Patrick
Active member
What a beautiful day :!: :!: :!:
It didn't start off that way, unless you're a duck. Forecast, rain, rain, heavy rain at times, rain. Leaving from Montreal in the pouring rain, raining all the way to MSA (3 hours drive). The parking lot was virtually deserted at 10:30am, 20 cars under the pouring rain.
Geez :? , my stuff was barely dry from the last time I skied in the rain (MRG on April 2th). The snow report called for 29 trails open (most of the sleeper - bump south side runs were on hold). Skiing the south side would've brought a more or less long walk in the rain back to the gondola. I am not sure they ever soften up to be opened. Hard to see, the top of the mountain was covered in a dark cloud.
Surprise, Surprise. It was snowing on top, not wet snow, winter snow.
Most of the runs on the North side are shorter and groomers. The skiing was typical great early december skiing. Slightly below freezing temps, dark, frozen base covered with 2 or 3 inches of fluff. As the day went by, the snow started falling harder. It's was fresh tracks every runs.
Unfortunately , they advanced the lift closure to 3pm (instead of 3:30). No use running a lift for a few of us diehards. The last run of the day was done on the south side, I tried to find my way to see what was opened, however it was a total white-out on top. Once I got in mid-mountain, it's was pouring rain and you can tell by the wet snow on the trail that it didn't snow here all day. Back to the car, I was very wet, but very happy.
I have had a similar trip in desert fresh tracks days when it's raining all over. Among the most memorable, I would included some April visit to Sugarbush (late), Cannon (early) or Sunday River (May 1st?).
Ste.Anne is closed midweek, but will open for a last Hourrah next weekend. 8)
It didn't start off that way, unless you're a duck. Forecast, rain, rain, heavy rain at times, rain. Leaving from Montreal in the pouring rain, raining all the way to MSA (3 hours drive). The parking lot was virtually deserted at 10:30am, 20 cars under the pouring rain.
Geez :? , my stuff was barely dry from the last time I skied in the rain (MRG on April 2th). The snow report called for 29 trails open (most of the sleeper - bump south side runs were on hold). Skiing the south side would've brought a more or less long walk in the rain back to the gondola. I am not sure they ever soften up to be opened. Hard to see, the top of the mountain was covered in a dark cloud.
Surprise, Surprise. It was snowing on top, not wet snow, winter snow.
Most of the runs on the North side are shorter and groomers. The skiing was typical great early december skiing. Slightly below freezing temps, dark, frozen base covered with 2 or 3 inches of fluff. As the day went by, the snow started falling harder. It's was fresh tracks every runs. Unfortunately
, they advanced the lift closure to 3pm (instead of 3:30). No use running a lift for a few of us diehards. The last run of the day was done on the south side, I tried to find my way to see what was opened, however it was a total white-out on top. Once I got in mid-mountain, it's was pouring rain and you can tell by the wet snow on the trail that it didn't snow here all day. Back to the car, I was very wet, but very happy.I have had a similar trip in desert fresh tracks days when it's raining all over. Among the most memorable, I would included some April visit to Sugarbush (late), Cannon (early) or Sunday River (May 1st?).
Ste.Anne is closed midweek, but will open for a last Hourrah next weekend. 8)