jasoncapecod
Well-known member
I've been skiing for more than 30yrs . I just can't remember such a crappy start to the ski season
Worst Dec in memory
- Thread starter jasoncapecod
- Start date
Definitly the worst start in my memory (also 30 years plus ski experience) Woke up this morning to 12 deg C (55 deg. F). Even the 14 day forecast doesn't predict any below freezing temperatures. Good thing I already have my trip tp Panorama and Utah booked because it doesn't look like there will be any local (southern Ontario or western NY) skiing until 2007.
When I was a little fellow (about 16-17 years ago), I recall a particularlly poor early season that was pretty similar to this one, at least when I was skiing in Nov or early Dec. The weekend consisted of North Slope @ Stowe, uploading @ Sugarbush to upper FIS, which sheer blue ice, and a run over to Bolton Valley to find some of the same piss poor conditions. At the very least, tickets were cheap back then. Of course, being that I was so young (7 or 8), I don't recall the specific year or how quickly it turned around...
On the other hand, I do also remember many meager early starts with a big dump in early to mid december, but we are already beyond when that typically happens, and the weather forcast has no indication of that big dump coming soon. Even if it did come, the snow pack is so non-existant at most resorts that it would have to be a uber dump (24-30") or several smaller dumps (10-15") of thick snow to build up a base on the natural snow trails and in the woods.
So sad ... at least I won't be missing anything when I go on my cruise next week
On the other hand, I do also remember many meager early starts with a big dump in early to mid december, but we are already beyond when that typically happens, and the weather forcast has no indication of that big dump coming soon. Even if it did come, the snow pack is so non-existant at most resorts that it would have to be a uber dump (24-30") or several smaller dumps (10-15") of thick snow to build up a base on the natural snow trails and in the woods.
So sad ... at least I won't be missing anything when I go on my cruise next week
riverc0il
New member
i am really bummed, i can't remember a worse december in recent memory either. i am trying to be positive though. just think... 60-70 years ago there probably would not be any open areas in new england going into xmas weekend. perhaps no open ski areas until the new year? at least we have crappy faux sneaux to get a few crappy days in until things turn around.
jasoncapecod
Well-known member
I also have a Utah trip booked for Feb.. Thats 2 months away..
yesterday i drove past 2 golf courses.. they where packed :x .The sad thing is there is no help in the long range.. The GFS now paints a bleak picture.. I have the next 3 weeks off. What am i suppose to do.. :? I hate golf..
yesterday i drove past 2 golf courses.. they where packed :x .The sad thing is there is no help in the long range.. The GFS now paints a bleak picture.. I have the next 3 weeks off. What am i suppose to do.. :? I hate golf..
Speaking with one of the owners of a small Laurentian area , who advised it was worst start of season on record for them . Back in the 1994/95 season I had booked a trip to Jay for Jan 1995 and had to move it to March as there was no snow at all in Jan 95 . What is different this year is the prolonged warm temperatures keep going on and on with no end in sight . Can't give up , momentum has to change in our favour and the snow will return . Still lots of time left in the game.
Since I've been tracking for 10 years, I decided to look it up.
Dec. 15, 2001 eastern areas were less than 10% open.
Dec. 21, 1998 eastern areas were 20-30% open.
Normal is about half open. The current eastern situation is bad, but not what I'd call rare. Anthony's recollection makes it 4 years out of 13.
For those of you who enjoyed admin's report yesterday and are considering relocating, Alta's year to date snowfall is 99% of average. For you patriotic Canadians (ie. Patrick) your season to date snowfall is: Whistler 579cm, Fernie 325cm, Kicking Horse 493cm, Lake Louise 178cm and 90+% open.
Dec. 15, 2001 eastern areas were less than 10% open.
Dec. 21, 1998 eastern areas were 20-30% open.
Normal is about half open. The current eastern situation is bad, but not what I'd call rare. Anthony's recollection makes it 4 years out of 13.
For those of you who enjoyed admin's report yesterday and are considering relocating, Alta's year to date snowfall is 99% of average. For you patriotic Canadians (ie. Patrick) your season to date snowfall is: Whistler 579cm, Fernie 325cm, Kicking Horse 493cm, Lake Louise 178cm and 90+% open.
Patrick
Well-known member
This is rare Tony, maybe the % open runs seem close, but I don't recall this being this bad. Dec 1995 and 2001 and even 1982 were bad, but not as bad as this.Tony Crocker":1dh65186 said:
My lawn is green and people are still golfing in Ottawa. I normally don't see my lawn from late November to late March or early April.
Temps have been above freezing most of the time, even overnight. Totally off the norm and we're beating records left and right. However temps are getting closer to normal today, so ...
But you're right, as the years go by, these abnormal temperatures are becoming more and more the norm, I might even consider moving himself closer to the snowy region of the country. :shock:
Patrick, from the Great Green North...
With the xmas break almost upon us the ski/snowboard industry is about to be hit with a major financial loss as there are all kinds of people that only go out on the hills during this week and the school break week. Nevertheless can you imagine the crowds skiing the " ribbions of death " next week :!: What is different now than in the past is that even with a good snow pack the cold temperatures just don't last . There are constant thaws throughout the winter and they last longer every year. it's hard to believe as kids back in the seventies we used to jump off the roof of houses 20 ' high into deep powder. You won't find any stats on these Laurentian snow depths but trust me they were there.
