Expansion

[skiadikt]

WIll wait for first hand reports to confirm but appears to be a plume off to the right of the Skye Peak Quad, perhaps they've started Bearly.

they were pounding panic/needles ttb as well as continuing on upper burst & lower wildfire. assuming they want deep bases on both so they don't have to go back to them.

guns were off on GE below the cruise cutoff. a groomer had run over it, so perhaps they are done w the upper section. didn't notice bearly. maybe ...

[PinnacleJim]

All the guns were being shut down this afternoon in preparation for the warmup tonight. Wildfire has good sized whales so ready for the cats to go to work. Needles still needs more work. Only good coverage is skiers far left.

[Big Bob]

Replacing the Supe lift makes a lot of sense. BUT...

1. If they can't figure out how to replace this lift without screwing spring, that would be quite lame.
2. If they are going to screw spring, when do they plan on telling their customers - AFTER they sell a bunch of spring passes?

IMO, they aren't going to screw spring.

Alinement will be adjust so it does't cross the trail, may have to wait till the following construction season. I would assume because an Act 250 permit would be required since it is being relocated. I would assume the top terminal would remain in the same location, bottom would move to miss the trail.
or it could be because of a $2 million revenue shortfall to date. It was snowing moderatly at Bear when I left around 2 PM today.

[newpylong1]

IMO the current alignment is pretty good. If they shift the bottom more towards Snowshed it's a shlep over there and you still won't gain back where the lift used to be because the pipes and guns are there. They could move them into the treeline I guess. If they move the base closer to K-1 that's probably better but significant cutting for a new lift line. They likely have the acres banked from the Juggernaut abandonment though. But they may want to keep them.

[rogman]

Fair to assume crossing the trail a World Cup issue? I assume they don’t like anyone on the lift while skiers are racing underneath it. Dropped pole (or worse) might be embarrassing or even dangerous. Skiers are so closely spaced they really can’t send anyone up between runs. How are they handling it now? I can certainly believe FIS would mandate a change if Killington wants to keep the Cup, and that POWDR would agree. Or is this all just nonsense, because otherwise the alignment is fine as it is?

[newpylong1]

"Skyeship Stage I will be open by Saturday. We have finished snowmaking on Upper Skyeburst and (insert Lower here) Wildfire, which should both open in the next day or so."

[snoloco]

Evidence of yet another pipe blowout is clearly visible on the Bear webcam.

[Big Bob]

Evidence of yet another pipe blowout is clearly visible on the Bear webcam.

I started at Bear today and mud mixed with snow was pushed off to the side. Break appears to be about the same elevation of the fan gun near the half pipe. I took a picture and will post when I get home. Lower Skyburst was open. I had second tracks after Alan on lower Wildfire. It was groomed and firm. Upper Skyburst under the guns was a little softer and had been groomed. Having lunch at the peak now in the clouds.

[skiadikt]

making snow ttb on cascade. continuing ttb on panic/needles and also making snow on middle needles. making snow on upper skyeburst to the top of the tunnel. couldn't see whether there was any on GE but rather moot since the trail is opening this weekend.

and yes there was a blowout on lower skyeburst that folks can whine & obsess about. didn't appear to effect any active snowmaking.

[newpylong1]

If I had to guess they still need more snow on GE whether they are making it or not. I don't think they got very much run time down low before this past storm.

[Mister Moose]

also making snow on middle needles.

This is new in the last several years, used to be just natural. Provides a much needed bluer entrance to Needles proper. When they keep it groomed.

[skiadikt]

If I had to guess they still need more snow on GE whether they are making it or not. I don't think they got very much run time down low before this past storm.

don't know. could be still going on lower. they have announced saturday and even threw the word "by" in there, so it could even be tomorrow. we'll see.

to moose's point, definitely a good thing about middle needles as it opens needles proper to more intermediate skiers.

regarding expansion, so now we have upper burst, lower wildfire and panic/needles w GE and cascade to follow in the next day or two. things are starting to fill in and hopefully with more snow on the way on top of a rock hard base, more nats should open. could be a good mlk for a change. and plenty of cold weather in the forecast. they do seem to have kicked it up a notch.

[newpylong1]

Middle Needles is a small but critical addition in my mind too. Glad someone got it in their head to start doing it. Panic is usually a hot mess.

Gotta be Bear Cub and Sun Dog next I'd think.

What else?
Timberline, Upper Chute/GB?
Upper Wildfire?
Pipe Dream?
They sometimes do DD and Double Dip right in a row after Cascade if temps permit, but I doubt those will come for a bit this year?

[snoloco]

Skyeship opens tomorrow, and Killington retakes the title of having the most open terrain in the east.

[rogman]

Middle Needles is a small but critical addition in my mind too. Glad someone got it in their head to start doing it. Panic is usually a hot mess.

Gotta be Bear Cub and Sun Dog next I'd think.

Panic is usually icy and has a double fall line that pushes you left while turning to the right. Nobody’s favorite trail.

They’ve groomed and opened Bear Cub. It’s solid except for the S turn above the bridge.