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Great plan! There are some local WWHSTA-types with flexible schedules, let me know when you want to come up.Quote:
Originally Posted by paulster2626
What a difference a week makes! Zero to hero. 17.25 cm (8.38 inches) of fresh fluff in my driveway this morning. Over knee deep breaking trail out to the bird feeder. Better dust off the skis.
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Hero to superhero. Picture is from this morning at my house. If you are thinking about to Limberlost, now is the time. Rumour has it that a couple of recon missions may go to Nickle Peak this weekend. If the radar has been accurate, it has been nuking there for three days straight with potentially redonkulous snow depths as a result.
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Great day at Blue. Snowmaking in full tilt across the whole place combined with steady flurries all day made for great turns start to finish. No lines, not many people out.
Rode the new snowboard in the morning with step-on bindings: total game-changer!
Skis in the afternoon to show the chairlift how it’s done.
Beers after. Service sucked but good times were still had.
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HA! Go to Jozos next time the girls there do a great job. Best snow of the year today fer sure.
It's been a few years but I had a burger at Jozo's that I still think about lol, it was way up there. Agreed with Johnny service was terrific. Place was rammed (New Years Eve) and the older "seen it all" vibes waitress was just a total pro.
Paulster any interesting beers there? I'm pretty out of the loop with their current offerings.
As we were leaving I said to my guys "I'm never coming here [to Northwinds] again." Service was piss poor in there - which I totally get if you're understaffed and busy but saw staff just chillin' by the bar looking at their phones together while we sat thirsty. Very annoying. Beers were actually quite underwhelming, and all tasted pretty much the same but 3 varieties (lager / weak pale ale / dark beer). Happy Hour special: $8 beer. Whoop-dee-doo!Quote:
Originally Posted by Thaleia
Went because my buddy was so excited about the skateboard flights - personally I made the observation that they really take over the table and are pretty cumbersome, and was labelled a party pooper. Then got an idea of my own for the ultimate flight vessel - construction to begin this weekend...
Then walking back to the car my buddy wanted to check out the Pepper Palace store and HOLY SHIT you've never seen someone so excited about hot sauces than my friend. Was actually pretty funny. I ended up buying a $14 bottle of BBQ sauce just because of his enthusiasm.
Blue Mountain conditions were great - no ice at all really, and although it's 1/2 open on the website it really feels like the entire place is open and only a few runs closed. They're all basically the same anyway.
Aww didn't realize that was Northwinds. Agreed their beer isn't too exciting. I've heard their food is decent, hope that was the case at least.
Great to hear the snow has improved. Hope to see some pics of the project when it's complete.
Glen Eden is in full effect. Been making snow 24/7 and there are PILES of it. No ice to speak of. Used the snowboard again and the Burton step-ons are a total game changer. Place was actually fun again! In a year or two I want to get a full telemark setup - wife’s gonna hate that one….
The “coffee crisp” hot beverage in the West Lodge is a 10/10. Get that if you go. Kids are talking about wanting to go there during the week now - great development in the Paulster household.
They are actually checking for lift tickets now, which is the first time I’ve seen this in 20+ years. Saw two teenagers get the boot.
All in all a good day at a shit hill.
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The Glen looks to be in good shape. Hope this weather doesn't cause any mayhem. When are they going to put a bar there? Might get to visit this season with one of my brothers and a nephew.
Managed to get up to Pinery for some winter camping over the weekend but we left early upon hearing Monday night and Tuesday's forecast. Got some bushwhacking skiing in as they got close to a foot of snow Saturday. Fun visit. The groomed trails were in great shape. The last twenty years have not been kind to that place for winter activities. Sigh.
London's local hill has been skiing decently since December 15th and hoping the next few days of rain don't cause any trail closures. Just checked the webcam and there are only a handful of peeps out. Think I'll put on the Goretex and get some runs in.
Props for the amount of winter camping you get in each year. I car camp plenty in fairer weather but winter camping is a bit hardcore for me.
Blue was great today. It rained the whole time we were there but the snow is holding up surprisingly well. We've got more rain coming but I'll take that as a hopeful sign. Snow was super carvey. Really fun and fast predictable snow. Nice to finally be able to go across the whole hill.
Few brown spots still, no ice at least. Thanks to the rain it was mostly walk on lifts.
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The bar:Quote:
Originally Posted by petey_
There is progress, but at a snail's pace. I first heard rumours of this being in the plans from one of the 'red coats' we got stuck on a chairlift with a couple years ago. Asked her if we could make a couple suggestions and she was all for it. Suggested a large snow pile at the bottom of the hill for kids to play on (every time I've seen this, kids are having the best time), and an outdoor licensed area (or inside too, I don't care but the atmosphere sucks ass) among other things.
