DAY 69 OF THE SKI SEASON

Today was day 69 of my ski season. Nice. When I got to Whiteface this afternoon there was graupel coming down in the parking lot. Graupel doesn’t feel pleasant on the face while skiing, but fortunately, as the minutes passed by the graupel changed to good ol’ fashioned snow. By the end of the day the snow was coming down at a pretty good rate across the mountain.

At times, visibility was low high up high on the mountain.

Conditions were variable everywhere. There was ice, powder, mashed potatoes (way down low) and sticky snow. The powder was mostly found high up on the mountain, with an icy layer underneath. Skyward was closed, presumably due to conditions, but Paron’s Run and The Follies were in play. Neither runs were amazing, but you could find some decent snow on a turn or two on each. I also found the snow to be pretty good on Essex, Upper Northway and Mountain Run.

Mountain Run

The Follies

Lower Parkway

The falling snow caused sticky snow around mid-mountain and on down to the base. It wasn’t extremely sticky, but it was noticeably grabby. I told Wild Bill it was like skiing on a very fine grit sandpaper. Since I’m recovering from a bundle of broken ribs, I was extra cautious in these areas and really took my time.

No line for the gondola today.

The mountain was empty!

Being a Tuesday in late March, the mountain was empty today. We’ve reached that time of year where skier visits fall off despite there being plenty of snow on the mountain. If you’re reading this and you’ve hung up the skis for the season, I’d recommend reconsidering. There’s still a lot of season to go! After all, ski season in the east doesn’t end until the SNIRT becomes DIRT.

Never Quit Skiing,

Lincoln