Recent content by Skieric

It would not surprise me if ski areas such as Abasin saw a 75% reduction in skiers. Core expert terrain was not even open there in February. I think Pali was open for about 3 weeks the entire season.

I am considering stopping in Europe on my way to another non-skiing destination next December. My dates would be around December 19-22. I struggle to understand the snowfall patterns in Europe. I am looking for suggestions for either some very snow assured destinations or places that...

Sunshine and Lake Louise seem to benefit very well from the very warm and moisture filled atmospheric rivers that go into BC or Washington. All of interior BC can be getting rain, but the rockies are simply too high and cold, its snow in AB. I have seen several times the AR is bringing rain...

US has a lot more issues regarding legal liability and lawsuits than pretty much anywhere else (Insurance costs). Could this impact the ability to reinvest in infrastructure?

Most of these “cult” ski areas listed are independently owned. I noticed that none of them are owned by Vail, Altera or Boyne, with the exception being Mammoth.

How many lifts are required to run either mountain late season? Common treads at Mammoth, Abasin, Killington, MSS is that skiing starts/ends at the parking lot. W/B village is a long way from the snow line this time of year. Lots of uploading and downloading required.

Race camps must bring good $. Both Copper and Winter Park usually keep lifts spinning for race camps after they close to the public. Checking webcams at Copper, it still appears that Excelerator is running for race programs despite the minimal snow.

Abasin only needs to run 2 lifts for spring operations. From that, due to the social scene, they keep the restaurants and bars busy. I suspect this is where the $ comes from in the spring. I suspect it all comes down to the economics of staying open. This likely varies from mtn to mtn on...

Kicking Horse likely falls into this group. Its multiple ridges of nothing but steep chutes. Some years you even have to hike up from the lower chairlift to the upper.

ABasin has zero local lodging. Closest is Keystone and intermediates don't generally like it as much as other areas. Therefore I think it will always be a niche ski area. Its one of my favorite mountains. Pali face generally always has good snow. On a true powder day, there are hidden...

I think the new snow allowed them to extend.

I think it has to be more than this. Otherwise the list would be the same as the resorts with the highest skier numbers (Breck, WB, Vail).

I think there are many other remote small areas that have devoted skiers. Places such as Red Mtn (not so small) and Whitewater in BC come to mind, however there are many others especially in Montana.

I have continued to subscribe to Opensnow, however I should probably cancel it. The forecasting is no better than any other source and it frequently grossly overestimates the snow totals. I guess I like reading the detailed written forecasts and find these helpful.

Sunshine Village appears to have added another season. Plans to reopen for summer skiing June 20-July 5.