Whiteface 4/6 - another spectacular day

[takeahike46er]

They also cut a long intermediate run that can be seen from the base. There are two more trails that have yet to be cut (beside the glades).

Here's a good pic that shows the pod (intermediate run on the far right side of the ridge):

 

[Sharon]

Great pic! Those runs look totally awesome.

One of the best things about Whiteface are the steep long runs. There may not be as many runs as some of the other resorts, but what you get is long, steep and interesting.

 

[kcyanks1]

Thanks for the pics Sharon. I've personally never taken any pics of the place, but yours capture well what the Slides are.

Do you have to hike to get into the Slides the way they have the open now? I skied them once before, in March 2001, and I had to hike through a path in the woods about 20-25 minutes to get to the top of Slide 1. (...) Perhaps I'm wrong, but it appears from the picture you posted about the traverse that you aren't getting to start from as high up.

They changed the entry point. It's much easier now (having done it in 2002(?) and last year). It's just an uphill traverse off the Summit Quad, it's take maybe 5-10 minutes to reach the top of Slide 1.

Thanks for the info! I have been to Whiteface since '01 (just the Slides weren't open) and it seemed like they had a different entry point. I assumed they would open one or the other (or both) based on conditions, perhaps giving you the choice on whether to hike much. It seems like the way they are doing it now, you are losing a decent amount of vertical on the run. I never traversed past Slide 1 in my one trip into the Slides -- what's the terrain above the current traverse like for Slides 2-4? Is the loss of the top portion really a big deal? Any idea why they changed the entry point?

 

[Sharon]

Thanks for the info! I have been to Whiteface since '01 (just the Slides weren't open) and it seemed like they had a different entry point. I assumed they would open one or the other (or both) based on conditions, perhaps giving you the choice on whether to hike much. It seems like the way they are doing it now, you are losing a decent amount of vertical on the run. I never traversed past Slide 1 in my one trip into the Slides -- what's the terrain above the current traverse like for Slides 2-4? Is the loss of the top portion really a big deal? Any idea why they changed the entry point?

The area above the traverse looks like a very nice ski adding maybe 400' vertical with good pitch. I would say it is a loss, however, there is plenty to ski below the traverse...still probably 1500-1800' or so. I would have liked to have climbed up to the ridgeline, but I probably would have only done it once. There would not have been enough time to ski it more than once anyway since the slides are only open for a brief window.

One day they were open just one hour, and we were only able to get 2 runs in. Sunday they were open for 3 hours.

 

[kcyanks1]

Thanks for the info! I have been to Whiteface since '01 (just the Slides weren't open) and it seemed like they had a different entry point. I assumed they would open one or the other (or both) based on conditions, perhaps giving you the choice on whether to hike much. It seems like the way they are doing it now, you are losing a decent amount of vertical on the run. I never traversed past Slide 1 in my one trip into the Slides -- what's the terrain above the current traverse like for Slides 2-4? Is the loss of the top portion really a big deal? Any idea why they changed the entry point?

The area above the traverse looks like a very nice ski adding maybe 400' vertical with good pitch. I would say it is a loss, however, there is plenty to ski below the traverse...still probably 1500-1800' or so. I would have liked to have climbed up to the ridgeline, but I probably would have only done it once. There would not have been enough time to ski it more than once anyway since the slides are only open for a brief window.

One day they were open just one hour, and we were only able to get 2 runs in. Sunday they were open for 3 hours.

Not having to hike is definitely a plus for getting more runs in. It was nice to have the longer run though. Either way, I'd still love to get back there soon to ski the Slides again. Hopefully next season. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Tony Crocker]

It's not all that often that we westerners see an eastern report and think, "I'd really like to ski that sometime," but this is definitely one of them.

 

[Sharon]

Harvery44 wrote:

Nice group of shots. Looks like your groups was at least half tele.

On Saturday our group went from 3 alpine and 1 telemark to, 5 alpine and 5 telemark. Yup, that's half alright. Though 2 of our less-experienced alpine skiers didn't do the slides. We were 3 alpine and 5 tele in the slides on Saturday, clearly outnumbered by those hard-working telemarkers.

Two of the tele-chicas were significantly challenged but managed to get through the tough spots and enjoy the sweet rewards, as you can see from my pix. One of the guys used exclusively p-turns. The other guys dropped the knee and made it work for them.

From observation, it seems that the alpine skiers had the easiest time...but isn't that always the case?

While I also telemark on occasion, for the most part, it is just too much work for me. I'd rather ski low-angle (Greek Peak) groomed or powdery snow on tele...but I've learned after 5 yrs of telemarking, that I'd rather just lock the heel and ski for real ...especially if I am going to ski all day with the rippers.

I'm nervous just looking at those pics.

I was nervous going into the slides, especially the first couple of times. But what I found was that the hardest part was getting in. The traverse and the choke points that you had to get through before it opened up (except slide 1 that was open from the top...slides 2, 3 and 4 have tricky entrances). The slides got easier and easier with each run and the softening snow also helped.

Mark, if you can ski the woods next to Lies, Double Barrel, Lower Steilhang and Rumor, you can ski the Slides...especially when soft. It just doesn't start off with flowing turns, as you must pick your way through some tight spaces. But once in the open, it can be very sweet. I don't think it is any harder than those trails at Gore I mentioned, only in that it may be more of a combination, as it is steep with obstacles.

 

[Harvey]

... if you can ski the woods next to Lies, Double Barrel, Lower Steilhang and Rumor, you can ski the Slides...especially when soft. It just doesn't start off with flowing turns, as you must pick your way through some tight spaces. But once in the open, it can be very sweet. I don't think it is any harder than those trails at Gore I mentioned, only in that it may be more of a combination, as it is steep with obstacles.

That has got to be the some of the most specific, useful ski beta I've ever be given. All of it, but especially the quote. Thank you very much.

I do ski most of that terrain. Rumor...I pick my spots. In certain conditions, on all of it...I am near my limits. (That doesn't stop me from skiing it.)

Thanks again.

 

[rfarren]

My personal favorite part of the slides was the very top of the mountain. It really was wide open bowl skiing. Its a shame they've closed that off.

 

[ChrisC]

Here is a good overview of the slides from Skiing Magazine.

 

[Sharon]

There were not really any mandatory airs of 6-10'. There was always a way around, or you could even just ski over them without even getting airborne. Just steep and some fall-line turns, which may be construed as "air time" but not really. Slide 4 has a 5' waterfall that can be skied over easily enough in the choke. The choke on that slide is definitely tricky, requiring tight turns, but IMO it was the most fun.

I suppose there could be mandatory airs if the conditions dictated, but when we were there conditions made them all the more foregiving as it got warmer.