Sharon
New member
Friday we skied in the snow, sleet, graupel and whatever else fell out of the sky. The snow was creamy with a firm base. The slides didn't open, but we had a lot of fun skiing in the High Country Glade as well as laps on Skyward. After Thursday's epic adventure, Friday could not compare. Conditions were skiable yet funky with the unusually textured new spring snow. We had 2 more Greek Peak patrollers join us. Both had not skied anything but Greek Peak all year. So it was exciting for them to get out on a big mountain. I didn't expect to ski all day, but managed to stay out until 2:30.
Today was an epic spring day. It started out cloudy and somewhat dreary, but when we got to the mountain the clouds broke up and the sun shined brightly. I started off feeling out of sorts, maybe a bit tired from the previous days. We had a much larger group now and I was thinking that I might end up skiing with the slower group if we were to split up. But once I got out on the mountain I got energized. We took a few warm-up runs on Excelcior and Wilderness. Got a call from DJ who was at the Summit Chair, so we headed that way. We turned into a group of 10 when we got to the Summit lift. We got to see some unexpected friends who are also from Ithaca who are exceptional telemarkers. The energy level amped up dramatically. After one lap on Skyward the slides opened. There was a line to get in and they were letting in 10 at a time.
We had to give warning to two of our friends who only ski a couple of times a year. They both had the gaper look. We told them that there were potentially severe consequences to mistakes and they would need to be able to make tight turns in narrow and steep passages, negotiate ice falls, small trees and rocks. They quickly realized it would not be a good idea to follow us. They went off on their own while the 8 of us stepped through the gate.
Our first run was in Slide 4. It was again pretty sketchy getting over there, but I did it with much less effort today. A little experience went a long way for me. Also, the snow was corned up so much nicer than Thursday, so overall the snow was much more forgiving.
Just two of us (me and AC) had experience in these slides. We brought 6 people in there for the first time. Everyone did exceptionally well.
6 of us went back up and got in line for another run. This time we did slide 3. The entrance required picking your way through a couple of tight spots, but once beyond that choke point it was phat city. The snow was perfectly corned and the terrain was steep. The turns flowed. The sun warmed up the waterfalls so that you could ski right over them. Slide 1 was open and seemed to have a number of lines through it. I think we will try to get on slide 1 tomorrow. It is supposed to be just as sunny and much warmer.
The slides closed at 2pm and only allowed us two laps.
We rehydrated with beer on the mid mountain deck, but got back out at 3pm for one more hour of soft corny snow. We took 2 runs on Cloudspin before making the final descent to the base lodge.
It was an epic day. I kept up with the ski patrol boys who are all fantastic skiers and rocked out on Whiteface all day. Not back for an ole gal. I'm feeling at the top of my game and I am totally stoked for day 4.
Today was an epic spring day. It started out cloudy and somewhat dreary, but when we got to the mountain the clouds broke up and the sun shined brightly. I started off feeling out of sorts, maybe a bit tired from the previous days. We had a much larger group now and I was thinking that I might end up skiing with the slower group if we were to split up. But once I got out on the mountain I got energized. We took a few warm-up runs on Excelcior and Wilderness. Got a call from DJ who was at the Summit Chair, so we headed that way. We turned into a group of 10 when we got to the Summit lift. We got to see some unexpected friends who are also from Ithaca who are exceptional telemarkers. The energy level amped up dramatically. After one lap on Skyward the slides opened. There was a line to get in and they were letting in 10 at a time.
We had to give warning to two of our friends who only ski a couple of times a year. They both had the gaper look. We told them that there were potentially severe consequences to mistakes and they would need to be able to make tight turns in narrow and steep passages, negotiate ice falls, small trees and rocks. They quickly realized it would not be a good idea to follow us. They went off on their own while the 8 of us stepped through the gate.
Our first run was in Slide 4. It was again pretty sketchy getting over there, but I did it with much less effort today. A little experience went a long way for me. Also, the snow was corned up so much nicer than Thursday, so overall the snow was much more forgiving.
Just two of us (me and AC) had experience in these slides. We brought 6 people in there for the first time. Everyone did exceptionally well.
6 of us went back up and got in line for another run. This time we did slide 3. The entrance required picking your way through a couple of tight spots, but once beyond that choke point it was phat city. The snow was perfectly corned and the terrain was steep. The turns flowed. The sun warmed up the waterfalls so that you could ski right over them. Slide 1 was open and seemed to have a number of lines through it. I think we will try to get on slide 1 tomorrow. It is supposed to be just as sunny and much warmer.
The slides closed at 2pm and only allowed us two laps.
We rehydrated with beer on the mid mountain deck, but got back out at 3pm for one more hour of soft corny snow. We took 2 runs on Cloudspin before making the final descent to the base lodge.
It was an epic day. I kept up with the ski patrol boys who are all fantastic skiers and rocked out on Whiteface all day. Not back for an ole gal. I'm feeling at the top of my game and I am totally stoked for day 4.
