Bristol Mountain - 12/11/13 - Lake Effect Machine is On!

The Lake Effect Snow machine is on and WNY is off to a phenomenal start to the 2013-2014 ski season. After hitting Holiday Valley last week, decided to pay a visit to Bristol Mountain in the Finger Lakes. It's been snowing on and off for the last 24-36 hours in WNY, so it was no surprise upon arriving to Bristol that snow was falling at a good clip. The hill reported 3-6 inches overnight. Unclear what they mean by the range. Perhaps 6 inches up top and 3 inches at the base?

In any case, things were looking beautiful upon our arrival. Everything blanketed in white, Christmas music playing. The hill all to ourselves, as if often the case midweek. Don't you just love skiing in December when the holidays are in the air?

Nice high speed quad zips you up to the top in about 5 minutes, which allows you to log in a lot of vertical, given that Bristol boasts a vertical drop of about 1,100 feet. Bristol claims that this gives them the most vertical drop east of the Rockies and West of the ADK's/Appalachians. Perhaps, but there are no real hills in between. Regardless, 1,000 ft+ of vertical is decent anywhere, and it was nice skiing longer runs after the shorter runs skied last week at the vertically challenged Holiday Valley.

Only two top-to bottom runs open from the top, although they were comprised of about 8 trails. Snow was falling at a good clip, so combined with what had already fallen and the lack of crowds, powder could be had by everyone. Was even able to ski the first trees of the season. Stuck to the trees next to the open trails, as the combination of manmade and natural made them skiable, although one had to be on the lookout for natural obstacles. Skied over 10 runs. Best day of the young season.  

As far as Bristol v. Holiday Valley, although Bristol has more vertical, holiday valley skis much bigger, given its "horizontal". This is confirmed by the skiable acres of both ski areas. Holiday Valley has twice the skiable acreage of Bristol. Both are similarly challenging. While the lodges at Bristol are decent, the lodges at HV are some of the best in Eastern ski country. Plus, Ellicottville (holiday valley) is a top notch ski town. So for someone wanting to spend a night or two skiing a WNY hill, the choice ought to be Holiday Valley. But Bristol is solid, has the vertical and less crowds than Holiday Valley. So it's a solid choice, especially for a day trip.

Moving to Lake Placid for a month next week. Can't wait.

Pictures from Bristol -