The Powder Chaser's Ratio
- Thread starter Harvey
- Start date
raisingarizona
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2020
All I’ve got out of this thread so far is that Smugglers Notch has close to half the acreage of Jackson Hole. I had no idea.
MC2
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2020
You would. You should go.
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
Clearly the arbitrary nature of ski area acreage is the weakness. Is acreage merely the area of open trails? Does it include trees? Is it boundary-to-boundary?
Is Kissing Bridge really bigger than Gore?
Kissing Bridge Trail Map, Vertical Drop, Stats and Profile
Our profile of the ski area in Glenwood, NY.
nyskiblog.com
Gore Mountain Trail Map, Vertical Drop, Stats and Profile
Our profile of the ski area in North Creek, NY.
nyskiblog.com
MarzNC
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2020
The reason I like to do ski safaris, or even check the base of a small mountain in person during the off-season is because then the trail map makes more sense. Then when I read comments or a trip report about a given ski area, it's much easier to have a sense of the terrain that people who like trees or powder consider fun.
The fact that I'd skied a day and a half at Jiminy Peak the season before meant that changing a planned flight to Boston in order to make the drive to JP just before a big snowstorm was a no-brainer. I arrived at JP about 9:30pm. Major snow started the next morning. A few locals had trouble getting home that evening. But they were back the next morning to enjoy the powder. I heard a story from the wife of a ski patroller. They live on top of a pretty steep hill. He parked near the bottom and walked. I got in a few hours that morning before driving carefully to Boston to watch a dance performance my daughter was in, which was the original reason for the trip.
The next day I did a day trip to Tenney Mountain. Plenty of untracked off the shorter lift. I was the only one riding that lift.
Jiminy Peak, March 2018
Tenney Mountain main lift to the top, March 2018
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
Sweet shots!
I've skied that beautiful beautiful blowing snow in the dark. When the fact that you can't see has no impact, you know the skiing is good.
ETA: Are you saying that measuring acreage using local standards makes the most sense?
I think I might agree.
I've skied that beautiful beautiful blowing snow in the dark. When the fact that you can't see has no impact, you know the skiing is good.
ETA: Are you saying that measuring acreage using local standards makes the most sense?
I think I might agree.
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
I want the directory to be accurate. It won't really affect my strategy, too much.
If there is 500 feet and new snow, I'm interested.
MarzNC
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2020
Have no idea what that might mean.
Total acreage listed on ski area/resort websites usually means "skiable acreage" to includes any off-piste terrain. The reason I think Percentage Snowmaking can be handy to know in the east or midwest is because if that's low and it's clear there are skiable areas that aren't groomed trails, then that's an indication that powder in the trees can be an option with a good snowstorm and timing.
Deciding where to go to have the most chance for untracked powder out west is an entirely different process. At least for someone who has to get on a plane to get there. I've known of a few people who are powder chasers by plane flying from the east. Really takes a complete powder hound with a very flexible life that prioritizes skiing. Work or family responsibilities make it pretty hard to make a decision to travel 2-3 days before a storm.
