A WINDY AFTERNOON OF SKIING AT WHITEFACE

Today was day 60 of my ski season. It was a very windy day. By the time I got to Whiteface after work, most of the upper mountain lifts had closed for the day due to wind. The only one still spinning was the Freeway Lift, which lacks the exposure of Whiteface’s other upper mountain lifts. This lift being open meant there was some fun terrain available like Mountain Run and Wildness. As a result, today wasn’t nearly as bad as some previous windy days this year, which saw all but one or two lower mountain lifts closed due to wind.

Upper Thruway.

Lower Wilderness.

The Notch, Warhorse, Face Lift and Falcon Flyer were also spinning, but really you were best served sticking to the Freeway Lift. I don’t know how many runs were open this afternoon, but I’d say it was probably in the 30 to 40 range. There were around 70 runs open this morning before the wind holds. It wasn’t a cold day on the mountain and visibility was good.

Mountain Run’s left edge was full of powder.

Lower Valley.

Looking up at Upper Valley.

Conditions were good for a windy day. Yes, you had random patches of ice here and there, but overall, the snow could hold an edge. You could also find wind-blown powder on the runs off the Freeway Lift. Upper Thruway was firm with some powder on top, while Mountain Run’s left edge had deep wind-blown snow. Lower Wilderness had some good snow on the edge of skiers right. Draper’s Drop was in a similar state as Upper Thruway.

Snowmaking on Hoyt’s High.

They were making on Hoyt’s High today, which is a black diamond run off Lookout Mountain. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen them make snow on this run in my five winters of skiing at Whiteface. In that time, it’s only been open a handful of days with natural snow and I was injured then, so I’ve never skied this one. I’m excited to finally try it out.

Never Quit Skiing,

Lincoln