Stepping into Winter

I always look forward to the moment when I first step into the snow. It gives me a line on what to expect from the ski days ahead.

storm-skiing-at-gore
Storm Skiing

On Tuesday, I was surprised by what I found. That first step into the snow step was soft-ish, with just a hint of crunch. Ten inches of compressed snow remained from the last liquid event and it didn’t feel super saturated. Of course it was just above freezing.

Now, I know the Almaguin Highlands guys don’t ski the pipeline before it sets, but that’s not how we roll down here on Christian Hill. If it’s skiable we’ll hit it, consequences be damned.

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Going BIG at Tupper

Big Tupper has my full attention. Every time I pass it on the road to school at St. Lawrence University, the mountain reminds me of that amazing day I had there in February of 2014.

big-tupper-view

It was the first day they’d opened Chair 3 that season, and all of the terrain above Chair 2 was untouched. I had an absolute blast exploring this new, incredible and oh so Adirondacky terrain.

Since then, I’ve been itching to get back. But with a dismal winter last year and rampant rumors that Big Tupper wouldn’t be spinning lifts at all this year, my best hope was to earn turns after a storm.

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Gore Mtn and Ski Bowl Developments Summer 2016

During this 2016 offseason Gore has continued the move toward snowmaking efficiency and improved early season operations. At the same time nordic trails are being developed at Ski Bowl Park.

quicksilver-fan-gun

Sixty (60) new Ratnik Baby Snow Giants have been purchased to replace the aging fleet of Ratnik ground guns.

These guns are spec’d to produce at temperatures up to a wet bulb of 31 degrees, while using 40% less air versus a traditional Ratnik ground gun.

In addition five new fan gun receptacles and one fan new gun have been added on the East Side.

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