FRESH SNOW MAKES FOR A GREAT DAY SKIING WHITEFACE
With a few inches of fresh snow on the ground, and snow in the air, this afternoon was a treat at Whiteface. Numerous ropes dropped as a result of the new snow, and conditions were terrific. Plus, it wasn’t too busy, which is always nice on a day like today.
Lower Mackenzie.
The Wilmington Trail.
Whiteface reported four inches of new snow this morning, and the ski report indicated that the primary surface was wet snow. By the time I got there, the snow wasn’t too dense. That’s likely due to a mix of people skiing the trails, the temperature dropping throughout the day, and more new snow. The secondary surface was definitely firm in some areas, which makes sense, because it was pretty mild yesterday and then there was a freeze overnight. Fortunately, the firm areas didn’t matter much thanks to the new snow.
Upper Northway.
Upper Valley.
Brookside.
All of the lifts were spinning. It was pretty windy, so it was a long and cold ride on the upper mountain chairlifts. They started the day with 70 runs open, and ended with 84. There are a couple of glades that have re-opened, including Cloudsplitters and 10th Mountain Division. I thought the coverage was overall pretty good in Cloudsplitters, at least from where I entered. In 10th Mountain, I found myself having to watch for rocks, etc. a little more, but it was all easily avoidable.
Cloudsplitter Glade.
Upper Empire.
Powder on the left edge of Mountain Run.
Since it was windy, there were a lot of pockets of wind blown powder, and the edges of some runs were downright phenomenal. Mountain Run, Victoria, and the lower part of Upper Empire, were all amazing along their left edges. The snow was deep, light powder. I think my runs down these were some of my best this season at Whiteface in terms of snow.
With the thaw finally over, the snow guns are back on. The main areas I saw them making snow were on Parkway and the Mixing Bowl. I didn’t make it to all of the open runs this afternoon, so they could’ve been making snow elsewhere and I missed it.
Never Quit Skiing,
Lincoln