Gore Mtn 4/16/11 - WOW!

Fantastic!
Awesome!
Phenomenal!
Amazing!
WOW!!!

Not exactly words I would have expected to be using to describe skiing at Gore Mtn on April 16th and yet in my opinion they all apply.  Read on…..

I headed off to Gore Mtn early this morning with the blessing of my wonderful better half to get one more day of skiing in before the curtain dropped.  My anticipation was somewhat subdued after a good day at Whiteface yesterday and my concerns regarding the conditions at Gore and today’s weather report calling for rain later in the day.  Still I was happy to be heading out again and spent the drive to the mountain thinking about what trails I wanted to run today.  As I cruised down Mountain Rd my first view of Gore appeared:



Whenever I round the bend and see this on my way to the mountain my heart beats just a little faster with anticipation and today it beat even faster as I couldn’t believe how good the coverage looked!

Upon my arrival I was a bit surprised at how empty the parking lot was (the turnout was much better at Whiteface yesterday) but at the same time I was pleased because I wanted it all to myself anyway!  I quickly buckled up my boots and was on the Gondola by 8:30.  My plan was ski Uncas and jump on the summit chair but Gore had other plans as I found all access to the upper mountain still roped off when I got off the gondola.  Having no choice I used this extra time as a chance to loosen up on an easier run and I set off down Foxlair and Wild Air.  It was a good quick run, the snow was nice and with not as many bare patches as I expected.

Once I reached the top of the Gondola the second time I was pleased to see they had dropped the ropes on the runs to the Topridge and Summit Chairs.  It was only around 24 degrees and windy and I was concerned that Uncas and Topridge might be a bit too icy for my taste so I took Pine Knot down to the Summit Quad.  The run was in nice shape and I scooted right up to the chair to see what awaited up top.

For the next hour or so I sampled Chatiemac, Hawkeye, Open Pit, Upper Steilhang, Dell and Headwaters.  All were in fantastic shape with firm, carvable snow with few ice spots and bare patches.  I felt my thighs starting to burn on Chatiemac and I thought that I was paying the price for skiing Whiteface yesterday but the more I skied the more things loosened up and I didn’t even notice my legs for a few more hours (thank God because things were only to get better and I would have hated having to call quits after only a few runs).  All these runs were good and pretty uneventful except for the fact that the wind was gusting so strong on Open Pit that it almost brought me to a stop as I worked my way down.

Early on three things kept running through my mind:  1.  I couldn’t believe how great the snow was.  2.  Its cold!  3.  I can’t believe how much snow cover there still is in the woods and on the surrounding mountains!



At this point hunger and cold were starting to set in so I blasted down to the base for a quick breakfast sandwich and to warm up for a few minutes.  I jumped onto Twister and torn down it, having a blast all the way.  I normally like to just cruise the lower mountain and I love making wide, sweeping turns on Twister but at this point I just wanted to get down to the base and back to the summit as fast as possible.  Fortunately for me Twister co-operated with super conditions and I was able to attack it head on!  If anyone saw me pull to the base I’m sure they couldn’t help but notice the huge grin on my face.

Twenty minutes later and I’m back at the top of the Gondola.  The wind is howling and I headed down Uncas to the Summit Quad.  Uncas was in nice shape but I wanted to sample the High Peaks area as I always like to check out as much of the mountain as possible and still wasn’t sure if my legs or the conditions would hold up much longer.  Upper Steilhang to Hullabaloo and I was in all my glory!  What a great run I had down Hullabaloo!!!  There’s always been something about that trail that I like but to be honest my runs down it are usually pretty ugly….many times being more about survival rather than truly “skiing” it.  Not this time.  I dove right in and had a great run!  Now up to this point I had not repeated a single run but I knew that I’d be coming back to Hullabaloo for more.
 
Reaching the High Peaks Chair I couldn’t wait to get to the top so I could try out Lower Darby next.  Now it’s been cloudy, cold and dreary all day but as I was riding the lift all of a sudden…..Holy Crap!  It started snowing!!!  I loved it!  If it wasn’t going to be 75 and sunny like my final day of last season then I might as well get one more taste of winter.  With a grin on my face it was off to Cloud to Lower Darby….it was a good run but not as exhilarating for me as Hullabaloo, still I thought to myself that I’ll be back for more.



