS skipped right to them):

some pow porn.

Guns should be shutting off shortly. It doesn’t look like much production on Vista but a solid start. I’m anxious to see the whales on main. What a great start to the season for their first go at blowing snow! Getting excited to be back at Blue!

Authority is always the worst offender

Had a late morning PT appt so couldn’t get up to Eldora for opening as I usually do. The canyon has been under construction for a long while and is supposed to continue until next summer. Mon-Thurs full closure 10-2. Friday’s it’s open so I didn’t think anything about delays. 4 different flag men stops and it took me an extra 40 min to get there. Snow was in bad shape lots of wind and no additional snow had the trails that were opened all scoured and ice. Ended up only doing 4 runs since it was so crappy. I am almost sorry I got the Ikon Pass since I mostly got it for Eldora. But dealing with that canyon construction is a real pain in the ass. Once Mary Jane opens I may start going up there more since it would only take an extra 30 min from my new Eldora commute time. Looks dry here for a while. We need a freshening up of snow. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I will easily kill a full pot of coffee at home. This is what my next job will be like. go for 8-10 hrs, work, go home and forget about the job. I think something like stocking shelves at the Giant. The after work phone calls, emails and texts are getting less and less glamorous every day. I work with too many people that think nothing about picking up the phone to call me on a Saturday that i have off. I try really hard not to do that to other people. every once and a while you just need to check out from work for a while.

Buy whole beans, good grinder, brew your own. Best flavor by far. Brown-tinged, flavorless water is all landfill-filling K-cups are good for.

the bar be ready to go!

Do you really think I forget passwords or anything.

Sidewinder will be opening!!!

Heck yeah! Skiing and beach in 24 hours sounds like a great plan.

Honestly I'd love for Blue to open before BB. would be epic if that happens.

You must really love your brother. I’m guessing he’s moms favorite since you always try to impress him.

100% no been there done that on BB.

we need more GoPro videos this year from you!

The Elk Facebook post says snowmaking to begin tonight....

Never been used (last years version). Size XL. Dropped 25+ lbs over off season. Even a belt is not helping me. $200 and they are yours

Fair enough. I'm not sure which is worse. Being a troll or failing at being a troll.

You don’t put anyone on ignore because you have FOMO.

BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!! I showed him my biz cards, a letter from a Houlihan's VP after he got a raving customer review about my service, some newspaper articles about opening my bar, and a picture of me in the Inky food section bartending in 1986. Addit: Pic from 1986 Inky at the same bar I bought 22 years later.

I'll be in the lot around 8. Let's go!!!

Conditions vary from week to week day to day and hour to hour. Steamboat has a nice pod off to the left that has some mad river glen esque natural terrain. I only skied steamboat for two days in early April 2014...you can handle most of the single blacks there’s. It’s not a very tough mountain. Upper right is a whole pod of light blue trails and one block called Huervos Rancheros lol

Yes

i just found the spot on google maps. @GrilledSteezeSandwich i remember when this happened but dont remember the story. did you just drive to where the snow was?

He’s an idiot. I’m not sure why it’s taking you so long to realize that.

Doug how would you feel if I constantly shit on stuff that you like on a public forum?

I’m guessing that means that Blue doesn’t condone earning your turns? It’s pretty common up here. Moe already got after it, and I know some peeps were getting face shots over at MRG. Talk about ruling with an iron fist... It’s also fairly common on mountains with snowmaking before they open for the season, in case someone was going to point out that discrepancy.

The millennial chick I hangout with always answers questions with,”I mean” this thread makes me want to drink.

sounds like an impromptu PASR night in Malvern

Looks like every night except Monday can snow making [emoji1694] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@GrilledSteezeSandwich and I had an intelligent and interesting conversation with @RajeevGuptaSucheeta a few months ago until @toast21602 said it was too stupid and locked the thread. Then @RajeevGuptaSucheeta disappeared never to be heard from again. One day I plan to make a pilgrimage to the Tobyhanna Dunkin Donuts to learn how they cook the donuts.

There was a poster that got really angry about that a few years ago. I can't remember their name but I don't think they posted much after that. Lol

Correct. How do you announce an announcement without actually announcing what that announcement is; or at least announcing that the announcement will be announced on a later date? That's some bullshit.

Well everybody around her is so generous and my allentown friends are the same..I might have to buy you another pack of beer nuts for you to eat some Tuesday night.

Ax throwing lanes? Medical marijuana dispensary in the tents? A fire pit & wood pile in each row?

I hear they are setting a date for a certain statue to be dedicated.

New clothes period. I only have one dress shirt. Anyway thanks Shadows for tagging me in this.

I thought she was Jenny from the block.

https://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Maker-Bitterness/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=asc_df_B0047BIWSK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167152462925&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15882564882144414506&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007336&hvtargid=pla-315571604316&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Chemex-Classic-Pour-over-Glass-Coffeemaker/dp/B000I1WP7W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=54480314525&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0J-y6pDU5QIVSVXTCh2mzwkYEAAYAiAAEgJBaPD_BwE&hvadid=274685171883&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9007336&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=14448633761903302896&hvtargid=kwd-295386693559&hydadcr=14856_10218897&keywords=chemex+pour+over+coffee+maker&qid=1572993360&sr=8-3

I think we will find a place for it, it shouldnt be that big of a deal as long as everybody does their part and helps out moving it from Blue to wherever. Arent you "in" with the people at your Hotel House? it should really only take up one parking spot.

Shut up and why do you only post at 1am. You’re the worst PASR. You only post this time of year and then dissapear during ski season..on ignore.

Ok.

Probably not

Man Salty loves when you say boner. Gets him excited for you.

It’s been fairly obvious. But that confirms it.

Nice have a blast...and post a report sometime before March. If you can get your ski patrol director to write you a letter I’m sure you can score free skiing at Killington.

Don't listen to anything he says. He's a mini-troll like Doug.