Killington, VT 5/8/2004

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For me, the fat lady's not just singing, she's absolutely belting out a tune. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. <BR> <BR>After the Mt. Washington Auto Road pushed back their opening to the middle of this coming week sometime, I was still determined to log Day 40 over a six-month season by skiing <I>somewhere</I> yesterday. The choices were limited, of course, and Killington was the closet option to home...so Killington it was. <BR> <BR>Driving up the access road, the view showed that while a small walk would be required at the top there was seamless cover remaining below that on Superstar: <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3919.jpg" ALT="An overview"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3920.jpg" ALT="the lower headwall"> <BR> <BR>I'm guessing that there were maybe 75 cars in the lot there to sample the goods, perhaps 100 when I left. Folks were setting up the usual tailgate BBQs and the spring party had begun. I started off the day in filtered sunshine, but high clouds continued to stream in throughout my day. <BR> <BR>I booted up in the lot, ducked into the Killington Base Lodge ski shop to pick up a ticket, and headed for the quad. Although the snow basically reached the loading ramp they were having riders carry their skis and boards because walking off the top of the lift was required. The path was somewhat narrow in the middle: <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3921.jpg" ALT="Middle section"> <BR> <BR>and about 50 feet of downhiking was required to reach the top of the snow: <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3922.jpg" ALT="upper headwall"> <BR> <BR>I headed down. <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3923.jpg" ALT="view from the top"> <BR> <BR>The snow surface, however, was somewhat disappointing as it always seems to be for me when visiting Superstar late in the season. The surface had firmed up in the below-freezing temps overnight, and they clearly took the opportunity to push some of the snow around with a cat. I deliberately arrived late to allow things to soften a bit, but all I was rewarded with were random piles of heavy mush on top of a firm, icy base. Ugh. Rhythm? What rhythm? The sludge was truly exhausting, and I had to stop several times down each run to rest up. Not exactly a joy to ski. <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3924.jpg" ALT="lower Superstar"> <BR> <BR>After only a few runs I packed it in. It was a somewhat depressing end to my season...not exactly the joyous turns in perfect corn that I'd savored two weekends earlier in Gulf of Slides, and not exactly what I'd planned on in Great Gulf for yesterday. However, it was skiing, it was the magical Day 40, and it was the last day of my season. <BR> <BR>She's singing. "La-la-la-la-la!"
 
Oh, one more thing: traffic was taking its toll on a narrow spot near the point where High Road cuts off to skier's right. The snow is very, very thin at that point and won't last for long. As the day wore on, a few tiny pebbles were showing up in the snow surface there, but rock skis were not required at all yesterday -- any hazards were easily avoided.
 
Hey, you should have showed up earlier in the morning -- they groomed it over and while the few bumps off to the side were still pretty icy, the amount of people in the morning allowed for 2-3 quick cruisers right down the middle of superstar in pretty nice, edgeable snow. The snow definitely changed with almost every run though, and by around 10:30 it was a little bit too sloppy to just cruise down and still maintain good snow contact. The hiking was pretty lame, but at least yesterday was still a little too early in May for the blackflies to hatch out of the mud on top and bite you while you quickly try to get your equipment on and get out of there. Hopefully they will stop grooming so maybe the snow might have a chance at lasting another week... its too bad the weather looks pretty bad for Tucks the next few days.... Maybe we saw each other yesterday - I was one of the few down to just a green tshirt.. Were you in the bumps most of the afternoon? <BR> <BR>-Sven
 
Yeah, I should've showed up earlier. I was concerned about rock-hard bumps from the cold overnight temps before things softened, but should've realized that they'd use the opportunity to push some snow around and therefore groom things out. <BR> <BR>Chances are we did see each other. I was skiing rather conservatively, however, as things just weren't clicking for me yesterday and I never really got into the groove. I thus avoided the biggest bumps on skier's left. I was entirely in black - a black softshell and black North Face pants, plus a black helmet.
 
Not that I am planning to go this year, but what were they charging for lift tickets? $39? <BR> <BR>My back wouldn't last long for a day of Superstar and my chiropractor would probably not agree. Plus work is about to get crazy.
 
