Killington waited to open so they could take advantage of almost a full 24hr/day week of snowmaking and it paid off in more terrain and deeper snow than *ever* seen before on an opener. No pickup truck rides this time, they were doing about the same thing we saw a couple of weeks into last season: Gondola to K peak, ski down and do the Rime/ E&W Glade trails and Glades chair loop, then continue down Snowden to base area to either bail for the day or start over on the gondola (it all went away in a Thanksgiving thaw last year, but let's not think about that right now!). <BR> Snowmakers laid down a cover that looked to be a couple feet thick in most spots and the surface was perfect packed (and some loose) powder with none of the bare spots so often seen on first day. It had bumped up for some nice variety in many spots (there were so many bumps so early in the day, in fact, that I suspect the staff and/or insiders had at it a little earlier). The trees near K peak were even dusted with a few inches of natural snow (2-4" reported) and if you narrowed your field of vision to ignore the autumn landscape, one could just as easily have skiing a midwinter day! <BR> Managed to hook up with longtime pal and frequent poster LftGly and had some great turns. Got a little crowded at times but not bad overall (tho all bets are off for the weekend). Even better, the snow guns weren't running! Stone blue sky day to boot. <BR> I've been critical of Kmart for not opening at first opportunity and I still miss that cult-like vibe of just intuitively knowing "it's time" after the first freezing night, but they made a different call this time and it really did pay off in it's own wa...so kudos where due. Good to be back, hope we can keep it going.
Killington 10/25/02 Opening Day
- Thread starter cd
- Start date