I was told these suggestions would be passed along, but she also said she has seen plans for a bar and alcohol sales. I called her a liar but she promised me this is true. This year, there is a large pile of snow that kids are having fun sliding on. Go figure.
Last year on the end-of-season passholder survey they sent out, there was mention of whether or not I'd be interested in alcohol sales in some capacity. Checked yes, obviously - but I hope the teetotalers don't poke their heads out of the woodwork too much.
IMO the East Lodge has historical value and an already-built fireplace that could serve as the primary adult-oriented booze lounge. Just needs some sprucing up, and I'd even volunteer to go and help out but Glen Eden sucks at communication.
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The visit:
I would wait until the sun is shining, the ice is soft, and you can have a decent tailgate in the Northwest corner of the parking lot. There's picnic tables, a (gross) shitter, and nobody bothers you so full service as far as tailgate situations go. I find this to be more entertaining than the skiing, but we are all different.
Hope springs eternal for that bar.
Heavy rain and fog yesterday afternoon was meh and then I forgot my helmet this morning. Made a bunch of runs and called it quits before bad things happened.
A couple of pics from Pinery. Home sweet home and 'cross-country' skis that didn't quite fit in the tracks. Didn't shuffle in the track very long so as not to pee the regular skiers off.
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^^ Nice!
Blue's still skiing really well despite the weather. Some brown spots are getting pretty big and there was one run in the Orchard that really shouldn't have been open but overall it's decent.
Full on spring mashed potatoes today. Good fun had by all!! Looks like more of the same for tomorrow!9
Following link is about one of our locals. Stan. Stan loaned me a booklet that lists all the ski resorts in Ontario. Guessing from the late sixties or early seventies. Looks like more than one hundred. Likely more than half are now a distant memory. I'll post a couple of pages showing the sites. Mr. Multiglisse, wondering if you know about Echo Ridge Ski Club? South east of Kearney with a vertical drop of 900 feet. That would make it as possibly the biggest vert in Ontario. Anywho, link to Stan and pages below.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/londo...iing-1.7081385
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Props to Stan, he sounds like an awesome guy.
That's a very cool piece of history there, thanks for sharing that.
Echo Ridge was a small ski hill just outside of Kearney off Echo Ridge Road and there is no way it has 950' vert. Maybe 250 or 350 at best. And a t-bar. Telemark Dave and I skied it in the early 2000s before it fell prey to a shady developer who clear cut the hill, had big plans, than skipped town (short version). Here are some pics from back in the day:Quote:
Originally Posted by petey_
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If you are really curious, it is right about here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/i6BDYrvTsToenVNR7
And here is the topo, you can see the outlines of the original ski runs:
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Meters to feet mix up? Too good to be true I guess.
I know of a couple of lost ski resorts not listed in that booklet. How many more that they missed?
Worst conditions of the season yesterday. The sun finally came out after I left the hill but it was ugly with ice, dirt, ruts, lumps and business. Guns blew last night so maybe a better day today.
Hope that Limberlost panned out yesterday. Not sure if I'll get a chance to visit this season.
Glen Eden was actually kinda fun yesterday. Temp started at about -4, warmed up to 0 and full sun and zero wind. Was expecting ice and thin cover but the snow was really nice and almost no brown to be found!
To top it off it seemed like there was a race somewhere so the usual race kid mobs were gone, zero lift lines.
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You're welcome, they were all here in London.Quote:
Originally Posted by paulster2626
Found a strip of 'pow' this morning and lapped that for a while. Nice ice mist coating the trees. Should'a brought my camera. Rock hard where the guns didn't blow. Loving the sunshine and looks like a few more days of this stuff.
Well, Twigfest at Nickle Peak was postponed (likely won't happen) but I did get out in the back 40, which has similar conditions to Limberlost. You aren't missing anything:Quote:
Originally Posted by petey_
No chair photo, it is too slumpy. For the first time this ski season, I attached snow-sliding devices to my feet and slid on snow out in the backyard. Conditions were crusty but it was nice to be outside on a rare sunny day.
The Altai Hoks were the perfect choice for the conditions. Nothing tougher than a rental ski!
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Yes, I'm smiling.
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Secret Hill, for those in the know. A descent was not in the cards today.
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Def not a powder day.
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Moira was in a mellow mood after her unauthorized woodland run in the morning (30 minutes of unsupervised freedom in the forest at high speed. But she came back, 6 for 6 on that score).
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This gives you an idea of the snowpack in the Hinterlands.
