First Snowfall of the 2010-11 Season

The model runs are finally starting to converge. Wednesday’s 18z GFS and NAM are calling for a developing coastal low that stalls over the Gulf of Maine. This will bring moderate to heavy rains to the mountains.

first snowfall northeast 2010

What makes this system interesting is that there will be just enough cold air aloft and strong vertical velocity for wet snow to fall in the Adirondacks above 3,000 feet. Amounts are hard to pin down due to the fact that there really isn’t much cold air at the surface.

The first snowfall in the northeast is always fun to predict and watch.

Introducing NY Ski Magazine

Today NYSkiBlog Introduces NY Ski Magazine. Our new online publication, which will be written and edited by Jamesdeluxe, provides us with a format suited to more in-depth features about specific ski areas and regions.

Starting today, NY Ski Magazine will be posting exclusive new articles, along with features from the archives going back to 2004.

James prefers smaller, off-the-beaten-path ski areas from both the East and West that don’t usually get the big headlines. And when he does cover a popular resort, it’s usually about a lesser-known part of the mountain: like Apres Vous at Jackson Hole. And for lost-ski-area fans, there are articles about three northeastern mountains that have closed over the last few years: Mont Glen/Mont Shefford QC and Bobcat NY.

As part of our magazine launch, we’re premiering an article about a ski region that I really hadn’t been aware of until last winter: Québec’s Eastern Townships. Between now and the beginning of the season, we’ll be posting features about Burke VT, Monarch CO, Le Massif QC, and Snow King WY, as well as adding new articles throughout the season.

If you have comments on individual features, please post them beneath the appropriate articles. For questions regarding the magazine, contact James: [email protected].

Hickory Ski Center’s New Groomer

“We recently purchased a Bombardier BR350 Sherpa Winch Cat. We’re looking forward to using it to improve the surface quality of our groomed beginner and intermediate trails. In addition, the winch gives us the ability to do the minimum required maintenance grooming on our legendary expert trails.”

Bombardier BR350 Sherpa Winch Cat

The quote above is from Bill Van Pelt, a driving force behind the rebirth of Hickory. We asked him what he meant by “required maintenance grooming” on expert trails. He elaborated:

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