2011-2012 Summit/Eagle CO Ski Conditions, Roll Call and Stoke

[zartagen]

I can't stop eye-fucking the east-facing chutes off the terminated ridgeline of Red. Anyone know anything about those?

I skinned up there last February hoping to ski them, but the wind had made the snow rock hard and I didn't trust my edges on them, so we went back the way we came. They looked even more fun from up there. You could get a few laps if you wanted. The approach wasn't too bad, just long a long slog until treeline.

[fortysix&2]

I just want to state the obvious here in SuCo: THIS FUCKING BLOWS.

I feel better now, back to the park.

[shera]

I just want to state the obvious here in SuCo: THIS FUCKING BLOWS.

I feel better now, back to the park.

I'll be making PSIA turns the rest of the week, wish I had a fresh tune.

[montanaskier]

Vail and Beaver Creek are making the most of the situation with quite a bit open. Basically the front of Vail is open, the back won't be open til it snows several feet. Beaver Creek opened Larkspur today and I got some knee deep facets which were kinda fun. It's as bad as I've seen in my 5 winters in the valley. Everyone is in a bad mood and it generally stinks for business. Maybe, after the first of the year, shit will start to happen but I'm not holding my breath. What's on the ground now is a facet factory. Hut trip in early Jan, so it better snow or else I'm gonna drive to the hut.

[Poop~Ghost]

At this point you could drive to the hut in a lowered Honda Accord.

[PowTrees]

I've been to busy working to hear all the squeeky violins. It's not snowy, but it's not drought, we're just a little below normal. Remember how much we were spoiled last year, back to normal this year!

Tough Up~! Ya'll stay here long enough, you can experience a 10 or 20 year drought, which is really teh suck. Its sad, but I don't think many recent arrivals to Vail even know the meaning of "death before download"

[montanaskier]

PowTrees, it isn't the overall amount of snow that's fallen....it's when it fell. Of the total amount of snow that is on the ground on Vail Mtn....95% of that fell in October. Nobody is comparing this or any other year to last year....this year stands alone and the last 6 weeks have been uber dry. The only saving grace from an inbounds stand point is that it's been cold, thus saving the snow we got and letting them make a shit ton. The backcountry is a shit show of thin rotten facets. It just needs to snow, alot, and we need a cycle to flush this crap out and start over....but yeah, those groomers are great right now

[Lindahl]

Mushie was good today. All facets in the last third, but still a lot of fun.

[The SnowShow]

Front Range mtn biking was fun today ...

[PowTrees]

PowTrees, it isn't the overall amount of snow that's fallen....it's when it fell. Of the total amount of snow that is on the ground on Vail Mtn....95% of that fell in October. Nobody is comparing this or any other year to last year....this year stands alone and the last 6 weeks have been uber dry. The only saving grace from an inbounds stand point is that it's been cold, thus saving the snow we got and letting them make a shit ton. The backcountry is a shit show of thin rotten facets. It just needs to snow, alot, and we need a cycle to flush this crap out and start over....but yeah, those groomers are great right now

It was only like 2 weeks ago, it snowed 9" Sat-Sun. Maybe it's been mildly dry lately, but it's not full on drought, not even mild drought. Extreme drought for Vail is NOTHING, No precipitation can happen for months on end in the worst of years/times here.

Patrol has done a good job, spreading out openings, there's been soft snow. There have been years with less natural snow and only a few man-made snow covered runs open at this point in the year. I have plenty of memories hopping mud puddles at Beaver Creek in March also, but obviously hope that doesn't happen this year. Anyhow, I'll go find something to burn, would like it to snow more as much as anyone

[Lindahl]

Mantraskier and I got out to Mushroom Bowl on Saturday. We got less laps than expected, so no real porn shots. It was REALLY warm out. The skiing was really good. Of course, lots of facetting with decent unfaceted stuff in the top part, turning into pretty much 4'-5' of all sugar in the last third of our lines (still supportable and good skiing). I thought the western facing stuff skied better, even on the way back to 10, where there was an easy-skiing/fun breakable sun crust.

Up and over the wall.


Dreaming of a deep snowpack in the Gores.


Blank Canvas


On Sunday, I tried to get out to Mushroom again with Montanaskier, but he got called in for baby duty just before we headed down to 14. So instead, we ripped some groomers, some bumps, and hucked chair 4 proper a few times before he had to take off. Whoever's been putting that lame mini drop to traverse track through the landing zone needs to be shot. The chair 4 display was showing 42 degrees... crazy warm this weekend.

As many good days as I've had this year, it's sure been a struggle to round up partners. No one seems to be in the skiing mood yet. (Not targetted at you guys, but at all the other punters who aren't making it out, like PowTron... hah).

[PowTron]

No one seems to be in the skiing mood yet. (Not targetted at you guys, but at all the other punters who aren't making it out, like PowTron... hah).

I knew exactly who you were talking about . For the record, I totally destroyed Keystone on Saturday morning. It was super sick, gnar-gnar, brah-brah.

Last year's snow and my AK trip have ruined me. I just have no interest in hiking for crap snow at this point. HOWEVER, I will be forced to drive South after the next storm or two to start filming, so you will be getting called out if you don't join me...haha.

[SkiBall]

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/CO/Sno...pdate_snow.pdf

Wasn't this like 98% just a couple weeks ago?
FOL

[montanaskier]

sweet,,,,,69% of normal and that 60% fell 2 months ago.

