ATTN: MR. MIKE PRATT

Back on topic. I skied the Darkside yesterday and it won't take a heck of a lot of work for it to be open to the public. If only the dang weather would cooperate for 5 minutes...

that's a crazy avatar dude!

According to the website, darkside is open today!

tom

unfortunately, snowmaking ops are nearly done for the season, it wouldn't make economical sense to make snow on The Rumor because it takes almost a week of consistent snowmaking to get it open, there are higher priorities.

Let me ask you this, would you rather ski The Rumor with rocks all over the place or ski Lies, Hawkeye, Topridge, etc. until late April?

I'd settle for skiing the latter until late March.  But that too may be a pipe dream.

darkside open but you have to ski down to the north chair

You have to REALLY want to ski the Darkside to endure woodout AND the north chair.  That's commitment.  

dark side chair will spin tomorrow,,and absolutly ski the dark side too the north ,if u got too,beats walking out.

not commitment just making the best of what the mountain gives you . commitment is still showing up every day with conditions as they are and still pushing the boundries

4E.W.D Productions wrote

unfortunately, snowmaking ops are nearly done for the season, it wouldn't make economical sense to make snow on The Rumor because it takes almost a week of consistent snowmaking to get it open, there are higher priorities.

Let me ask you this, would you rather ski The Rumor with rocks all over the place or ski Lies, Hawkeye, Topridge, etc. until late April?

Topridge won't last until late April. No way.

When I wrote this post initially, we were coming off a short spurt of cold weather and was hoping it was a trend. Temps have stayed "warm" since then seem to be locked in for another week or so. I have since revised my position and am just looking to hang on by the fingernails to whatever is left of this ski season...

DARKSIDED wrote

Blow snow on Rumor & find a way to open the Darkside. That is all.

Sincerely,

A Long Time Season Pass Holder

guess he read your request wrong. but it is great to see the guns going on the darkside. word is that howie pushed hard for that, thx howie ! now if they can only find away to open rumor

freeheeln wrote

DARKSIDED wrote

Blow snow on Rumor & find a way to open the Darkside. That is all.

Sincerely,

A Long Time Season Pass Holder

guess he read your request wrong .but it is great to see the guns going on the darkside .word is that howie pushed hard for that ,thx howie !now if they can only find away to open rumor

DARKSIDED wrote

Blow snow on Rumor & find a way to open the Darkside. That is all.

Sincerely,

A Long Time Season Pass Holder

Dreams can come true after all... close to half of my Sunday was spent on the Darkside, and then I saw what I thought was a mirage - people skiing the Rumor.  Sure, it was only half open - but it was a ton of fun.  Considering the terribleness of this season I give props to Gore for making some pretty damn good lemonade with the lemons we've been given.

Kudos to whoever ripped Rumor from the headwall on Monday. I was on the Straightbrook Chair and someone came flying over the top of Rumor.  You looked good!

I could see photos of the tracks in Poindexter's photos of Rumor, from the top and I was IMPRESSED!  

I agree.  RUMOR is the signature trail that defines Gore.   I took 3 guests this Sunday, Mon and Tues.   Two could have skied it and were mildly disappointed but looked on the brighter side and hoped to get it the next time i bring them up.     I really messed up as tour guide on Sunday and only skied them 3 runs on Burnt ridge (amazing)and did not take them to the dark side thinking we would have a better time with less people...  duh.  Hullabaloo looked so good
 the other side of the closed rope.
After my guests called it day on Sunday my 6yr old and I saw they opened the middle third of Rumor .  Best snow on the hill.  Hairy exit. Three folks in front of us took off their skis and butt slid.


Idea. Alternate closings through the week..  I get closed lifts.  Dow weekday skiers a favor and close Top ridge on Monday but open Burnt.  Alternate opens and closes...Dark side Tuesdays..  

If the next 15 days or so pan out as forecast, the strategy last month of concentrating snowmaking efforts to build base on existing trails rather than expanding terrain will pay off.  If Gore makes it to April 1, it will be because they didn't spread themselves too thin by using up snowmaking resources on trails like Chatiemac, Rumor and the Ski Bowl.

I agree with Jeff. The open terrain also skied well most of the season despite the weather. My only suggestion would be more of a focus on darkside and north side (sacrifice something else) since they will hold the snow much better. But it is easy being an armchair snowmaker. Overall, a job well done.

tom