This season Mother Nature has slowed us all down to some extent. But this week it wasn’t really the weather holding me back — I have Gore-tex hard shells, soft shells, and RAIN-X on my windshield. The real issue has been the hesitance of northeastern resorts to commit to all-in snowmaking in the face of a warm, wet forecast.
On Tuesday night, a quick surf of the web revealed that Windham was offering the greatest number of open expert trails in the Catskills. I hadn’t skied there in a few years, and wanted to get back to the hill.
I skated up to the Whirlwind Quad and said good morning to a welcoming liftie. There weren’t any lines and I was so jazzed to be skiing that I didn’t buckle my boots until I arrived at the top. Skiers were already making their way down, carving turns, and ripping.
After about 15-20K of vert, I started to follow a group of snowboard instructors down the hill. They had caught on to a tiny little rock band that I’d been hitting all morning, and I pulled up to catch them in action. One of the boarders, Eric, totally launched this thing. Watching talented snowboarders play on a mountain is a good time, and I’m sure that as an instructor he’s giving some valuable private lessons. I also had the pleasure of taking a few runs with Khafra, another instructor. Windham really has some nice staff, and I can see how they’ve made their name as a family destination.
I enjoyed the luxurious quality of the man-made snow at Windham, especially the upper section of Wolverine. But it was getting late and I had an appointment. After two slices at Zerega’s, I made the twenty minute drive to go see an old friend who lives right on the way home.
Hunter seemed a little busier than Windham, but it could have been the time of day. I arrived in the afternoon and saw skiers who seemed to be getting in an hour of turns after work. I ran into MogulJunkie, who’s a great skier and a friend of NYSkiBlog and the Catskills.
The snowboarders at Hunter were also doing their thing, jibbing off of everything and enjoying the afternoon light. Who could blame them? It was just a great day to be outside. MJ and I skied, shared the camera, people watched and took it all in.
In a colder year, the trail count would have been higher, but as they say, skiing beats working any day. And by skiing two great hills, Windham and Hunter, in one day, I doubled my trail count — an experience I won’t forget. Hopefully we’ll get some sustained cold weather and we can get on with the main event. Bring on winter.
Do you think there is any sense in driving up from New York to either mountain for skiing on Saturday? Thanks.
My best to MogulJunkie. I skied with him on a classic spring day at Belleayre in April 2007.
Anthony, the guns should be back on tonight so they should add to or resurface the trails. Conditions will probably be fast. I’m going to wait until next week to spend my ski bucks, but that’s only because I have the option. But there’s never a bad day on snow, right?
James – I’ve never seen Belleayre look so deep. Wish I was there… I remember being sick that weekend, I’d skied the previous few in the mad river valley and I don’t think I’ve ever been so mad at my body.
ml242 – As you say, never a bad day for snow, I’m going up Saturday. Thanks!
This is something I always wanted to do. Hunter and Windham are so close together. Great pictures and write up.
I dig this report. In my experience most ski days – like over 95% – are EASILY worth the effort. Brilliant use of a ski day.
Great skiing with you, Matt. Love the snowboard pic! James, been a few years. Hope to see you on the slopes again soon. That time we skied at Belleayre is one of my favorite all-time ski days, spring or otherwise.