Now as much as I loved those two runs I was curious about how Chatiemac and Hawkeye were holding up as they’ve become two of my favorites.  I was also keeping my eye on Lies as I’ve yet to take it on but with my confidence soaring and thinking that things would soften up a bit I was thinking that today might be the day.  Open Pit down to Headwaters and the Summit Chair to give Chatiemac and Hawkeye another shot, thinking that I might lap them a bit.  One run down each and my legs were feeling it as the snow was getting scrapped off the ice a bit making things a bit tougher.

I’m starting to think that my day may be drawing to an end and I come up with a plan to run Hullabaloo a couple of more times and then start working my way to the base.  I find myself on the Topridge Triple and I figure that I should at least give Topridge a try (even though I’ve come to dread that chair ride).  I had a decent run down Topridge but I just wasn’t feeling it, BUT I did have the urge to head back to the High Peaks area to sneak a couple more runs in.  After another run on Hullabaloo the smile on my face is as big as ever and I make a call home to see how things are going.  As I describe how wonderful the skiing is Marcy tells me to stay longer!  (I’m the luckiest guy around!!!)  With Marcy’s blessing I proceeded to take a few more runs on Hullabaloo and Upper Darby, each time saying “just one more!” to myself.

As the day went on I found myself reflecting on what a great season I’ve had and how much I love skiing the North Country with the unobstructed views of pure nature.  I was in a great place mentally and I was loving every minute on the mountain.  I challenged myself a lot this year but as the day wore on I found myself content to mostly just cruise the trails and wish that the day wouldn’t end.


 
I lapped Hullabaloo and Upper Darby the rest of the afternoon having a blast with each and every run.  As I reluctantly accepted that the day must come to an end.  I took Cloud down to Twister and made my last run of the day (and probably the season) carving big, wide turns, savoring every moment.

The mountain held up remarkably today.  In most places the snow was great.  Even as the day wore on conditions remained fantastic.  The only mush I encountered was at the very base.  As far as I know Lies and Rumor never opened.  I guess they just weren’t meant to be for me this year.  That’s okay, I always am looking for new goals and they’re at the top of the list right now!

As I’m sure that you can all figure out by now, I had an awesome day at Gore, definitely one of the best, if not the best of the season for me.  Thank you again Marcy….I wasn’t even sure if I was going to head out today until you told me too, had you not I would have missed this great day.  I’m sad to see the season come to an end but what a way to end it!!!

Interesting moment:  As I boarded the High Peaks Chair for my last lift ride of the year it started to snow again.  It seems that winter, just like me didn’t want to let go just yet…………

Fantastic report Snowhunter.

Thank you very much!

Thanks!  Like with my skiing I'm working on honing my writing skills.

You're right... winter just doesn't want to give up.  I didn't make it up to the mountain today, we closed out our family's season last weekend, so thanks for putting up that report.

Awesome report ,that report put me right backout on the snow again. Everyone just wants one more day, glad you got one.

Thanks for all the kind words.  I was trying to share the joy of the day.  At one point I'm riding a chair thinking to myself, I need something like that Bat symbol they beamed in the sky at night to call Batman....I wanted to call out to you all to come join the fun on the mountain!  That was my only regret of the day...not having someone to share the day with.

Was hoping to get back up there today after yesterday's fun, but the weather looks iffy and my little ski buddy is now home vomiting  so I need to play it close to home!

Snowhunter wrote

 I need something like that Bat symbol they beamed in the sky at night to call Batman....I wanted to call out to you all to come join the fun on the mountain!  

Hehehe..... a giant  " H "  to summon all Harvey Roaders.

Sorta a " Harv in the sky "...Look, it's a bird.....it's a plane.....No, it's the Harvalert again!

Wonderful trip report. Winter will not give up. It reminded me that I did not get enough warm spring skiing in this year. While you were skiing I was watching my son play high school lacrosse in nasty windy 45deg rain.

More days like Facebook day at Plattekill, eh X?  I too was at Gore yesterday and although if it was mid February and we hadn't had snow for a week...I would have thought yesterday was awesome...but as X states, there were not enough warm spring days... especially on the weekends.  Last weekend may have been the best of the year.  Duck was out yesterday and may be out today and he will tell you that the best days this year were during the week.  Friday as many reading this will attest, was a warm spring day, but I wasn't there.  I had posted that I thought Rumor would be my last run of the season in mushy bumps...not showcase, sleighride, wild air at warp speed.   Next my focus will be on trying to figure out how and when I can get up to Tuck...but there is so much snow at Gore that it could be my next earn your turn day.  Yes, yesterday was probably my last great day in paradise for the season.

