Royal Mountain Conditions

[Jim]

That's it for Royal, after 45 days open (I was there for 31 of them). We had a warm, sunny, and slushy finish. Another day with a lot of time on the snow for me, a bunch first on the bunny runner, teaching an unexpected closing day lesson, then 18 off the top. We were just starting to see more rocks and dirt and grass popping through in the afternoon, exactly when you don't mind that being the case.

That could be it for my season, but I am holding out hope for another couple days somewhere. This week's tough and next weekend is out, so my choices are likely to be very limited by the time I can go anywhere, given the big warmup.

 

[Brownski]

Oof. How do you stay open with a 45 day season? Do they have a summer business?

 

[Jim]

Yes, Royal has a successful summer Motocross business. I've never been up there for it, but I understand it really packs in the crowds.

 

[Jim]

Royal is projecting a December 2 opening day.

I haven't seen details yet, but I learned at our snowsports school training yesterday that there's a work day planned for this Saturday to clear brush between the two main chairs to make that area more skiable. It's shown as a "Coming 2023-24" trail on the new trail map:

Trail map/Stats — Royal Mountain Ski Area

www.royalmountain.com

Also, the permanent installation of the Bunny Runner carpet is in progress. It's a little further off toward the parking lot than where it was temporarily installed last season. I believe this location will allow it to stay in place during motocross season.

 

[Harvey]

Jim that new area will be a glade?

 

[Jim]

I think so, but I'll see on Saturday how it looks. When I heard about the plans last year, I was under the impression that they'd like to thin it out enough to be able to put in some snowmaking. I don't know if the plan is to thin it enough to be able to run a groomer down it. Either way, there's a lot of pretty open gladed area between this and the bottom half of Challenge and some really tight and steep stuff between the lifts and Queen.

 

[Jim]

I just got the confirmation that the work day is on as planned tomorrow starting around 9 AM. I plan to be there for at least part of the day so I'll know more about what's going on with the new trail/glade between the two chairs soon.

 

[Cork]

I just got the confirmation that the work day is on as planned tomorrow starting around 9 AM. I plan to be there for at least part of the day so I'll know more about what's going on with the new trail/glade between the two chairs soon.

JB says he and Francois can handle all of the chainsaw work!

 

[Jim]

Well, at least the bottom 1/2 to 2/3, where I spent some time this morning, is completely cleared between the chairs, right down to the lift loading area. Some of the pines below the Challenge headwall remain but I didn't climb up high enough to see what's going on above that. It looks completely different.

 

[Jim]

From Royal's facebook page:

The mountain is rumbling with horse power the last 18hrs! Snowmaking is progressing on the Bunny Slope, Royal, Queen, Lift access, And Lodge Run. Friday-Sunday looks good for our next window. Some natural snow tonight to really make the mountain look like a winter wonderland. We are projecting opening first weekend in December as long as temps continue to work with us.