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Not making much of a dent, even at 4 pm after a day of sunshine.
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^^^blech...
Nice day out in the sunny woods though. Lets hope for a 3-week winter late February.
Nice morning to get out. Sunshine and decent grooming with the snow they blew last night. Ladies day so it was pretty quiet because of a lack of school trips. Looking south-west from the top of the new hill.
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MM- Moira is a gorgeous pup!
Thanks, she is a great pet and definitely a good-looking dawg. She's a rescue from Attiwapiskat, way up north, and is likely a husky/GSD mix of some sort. She loves people and other dogs, our only (and big) challenge with her is a super-high prey drive combined with the fact that we live in the woods with lots of prey around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thaleia
I could use a pup like that in my backyard. The squirrels mock me as I try keeping them off the feeder. They are no longer as skttish when I pull out the slingshot. Sunflower seeds are not cheap eh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Multiglisse
Another fantastic morning with sunshine and great grooming. Replaced my liners and ditched the thick socks. Perfect!
Went for some Lunchtime Laps™️ today. Sunny and warm, no wind, no dirt showing, no lines, snow was excellent, as good as it gets as far as Glen Eden goes. I think 2°C is my new favourite temp.
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What is this thing strapped (stepped?) to my feet?
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Boler got this 'cool' machine last year and it makes 'snow' above freezing. Think little ice pellets and no sticky double eject kinda stuff. Was up on that hill the other day when it was 8 or 9c and it was happily keeping an area covered that normally has trouble avoiding the brown. Wind scoured and sun affected but holding up quite well. Might be the only one in Canada if not NA. Cost a few bucks but they got some assistance from the guv.
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Full on spring conditions for the past week at Blue. Good fun had by all.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/londo...ures-1.6661874
More info on the new tech at Boler.
Looks like the spring conditions are headed exit stage left soon. Can't happen soon enough Johnny P.
Agreed. Looks like we may get some snow this week. Calling 10-15 Thursday. Guns should be back on too.
2 or 3 cms from the 'storm'. Hoping some of youse guys got a refill. Umbrella weather on the way if truth be told.
Cross-country at Arrowhead next week might keep me from the mid winter doldrums.:smile:
4 inches in an hour this morning. Thank you Lake Huron for sending this gift.
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Damn! Good stuff Petey. Looks like maybe the wrong day to forget the goggles.
I haven't been out in weeks and am going a bit stir crazy, especially now that conditions have bounced back.
Now would be the time to visit Limberlost and other points north:. After an extended break, the snow chair is back in action. To be honest, the picnic table actually gives a better reading on the actual snowpack. The chair is all about the drama.
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The bit of rain there on Wednesday night knocked your snow pack down quite a bit. X-country at Arrowhead on Tuesday was so good. Wednesday was nice but waxing left a tad to be desired. Headed back next week with klister in hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Multiglisse
Boler was sweet this morning. Firm fading to soft. A few dirt patches which will likely be dealt with over night when the cold returns and the guns can regain some ground.
Probably best conditions of the year at GE on Saturday, which might be the last wintery day this season…
Snow guns blasting at -12, making what could be the best man made snow I’ve ever skied on. It was legit light and fluffy like 2” of pow. A strange yet welcome experience.
I also learned there is plans for a bar at the base. Liquor license is being reviewed (apparently this takes forever) and a 2-storey building is set for the west side, with a large 2nd floor patio and the whole deal. There’s a lot of people who drop kids for lessons there and then just sit around and wait, and they want to capitalize on this.
Anyway I took a photo. Was nicer than it looks here.
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Well, that was interesting. Was that the first thunderstorm in February, ever?
Hail and intense rain - can't be good for the ski hills... can't believe LAST winter is actually looking good compared to this one. What will next winter be like?
This sucks.
Yep Been hearing thunder for a couple hours now. Crazy.
XC skiing is done for the year, at least around here. What a crap year. Hope the hills survive. Tomorrow is more rain, next day is -2'C, then there's a bunch more above-freezing days (and nights) after that.
Yes, the new snow we got on Family Day weekend took a hard hit later that week. The crust is still there though, and in the "flash freeze warning" you have probably seen, we could get a bit of a refresh for the hardcore. WWHSTA is going ahead with the World Tele Day/BC Ski Fest at Limberlost on Saturday, conditions are guaranteed to be funky but it will be a nice day to be outside. Just outside of Huntsville, it is currently -2 C, very windy and snowing. This morning at 6 am it was raining, 10 C and the dog was hiding from the lightning and thunder. What a winter!Quote:
Originally Posted by petey_