sudsnbumps wrote

More days like Facebook day at Plattekill, eh X?  I too was at Gore yesterday and although if it was mid February and we hadn't had snow for a week...I would have thought yesterday was awesome...but as X states, there were not enough warm spring days... especially on the weekends.  Last weekend may have been the best of the year.  Duck was out yesterday and may be out today and he will tell you that the best days this year were during the week.  Friday as many reading this will attest, was a warm spring day, but I wasn't there.  I had posted that I thought Rumor would be my last run of the season in mushy bumps...not showcase, sleighride, wild air at warp speed.   Next my focus will be on trying to figure out how and when I can get up to Tuck...but there is so much snow at Gore that it could be my next earn your turn day.  Yes, yesterday was probably my last great day in paradise for the season.

You got it. That day at Plattekill was perfect. The next day at Gore was a HR also. Burnt Ridge was silky. I got 4 more days at Stratton 3-31 to 4-3 and it was not spring skiing. Winter is holding on this year.

I realize a day after writing my report and reading some peoples comments that Saturday did not meet many people's expectations of a "perfect" April day of skiing.  My excitement over the day was strictly over what I felt was the quality of the skiing itself.  Things like this can be very subjective.  I know that the surface conditions that I like are probably a bit different from those that many here like and that my descriptions of those conditions may not use the "standard" descriptive terms properly (I'll admit that I've yet to fully understand the definitions of the words usually used to describe the snow conditions....this being the result of me always skiing alone and therefore not learning the terms from those around me).  I also love empty trails and moments of solitude on the mountain.  It truly was more like a February day than an April day but in the end I felt that the result was a great day of skiing.  Yeah, it was cold, damp and windy and the only burn I got was a wind burn, not a sun burn but when my skis made contact with the snow and I was gliding down the slopes did not find myself wishing for anything other than for time to move slowly so it wouldn't end.  Another way I would define perfect is how the day was vs my expectations.  We had a week of warm temps and rain and Friday when I was at Whiteface it started getting too soft and messy for me as early afternoon arrived so I didn't expect all that much on Saturday.  I figured that the week, weather and Friday's skiers would have taken their toll on Gore and I was just hoping to get in a couple of hours in the morning to wind down my season.  As such, the fact that I had 6 hrs of great skiing was a very pleasant surprise and contributed to it being a great day for me.  I had fun sharing the joy of the day and I'm happy that many have read my tale and enjoyed it.

Snowhunter wrote

I realize a day after writing my report and reading some peoples comments that Saturday did not meet many people's expectations of a "perfect" April day of skiing.  My excitement over the day was strictly over what I felt was the quality of the skiing itself.  Things like this can be very subjective.  I know that the surface conditions that I like are probably a bit different from those that many here like and that my descriptions of those conditions may not use the "standard" descriptive terms properly (I'll admit that I've yet to fully understand the definitions of the words usually used to describe the snow conditions....this being the result of me always skiing alone and therefore not learning the terms from those around me).  I also love empty trails and moments of solitude on the mountain.  It truly was more like a February day than an April day but in the end I felt that the result was a great day of skiing.  Yeah, it was cold, damp and windy and the only burn I got was a wind burn, not a sun burn but when my skis made contact with the snow and I was gliding down the slopes did not find myself wishing for anything other than for time to move slowly so it wouldn't end.  Another way I would define perfect is how the day was vs my expectations.  We had a week of warm temps and rain and Friday when I was at Whiteface it started getting too soft and messy for me as early afternoon arrived so I didn't expect all that much on Saturday.  I figured that the week, weather and Friday's skiers would have taken their toll on Gore and I was just hoping to get in a couple of hours in the morning to wind down my season.  As such, the fact that I had 6 hrs of great skiing was a very pleasant surprise and contributed to it being a great day for me.  I had fun sharing the joy of the day and I'm happy that many have read my tale and enjoyed it.

Another great post Snowhunter.

Sounds like it's time for you to craft a "disclaimer."

If you want, you can steal the language from Harv's Disclaimer. I can show you how to put it in your signature.

Funny you should say that.  While I was skiing Saturday and thinking about the report I'd like to write, my original ideas had a semi-serious/semi-funny disclaimer at the end but the idea got lost in my flow of other thoughts while writing it and wanting to post it quickly so it might help those considering heading out on Sunday.  I'll be sure to check out your disclaimer and see what I can put together.  Thanks!

I just got to read your disclaimer.  I love it!!!  It says it all.  I'll definitely work on mine.

Anybody ski yesterday, Sunday?  Denis?...