Happy New Year and happy birthday to my dog-daughter, Maple! 🐾 Good morning friends, it's Abby here with your morning report. I started off the year right with a solo ski session on the slopes of Okemo (Maple did not ski with me, though she wanted to). After not skiing for the entirety of Christmas week, I was thrilled to be out on snow and discover what the conditions were like after whacky weather and new snowmaking. Keep reading to hear about today's snow conditions! ⬇️
WE HAVE THREE NEW PATRONS! 🍾 Thank you to Jackie and Paul Halas, The Wiederecht Family (hi Barb!), and Michael Murray. We are so grateful to have you three join our Patreon family and your support means the world to us! 💙
I started my day off in Solitude with a peaceful ride up the Solitude Express Quad. The roar of the snow guns in the distance and the snow-covered trees made it feel like winter was finally here. ☃️ For the first time this season, I was actually a bit cold, but an encouraging type of cold. Luckily for me, I had on my heated socks from The Boot Pro, my cozy layers, and my Helly Powderqueen set, which actually has a "Life Pocket" to keep your devices lasting longer in the cold. As a "ski-influencer", I love that feature. 🤯
Today's Quick Facts:
🏔️ Trail Count: 50/122
🚡 Lift Count: 18/20
⛷️ Today's Ski: Nordica Santa Ana
🎿 Today's Boot: Nordica Dobermann 5
🧤 Today's Gear: Helly Hansen Powderqueen Set
My first run of the day down Heaven's Gate to Green Link skied great. There was a nice layer of sugar snow thanks to the snow guns and the coverage was reliable. For the first time this season (a lot of firsts today), I felt comfortable really opening up and cruising into big GS turns. My Nordica Santa Anas thanked me because those babies have been dying for a good rip. 🚀
The summit was truly a sight to behold. It was a white New Year's at the top with lots of snow gun freshies flying around. The unloading areas were nicely smoothed out and the coverage was better than the last time I skied. Oh, sorry, please hold while I eat my breakfast that Danny just delivered to me on the couch... 🥓
And I'm back; full and happy. 😀
Back to my story... so I then decided to take Jolly Green Giant and that was a mistake. 🥲 Nor'easter has been closed for OMS race training recently, so I think a lot of people get down into that section and have no other choice but to take Jolly. This results in a high-traffic trail and because it's already so skinny, it was very, very scraped off. 🔪 I had to side slip down large sections, so keep that in mind for the beginners out there. This may not be the trail for you.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on closed snowmaking trails this week and once they open, give them a day or two to set and then they will be spectacular.
My run down wasn't ruined though, because I zipped over to Wardance and had the best run of the day. 🏆 It's funny how some people either love Wardance because it's often closed for racing, therefore it's a rare trail, or some people think it's overrated. I'll go on record to say Wardance is without a doubt my favorite trail on the mountain. It's wide, has the perfect pitch to comfortably cruise, and somehow the conditions are always spot on. 👍 Do you like Wardance?
To end my morning, I finished off with Sapphire and crossed over Tomahawk to get back over to Solitude via Heaven's Gate. Sapphire was way better than I expected with good coverage, some death cookies here and there, but for a popular trail it was enjoyable. Heaven's Gate was a bit more bumped up and uneven on the second round due to getting some snowmaking snow leftovers. I expect this will be the case across the mountain as the day goes on. Screamin' Demon led me down to the base with ease; smooth, soft, carveable and it brought a smile to my face.
I was then reunited with my hus, Danny, and my birthday girl, Maple. It was the first time she's ever seen me on skis and I think her mind turned to mush for a second. 😂
Snowmaking looks like it will continue for the day and they likely won't let up until we lose temps, but the forecast looks perfect for the crew to make some whales this week. 🙌 I saw snow guns in the following areas: Sweet Solitude, Easy Rider, Upper and Lower Chief, Chute, Open Slope, Mountain Road, and honestly probably 10 other places I'm forgetting. It's snowmaking season, baby! ❄️🔫
"Happy Birthday Maple!" - Noah
Please follow the Uphill Travel Policy at Okemo, follow the rules, and be cool about it.
See you next year! 😉
Think snow,
Abby + Noah
⬇ UNOFFICIAL OKEMO IS MADE POSSIBLE BY... ⬇
OUR GOLD SPONSORS
OUR SILVER SPONSORS
OUR BRONZE SPONSORS
Comments