pinemind

Conditions were amazing that day! I was up for shop Demo Days and got to try about 10 pairs of skis. Packed powder everywhere (except the mogul trails). Cold though (12 degrees or so). Surprise winner in skis? K2 Obsethed, 105 mm underfoot. I am buying that ski next year as my East Coast ski (no, I'm not joking. Give it a try and read the reviews as well). Justin

I was at Elk today. It was all snow, all the time, and extremely heavy most of the time. I got there around 11:00 am and there was almost no one there. It was hard to see far in front of you at times. I knew the pine trees of Elk would help keep all that new snow on the trails with the heavy winds (it was pretty windy) and I was not disappointed. I think Elk was the right choice. I heard Blue got a mixture of sleet and freezing rain. However, onto the roads. Some of the worst driving conditions I've ever been in. Once you got past the Pocono tunnel going North, it just got heavier and heavier and very windy. And that was at around 10:00 am. On the way back (I left early to go to a Christmas party) around 1:00 pm, the local roads were atrocious with basically 1-lane open. I cringed when I saw cars coming the other way. What was most disappointing was the I-81 and Northeast Extension (North of Exit 38) snow clearing/sanding. I figured by 1:30 when I hit I-81 and eventually the Northeast Extension, they would have done something. But it was one lane mainly traveled and even that was sketchy. The left lane in some places was pretty much a death trap, even for those of us with AWD. Plus I got stuck behind 2 different plow patrols going 30 MPH. One of them was for at least 20 miles before they turned off. So, in short, a normal 2:45 hour drive to Elk took me 4:15 on the way back. All in all, a tremendous day at Elk. One of which that is very rare these days it seems. I wouldn't be surprised if they reported > 10" of snow upwards of 12". There was about 5" when I left the slopes at 12:30 and it was really coming down. Sorry no pictures. I was limited on time and wanted to get the most of my powder day. Peace, Justin

I'm in Atlanta right now on business. They won't be opening a resort anytime soon. The storm rolled through here at 60 - 65 degrees and heavy rain. I think I'll stick with PA weather :-). At least there are chances of snow. J

I haven't been to Camelback in about 8 years but I may head up there on Saturday. Are there any sort of park features currently there amidst the spring conditions? Justin

I'll be up there around 7:30. Black helmet, brown jacket, white/brown plaid pants, Head Jon Olson Pro Model skis or B2's. Justin

Sorry guys, not going to be able to make it. Supposed to get out at 2 pm for Good Friday but we all know how that goes in the corporate world ... Plus I have to be in Old City for an early concert at the Tin Angel at 6:30 pm. Should be up at Blue tomorrow.

Anyone going to be up tomorrow afternoon? Weather looks great for spring riding. High 40's and Sunny. I'll be up there around 2 or 3 at the very latest and I'll be in BB or Cascade. White/brown plaid pants, brown jacket, Head Jon Olsonn hot swedish chick skis. Justin

My fault guys. I thought I was posting in the Bear Creek forum. I will be heading up to Bear tomorrow since it's only 40 min away and I have to be in Philly by 6:30 for a concert at the Tin Angel. I'm going to try and hit Blue on Saturday though.

Well, unfortunately, I have a 9 - 5 job so I can't be out there in the morning and I know that waiting until Saturday will prove futile. Post back a report and let me know if it's just a river flowing down the mountain or if there is actually some snow left :-). Justin

All, Well, after this deluge, it looks like Friday is the last clear day left before Bear closes. Saturday is supposed to be rain/snow with 42 as a high (so rain). None of my friends ski or board the park, so I'd like to meet up with some park skiers/boarders to see what we can thrown down in the slop. I get out of work early for Good Friday (how nice of them) and should be up there between 2 and 3 pm. Anybody planning on being up there? Peace, Justin

What's the Spring Fling coupon do? I was going to go up to Bear on Saturday but I was there on Sunday afternoon and boy, was it sloppy. If it's going to be spring conditions, I'd rather be at Blue.

It was pretty sloppy last night when I was there (~6:00 pm). I checked out timberline but I think it would be tough to get speed for a majority of those jumps. I had to bomb from the top of Black Bear to clear that second hit, left side (which is a nice jump btw, very wide ramp). We'll see how the weather treats us this week. I'd like to have one more decent, sunny spring park day before the end of the year (hopefully next Saturday). Last night I tried night skiing for a bit when it got dark but the conditions with the combination of the light just didn't work out too well. Oh well, gotta love the $5 shop employee ticket. Even if I get 5 runs it's still worth it. Peace, Justin

The guy was ripping on the park crew. There's plenty of other things to do on the mountain if 2 rails aren't perfect one day. It had nothing to do with jumps vs. rails.

Then go ride the actual mountain, or god forbid hit a jump. Rails, rails, rails.

Don't try and 'Fox News' my post, hehe. Read the first part. I was referring to the PE's although I didn't put my thoughts in the proper order. The PE's are really that heavy? I mean, I take my B2's in the park and spin 3's and 5's. They're like missles on each foot. I thought they were a pretty decent park ski. Or maybe specifically better for rails? I bought the B2's because their tail was turned up as much as my old Dynastar Concepts, so I could still ride and land fakie. But if I can get B2's around in the park with not much effort, I would think the PE's would be easy. If you have trouble spinning, I'd throw a pair of all-mountain skis on and master some 3's. Guarantee you'll be able to spin like crazy on any normal park ski after that. I know the Jon Olson Pro's are a cakewalk. Peace, J