Toughest double black in the east?

[polarjud]

I would like to suggest that some Pennsylvania skiing is actually tougher than most Vermont skiing. Any takers? Neither slope opened this year (works against me I know) but Extrovert at Blue Knob and Gunbarrel at Ski Roundtop are very difficult short runs. I would say that either are easily more difficult that Outer Limits, Devil's Fiddle, Anarchy, or Julio. Or, switching to Mount Snow, Ripcord. On the other hand, the Face Chutes at Jay look really gnarly. Unfortunately, I have never been there when there was enough snow to ski them. So what are the entries? Please also check out my blog and add your suggestions there.
http://polarjud.wordpress.com/toughest- ... ed-states/

[GSKI]

lower Ovation woods.

[skiersleft]

Inbounds, without a doubt, The Slides @ Whiteface.

And I'll assume you're joking about a groomed run in PA being more difficult than a double black tree run like Julio. It may be steeper than most or all trails at K, but a double black with tight trees will be more difficult than any groomed double black in the east.

[skifaster]

Depends on the day. Challenging conditions will make some blues ski like a double black. All depends on the day.
A better argument is to compare trails under optimum conditions. Bumps or no bumps?
Good luck on this one...

[brownman]

Moot topic, for the time being
All eastern true double blacks are equal now..unskiable.
No comment on Keystone State wanna-be's.
What'd ya got in that Polar Jug anyway ...

[polarjud]

Gunbarrel (Ski Roundtop) and Extrovert (Blue Knob) are open slopes with snowmaking but they are seldom groomed. Too steep. Plus the snow is too precious. So you get these deep icy canyons between big bumps. So yeah, the times when I slipped under the rope to do Julio were defintely easier.

[Cityskier]

The gnar!



I think this discussion is over.

[Geoff]

[Ski_the_Moguls]

The gnar!



I think this discussion is over.

That reminds me of Viper Pit at K. Steep but short.

My son would say Lower Ovation, though I would have to say the mogul course on Conclusion.

[biged]

Huntington's on the other side of Lion's Head is a little harder. Just don't make a mistake counting gullies.

[Dr. NO]

If that was gunbarrel, try top of Ovation when you can jump / slide into it or ski over the top of the trees. Lower O is about that steep with limited grooming and at least 3 times in length. Vertigo headwall EATS silly skiers and riders when conditions permit.

[Eski]

I'm originally from PA, once you explore other areas, you soon realize that there really are no true Double Black Trails there ... sure there are a few steep head-walls, but overall, there is simply no comparison

[RENO]

I've been to most places in the Poconos and Elk Mountain a little furthur north PA and there's absolutely nothing in those places that come close in difficulty to any of the tougher trails at K. All the Double blacks I've been on in the Poconos are like a harder blue trail at K. Never been furthur west in PA. Highly doubtful they are much different than the Poconos and Elk.

[Stormchaser]

Looked like Vertigo headwall to me...

[Ski_the_Moguls]

If that was gunbarrel, try top of Ovation when you can jump / slide into it or ski over the top of the trees. Lower O is about that steep with limited grooming and at least 3 times in length. Vertigo headwall EATS silly skiers and riders when conditions permit.

Yes, it is the length of Lower Ovation that makes it so intimidating to my son. The scary ones to me are actually the smoothly groomed, death sliders like Outer Limits sometimes is, or Upper Gondola Line at Sugarloaf. Not so hard to actually ski, but knowing you will not be able to stop if you fall is quite intimidating. Lower East Fall often fits that category too, though it is not as long.