Bristol Conditions

[Andy_ROC]

Fading fast...................... Crunchy in the AM as they were not able to groom but got softer as the day went on. Bigger brown spots and holes on many trails. Sunset is just about done, bare spots on Galaxy, Meteor, Comet and Outer Orbit. It finally got sunny and a small group of us partied on the Sunset patio with grilled Zweigles, assorted snacks, deserts and adult beverages. Typical of the gathering we like to have the second weekend of April-guess we're a month early.

Sad for sure. Except for this coming Sunday and Monday there's no end in sight for upper 40s - upper 50s temperatures.

This makes 3 or 4 years now with less than decent winters. Particularly bad as I recall the Christmas to New Year week. This has to be really tough on the bottom line. But this is the first year that I've ever known that getting through March is in doubt. Ugh

Post edit:
Yikes! It's worst than I imagined. Shot from Webcam just now. Rocket with as much snow as they dump on it is thin! Outer Otbit is done.

If the need they'll harvest snow from somewhere else to keep rocket open to get 12 more days to hit 100. I wouldn't be surprised if they shut it down soon after.

 

[Johnny V.]

Nice sun, and they were able to move snow around and keep some stuff open. Upper/Lower Rocket, Comet, Part of Upper Meteor, Lower Meteor, Challenger and the Loop. They were able to groom and the chunky stuff turned into creamy snow. Fun to ski, but tiring after a while. Not sure how long they will be able to stay open, but they're trying.

 

[Johnny V.]

Went today as we have three granddaughters in Saturday programs and the two younger ones had an end of the season race scheduled. Bristol and the race crew was able to pull it off on Meteor-I know it was a struggle to find terrain to hold it on! The rain held off for the race with only a few sprinkles and the snow held up enough for a kids race. Conditions weren't bad on the few runs still open, although it's really getting thin on most trails other than Rocket and the Loop. Had a conversation with management at lunchtime and they intend to be open weekdays for the following week. We quit around 1:00 when it really started raining and had a couple of beers while waiting for the kids to finish to give them a ride home. As the bar is clearing out inventory, all beers are $4.00-a bargain for some of the on tap craft brews!

We'll see what the predicted snow does Sunday night-probably just enough to cover the brown spots, not really add anything..........

 

[Johnny V.]

Two day report for 3/12-3/13. Nice sunny days with groomed quickly turning into soft small bumps. Still left-Rocket, part of Upper Meteor, Lower Meteor, Comet and the Loop. Upper Meteor is just about done, which eliminates Lower Meteor and Comet is getting thin. We'll be down to Rocket and the Loop soon. They may make their 100 days, but with minimal terrain.

 

[Johnny V.]

Went down today to pick up our skis as we are going to wander around VT and NH plus Gore and see what we can find to ski on. We may hit the Ski Talk Eastern Gathering at Jay, Owl's Head and Sutton this upcoming weekend. Anyway, I couldn't get the energy to put my stuff on to ski today with only Rocket and the Loop open-yup, sad. This picture kind of sums it up-patches of snow and brown...........Bristol did all they could with the hand the stacked deck of the weather gave them. We'll get passes again next year-can't believe it can get any worse and still be viable to ski locally. No closing date announced and there were posters for the Spring Carnival next weekend, but the place was deserted today on a Sunday.

 

[Harvey]

Went down today to pick up our skis as we are going to wander around VT and NH plus Gore and see what we can find to ski on. We may hit the Ski Talk Eastern Gathering at Jay, Owl's Head and Sutton this upcoming weekend. Anyway, I couldn't get the energy to put my stuff on to ski today with only Rocket and the Loop open-yup, sad. This picture kind of sums it up-patches of snow and brown...........Bristol did all they could with the hand the stacked deck of the weather gave them. We'll get passes again next year-can't believe it can get any worse and still be viable to ski locally. No closing date announced and there were posters for the Spring Carnival next weekend, but the place was deserted today on a Sunday.

View attachment 24040

Was today closing day?

 

[Johnny V.]

Was today closing day?

Nothing announced. There's enough snow on Rocket to keep going for a few more days and the upcoming cold will help preserve it.

 

[Johnny V.]

Bristol announced they will be open tomorrow for the last day. From the webcam today it looks like a true WROD-think I'll pass. Let's hope next year is better-they did all they could with the beyond terrible hand they were dealt weatherwise.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Welp another one in the books. Thank you for all your great updates @Johnny V. I've complained a lot about Bristol during the many years but they did the best possible with the garbage mother nature dished this season.

I managed to use 8 of my 12 card pass. 3 weekend mornings, 3 twilight with buddies and 2 passes for my adult children when they joined me.

Came up short of breaking even. Still deciding whether I want 12 again or split 12 with a friend. Just hoping for better weather next year.

On the flipside did really well on my Ikon, about $1,400 positive on each. 1 Stratton, 6 Taos and 6 Steamboat. 12 days out west make the whole thing worthwhile. Especially wonderful was that my wife skied 13 days, which was more than she's skied during the previous ~10 years combined. We had an amazing time.

Calling it a season for me. Tough to say that because the west is still thumping and some places are gonna have some great April skiing. Time to get golf ready and think more mountain biking

 

[Johnny V.]

Welp another one in the books. Thank you for all your great updates @Johnny V. I've complained a lot about Bristol during the many years but they did the best possible with the garbage mother nature dished this season.

Thanks! I'm there a lot, so I don't mind adding the updates. After having season passes for 30 years, I'm wondering about next year. Even the 70+ is no bargain and lockers went up $50.00. I'm sure I'll get my moneys worth, but my wife is on the fence-she won't come down early season and ski just Rocket and it was into January before they got much open (not that they didn't try). Unfortunately, there are no good alternatives. Even though the ORDA 70+ pass is only $269, Gore is 4 hours away and you have to figure in lodging costs-too far for a day trip. We didn't do IKON this year, but I got 29 days on it last year out west. I'm sure I'll bite the bullet and go for it hoping the last two years were an anomaly. We did have a good end of season trip last week with Jay, Owl's Head, Sutton, Bretton Woods and Cannon-the storm left those places with close to mid winter conditions. Guess it's time to open the Keuka cottage and get the bikes out...............