Bristol Conditions
- Thread starter Johnny V.
- Start date
Johnny V.
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- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
Good and bad today. Our combined race with Cleveland Metro was kind of a cluster, but after a fair amount of slipping we had a fun (I was dead slow) race top to bottom on Comet/Outer Orbit. Most of the NY Masters skipped the afternoon race-they were still racing at 4:20 or so. The good- there was 2-3" or more of fresh snow to add to the base. It got chopped up pretty quickly though. They are seriously blowing snow on Lower Galaxy and the Upper Galaxy chair access, so they should be able to run the Galaxy chair this upcoming week. The new snow will help the surface when it is groomed in.
The bad-crazy busy! Lemming day-snow on the ground in Rochester means everyone heads to Bristol. Lines were long, although they were well run. Lots of cars in the outer lots. Good for the mountain, especially considering the year we've had, but the kind of day that gives Bristol the "don't go there on weekends" reputation. Lots of busses too, both school and tourist.
The bad-crazy busy! Lemming day-snow on the ground in Rochester means everyone heads to Bristol. Lines were long, although they were well run. Lots of cars in the outer lots. Good for the mountain, especially considering the year we've had, but the kind of day that gives Bristol the "don't go there on weekends" reputation. Lots of busses too, both school and tourist.
Andy_ROC
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2021
We were watching the slipping as the squall was filling the course.
It actually felt and looked like full blown winter which was nice!
Good assessment Johnny of conditions with the good and bad.
It definitely got too crowded quickly as bus after bus arrived. I heard the line sheriff at Comet say "500 kids are arriving soon!" BTW the kid doing the line sheriffing was doing a great job!
Anyway my son and I started around 840 and were done by 11 and on to Other Half for apres.
The powder day became a "piles day" in <30 mins. Unfortunately they just have way too many visitors for 150 acres. Plus the mountain flow isn't great for crowds either especially when the Galaxy lift isn't open. Thankfully it looks like they will get it open this week.
But what's really bad is lower meteor. Unfortunately it being the only way down for ~3/4 of the blue/black runs it becomes a piled mess quickly and gets scary crowded. Then making matters worse they take large, multiple lesson groups down lower meteor. S turning en masse, like a giant snake, that takes up the entire width of the run. Frankly it's dangerous especially for the little kids. I almost clipped one by accident because I was so focused on my line, going slowly and trying not to fall or get hit from behind. Just trying to survive. My son whom is incredibly calm and tolerant and a superior skier said "we need to leave"
Anyway a couple thousand people on 160 acres just isn't enjoyable. But it's all we got.
It actually felt and looked like full blown winter which was nice!
Good assessment Johnny of conditions with the good and bad.
It definitely got too crowded quickly as bus after bus arrived. I heard the line sheriff at Comet say "500 kids are arriving soon!" BTW the kid doing the line sheriffing was doing a great job!
Anyway my son and I started around 840 and were done by 11 and on to Other Half for apres.
The powder day became a "piles day" in <30 mins. Unfortunately they just have way too many visitors for 150 acres. Plus the mountain flow isn't great for crowds either especially when the Galaxy lift isn't open. Thankfully it looks like they will get it open this week.
But what's really bad is lower meteor. Unfortunately it being the only way down for ~3/4 of the blue/black runs it becomes a piled mess quickly and gets scary crowded. Then making matters worse they take large, multiple lesson groups down lower meteor. S turning en masse, like a giant snake, that takes up the entire width of the run. Frankly it's dangerous especially for the little kids. I almost clipped one by accident because I was so focused on my line, going slowly and trying not to fall or get hit from behind. Just trying to survive. My son whom is incredibly calm and tolerant and a superior skier said "we need to leave"
Anyway a couple thousand people on 160 acres just isn't enjoyable. But it's all we got.
Johnny V.
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- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
Yes, Lower Meteor gets bad quickly, especially with three trails feeding into it. If they get Lower Galaxy open along with the cat track back to the base, it should really help things. But yeah, just too many people for the size of the hill on that day. I can't imagine what Saturday night was like.................
