Let’s get the facts straight. We’re talking 10″ of fresh powder. 39 of 39 trails open. 164 acres of skiable terrain. Blue skies. Temp highs in the mid-40s. Birds singing. Sun shining. And, it’s mid-March.
Wait, Michael, this Toby isn’t so bad. Groomed trails of fresh powder ride like butter. It’s a slightly slower glide and grind along the fall lines, smooth carving, and relaxed ride. On the lip of Razor’s Edge and Challenge, the playful north winds add a little resistance to downhill riding. The snow is lightly packed and corduroy-lined, and the glades are full of white.
The only way to welcome Spring is with open arms. Rain, snow, sleet, or sun, the season is always a toss up to Mother Nature’s mood, and increasingly unpredictable. Spring skiing and riding is a blessing on the east coast and, this time, we’re not skinning through slush. Treeline to treeline, trails are covered and pushing a 24″ – 48″ base from valley to summit.
The feeling is bittersweet. Snowmaking is officially over for the season. Now, we’re riding the coattails of Nor’Easter #4. With a strong snow base and moderate temperatures in the forecast, we predict good conditions through to closing. Every night, we’re running seven groomers across the slopes and working every trail ’til the sun comes up. The snowmakers are moving water and air hoses from hydrant lines to the pumphouse, and the boss is planning ahead for projects come late spring to summer (read: trail number four-oh).
The snow is here, and calling. Take a look at updated hours for riding trails and tubing lanes:
Hours of Operation:
SKIING & RIDING
Sunday – Saturday, 8:30 am – 8:00 pm
SNOWTUBING
Friday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
MISER FILES: Meet the makers behind the magic.
Meet, David Silfies.
Better known as: Big Dave, Farva
Work: Night crew groomer, Mountain Ops
Play: Dave used to ski and snowboard, but an injury back in ’06 has kept him off the slopes. He plans to hit the trails again come next season. Fingers crossed for a full recovery ride.
A word from Papa Miser: “Dave is new to the team this year. First year groomer. He’s doing a good job learning and working the trails.”
Nicknames aren’t given, they’re earned. Dave started at Blue in 2001 working Lift Operations at Vista, Main Street, and the old double Challenge (now Challenge Express six-pack) chairs. About five or six years ago, Dave started with Mountain Security. Now grooming full-time, he still fits in a Saturday morning security shift. Hence, Farva.
A big congratulations to Dave and his wife on tying the knot this past Saturday!
Meet, Zack Fulmer.
Better known as: Captain Longbeard, Snowdozer, aka AKA
Work: Night crew groomer, Mountain Ops
Play: Ski
A word from Papa Miser: “Zack came off the farm to work with us, grooming and snowmaking. He helps out the mechanics in the summertime. He’s a good groomer, a good mechanic.”
Fun fact: Zack was first hired to work housekeeping, but he didn’t stay long. We recruited him to the Mountain Ops team and he’s stayed with us for three seasons. He runs cat #988, the snow “dozer,” takes his turn in the Winchcat and now leads seeding moguls. His favorite trail to ski is Lazy Mile.
Ski days with the crew are few and far between, so when we have a chance, we take it. There’s no better use of the word ‘mandatory.’ See what your boss thinks.
See you on the slopes,
the snowmisers
bluemountainsnowmakersdotcom 