HoliMont: WNY Season Finale

Posted on by Evan

I’d already called it. The skis were tuned and tucked away, boots dried in the mudroom. After returning from an April ski trip out west, I assumed my season was over. Every ski area in a 2 hour radius of home was closed. I was mentally ready to move onto the next season. Then I saw that HoliMont in Ellicottville would have 16 trails open, with a forecast of 50° and sunny. My season was not done… yet.

Main Chalet

Our season started in WNY with a magical lake effect snow cycle the first weekend of December, that brought a 5 day total of 40” before any mountains began their season operations.

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Tagged: Holimont, Western NY9 Comments

Belleayre: Keepin’ It On The Road

Posted on by Brownski

There comes a time when we have to accept that ski season might be over. It always sneaks up on me but this winter especially, it took me by surprise — probably because conditions were so good through February and the beginning of March. It’s time to savor each turn.

Tough drive

Last week, I was afraid I might be done. Two weekends in a row, I hadn’t been able to pull it together. I had good intentions; I was watching the Indy Pass resorts closest to me, Magic and Berkshire East. It seemed I would get rained on, no matter where I went. I didn’t want to give up but things looked grim. Then both hills announced that their last day would be Friday April 4.

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Tagged: Belleayre, Catskills, New Snow5 Comments

Chasing Winter at The Top

Posted on by ThatNYSkier

Powder skiing in New York came to an abrupt halt in early March. Without a season saving storm in sight, the mountains have been losing snowpack. Even at higher elevations, temperatures above freezing during the day and below freezing overnight, brought on an early spring.

Marcy Dam

Spring isn’t bad. Longer days, light crowds and of course, t-shirt weather. Corn snow is a blast when time and temperature align. Early in the day, it can be a nightmare of frozen crud, and in the afternoon it can become mashed mush. Combine all of it together, and you have a springtime backcountry tour in the High Peaks.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Backcountry, Earning Turns, High Peaks9 Comments