Plattekill’s Bumpin Blockbuster Mogul Competition

With record high temps gobbling up the snowpack in the northeast, several New York ski mountains chose to move their spring party events up to this past weekend. At Plattekill, the first annual Bumpin’ Blockbuster Mogul Competition was slated for St Patrick’s Day and in true Roxbury style, the event was festive family fun.

Beautiful day for Plattekill Mogul Competition.

We drove toward the mountains passing in and out of thick fog banks. Eventually the serene, temperature inverted morning soup relented and gave way to a day without clouds. When we arrived at the mountain at 10am, the parking lot was filling up on a bluebird day.

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Diamond Day at Plattekill

There’s an old adage in the ski business: lack of snow in backyards yields a lack of skiers on the slopes, even when conditions are good. But since almost no one has a backyard in the city, this season’s snowfall totals didn’t hurt attendance at The Diamond’s first annual Ugly Sweater Party and Caravan Trip to Plattekill Mountain.

Diamond Bar Brooklyn
The Diamond in Brooklyn NY

Despite disagreements about whether my own green fleece qualified for $2 “ugly” beers, the fete was an unqualified success. With Aspen Extreme on the projector and party-goers lining up for the shot-ski, we spent Saturday night getting “ready” for our ski trip in the morning.

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Gun Running at Plattekill

Late Saturday night, I sent Laszlo Vajtay, the CEO of Plattekill, a note: “Laz… I have a few hours tomorrow — should I come up? I need a steep trail lined with soft bumps.” His response: “Come to Plattekill.”

View from Plattekill Mountain Lodge.

As I made my way up the valley Sunday morning, I could see the snowmaking crew was going all out. Almost everything served by the triple was getting new snow, and coverage looked good. I was pumped.

I ran into Laszlo in the lodge, and he introduced me to the snowmaking chief, Macker, and some other Plattekill notables. Plattekill has a unique, relaxed feeling in the morning: it’s the only mountain I ski where I’m willing to socialize, while chairlifts are running. You have the feeling that the snow isn’t going anywhere.

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