Good weekend: More on the way?

This past weekend there were certain mountains that boasted their best conditions so far this season. Over the last week many of the resorts in the northern Green Mountains picked up snow totals measured in feet. The areas you should focus on are all a little bit further away, but if fresh snow is what you seek you will find it at the following: Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Smugglers Notch, Stowe and Sugarbush. Skiing is good, just in time for spring.

The snow was light and dry, the type often reserved for resorts out west. The winds have been moving it around, a lot. To find the goods pay attention to what is going on out there and head to the leeward sides of the trails and into the woods. There is still a ton to be had and more on the way.

Goat, all roped up – tons of snow!

The Weather: This week is a skiers dream. Temperatures should stay in the 20-30 degree range. Most sources are calling for intermittent periods of sunshine, but for the most part a chance of snow ever day up into the weekend ahead. It is a very safe bet that skiing will continue to improve. Keep your eyes on Snow Country to find out how your favorite area is fairing. Note: After my weekend report I have attached Jim Roemer’s outlook for Stowe.
Report: St. Patrick’s Day a fine weekend on the snow.
From our stronghold in Waterbury, VT the Guru’s ski crew made a powder day charge at Stowe. The conditions we found were absolutely stellar. There was fresh snow everywhere and even though some trails had ropes up, they were very skiable and ripe for the poaching. In fact, some of the best skiing on the mountain was found over on Chin Clip Friday. The trail was absolutely stuffed. Getting there was a bit dicey (a lot of wind scoured areas up top). Well worth the reward. The Sun actually came out for a few of our runs over there; otherwise it snowed all weekend on the mountain!
TB on Chin Clip in the sun

Friday night (St. Patrick’s Day) we did things right at the Matterhorn. A legend in its own right the ski bar did not disappoint on Irish Day. Surprise treat: Green Jello shots and free Guinness T shirts! The Matterhorn is the skiers ski bar. It has everything you could ask for. The menu: wood fired pizza all the way to sushi. The entertainment: bar sports (pool tables and foosball), a fireplace, and designated outdoor areas for smokers. Even more exciting is the live music and dance floor. The place is legit and a staple of the Stowe nightlife. A Ski Guru must hit stop.
Saturday out on the snow was a gem as well. I hit the slopes in the afternoon. Taking the morning slow and making myself a nice breakfast was just what the doctor ordered. I shook off the cobwebs and arrived at the main base area of Mount Mansfield around 1:00 in the afternoon. I walked up to the Quad only to find it was closed for the day. One of the employees told me that the main drive shaft broke. Ouch! I heard that it took over 45 minutes to unload everyone. They did get the lift turning (slowly) which beats an emergency evacuation any day of the season. People stuck on the lift were compensated with a voucher, and hey, if you had already been skiing all day that is not a very bad deal at all…
Follow up: The quad was repaired overnight and running at full speed without issues on Sunday. Cheers to the lift operations crew at the mountain ~ job well done!
So, it was the Lookout Double for me. I can honestly say I had never ridden the chair before. The new perspective the ride offered was very interesting and I stuck to the terrain around it for the entire afternoon. The trees between the chairlift and Star (trail) still had plenty of fresh lines. The wind had been working its magic. The snow on the trail underneath the lift was also in very good shape. Star skied beautifully both days. Temperatures also stayed cold enough that the condition of the snow was still top notch. It was a nice break from my normal routine at Stowe. I dig fixed grip lifts.
Snow galore and no one else in sight on Star

Covered Lifts: They entail gondolas, trams, and basically anything which protects you from the elements (why are you skiing?). These are great lifts when the weather turns from manageable to inhospitable. Personal preference is to ride the chairs. I like the fresh air and the ability to see and hear what is happening on the trails below. But for those first runs—on the coldest of days before the blood starts pumping—the covered lifts can be a lifesaver. Besides then, I try my best to stay away, unless I am skiing with enough friends that we are assured our own cabin.
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That Guy: Sometimes you will luck out. My friends had a ride this weekend with an individual who could not stop speaking for the entire 8 minutes. They are still chuckling. Here is what I got for the low down. Yes, this is second hand…(their names will remain anonymous to protect the innocent, and they are more than happy to be read)
BF and (the jacket) in the soft bumps

