Frankontour
New member
I Went to Mont Saint-Sauveur today. I think they heard that Killington really made less snow than other years, and that they want to try to beat the big K for the latest closure in east. They fixed closure for may 18, but I don't know if it's enough to beat K and if they'll be able to reach may 18. There is still a ton of snow in their 2 big snowmaking trails ("Cote 70 ouest" and "Nordique"), but the snowdepth is not equal everywhere. Most of the places, it's 10-15 feet high, but in few places, it's more 1-2 feet high, so it won't be easy to reach mid-may. Especially just below the unload point of Nordic triple chairlift, the amount of snow is already pretty low. At least, as they close all the other trails, after the easter long weekend, they will bring the snow from the neighbour trails into the 2 big ones. <BR> <BR>Photo of lower "East 70" and "West 70", merged on the lower mountain and Nordique, on right. <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2195.jpg" ALT="70 and Nordic"> <BR> <BR>So today, it was some spring variable conditions (not so bad), with the central detachable quad and the Nordic triple chair open. The clouds were really presents, so the pics quality is ........) There was only 6 open trails, as they decided to close the 3 other sides of the mountain (Avila / 68 / 71). Those sides could still be open, but with the lack of skiers during spring (Hey Joegm, I agree with you completely... even as an accountant !!) they decided to close those sides. The 3 trails still open on the central side (Red Bird, Jay and "70 est") + the "Silver Park" near 70 west were on their last miles. They'll surely survive until april 21, but after, it's sure they'll close, except possibly the Pipe, in the middle 70 est. They're still full width, but there is some places where it's obvious that the snowdepth is not really big. Of course, there is no problem for that on Nordic and west 70. <BR> <BR>Upper West 70 <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2196.jpg" ALT="Upper 70 west... interesting snowdepth"> <BR> <BR>Middle 70 west <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2197.jpg" ALT="Middle 70 west"> <BR> <BR>Lower Nordique <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2198.jpg" ALT="Great pitch and huge amount of snow"> <BR> <BR>There was still some interesting stuff to ski. A nice bump field on the lower West 70, the pipe was enough great for this time of the year, in the East 70; there was some medium jumps in the Silver Park + some rails and there was 1 big air and 1 "little air" in the Middle Nordique. <BR> <BR>This is the "little air" <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2199.jpg" ALT="nice jump !"> <BR> <BR>On my first run in Nordique, I've taken that pic <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2200.jpg" ALT="Mont Gabriel is still looking white... hmm"> <BR> <BR>I was surprised to see how the South side of Mont Gabriel could still have so much snow, as it's closed for 2 weeks now. Especially, the O'Connell, the large trail on right looked particularly good from St-Sauveur. During winter, it's a huge bump field enough steep. <BR> <BR>So... few hours after (Lftgly, you really have a bad influence on me ! lol), I decided to make few turns on O'Connell. There was still some great bumps and the snow was really good, as it was enough warm + a south side. The bumps weren't really big, but they were incredibly interesting, after 2 weeks without skiers ! I finally skied it twice cause it was too nice 
(Ok, I admit that the 600' of Gabriel are less tough than the 2100 of Cannon) <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2201.jpg" ALT="O'Connell was nice"> <BR> <BR>Finally, if la Reserve is open tomorrow, I'll possibly go. It's really sad that they announced rain for the weedend. About 10-15 ski areas here, closed for season, looking the forecast.
(Ok, I admit that the 600' of Gabriel are less tough than the 2100 of Cannon) <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2201.jpg" ALT="O'Connell was nice"> <BR> <BR>Finally, if la Reserve is open tomorrow, I'll possibly go. It's really sad that they announced rain for the weedend. About 10-15 ski areas here, closed for season, looking the forecast.