EAST COAST ROLL CALL #8 14/15 A NEW HOPE

[djspookman]

Structure fire at Ascutney's former base lodge right now too..

[djspookman]

Update on the Smuggs fire: Fire was in the OLD pump house, so it will not affect the day to day snowmaking operations!

[therudeness]

good news about smuggs!

[djspookman]

From Smuggs BookFace page:

"Our heartfelt thanks to fire departments from Cambridge, Jericho/Underhill, Fairfax, and Johnson for their quick response to a fire at a small utility building on our upper mountain last night. Additional thanks to Cambridge Rescue and VTrans, as well as our snowmaking, mountain operations and corporate development staff for their support. Under extremely difficult circumstances due to the weather, the fire was contained, and although the structure was a complete loss, there were no injuries, only property damage to a former pumphouse. Snowmaking will resume today. Phone service to the Base Lodge will be out for a matter of days, otherwise all operations should continue as usual."

[From_the_NEK]

Another fire. This time at the Ascutney base lodge.

Holy shit...

"Base lodge fully engulfed..."

http://www.thevermontstandard.com/20...rt-base-lodge/



Probably the final nail in the coffin for that resort.

[droppinloads]

-15.5` bob this am, the forecast 7-8" the last 2 days has produced 1 3/8" of windblown snow counting the latest inch. -22` summit = bush not opening upper mountain lifts for employee and guest safety.

By 4 o'clock at -8` with heavy NW wind it looked and felt like Tattoine



$30 Thursdays at Mt Ellen-12123

I believe you mean looked & felt like Hoth. Tatooine is a desert planet...

[east or bust]

I had nightmares about that pizza guy...

Seriously though..


A balmy 15 degrees in the garden state, last day of money making before the big grind. Pretty stoked I finally have a weekday to ski, Thursdays are going to be real nice.


Edit to add that really sucks about Ascutney.

[BigDaddy]

Bummer about the fires, but glad Smuggs was not their main snow making facility.

In the better news dept., I just ran some numbers with monthly snowfall averages for central VT (Killington) and the bottom line is we generally get another 175 inches of snow from this day forward.

Essentially 2.5 times what we have already gotten. Jan., Feb. and March are each usually over 50 inches. So chin up... winter is just getting started!

Will be getting off the Wii and skiing Kmart this weekend, then watching football... look for the pack of dentists. Any good suggestions for game(s) viewing?

[Rontele]

Another fire. This time at the Ascutney base lodge.

Holy shit...

"Base lodge fully engulfed..."

http://www.thevermontstandard.com/20...rt-base-lodge/



Probably the final nail in the coffin for that resort.

Hope this doesn't impact the VT50. One of the most fun bike races I have done.

[biggins]

Hope this doesn't impact the VT50. One of the most fun bike races I have done.

It won't, but it is devastating for the town of Browsville. They just purchased a huge parcel of land from the former resort owners that includes the mtb trails on old ski trails, some portion of the grid (I have only a cursory understanding of this one, water and power they pay to Windsor? Again, not sure) and the lodge. In my view, the lodge was a big component of service and marketing in terms of growing the STAB and providing Browsville with some taxable income. Brownsville is a woooooonderful town, but they have had next to zero business income since the resort shut down the lifts. I can only hope insurance was in place and they can afford to rebuild from the ground up.

Regardless, the VT50, the snowshoe fest and other such events will still bring people (if not much money) into that valley. Brownsville Store is a great spot btw, spend your dough there and try to be there first thing in the am when they make the doughnuts.

[Rontele]

It won't, but it is devastating for the town of Browsville. They just purchased a huge parcel of land from the former resort owners that includes the mtb trails on old ski trails, some portion of the grid (I have only a cursory understanding of this one, water and power they pay to Windsor? Again, not sure) and the lodge. In my view, the lodge was a big component of service and marketing in terms of growing the STAB and providing Browsville with some taxable income. Brownsville is a woooooonderful town, but they have had next to zero business income since the resort shut down the lifts. I can only hope insurance was in place and they can afford to rebuild from the ground up.