Quoted (TB): He had his dirt bike helmet on that had the visor taped on with electric tape. Through his goggles (looking) he said I like that jacket to AM, who was wearing BF’s jacket. He the talked about how great the jacket was with the yellow and gray dots down the sleeves and how he wanted a yellow jacket, but the jacket he bought was only $185 and will last him 5 years. From there he went straight into the bus trip he took up there with Ski Market (S.G. says totally legit) from Woburn. It only cost him $65 for the pass and the ride. The pass would have cost him $74 and the gas going 75 mph at 25 miles per gallon would have been even more. What a deal it was! He made it in three hours and the bus driver was only doing 75 mph because, he went up to check the speed. Then mentioned that the bus was not bad, and he had a friend with him which was unusual because “no one can ski at his ability.” From there went into the bus driver livelihood. Always surprised at how fast bus drivers – drive, normally 85, because if they get two tickets they will lose there license and that is there livelihood (true that). He also had pants on that were hospitals blue….
Quoted (AM): That pretty much covers it. His attire, his non stop, non-senseical chatter, his premier skiing abilities, and the common theme of great deals speaks volumes!
Quoted (MP): Fair to add that he had a black eye, which was suspicious. I think his right eye. He also mentioned something about going around a rotary in his car and the guy behind him got pulled over. He was acting as though he avoided the plague. An Extremely classic individual!
Quoted (TB): He did mention a rotary in MA… Has a speed limit of 25 mph, but everyone goes 45 mph. The other night he was on it and lights lit up behind him and he thought he was being pulled over but it was somebody else. He talked for 8 minutes straight!
Quoted (MP): Let’s not forget the other woman in the gondola, who was pretending to be on the phone because she was so uncomfortable…
Ski Guru Tip: Do not be that individual (or be that guy!). People will talk about you, it is human nature. We are all forced to ride a gondola at times. It can give you a captive audience and a license to speak. I have taken advantage of the situation myself. I am confident our friend will read this and be amused. The insight on skiing inexpensively is to invaluable not to mention. I am also from MA and can relate…
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All boarding: Spaceship Earth. Destination Snow.
Folks it looks like we have another great weekend of skiing in store for us. Attached below is Dr. Weather (Jim Roemer’s) report for Stowe. Read it and you will get the drift. Now is no time to put the skis away for the season. Best Conditions of the year at certain areas in Northern New England!
AM, making turns in the pow

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Courtesy of www.BestSkiWeather.com
ROEMER——–MARCH 20TH–STOWE
MORE LIGHT SNOW, COLDER TEMPS INTO NEXT WEEK MAKE FOR NICE SKI CONDITIONS HERE
The pattern change we mentioned would happen again last week has certainly happened with more than 20″ of snow the past week and more on the way. This pattern change occurred due to the return of the negative NAO over Iceland that has allowed low pressure aloft to remain in eastern Quebec. The relatively warm winter and warmer than normal lake temperatures add to the instability.
Unusually cool air for this time of the year will be with us most of this week helping to preserve the nice snow cover and extending the ski season. Winds will be gusty at times through Tuesday as more snow squalls off and on through mid-late week before drier weather and a return to slightly more normal temperatures.
WEATHER JUNKIE–
What a way to begin spring this week with off and on snow squalls and colder than normal temperatures helping to preserve snow cover. This enclosed map discusses the reason why. There is no organized storm system off the east coast but weak disturbances spinning in the upper atmosphere will bring us off and on light snow especially later Tuesday into Wednesday and early Thursday with several inches.
FORECAST—
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY–
Cloudy, below normal temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday with occasional snow squalls. I look for at least 3-5″ of snow during this period with a 60% chance for 5-8″ and a 35% chance for 8-12″ by Thursday morning. Temperatures a little warmer than what they will be the next two days, but remaining at least 4-7 degrees below normal with highs in the high 20’s to around 30 at the base and low 20’s on top
WEEKEND–
Still up in the air and hopefully you’ll be up on our slopes. Some models bring us another few inches of snow with colder than normal temps and others have some sunshine; either way, expect fine skiing given the recent snow and some of the better conditions of the last couple weeks.
NEXT WEEK—THROUGH MARCH 30TH
Temperatures remain below normal early with some snow showers and maybe some light accumulation about Monday before a slow warming trend with temps well into the 30’s by by mid or late week and slightly drier weather but nice skiing. Some models keep it even a little colder than that. We will see, for now, I see no prolonged big warm up but for readings during this period to average at least normal to slightly below normal.
picture from www.bestskiweather.com
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Shame on me! I almost forgot to mention the Ski Bum of the weekend award goes to this group. They were tailgating like a Patriots game was on the docket. Solid showing, hope the St. Patrick’s Day TURKEY
was tasty!
The tailgate crew!

That’s it for now.
Think Snow,
Photos ~ S.G. (unless otherwise noted)