Eastern Closing dates 2007-08

[Tony Crocker]

http://bestsnow.net/vrmthist.htm is now updated to include 2007-08.

On another note, I'm starting to gather the year end data, and I'm very surprised by the data from Mt. Washington, which shows only 227.5 inches of snow since Oct. 1. That would be 74% of normal.

Given Riverc0il's comments about how good a year NH had, plus icelantic's recent reports from skiing all over the Presidentials, I think we have to question the accuracy of the Mt. Washinton observations. How accurate can snowfall reporting be from such a place, with the extreme winds, varied forms of precipitation, etc.?

Perhaps salida (is that right?) or someone else who has worked up there can enlighten us.

 

[jasoncapecod]

About 15yrs ago i spent the weekend on top of Mt Washington working with the weather crew. If I remember right we went out every hour to take snow and precip measurements. The winds made taking accurate snow measurement next to impossible. They have a sheltered spot , but sheltered is very relative on top.

 

[icelanticskier]

ya, mount washington is 80 or more inches below average for the winter but, the cover on the east side of the range is better than most years, even with the recent warm spell because the snow that did fall came in with stronger than normal winds from the westerly direction causing major loading and many once in 50 or more year large avalanches to occur. i skied 8 top to bottom runs at the gulf of slides today to celebrate cinco de mayo and the cover was better than it ever was last year at anytime. so good in fact that i'm going for another full day tomorrow and will go for weeks to come. the last time i saw gos so well filled in this late was may of 96' and of course 97'. heck, i was still able to ski 1/4 of the way down the ski trail towards pinkham today. skiing will be good into june fer sure this year in many spots despite the less than average winter on the rock.
rog

 

[Tony Crocker]

But my point is that with Vermont at 130% of normal snowfall, Cannon at 160%, plus the observed high snowpack on Mt. Washington's leeward side, can't we conclude that the 74% snowfall is not likely to be right?

 

[ChrisC]

Blew Sunday off as it was raining pretty good in the morning. Low cloud ceiling.

Yes, it was. 8) Stopped raining for maybe our last two runs, Kitzwoods and Can-Am. :shock: :shock: :shock:

That is dedication. Barespots, fog and rain - no problem.

 

[Patrick]

That is dedication. Barespots, fog and rain - no problem.

I wasn't the only one from FTO to have a wonderful day of skiing at Jay on Sunday. More later.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Now that the Canadiens have been eliminated from the playoffs, what is the status of your beard?

 

[Geoff]

Blew Sunday off as it was raining pretty good in the morning. Low cloud ceiling.

Yes, it was. 8) Stopped raining for maybe our last two runs, Kitzwoods and Can-Am. :shock: :shock: :shock:

That is dedication. Barespots, fog and rain - no problem.

I skied Sugarbush on Saturday. It was a little, err, damp. My original plan for the weekend was to head up to Jay on Sunday morning. One look out the window at 6:30 Sunday morning and I went back to bed until 9:00. Most weekends this spring, if you ignored what the weather report said and came up anyway, you got rewarded with sun and nice spring conditions. Didn't happen this weekend and I'd pretty much had enough.

 

[Tony Crocker]

That is dedication. Barespots, fog and rain - no problem.

It's called the ski streak tail wagging the ski quality dog. To each his own, but I knew that the longer I continued mine, the more I would be tempted to do marginal stuff like November WROD's at Mt. High. No question this weekend was a "D" in the chart I updated Sunday.

 

[Harvey]

I know..."past performance is no indication of future results...."

BUT... Tony's chart sure makes a case for February, if you must plan a vacation in advance in the East.

 

[Patrick]

That is dedication. Barespots, fog and rain - no problem.

It's called the ski streak tail wagging the ski quality dog.

Call it whatever you want, it was fun. If it would be for the streak, I would have gone to MSS (if it would have been open on Sunday) and ski a few runs at call it a month. Or I could have climbed up Camp Fortune and ski that patch of snow.

I don't think that the other FTOers that I meet and skied with have any envies towards others regarding quality this season. They were there regardless, skiing and enjoying it....like me. :roll:

I prefer skiing 56 days than simply keeping a high powder day ratio at the fraction of my season. But that just me...and some others. :wink:

 

[Patrick]

Now that the Canadiens have been eliminated from the playoffs, what is the status of your beard?

Like my TRs...not done/shaved yet. :wink:

 

[icelanticskier]

But my point is that with Vermont at 130% of normal snowfall, Cannon at 160%, plus the observed high snowpack on Mt. Washington's leeward side, can't we conclude that the 74% snowfall is not likely to be right?

i got yer point tony. it's an elevation thing, pure and simple. less moisture up that high this year compared to lower elevations in that area. had another epic ski day at gulf of slides today with 7 more runs or 15 in two days and only saw 3 folks as i was leaving. still great skiing to be had in nh.

rog

 

[Patrick]

Here is the latest from the only area that will be trying to be open in the East.

http://www.montsaintsauveur.com/en/st_sauveur/

Last Update : 05-07-08, 10:45 AM
Mont Saint-Sauveur will be closed this week. We wish that Mother Nture will wear her nicest suit for next weekend by sending us lots of sunshine. If conditions permit, we will be open on May 10 & 11.

