Whiteface Conditions (2017 - 2018)

I'm trying to let people know what the deal is so they can decide whether they want to come or not.  I call it like I see it.  I don't work for marketing and it's all right on the FB page the same thing I said.

They can't control the weather but it can still affect the experience and you can't say that one WROD on the lower mountain is good in any way.

The Facelift isn't even moving yet.  Supposed to be open by now.

No fuel for Generator.There going to Placid to get some.

No way! That's great ---- LOL

With no power their fuel pumps don't work.  The generator for the communications equipment on the lift needs it to work.  They already have diesel power for the lift itself.

Lift is now moving but not loading.

They're open.  About a 10-15 minute line due to running half speed

No line now.  One trail with lots of walking.  2 runs and done.  Going to have lunch in LP and maybe come back if LWF opens.

Somebody who  had  fun post-up. I know some people had fun I saw it on Facebook, let me hear about it.

I had fun,  did a little work in the yard and had a nice hike near camp Santanoni. Give it up or go to Tucks.

I think Whiteface did an awesome job today. No one could have predicted that there would be a power outage. They got Facelift loading around 10:30 or so, there was a festive vibe in the air, some fun costumes and people motivating to hike. It was not the most incredible day of skiing, but that was not the point. The sun came out in force and it was fun to be part of history!

Agreed!   When life gives you limes.....

When the day starts with a margarita and a shot of Patron at 9:30am you know it’s gonna be a unique day!

Skyward was pretty awesome....

Haven’t you learned by now NOT to listen to Sno?

Honestly, it was a crazy day.  Shit nobody could have anticipated.

Best part of the day?  The 17 year old dude with the Floyd playing from his backpack on the summit.  It wasn’t Sno....

The dude playing acoustic guitar, on an amp powered from a Chevy Silverado?  FKNA awesome!

Please be real.  That was not good skiing today, even for May.  Mostly for reasons outside of Whiteface's control.

To lap the Facelift you had to walk about 150 yards through smelly mud every run, while carrying your dripping muddy skis.  I'm ok with having to walk 100 feet or so to bridge a short gap in coverage, but that was awful.

I don't think Excelsior is the best spring trail, not even close, but that would've been a big improvement over what was available.  If Skyward was so great, then why didn't they have the chair scheduled to run?  That's the only thing that would've been in their control if they actually had power.

I prefer to go out with a bang, but unfortunately, for reasons out of their control, they went out with a whimper.  Don't say that it was great because you hiked.  You can do that on any ski area that closed for the season and still has snow.  It's not lift served skiing and it does not count when comparing ski areas by their lift served product.

And drinking at 9:30am is more of a Hunter thing than a Whiteface thing.  If that's what makes a good day for you, then you need to get your priorities straight.

Whatever, Sno.  All things considered, if you couldn’t enjoy today, skiing on May 5......that’s on you!  Some day you will get your head straight.

Maybe....

K, in the interest of keeping it real.....

Today was not a great pure skiing day.  Mind you, that had nothing to do with Whiteface, their management, or their emolyees.  It had everything to do with a couple of midweek 80+ degree days, followed by thunderstorms last night that numerous locals said brought the worst winds they have ever seen.  And Placid/Whiteface has seen some serious winds.

And Whiteface honored their commitment and was open.  

And Whiteface was honest at 6:21 am about the situation and what they could offer.

And despite the entirely fucked situation Whiteface management, with no power and a melted out L. Valley, provided a pretty damned good day.

I won’t argue with Sno.  If all someone was willing to put in the effort for was lift served the offerings were limited and messy.



However, anyone for whom that was the sole takeaway, well.....they entirely missed the day.  I talked to a lot of people today.  A couple dozen.  I skied with nearly a dozen on Skyward.  Guess what?  They all were having a kick ass time, no power, 1 lift, limited trails and all.

Today will go down as one of the most unique and fun days I’ve had at Whiteface, challenges and all.  I guess that had a lot to do with spending time hanging with people on the summit who “get it”, at least from my perspective.  Oh, and maybe from talking to some of the young kids and their parents who were having a great time, a new generation who was also getting it.

I’ve had many a fun spring day hanging on the deck, but none that I would say were any more fun than the unplugged, make do, kick ass time I had today.

Here some of what my day looked like....









Oh, and there were more people straight hiking from the FaceLift than there were people skinning.  Not one of them regretted the effort.

/thread.