SKIING UNDER THE LIGHTS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT IN NEW YORK

Is there any better way to spend a Friday night than night skiing? I’m not sure there is, especially when there are some flurries in the air like there were tonight, and it’s downright cold, also like it was tonight. Okay, yes, there are probably better ways to spend a Friday night, but in my world, skiing under the lights is a pretty good way to start the weekend. My wife might not agree, but she understands… er, tolerates it.

The lodge at the base.

Looking up at the hill from the base.

Riding the T-Bar.

Looking down Main Slope.

I skied at Beartown Ski Area tonight, which is located just outside of Plattsburgh, New York. I’ve written about this ski area several times, but for those who may not be familiar with Beartown, it’s a non-profit hill with 150 ft. of vertical, a Poma, a T-Bar, a handful of downhill ski trails and a couple miles of cross-country ski trails. They were only spinning the T-Bar tonight, which provided access to essentially all the terrain, though some of the runs aren’t lit. As mentioned, it was pretty cold, and it’s only going to get colder, so the hill wasn’t very busy at all.

½ Pipe.

The actual half pipe.

North Slope.

Orchard.

Conditions were outstanding, with packed powder and powder everywhere, and plenty of fresh corduroy, thanks to the hill being quiet. I know it’s a small ski area, but you can get decent speed and some nice turns in, and I had a great time doing just that. My run of the day was probably Orchard, which doesn’t have lights, but the lights on the hill lit it up just enough for it to be skiable. I found it to be pretty fast (relative), and the run itself is fairly narrow, so it was an interesting run to ski at night without a ton of light.

Tomorrow is going to be a very cold day, and as such, a lot of ski areas have adjusted their operations in response. I’m still not sure where I’m skiing, though I have a few spots in mind. It’ll be a game-time decision.

Never Quit Skiing,

Lincoln