Plattekill 2-3-2017

I've been up to Plattekill a number of times already this year, both with and without my kids. Each time I have made sure to eyeball a line in the woods which I've been interested in since the fall. Though we've had what I consider a stellar year so far for New York skiing, I haven't been comfortable getting too involved in the trees until today. Last week, when I was there with my older son, I said to him "just one more dump before another thaw and we're good".




Lo and behold, on Tuesday or so I got news that Platty got four or five inches of fresh snow. When a day or so later they posted that the first fifty skiers on Friday would only pay twenty five dollars for their lift tickets my decision was made. I put in for a personal day and got my gear ready. Friday's at Plattekill are always awesome. Though you never have to stand on line very long there, Fridays are usually ski-on all day long and the trails are even less crowded then normal.




I had no problem getting out of bed when the alarm went off at six and I got on the road. I pulled into the parking lot at five minutes to nine. There were more cars then I expected but I was still surprised to find out I was skier thirty nine. Apparently I wasn't the only one eager to get after it. I knew it wasn't a powder day. A private group had rented the mountain the day before so I knew the main trails would be tracked up or groomed. As I rode the double chair up for my first run I saw that Plunge and North Face were indeed covered in fresh corduroy. It reminded me that there was a pair of awesome 80s era giant slalom skis in the back of my truck. I put it out if my mind. I was on a mission.




As I approached the spot, I was gratified to see no tracks leading up to the entry. I glided up to the edge and looked down. Jackpot. Beautiful untracked fresh, probably five or six inches deep I guessed. I dropped down into my line. It was awesome, soft billowy powder. I was giddy. I circled back and did a couple more runs then explored some other tree spots I'd been waiting to get at. Some of them were better then others. The trees at Plattekill are definitely in play but with all the normal caveats. I'm not guaranteeing your bases will come out unblemished but I had a good time.



What really shined today were the narrow natural snow trails like Chute and Cliffs. I kept going back to them over and over again.





And yes, I did go back to my car for my GS skis once I'd gotten my trees fix. And I gotta tell you, Plattekill does groomers just as good as they do trees. Ripping groomers at high mach never gets old for me. The big difference between my K2s and my new skis is how comfortable they are going straight. On one run I did the length of North Face with only nine turns. What fun.





Sent from my iPad

So awesome Brownski!

I haven't been there for 23 years now but I still love that place so much. It's why I started lurking and then posting here.

I think I helped clear some of that line!

fahz wrote

I think I helped clear some of that line!

Yup. A couple other guys here too, including junior. That upper section was reall fun.

Excellent reporting and photos. It never gets old at Plattekill. I think I see Bearpen in the distance.