Late season prices: $30/4hr - $35 full day

Picture from MSS May 6th.

 

[Patrick]

Mont St-Sauveur is still alive AND will reopen this weekend, May 10-11.

The ski area is probably every close to having the longest season in the East this season.

So here are the closing dates of the last areas ...

Jay Peak VT: May 4
Sugarbush VT: May 4
Sugarloaf ME: May 5

Mont St-Sauveur QC: May 11

 

[Geoff]

Mont St-Sauveur is still alive AND will reopen this weekend, May 10-11.

The ski area is probably every close to having the longest season in the East this season.

So here are the closing dates of the last areas ...

Jay Peak VT: May 4
Sugarbush VT: May 4
Sugarloaf ME: May 5

Mont St-Sauveur QC: May 11

It's easier, and probably cheaper, for me to fly to Snowbird. It's 300 miles to Montreal for me. I'd get to abuse His Editorship, too.

 

[Patrick]

Mont St-Sauveur is still alive AND will reopen this weekend, May 10-11.

It's easier, and probably cheaper, for me to fly to Snowbird. It's 300 miles to Montreal for me. I'd get to abuse His Editorship, too.

I believe that Anthony mentioned something about MSS last week. :wink:

Note that I didn't ski Mont St-Sauveur for a few seasons, there is a reason for that. Although it's good to have a local option for late season skiing close to Montreal, I've generally opted for the longer trips. It would also be good if Tremblant went for the last season market.

Even when in I lived in Montreal, I prefered heading driving 180miles to Kmart for my May skiing than only driving 30 miles North to MSS. But that is just me. I know someone that writes on this forum that drove from Albany (or wherever) to ski a WROD at MSS on opening day in November a few years back. (see I can abose His Editorship also) :lol:

As for me, I'm sick at home plus our weekend is entirely booked with birthday, end of the year concert plus I'm seeing QOTSA on Sunday night.

 

[Patrick]

Mont St-Sauveur mentioned that this might not be their last weekend and might also open next weekend also, May 17-18.

Imagine if a few of the big guns in Quebec would just let the lifts run until the snow is gone. Although Mont St-Sauveur is a big gun on a small hill, imagine if Tremblant and Mont Ste-Anne would do the same thing, because if MSS has enough snow n Hill 70, there is enough snow on Tremblant and MSA's North sides. :roll:

Wishful thinking...


Jay Peak VT: May 4
Sugarbush VT: May 4
Sugarloaf ME: May 5

Mont St-Sauveur QC: May 17-18, if possible.

 

[Patrick]

IT'S OVER - LIFT SERVED SKIING IN THE EAST ENDED YESTERDAY.


http://www.montsaintsauveur.com/en/st_sauveur/4110/

The 2007-2008 season comes to an end at Mont Saint-Sauveur

Saint Sauveur, Monday May 12, 2008 – Mont Saint-Sauveur announces the official end of the 2007-2008 ski season as of May 11th. The center accumulated 173 days of skiing since its opening November 9th, 2007. Mont Saint-Sauveur can once again boast about being the first Québec center to open its doors and the last one to close them. Mont Saint-Sauveur still holds the record for the longest ski season with 204 days. With only a few short weeks before the opening of its water park, Mont Saint-Sauveur draws a positive assessment of the last six months.

A miraculous ski season
For the first time in its history, Mont Saint-Sauveur launched its season on Friday November 9th with night skiing, beginning operations a day ahead of all other centers that had planned their openings for Saturday May the 10th. The entire region had abundant snowfalls and most pleasant temperatures. A « Phenomenal » winter for the industry, the 2007-2008 season created a substantial traffic increase and the holiday period was “animated” to say the least. The 2007-2008 season will most certainly be a reference where record precipitations are concerned.

Although February proved to be a quieter period, the month of March was outstanding with its eternal spring conditions. All of the Laurentian ski centers were able to prolong their season through the month of April instilling an even greater passion for the sport into people’s hearts.

The 2007-2008 season’s ski conditions and exceptional snow accumulations are uncontested proof that Québec and the Laurentians region are ski destinations worth the detour. We hope that skiers and boarders alike experienced as much enjoyment from this season as the center’s operators did.

After having talked about re-opening next weekend, the staff at MSSI probably looked at the numbers and decided to pull the plug instead of hoping to open their lift next weekend.

Here are two TRs (in French) from Zoneski with a series of pictures from those two days. Definitely still some snow left to maybe run the lift next weekend. Although I'm not a big fan of MSS, I have to say Kudos for making the season run longer than their big competition in the Laurentians and Quebec.

May 11 TR from ZONESKI (in French) with pics

May 10 TR from ZONESKI (in French) with pics.