[BDKeg]

69%, ouch. I am officially butthurt now and it looks like very little relief until January. The resort has gotten about 16 inches from Thanksgiving until now, almost a whole month...at least some of the backcountry has faired a bit better

[PowTrees]

I thought this was a really great perspective on the current weather:
http://summitcountyvoice.com/2011/12...oto-want-snow/

Really enjoying the Summit County Voice in general as well.

If you want to see the ugly on how dry it can get check out 2001-2002 at http://bestsnow.net/ The story this doesn't tell is that after April 2002, it barely if ever precipitated all summer. Basically, everything was extreme scary fire danger until the heavens opened up in the middle October 2002 and it dumped feet of snow. A-Basin closed in April 2002 with barely a WROD. (of course I'd rather never live through a summer with ash on my car every day again...)

Was anyone around 1993-1994? It looks pretty dry also.

[Goatski]

Vail does it again!

Thanks for 50 Great Years!
Vail will celebrate its 50th anniversary in December 2012, and today announced the planned installation of a new, state-of-the art gondola to replace the Vista Bahn Express Lift (#16) in Vail Village.

The new gondola, which will have the number “1” to commemorate Vail’s original gondola in that location, will provide a 40 percent improvement in uphill capacity over the existing Vista Bahn Express Lift (#16) – the highest of any gondola in North America. The state-of-the-art gondola, the first installation of its kind in North America, will offer new features, such as free Wi-Fi access for guests.

The new gondola will be located in the same location as the existing lift and will reach the same location at Mid-Vail. The gondola is a state-of-the-art lift replacing the technology of the existing high-speed quad lift that was installed in 1985, approximately 26 years ago, and reintroducing a gondola to Vail Village not experienced since the 1970s. The gondola is proposed to be installed in the spring and summer of 2012 and be operational for opening day of the 2012-2013 ski season, just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vail.

The base lift facility will be similar to the existing equipment but instead of chairs hanging from a cable, there will be gondola cabins. Unlike the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) in Lionshead, which is an enclosed facility, the new gondola will be an open air terminal.

The new gondola is subject to Town of Vail and U.S. Forest Service approval. Additional details on the design and approval of the proposed gondola will be available in the coming months.

Leading theory as to WHY: a way to get non-skiers to their new on-mountain restaurant. Total hassle to skiers & riders. If Vail was (still) a ski mountain the Gondi would take a new route to the ridge between 2 & 3, or have a mid-station at Mid-Vail & continue to PHQ.

We all know that Vail is no longer a mountain for skiing, just a backdrop for shopping. This proves it once again.

[PowTron]

^^^ WiFi in the fucking Gondola?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRR to you Vail.

[montanaskier]

PowTrees, you continue to think people are saying this is the most dry year ever.....nobody has said that. It has snowed about 15-20" since November 1st...that is all anyone is saying. We're bitching because the backcountry is junk. We're bitching because no end is in sight. Nobody cares where this dry start is in historical terms. It's not snowy and that is why people are bitching and will continue to be butthurt until the snow finally starts.

As for that Gondi...why in the hell does a Gondi need WiFi? Seriously, what is the reason? Phones get internet without having WiFi.....I don't understand. What good comes from increasing uphill capacity 40%? Chair 4 is a clusterfuck as it is.....Vail can't see the fucking forest for the trees. FAIL....not that anyone should be surprised.

[montanaskier]

their response to my question:

Hi Matt! In response to your wifi question - wifi access is much faster than most cell phone networks can provide. All the better for downloading and uploading new photos to send to friends And for your second point - here's a response from the thread below copied for you: To all those who are wondering why the gondola will take guests to Mid Vail: Chair 4 will likely be replaced in the not-too-distant future, adding more uphill capacity there (and faster access to those Back Bowls you know and love). The cost of an alignment to add a turn-station at Mid Vail and asking guests to take off skis/boards off each time they want to ride the length of Chair 4 (which is "lapped" much more often than the Vista Bahn) didn't make sense for that reason. Exciting times for Vail and a great 50th birthday present! We're thankful to have such engaged and faithful fans - thanks for all of your likes, shares, and comments about this exciting announcement!

I wonder if there is a point where skier density simply becomes too much.

[Goatski]

I feel sorry for the poor marketing intern, drunk on the Vail kool-aid, that has to bullshit us skiers in order to keep the stockholders "interests" protected.

Can't wait for that Chair 4 6-pack upgrade yipppeeeee

[montanaskier]

yeah, total BS. I just wish that somehow they would begin to focus on the quality of the product and the experience instead of # of skier visits.

[BDKeg]

yeah, total BS. I just wish that somehow they would begin to focus on the quality of the product and the experience instead of # of skier visits.

I would think that is the only way they can keep pass prices so low is volume, but you'd still have plenty of quality during the week without any crowds. What is with the Wifi in the gondola, that seems a bit much? I imagine it wouldn't be very expensive to implement, but still i would think it would get annoying to be a gondola full of jongs playing on their iphones.

[montanaskier]

the pass price is too low now....part of the problem

[Deep Days]

I had a 60-year-old rotund ER doctor at work today tell me, in response to my schotked-out claims that, "holy crap, I'm going skiing this weekend!":... "Be careful out there. There's no snow. Good luck with all that."

When old fat guys from SELA are singing the woes of low-snow years, that sounds like trouble. But I'm staying optimistic for a shift in the climate after the 1st of the year...