SPRING SKIING IN DECEMBER AT WHITEFACE

This afternoon was a mild one on the mountain, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. It was a no face mask kind of day and I didn’t even wear a glove liner with my gloves. On top of that, the sun was out and the snow was just perfect. It was like an early spring day out there.

The view from Little Whiteface today.

They were spinning six lifts today. Wind was a concern, but there were no wind holds while I was there. They had 69 runs open. Nice. It wasn’t a busy afternoon on the mountain, and I often found myself alone on the trails, which is just how I like it. Most of the open groomers had been groomed, but some, such as Excelsior and Boreen, still had whales on them. I have no insider information, but I'm assuming they’re planning to push the whales this weekend after a rain storm comes through tonight and tomorrow morning.

Mountain Run.

Victoria.

Draper’s Drop.

The conditions were great this afternoon. The snow was kind of soft, but not so soft it was all mushed up everywhere. It was great for holding an edge. Some runs higher up had a firm spot or two, but nothing notable to me. My run of the day was probably Victoria. The center looked icy, so I stuck to the left on each pass through. I don’t know if the wind was blowing it there or what, but there was a lot of snow on the left side of the run. I also really enjoyed Upper Northway, the left side of Mountain Run and Draper’s Drop, which, while all carved up by racers, was nice to ski for the first time this season.

Upper Valley.

I prefer cold days to warm days like this, but one every now and then doesn’t hurt, especially when the snow is good and the sun is out. The rain storm coming tonight is going to impact conditions going in to the weekend, but I’m hopeful that the mountains in the East will get things turned around quickly. After all, there’s already a great base to work with and plenty of more cold and snow in the forecast.

Never Quit Skiing,

Lincoln