Slides probably have enough snow for another weekend or two. Maybe one where Morgane is available too.
Slides open at Whiteface
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Patrick
Well-known member
Tony Crocker":3hmnontk said:
Forget about it. I don't think Morgane is ready for the Slides. I've explained why last year. I wanted to bring her on Paradise first, but...
We were supposed to hit MRG and another big hill next weekend, however a friend just invited her for his birthday on Sunday morning. Prior to that, my wife had agreed to let my daughter skip her music class, everything was set until this phone call this afternoon. Crap, my daughter wants to go to this friend's birthday party.
The following weekend I have a Faculty reunion (60th Anniversary) in Montreal on Saturday evening and wife want to be back in Ottawa for Sunday morning. Sometimes I feel like I can't win. Squeezed between my daughters and wife social calendar. 
Patrick
Well-known member
It was a geography reunion, geographers don't wear suits!!! :wink: Actually had a suit tonight, it was the Ski Museum/Canadian Ski Hall of Fame banquet, but no pics of me with this year's inductees Jean-Luc Brassard or Mélanie Turgeon. No pictures either of any of the other Hall of Fame members like the Wurtele twins, Lucille Wheeler, Laurie Graham, John Eaves, John Fripp, Ken Read, etc etc.
Goatee is still long, playoff beard is growing, however it didn't help tonight. OUCH!!!
Certain years (most?), they don't even open, so I don't know how Tony could put together typical opening/closing dates.
Don't forget that WF received 65 inches more snow this season than its seasonal average... that's why they were skiable during that short window.
Don't forget that WF received 65 inches more snow this season than its seasonal average... that's why they were skiable during that short window.
takeahike46er
New member
I can't think of a year where they didn't open at all. Of course, there was a year or two when they only opened for a few days out of the season, while another season they were open something like 14 days. I'm guessing the average is about 7 days per season.
The best chance of skiing the slides is in the last week of March and the first week in April. They have opened in February, but I wouldn't count on it.
A good season's snowfall is an important factor but is by no means the only factor in determining the number of days patrol opens the Slides. For example, coverage was ample this year but it only yielded something like 7 days. Why? They were slow to open due to cold March temperatures in conjunction with numerous mixed precipitation events. Furthermore, persistent high temperatures in April closed them prematurely-- not due to coverage but because the waterfall "gave-out".
Whiteface patrol as a whole is VERY conservative about opening up terrain. Rather than waiting for them to make the call, check out the Toll Road Slide on the north side of the mountain which is always "open". This year it should be fairly easy to access as slack country with the new lift.
The best chance of skiing the slides is in the last week of March and the first week in April. They have opened in February, but I wouldn't count on it.
A good season's snowfall is an important factor but is by no means the only factor in determining the number of days patrol opens the Slides. For example, coverage was ample this year but it only yielded something like 7 days. Why? They were slow to open due to cold March temperatures in conjunction with numerous mixed precipitation events. Furthermore, persistent high temperatures in April closed them prematurely-- not due to coverage but because the waterfall "gave-out".
Whiteface patrol as a whole is VERY conservative about opening up terrain. Rather than waiting for them to make the call, check out the Toll Road Slide on the north side of the mountain which is always "open". This year it should be fairly easy to access as slack country with the new lift.
The "about 6 years ago" had to be 2001, with the massive March snowfall followed by the warm and sunny April.
Back when we were dissecting GPaul's proposed early April trip, I found some seasons with major rains and closing of terrain before the end of March. I would be skeptical that the Slides were ever open in such years.
Does anybody remember the Slides being opened for winter conditions/good powder as would have been the case in March 2001, or only during a spring corn cycle?
This is the kind of information, while interesting, is very difficult to chase down from afar. You need to have a local skier with a similar obsession, keeping track each year :wink: .
Back when we were dissecting GPaul's proposed early April trip, I found some seasons with major rains and closing of terrain before the end of March. I would be skeptical that the Slides were ever open in such years.
Does anybody remember the Slides being opened for winter conditions/good powder as would have been the case in March 2001, or only during a spring corn cycle?
This is the kind of information, while interesting, is very difficult to chase down from afar. You need to have a local skier with a similar obsession, keeping track each year :wink: .
Sandy's reply:
Told you so, takeahike46er.
=;
Told you so, takeahike46er.
=;
Patrick
Well-known member
Tony Crocker":1l9zjony said:
April 15, 2007 - definitely Winter conditions.
April 12, 2002 - Spring corn conditions.
It didn't write in my log, but I remember skiing the Slides after a trip out West. I didn't go out West in 01 or head back to WF after the 99 and 00 trips. Plus it had to be a day that I was skiing without wife and kid, April 12 is the only day it could be.
takeahike46er
New member
jamesdeluxe":frx3dpsn said:
I was wrong in my recollection.
jamesdeluxe":frx3dpsn said:
Principally, I was rebutting the "most years they don't even open". As Sandy put it-- "some years, they have not opened". There's a difference between the two statements. :wink:
I knew I'd get in trouble for postulating "most."
It's such a fine line between guessing correctly and being badly misinformed.
:lol:
It's such a fine line between guessing correctly and being badly misinformed.
:lol: