Belleayre: Keepin’ It On The Road

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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Chasing Winter at The Top

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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Victor Constant Getaway

This season, I’ve been using the NYSkiBlog Forums to find ski partners. It doesn’t always work. But with just a few hours notice, I found four partners for my first visit to the Victor Constant Ski Area. The location is so convenient to the NY metro and tickets are under $40. I guess it was hard to say no.

Ticket office
Ticket office

To step back for a minute, I’ve decided to name my current project Time to Ski NY.  My goal to ski every hill in New York on a day that highlights the strength and features of the area.

In that regard, I scored with my all of my hills this season. Dry Hill, Woods Valley and Royal Mountain were all powder days with 100% of terrain in play.

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