Bristol Conditions

[Johnny V.]

Happy New Year! After a nice dinner and probably too much wine, we were slow getting there today. Got out about 10:15 to variable sun and cold conditions. Lot of cars in the lot, but slopes and lines weren't bad. A couple of icy patches, but mostly loose stuff on a hard base. The overnite snow always helps things although they got less than we did in the SE suburbs.

New trails: Upper and Lower Galaxy are open although you need to take the run at the base of Lower to get back to the main chair (fast and not a problem). On the back side Milky Way is open also. Guns on Outer Orbit,Morningstar, Lower Meteor, around the Galaxy chair (top and bottom) and Upper Northstar. Cut up fresh snow on both skiers left and right on Upper Galaxy and skiers right on Sunset made for a nice little bump playground-we were too late for the untracked.

Pond has a good amount of water even with all the guns going, so they should be able to get most of the hill open before the next warmup.

 

[Johnny V.]

Got there around 8:50. Locker room was crowded and lots of cars in the parking lot. Comet/Outer Orbit were closed in the AM for a high school GS camp followed by an afternoon race. Comet did open up around 1:00. With all the traffic there were icy spots, but enough loose snow could be found if you paid attention. We were there until around 2:30 watching our 13 year old granddaughter in her first GS race. Crowd really changes from morning to afternoon.

Looks like a good portion of the North side will be open tomorrow along with the Galaxy chair. Upper/Lower Galaxy opened yesterday and they are blowing snow on Polaris, Upper Northstar, Upper/Lower Universe and Lower Meteor along with big piles on Morningstar on the backside. Nice to see them taking advantage of the cold temps and finally decent water supply. The small amounts of natural have helped too. They should be in good shape for the warmup midweek. Still nice soft stuff on either side of Galaxy and skiers right on Sunset.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Nice to see Bristol now has 74% terrain open.

Not pleased about no snowmaking on lower Northstar yet while they are on Lower Universe. Lower universe is such a turd of a run for numerous reasons. Would prefer they put that snow on lower Northstar instead.

UPDATE: I'm told they are blowing snow on lower Northstar now. Nice!!!!

 

[Spencer]

Nice to see Bristol now has 74% terrain open.

Not pleased about no snowmaking on lower Northstar yet while they are on Lower Universe. Lower universe is such a turd of a run for numerous reasons. Would prefer they put that snow on lower Northstar instead.

UPDATE: I'm told they are blowing snow on lower Northstar now. Nice!!!!

Polaris, Upper / Lower Northstar is an excellent run, and probably some of the longest vertical drop on the hill.

I enjoy lower universe with natural snow, Some great fall lines and trees, skiers right especially. Makes sense it was opened first, it probably takes much less snow to get that open, and the bottom connector of lower Northstar runs through lower universe.

This year I have a 7 pack instead of a seasons pass. Haven’t cashed in a day yet. I find myself much more critical of bristol’s snowmaking when I have a finite number of days to use! My time is more focused on the magic carpet these days (Did you know there is a launching pad NORTH and SOUTH? Trail count!) with my future ski buddy, I hope.

It looks and reads as if the mountain is in great shape for January, hopefully the warm spell is not too damaging.

One thing I will never understand is their decision to close open trails for snowmaking (I.e Outer Orbit last week).

As a friend of mine says. If we ran this place, we would have one hell of a year. Then we would be broke.

Have fun out there all.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Agreed -- In my opinion Polaris, Upr/Lwr Northstar is by far the best run on the mountain.

Yes I'm sure lower universe takes way less snow to open. My gripe is that it's usually icy and that last steep section spits out traffic into a converging area. I've noticed it seems to be a bit of a hotspot for incidents. Anyway I'm pleased they were making snow on lower Northstar today.

Yeah I know what you mean about being selective. Since I now split a 12 pack with a friend I'm way more selective. I'm hoping to get out soon and hoping that warm up this week won't do too much damage.

I don't envy the operators of any ski area. Weather is a beast along with a lot of other logistics -- often beyond their control. But what they can control it seems Bristol often leaves customers scratching their heads and annoyed. I believe much more so than with other mountains. Perhaps it's due to lack of competition in a larger metro market?

It would be interesting if the ownership would go on The Storm Podcast, especially since Stu has hosted so many other large/small NY Operators. I wonder why they haven't yet?

 

[Johnny V.]

Today's report: Lemming day! Weekend, snow in backyards in Rochester, pent up demand! Pulled into the parking lot around 8:20. I came in from the south, but the line of cars coming from the north seemed pretty long. I was meeting my daughter who had enrolled the 8 and 11 year old in brigades. Did a couple of runs then met them in the locker room and was pleased to see the 13 and 15 year old granddaughters with them. Helped my daughter get the younger ones enrolled then skied with the older girls.

Busy as you might expect at the Comet chair, although slopes weren't bad. Upper Northstar and Upper Universe were open-huge whales on Upper Universe. Upper Northstar had the typical marbles that the first grooming produces. Bumps on skier's right on Galaxy were still nice. Lower Meteor had guns but was nice with fresh manmade. Guns going on Upper Rocket and the reports were that the first runs were tough. I did three runs down it with the 13 year old and it was fun with piles and mini moguls along with not great visibility due to the guns. Our last run was down it and we both had tired legs. Mixed conditions around the hill with some slick spots, but if you knew where to ski there was snow to be found.
we did not make it to the backside.

Some other thoughts. Yes, easy to criticize snowmaking patterns, but I assume there is a plan. They are catering to a very diverse skier/customer base on a relatively few acres and no matter what they do, someone will not be happy. When I worked full time, I had the same complaints you guys do. I agree with Andy-the Polaris-Upper/Lower Northstar run is the best on the hill. I'd like to see Upper and Lower Universe turned into a mogul run-not with the whales on it now, but let them build up then knock them down so they don't turn into ice bumps that only the kids can ski.

Oh well, the kids and working people will be gone tomorrow and the only people there will be us old folks. Even most of them will be off the hill by 10:30 and we'll have the place to ourselves!

 

[Johnny V.]

Hope no one is getting bored with my daily reports. My wife and I got there around 10:00 and were surprised at the number of cars in the lot! Guns on Comet and Shooting Star. Morningstar is open which completes the backside trails. Rocket had not been groomed, so there were decent whales and moguls from yesterday's snowmaking-still fun! Some icy spots-lower part of Southern Cross and main slope on Sunset kind of ugly. Loop was nice. Upper Northstar still marbly from the recent opening and grooming. Upper Universe has the big vertical whales in the center of the trail-fun once or twice, but then they get old. The hill should be in decent shape for the upcoming warmup.

 

[Brownski]

Hope no one is getting bored with my daily reports

Keep em coming but some pics would be appreciated too

 

[Johnny V.]

Keep em coming but some pics would be appreciated too

I can try, but I usually don't bother taking my phone on the hill.

 

[Johnny V.]

Sorry, no pics from a mostly gray day, although we did have a few sunlit minutes which made for nice runs! No new trails, although Polaris is ready to go when they run the Galaxy chair. Still moguls on Upper Rocket and Comet was back open after the snowmaking yesterday. Snow was firm to start out, but as the temps warmed it got progressively softer making for great edging. Crowds were small with no lines. Hated to quit, but live to ski another day. When I got in my truck to leave around 1:00, the rain sprinkles had just started, so my timing was good.