Johnny V.
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- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
I'm not at Bristol, but according to their conditions report, they are opening the Galaxy chair along with Lower Galaxy and the area to exit the chair. Looks like they blew snow to resurface several of the other trails too. I can nitpick a lot of things, but i complement the Fullers for their commitment to snow quality-they're not afraid to run the guns even this late in the season.
Andy_ROC
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2021
Wow what a difference this Saturday from last Saturday! I'm guessing Sunday will also be fantastic just warmer.
Got on the mountain early with minimal people there. Freshly blown snow on some runs and continued Saturday. Rocket was fantastic with packed loose powder top to bottom. Some whales on rocket. Upper meteor had several big, steep ones. Some people were crashing and I saw ski patrol give a couple people a sled ride down.
15 runs and finished up around 1145 then apres beer on patio with my buddies. It was busier when we finished but nothing objectionable like last Saturday. It was cold, but no wind and the sun came out. Overall a beautiful winter ski day.
Snow making was nice to see and really improved conditions. But if they want to sell March passes and have decent March skiing mother nature is going have to cooperate. But with 6 of the next 10 days forecast to have temps in the 50s and 60s it's not a great start.
Got on the mountain early with minimal people there. Freshly blown snow on some runs and continued Saturday. Rocket was fantastic with packed loose powder top to bottom. Some whales on rocket. Upper meteor had several big, steep ones. Some people were crashing and I saw ski patrol give a couple people a sled ride down.
15 runs and finished up around 1145 then apres beer on patio with my buddies. It was busier when we finished but nothing objectionable like last Saturday. It was cold, but no wind and the sun came out. Overall a beautiful winter ski day.
Snow making was nice to see and really improved conditions. But if they want to sell March passes and have decent March skiing mother nature is going have to cooperate. But with 6 of the next 10 days forecast to have temps in the 50s and 60s it's not a great start.
Johnny V.
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
Decided to ski today and it was a good choice. New blown snow on Rocket and Lower Meteor. College slalom on Comet/Outer Orbit. Galaxy Chair was running with Lower Galaxy open. Crowds were not bad despite the bluebird sky.
Yes, it's going to be tough going for the next couple of weeks. Did one run on Milky Way and there were several brown spots-ain't gonna last long with temps in the 50's. They are doing their best, but just can't keep going with above freezing days.........
FWIW-I raced at Hunt Hollow yesterday and they are hurting. Looks to be about 3-4 trails. Our race was fun on Glade-probably the closest I'll ever get to racing on a water injected course.Close to boilerplate on the headwall, but held up great for four runs.
Yes, it's going to be tough going for the next couple of weeks. Did one run on Milky Way and there were several brown spots-ain't gonna last long with temps in the 50's. They are doing their best, but just can't keep going with above freezing days.........
FWIW-I raced at Hunt Hollow yesterday and they are hurting. Looks to be about 3-4 trails. Our race was fun on Glade-probably the closest I'll ever get to racing on a water injected course.Close to boilerplate on the headwall, but held up great for four runs.
Andy_ROC
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2021
Hey Johnny glad you made it there today.
Question for you that you may know the answer. My buddy said the old patio with tables and grill area right outside of sunset lodge has been taped off closed. I haven't noticed but didn't see people out there either.
Do you know if it's closed off and if so why?
Question for you that you may know the answer. My buddy said the old patio with tables and grill area right outside of sunset lodge has been taped off closed. I haven't noticed but didn't see people out there either.
Do you know if it's closed off and if so why?
Johnny V.
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
There were a bunch of people at the tables today. I think there is orange fence around the top from the snow as it gets pretty muddy there. There has been talk about them closing it, but I think it would spark a revolt among the regulars. During covid they policed it for open alcohol, but I think that's been relaxed.Looks like it will be patio weather this week........sad to say for the snow pack.