Nice report Marc and thanks for the pics. <BR> <BR>It's amazing how the path is already narrow, so early in may. <BR> <BR>Looking to this, do you think I mistake if I say that next weekend is possibly going to be their last weekend of the season ? <BR> <BR>I don't think they will keep some skiing on the hill when there will be only the lower part of the trail skiable ! <BR> <BR>A sure thing, there is 10000x more snow at Mt Édouard (mostly natural snow)
 
marc--------classic stuff! die hards only! <BR>we can only hope for a bountiful 04-05 ski season.thanx for the great photos....... <BR> <BR>brian o
 
Yup, here's the story: <BR><A HREF="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/news/stories/108429762779631.shtm" TARGET="_blank">http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/news/stories/108429762779631.shtm</A>
 
nice article marc, i bet some of those tight areas are pretty long dirt stretches now
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><HR SIZE=0><!-Quote-!><FONT SIZE=1><B>Quote:</B></FONT><P>i bet some of those tight areas are pretty long dirt stretches now<!-/Quote-!><HR SIZE=0></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR>I'd wager that you're right. However, many of us have skied Superstar in May/June while downhiking over 3, 4 or 5 long bare stretches per run. I for one am surprised that they closed.
 
I only think that they stayed open as long as they did so that they could beat bretton woods. If BW had closed on april 30th, then killington would have been right around the corner. Hopefully, BW can keep some more challenging terrain open longer next year. <BR> <BR>porter
 
Hey, Marc, your article forget St-Sauveur which closed on sunday may 9 and opened 1 day before Killington (nov 9) <BR> <BR>So Killington have beaten St-Sauveur of <B>1</B> single tiny day ! It's why they opened up to today ! <BR> <BR>I can't believe it's over for the big K !!!!!!!!! <BR> <BR>I will easily beat Killington this year too... even though the Loup-Garou will end enough soon too, unfortunately.
 
not too surprised given the recent shortening of both ends of the season at K, especially the late start this year. granted, it was a smart long term plan not to blow the guns early like usual, but opening first and staying open isn't about having a smart long term plan. <BR> <BR>though i gotta say, if they closed due to not enough lift tickets sold, they should re-evaluate charging $30 for an all day lift ticket for one run with hiking at the top and bottom. i don't ski K late or early, so either way to me doesn't matter. but from a perspective looking at the entire industry, this really is sad to see the mighty K opening late and closing early.
 
I am TOTALLY in SHOCK!!!! <BR> <BR>Some of you will say, you shouldn't be surprise the last few year, bla bla bla... <BR> <BR>I know, I know... <BR> <BR>I remember walking more with my skis than actually skiing on snow at some closing. I believe the worst was on June 1st, 1993. The whole middle part of Superstar was done. <BR> <BR>How the mightly have fallen. Judging from Marc's report, the pics and my experience skiing Superstar until closing in the 80-90s. I was sure they were going to make for Victoria Day weekend (May 22-23). <BR> <BR>Quick, where my Killington stats for opening and closing. Frank, do you have them handy? Need to check old conversation (Last May). This is probably very close to a record year for them. <BR> <BR>1) Latest opening (worst in at least 30yr if I recall correctly) <BR> <BR>2) Earlier closing in a long long time. <BR> <BR>3) Number of ski days in the season. <BR> <BR>Last weekend was my last day, my season extended 175 days from Nov9 (St.Bruno) to May1 (ste.Anne). I was lamenting how far it was from my record year in 1991-92 when my season lasted 215 days (Nov 9 at K to June 11 at K). <BR> <BR>Judging by the recent trends, the only way I will be able to beat this will be by hiking or leaving the East. Maybe Indoor skiing will show up around here (ha ha ha).
 
Yeah, it's the worst closure since 1976 and it was the worst opening since 1970 <BR> <BR>You can see the whole chart since 1970 (excluding 2003-04) (nov 10 to may 11) on this thread : <BR> <BR><A HREF="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/2508/2639.html?1059583711" TARGET="_top">http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/2508/2639.html?1059583711</A> <BR> <BR>It's horrible, I can't believe the lifted season in the east is over... while there is still some glades skiable not so far and at an elevation of 800' !!
 
Frank, I did a quick check in my cereal boxes of archives before going to bed last night. I have a K chart going all the way back to 1967-68 (thought I gave you those numbers). <BR> <BR>According to the lenght of season column you calculated, with 184 days, this is their shortest season since 1973-74. <BR> <BR>Anyway, the situation looks pretty grim. <BR> <BR>Yes, there is global warming, but K didn't help themselves. Part of the mess they are in (and the whole industry for that matter) is of they own making.
 
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