Regardless, the VT50, the snowshoe fest and other such events will still bring people (if not much money) into that valley. Brownsville Store is a great spot btw, spend your dough there and try to be there first thing in the am when they make the doughnuts.

It is a pretty special place. Missed out on the doughnuts the last time I was there.

[BigDaddy]

I know that was a big piece of the Ascutney infrastructure, but jesus, it was a fucking ugly relic of 70's architecture:



Hoping it was insured and they hire a new architect.

[biggins]

^^^Triple true. We actually got shown a house right on the trails that on paper was a steal. Turns out it was the original resort owner's house and it was a 70's ski-chic monstrosity. Apparently a theme for that guy. Still- awesome valley in need of a break, so here's hoping this doesn't set them back.

[Zadley91]

Just started a facebook group focused on touring the east... Stop by and share your gear, pics and trip reports from the backcountry. I can't post links yet but the group is already picking up some steam after a couple days, check it out... Backcountry Touring in the Northeast. If you want a link send me a PM.

[BigDaddy]

I know, and it's pretty classless of me to post that in light of the fact the embers are still hot... totally my bad.


I still have hope for that area as it is a good mountain with great access. They need some of that capital Burke and Jay are getting! Maybe this will make for the phoenix rising??

And maybe change Brownsville to Bronsonville?

[biggins]

This is no place for class damnit!

Ascutney Ski Resort ain't never comin' back it would seem. My hope is that the bike trails and some business at the bottom of the hill (rentals, bar, what-have-you) could really become something. Time will tell. In the meantime- NO MORE FIRES!

BD- we should meet up at Worth mtn. soon and bug those Addison county nerds again.

[clubhousebmx]

And maybe change Brownsville to Bronsonville?

Scrap the skiing and just call it brownpowville, will attract many mtbers. Tough for the town though, I still haven't been up to STAB yet need to change that this year.

[BigDaddy]

In case any of you youngsters are wondering why Bronsonville....

BD- we should meet up at Worth mtn. soon and bug those Addison county nerds again.

Definitely planning on poaching those secret clearings on Worth Mt. with you (and locals). I foresee a Spring brewfest ahead in the parking lot!

[Vt-Freeheel]

I believe you mean looked & felt like Hoth. Tatooine is a desert planet...

I realized that on my way to work as the temp kept dropping as I went down the hill. 9.9` and heavy winds right now.

The Brownsville area does not need another kick in the nuts, hope the outcome is positive.

Adding brownpow to the list of words that need to disappear.

[ex-powderbroker]

I realized that on my way to work as the temp kept dropping as I went down the hill. 9.9` and heavy winds right now.

I thought the master had just become the apprentice.

Thinking about taking a drive to Turin on Saturday.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I thought the master had just become the apprentice.

Thinking about taking a drive to Turin on Saturday.

Wouldn't it be cheaper [not to mention quicker] to fly out of LGA?

[ex-powderbroker]

Wouldn't it be cheaper [not to mention quicker] to fly out of LGA?

For some reason, a flight to Buffalo would cost $400.. Jeez, for that dough I'd pull a Benny and just go west.

But yeah, only a parsec or two to get there!

[Vt-Freeheel]

Gonna ad up quick [rollseyes] around here.

Detailed Forecast:

Tonight
Snow showers likely, mainly after 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 3. Wind chill values as low as -23. Windy, with a southwest wind 34 to 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday
Snow showers likely, mainly before 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -25. Very windy, with a southwest wind 36 to 41 mph decreasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday Night
A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -21. Windy, with a west wind 26 to 32 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday
A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 5. Wind chill values as low as -22. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 23 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. West wind 14 to 16 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

[lynchdogger]

^^^ Damn ... now that's being nickel an dimed! ml242, wish I could get away. Sounds fun and a great forecast! Get sum!

[danmelon]

Started this thread about a snowboard movie, thought you guys might like it:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...f-Snowboarding

Best thing on one plank I've seen since Ice Coast Kill Shit (actually a lot better though).

p.s. Rough news for Smuggs, vibes.

Thanks for posting. Super entertaining. It was nice to see the part with Ross Rebagliati. He's a Canadian hero. I was proud.