Song Mountain: Surprise Jackpot

There’s something special about setting out on a ski road trip with no expectations other than spending quality time on the slopes. That’s exactly how Evan and I felt as we headed north from Ithaca, making our way to Song Mountain in Tully, NY, for the first time.

Song Mountain

With a string of recent weekends spent chasing powder and the mixed precipitation earlier in the week, we were prepared for mixed conditions. But winter had other plans, and we were in for an incredible surprise.

As we drove past Cortland, it was as if we crossed into a snow globe. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, the landscape transformed, coated in a fresh blanket of lake-effect snow.

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Another Big Mac Wednesday

My season has been a mix of things: handling my transition into retirement, managing the construction of our home and chasing NY lake effect snow. I was at it again last week, rolling over my 401k and scoring a powder day at McCauley.

Good morning

It’s weird being retired. It struck me again early last week when I realized the potential for another Big Mac Wednesday. McCauley is closed on Tuesdays, and if you pay attention, you can score some deep untracked from a two-day snowfall. I thought hell yea, I could be there. On Tuesday I drove to our camp in the Adirondacks, started a fire in the woodstove and skied our woods.

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Snow Ridge: Sap Line Saturday

I spent last week traveling for work. After 4 am wake ups, economy class seating and stuffy hotel rooms I wanted to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. When I left New York on Monday, another round of lake effect was rolling in off Ontario and the inches were stacking up on Tug Hill. I knew there was a place where the stashes would be deep and untouched come Saturday; the Snow Pocket.

snow-ridge-tbar

On weekends the old t-bar spins at 11, which gives me time to sleep in and still make it to the mountain for a few warm up laps. I made my way up the Ridge Runner chair a little after 10, time enough to take Keursteiner to The Pocket.

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