- Joined
- Jul 18, 2020
Greetings from Londonderry,
We've had two seasons in two weeks. First one was cold and snow-filled and this week was 70s and summery. Now it looks like it's changing over to a more traditional late fall weather pattern with cooler gray skies and a chance for some snowmaking temps by next week!
This leads me to where we are today. Because in fact, we can, and do need to, make some sacrifices to take care of our fellow citizens and hopefully go skiing this winter which is important for our bodies and souls. The pandemic is raging right now across the country and we need to get every one wearing a mask in public, keeping 6' distant in public, washing hands, and limiting social gatherings. This is as true in Vermont as it is in states next to and south of us. Cases are currently growing in Vermont and it's not due to an influx of tourists. No ski resorts are even open yet and this is a down-time for travelers to the state. As our Governor here has stated, this internal-to-Vermont COVID spread shows we are not immune from following all the state health protocols despite our very positive situation versus the rest of the country. We are all tired of this virus, but it is not tired of us. So we need to refocus our collective efforts as we approach the holidays.
Besides trail clearing on both Heart of Magician and Pitch Black this week, we are finishing a full repair of the electric line with pedestals moved back to trail's edge for fan gun snowmaking. The "good" weather allowed some final painting of the Quad base terminal and our crew continues to make progress on chair reconstruction in the parking lot. While we expect to start making snow next week for a day or two, there has yet to be a consistently cold pattern in southern Vermont, therefore our current 12/5 opening date may shift, if necessary, to 12/12 to insure we have enough terrain to open safely.
Online purchasing and reservations, for everything from day tickets, lessons, rentals, and indoor dining tables during ski days, is in its final stages and we should go live on our website with the new platform by 11/23 for any day this season. Inventory will be limited as a result of COVID so advanced planning is recommended. But given current out-of-state travel restrictions requiring a 7-day quarantine with a negative COVID test, we don't expect to reach our day-ticket limit (just 1,100 tickets) too often.
Every one here is working hard to get ready for the ski season and I thank our dedicated crew so much for the extra work in preparing Magic during these difficult times, plus the patience and perseverance that will be needed by our faithful skiers and riders this season.
Be well, stay safe, and think snow!
- Geoff
Geoff Hatheway, Magic Mountain
Where skiing still has its soul.
We've had two seasons in two weeks. First one was cold and snow-filled and this week was 70s and summery. Now it looks like it's changing over to a more traditional late fall weather pattern with cooler gray skies and a chance for some snowmaking temps by next week!
This leads me to where we are today. Because in fact, we can, and do need to, make some sacrifices to take care of our fellow citizens and hopefully go skiing this winter which is important for our bodies and souls. The pandemic is raging right now across the country and we need to get every one wearing a mask in public, keeping 6' distant in public, washing hands, and limiting social gatherings. This is as true in Vermont as it is in states next to and south of us. Cases are currently growing in Vermont and it's not due to an influx of tourists. No ski resorts are even open yet and this is a down-time for travelers to the state. As our Governor here has stated, this internal-to-Vermont COVID spread shows we are not immune from following all the state health protocols despite our very positive situation versus the rest of the country. We are all tired of this virus, but it is not tired of us. So we need to refocus our collective efforts as we approach the holidays.
Besides trail clearing on both Heart of Magician and Pitch Black this week, we are finishing a full repair of the electric line with pedestals moved back to trail's edge for fan gun snowmaking. The "good" weather allowed some final painting of the Quad base terminal and our crew continues to make progress on chair reconstruction in the parking lot. While we expect to start making snow next week for a day or two, there has yet to be a consistently cold pattern in southern Vermont, therefore our current 12/5 opening date may shift, if necessary, to 12/12 to insure we have enough terrain to open safely.
Online purchasing and reservations, for everything from day tickets, lessons, rentals, and indoor dining tables during ski days, is in its final stages and we should go live on our website with the new platform by 11/23 for any day this season. Inventory will be limited as a result of COVID so advanced planning is recommended. But given current out-of-state travel restrictions requiring a 7-day quarantine with a negative COVID test, we don't expect to reach our day-ticket limit (just 1,100 tickets) too often.
Every one here is working hard to get ready for the ski season and I thank our dedicated crew so much for the extra work in preparing Magic during these difficult times, plus the patience and perseverance that will be needed by our faithful skiers and riders this season.
Be well, stay safe, and think snow!
- Geoff
Geoff Hatheway, Magic Mountain
Where skiing still has its soul.
