Evan
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2024
There’s something unbeatable about a midweek ski day, especially when the forecast promises bluebird skies and spring-like temps. The moment I saw those numbers — 40 degrees at opening, climbing to 60 — I knew I was in for a great day. Hunt Hollow was calling, and I was more than ready to answer with a full send into spring skiing mode.
This season, solo ski days have been rare for me, but this one felt like the perfect chance to carve out my own adventure. While some of my friends had hit Bristol earlier in the week when I was unavailable (cue my FOMO), I was grateful mother nature gave me the opportunity to get out and make my own spring ski memories. I pulled into the parking lot at 8:45 a.m., just in time to see the main triple chair fire up as I made my way toward the lodge. The warm rising sun, hum of the lift, and the promise of soft spring snow had me grinning.
I stepped inside to redeem my second day on the Indy Pass. With my base pass, I get weekday access to Hunt Hollow (open Wednesday through Friday), as weekends are reserved exclusively for members. However, skiers with the upgraded Indy Pass Plus can secure a weekend spot by making a reservation.
I booted up and headed to the chairlift with my new snowboard. I hadn’t ridden this board as much as I anticipated this season, and today seemed like the perfect chance to put it through its paces. Hunt Hollow offers a great variety of terrain, and I knew conditions would evolve throughout the day.
Despite a 40-degree start, the snow was holding up beautifully. The morning sun was hitting one side of the trails while the other remained shaded — giving me the option to carve soft sun-soaked turns, or stick to firmer snow in the shade.
The mountain was quiet, as expected for a spring midweek session. Most of the skiers out were likely season pass holders, enjoying their home turf. But on my third run, I found myself skiing downhill at pace with another skier with great form — Doug. We approached the chairlift in sync and became ski buddies for the remainder of his ski day.
Doug, as it turns out, is a Hunt Hollow ski instructor and has been skiing here longer than I’ve been alive! His approach for the day? Ski every run, working across the mountain from north to south, then back again. I liked his thought of skiing the mountain that way, it's a great flow — starting with a mellow green cruiser, ramping up on the blues in the middle of the mountain, and working up to some black diamond thrills. Then, reversed the order to gradually wind down. I forgot to ask Doug what his secret is, but I hope to be making as smooth of turns as his, when I am his age!
After Doug wrapped up his day, I shed a layer to soak in the sunshine. By now, everything was soft, and absolutely prime for spring skiing. My new snowboard felt smooth and responsive in the changing conditions. It had turned into the kind of day that made me wish I had packed a party shirt and sunglasses. I continued lapping the trails on the north side of the mountain, which gave me the chance to hit the terrain park at the bottom before hopping back on the chairlift. I lost track of how many runs I had done — there was no rush to leave.
The time change and extended daylight had me completely fooled — I cruised down to the lift, only to realize they were flipping the chair seats up for the day’s final run. The lifties gave me the nod for one final lap, and it was the perfect way to cap off an already unforgettable day on the slopes.
As I packed up, I couldn’t help but imagine how great Hunt Hollow must be for families — cozy lodge, solid terrain, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Even on a quieter weekday, the place had great energy.
This was, without a doubt, my favorite non-powder day of the season. I’m looking forward to returning next year with my friends to show them how great of a spot we have in the Finger Lakes, at Hunt Hollow.
This season, solo ski days have been rare for me, but this one felt like the perfect chance to carve out my own adventure. While some of my friends had hit Bristol earlier in the week when I was unavailable (cue my FOMO), I was grateful mother nature gave me the opportunity to get out and make my own spring ski memories. I pulled into the parking lot at 8:45 a.m., just in time to see the main triple chair fire up as I made my way toward the lodge. The warm rising sun, hum of the lift, and the promise of soft spring snow had me grinning.
I stepped inside to redeem my second day on the Indy Pass. With my base pass, I get weekday access to Hunt Hollow (open Wednesday through Friday), as weekends are reserved exclusively for members. However, skiers with the upgraded Indy Pass Plus can secure a weekend spot by making a reservation.
I booted up and headed to the chairlift with my new snowboard. I hadn’t ridden this board as much as I anticipated this season, and today seemed like the perfect chance to put it through its paces. Hunt Hollow offers a great variety of terrain, and I knew conditions would evolve throughout the day.
Despite a 40-degree start, the snow was holding up beautifully. The morning sun was hitting one side of the trails while the other remained shaded — giving me the option to carve soft sun-soaked turns, or stick to firmer snow in the shade.
The mountain was quiet, as expected for a spring midweek session. Most of the skiers out were likely season pass holders, enjoying their home turf. But on my third run, I found myself skiing downhill at pace with another skier with great form — Doug. We approached the chairlift in sync and became ski buddies for the remainder of his ski day.
Doug, as it turns out, is a Hunt Hollow ski instructor and has been skiing here longer than I’ve been alive! His approach for the day? Ski every run, working across the mountain from north to south, then back again. I liked his thought of skiing the mountain that way, it's a great flow — starting with a mellow green cruiser, ramping up on the blues in the middle of the mountain, and working up to some black diamond thrills. Then, reversed the order to gradually wind down. I forgot to ask Doug what his secret is, but I hope to be making as smooth of turns as his, when I am his age!
After Doug wrapped up his day, I shed a layer to soak in the sunshine. By now, everything was soft, and absolutely prime for spring skiing. My new snowboard felt smooth and responsive in the changing conditions. It had turned into the kind of day that made me wish I had packed a party shirt and sunglasses. I continued lapping the trails on the north side of the mountain, which gave me the chance to hit the terrain park at the bottom before hopping back on the chairlift. I lost track of how many runs I had done — there was no rush to leave.
The time change and extended daylight had me completely fooled — I cruised down to the lift, only to realize they were flipping the chair seats up for the day’s final run. The lifties gave me the nod for one final lap, and it was the perfect way to cap off an already unforgettable day on the slopes.
As I packed up, I couldn’t help but imagine how great Hunt Hollow must be for families — cozy lodge, solid terrain, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Even on a quieter weekday, the place had great energy.
This was, without a doubt, my favorite non-powder day of the season. I’m looking forward to returning next year with my friends to show them how great of a spot we have in the Finger Lakes, at Hunt Hollow.
