As Dennis Green might say, Pico Mountain is what we thought it was...and that's pretty fun.
On the drive up from MA, it really struck me how thin the snow pack is S of Concord NH...practically nonexistatnt, as Dr. McCoy might say. But Pico made out well with both last weekend's (1/20/07) storm, as well as bonus snows throughout the week.
I'd say 12"-16" had fallen in total, as that was my very rough estimate when looking off-trail. The lack of snowmaking at Pico plus the poor early season meant that the number of trails open was less than you'd like for late Jan., but what was open was in good condition.
In partcular, the skiing between 2K-3K in elevation on both Birch Glades and Lower Giant Killer (accessible on a traverse thru the woods from Birch Glades) was really good. Found boot deep pow on Lower Giant Killer.
However, the steeper angle woods off the Oupost Chair in between Bronco & Wrangler needs more snow, as underneat the new stuff was a semi-breakable crust, where it was very easy to slip when I had to put too mcuh eight on my turns. Noentheless, Wrangler was quite nice. Oh, I say off the Outpost chair even though it;s not open. It's an easy 2-3 minute hike, if that (in or out of skis), to access most of the trails. And the skiing stays better when the lift's not open!
The consistent light snow that fell made the morning even more enjoyable. And corwds are never a problem; the most you'll ever get is a few minute wait at the Lower Quad, which actually serves some fun lower intermediate terrain that holds snow quite well. After a tough start, it really feels like Winter has arrived in Central VT.
The continued light snow in the Upper Valley convinced me to do a quick cross country jaunt Sun. morning at Quechee Lakes. It was enjoyable, and while there was not enough snow for them to have groomed some tracks, there was just enough snow on top of the slick stuff to be able to basically stay on top and have fun.
Now we just need one big storm to open everything up!
:lol:
On the drive up from MA, it really struck me how thin the snow pack is S of Concord NH...practically nonexistatnt, as Dr. McCoy might say. But Pico made out well with both last weekend's (1/20/07) storm, as well as bonus snows throughout the week.
I'd say 12"-16" had fallen in total, as that was my very rough estimate when looking off-trail. The lack of snowmaking at Pico plus the poor early season meant that the number of trails open was less than you'd like for late Jan., but what was open was in good condition.
In partcular, the skiing between 2K-3K in elevation on both Birch Glades and Lower Giant Killer (accessible on a traverse thru the woods from Birch Glades) was really good. Found boot deep pow on Lower Giant Killer.
However, the steeper angle woods off the Oupost Chair in between Bronco & Wrangler needs more snow, as underneat the new stuff was a semi-breakable crust, where it was very easy to slip when I had to put too mcuh eight on my turns. Noentheless, Wrangler was quite nice. Oh, I say off the Outpost chair even though it;s not open. It's an easy 2-3 minute hike, if that (in or out of skis), to access most of the trails. And the skiing stays better when the lift's not open!
The consistent light snow that fell made the morning even more enjoyable. And corwds are never a problem; the most you'll ever get is a few minute wait at the Lower Quad, which actually serves some fun lower intermediate terrain that holds snow quite well. After a tough start, it really feels like Winter has arrived in Central VT.
The continued light snow in the Upper Valley convinced me to do a quick cross country jaunt Sun. morning at Quechee Lakes. It was enjoyable, and while there was not enough snow for them to have groomed some tracks, there was just enough snow on top of the slick stuff to be able to basically stay on top and have fun.
Now we just need one big storm to open everything up!
:lol: