ORDA’s Ski3 Opens Early

Opening weekend in New York is always a special time. After months of summer heat we anticipate autumn’s first frost. Skiers often get a first glimpse of the winter season once the resorts fire up their snow guns.

Whiteface view from the base

In a typical year, Whiteface works to open on Black Friday. While this fall hasn’t been exactly cold, the temperatures and humidity aligned this past week to allow each of the Ski3 mountains to start making snow on limited terrain.

Whiteface, the tallest of the three, opened up 1.3 miles of trail with 1,840’ of vertical that ran from the top of the Summit Quad from Riva Ridge down through Paron’s Run, over to Lower Northway and finally exiting off of Summit Express.

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Whiteface: Get It While You Can

I’m done talking about the weather this year. Social media proclaimed the season over. The warm up is here and the four horsemen of spring rapidly are approaching. If you’re going to complain when it’s bad then you better get it while it’s good.

hidden summit

As it happened the season wasn’t over, doomsday was averted as a large storm was rolling in last weekend. Forecasts favored northern and higher elevation peaks, so Farah and I set our sights for Whiteface.

On Saturday we headed up Route 28 to the Central Adirondack Trail. After passing through Old Forge, we turn north onto Route 30 at Blue Mountain Lake.

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Whiteface: Earning Opening Day

Thanksgiving is time to be appreciate, and gather with family to celebrate the approaching new year. For me, it’s also the start to one of the best times of the year: ski season. Shoppers are searching for the deals on Black Friday, skiers head to mountains with snow. Whiteface, Jay Peak, and Smuggler’s Notch to name a few.

tour start

Conditions are generally less than ideal in November, with most ski areas opening a handful of groomed trails for skiers of all abilities. This combination can feel chaotic to a reclusive skier, who’d rather seek solitude somewhere in the backcountry.

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