Snow cover was remarkably good, with minimal bullet-proof.
True test (for those who know Okemo) is Lower World Cup, where one can often turn up small stones even in mid-season (for some unknown reason). But today, it was completely covered -- I did not hit any stones. There were some scrapped off areas, of course, but Defiance was in excellent shape even into early afternoon.
Crowd density was pretty manageable, well below the danger point seen in the scary photos from Killington opening day.
Some strong wind, blowing down the mountain. Northstar quad ran slower than I have ever seen it (10 mins, instead pof 6 mins) going into wind. So, one would totally fly down the fast surface, and crawl back up the mountain. Probably got over 30K vert by 2:00 with few people in the way and fast, but edgeable, snow.
Another interesting note: snow guns were still going at summit when I left, even though parking lot temp was 45 and sunny. Wish this kind of differential could hold for ever ...
Rick
True test (for those who know Okemo) is Lower World Cup, where one can often turn up small stones even in mid-season (for some unknown reason). But today, it was completely covered -- I did not hit any stones. There were some scrapped off areas, of course, but Defiance was in excellent shape even into early afternoon.
Crowd density was pretty manageable, well below the danger point seen in the scary photos from Killington opening day.
Some strong wind, blowing down the mountain. Northstar quad ran slower than I have ever seen it (10 mins, instead pof 6 mins) going into wind. So, one would totally fly down the fast surface, and crawl back up the mountain. Probably got over 30K vert by 2:00 with few people in the way and fast, but edgeable, snow.
Another interesting note: snow guns were still going at summit when I left, even though parking lot temp was 45 and sunny. Wish this kind of differential could hold for ever ...
Rick