marzNC
Angel Diva
Was your Ikon pass direct-to-lift?Yes! I’ll be there on Wednesday and Thursday of next week . See my post in “meet on the hill” about it. Join me!
Was your Ikon pass direct-to-lift?Yes! I’ll be there on Wednesday and Thursday of next week . See my post in “meet on the hill” about it. Join me!
Are you asking specifically for the Mid-Atlantic? It's probably more a function of the how many of the hills are in the region. Essentially the "steep" section near a peak is pretty short. That section is called a "headwall" even if it's only long enough for 3-4 turns.I’m seeing a pattern at various resorts where the drop-in to a run is usually a little bit steeper. Is that intentional? Is there a reason for it?
“Headwall” - I knew there was a term for it. I saw them at various runs at Breck that I started noticing. Now that you mentioned it, I do remember steep sections at mid runs on other trails too. It makes sense it’s a function of the terrain. I was just wondering how much snow blowing & grooming can change the character of the terrain.Are you asking specifically for the Mid-Atlantic? It's probably more a function of the how many of the hills are in the region. Essentially the "steep" section near a peak is pretty short. That section is called a "headwall" even if it's only long enough for 3-4 turns.
The Massanutten black trails don't follow have the steepest section at the top. The beginning of Paradice is as flat as the long green (Southern Comfort). It's fun because the snow is often very nice because relatively few people ski it. The headwall for DJ is in the middle of the run. Upper MacAttack also has a mellow start before you get to the steepest section, which is always left ungroomed to bump up. The top of Upper Showtime, which is blue, is as steep as most of Paradice and DJ. Barely enough for three turns. The instructors use it as a way to introduce intermediates to steeper terrain. I told every child I've skied with at Massanutten that they had to make nice turns on that headwall before I would take them up Lift 6.
For the most part, I would guess that out west snowmaking is designed to mimic the ground below a groomer. In that case, the goal is to create a surface that flows in a relatively natural way. Meaning the depth of the snow is about the same all over a groomer. That means if you ski a trail that is groomed during early season, mid-season, and late season the pitch is pretty much the same. However, the percentage of total terrain with 100% snowmaking is relatively low to start with. In the past, there wasn't any snowmaking after January.“Headwall” - I knew there was a term for it. I saw them at various runs at Breck that I started noticing. Now that you mentioned it, I do remember steep sections at mid runs on other trails too. It makes sense it’s a function of the terrain. I was just wondering how much snow blowing & grooming can change the character of the terrain.
For me, it was an "aha" moment when I was able to ski over the top of the DJ headwall without stopping at the top to reset and make sure I wouldn't end up going too fast. The next season one of the Massanutten L3 instructors told me the next step in the progression towards becoming more comfortable on "steep" terrain. Still practicing that skill after taking a couple seasons to learn it.Headwalls... For me, they can be "head" walls - where my head tells me I have no business being there (though instructors usually think otherwise - apparently I tend to underestimate my skill level).
Headwalls... For me, they can be "head" walls - where my head tells me I have no business being there (though instructors usually think otherwise - apparently I tend to underestimate my skill level).
Both types of skiers were in abundance at top of Minuteman. As the former, along with quite a few others, I stood at the top, once in a while sliding a little closer to the edge, trying to summon enough courage to drop in. All the while others came sliding off the lift and went right over the headwall without stopping, slarving their way down. Is this just a matter of mileage, or are there different techniques involved?For me, it was an "aha" moment when I was able to ski over the top of the DJ headwall without stopping at the top to reset and make sure I wouldn't end up going too fast. The next season one of the Massanutten L3 instructors told me the next step in the progression towards becoming more comfortable on "steep" terrain. Still practicing that skill after taking a couple seasons to learn it.
To get past the "brain headwall," it's both. Improving technique in order to have more flexibility to adjust in real time to assorted snow conditions certainly helps. Mileage is part of what it takes to improve technique, regardless of how many lessons someone takes. Mileage with a patient ski buddy who is a better skier is invaluable. Repetition of a particular trail or line helps in the long run because it takes out variables so you can narrow your focus when working on technique. For me, learning how to practice to make best use of the limited terrain at Massanutten was an unexpected outcome of taking lessons there.Both types of skiers were in abundance at top of Minuteman. As the former, along with quite a few others, I stood at the top, once in a while sliding a little closer to the edge, trying to summon enough courage to drop in. All the while others came sliding off the lift and went right over the headwall without stopping, slarving their way down. Is this just a matter of mileage, or are there different techniques involved?
A tip I was given years ago that has always helped me with the head game of head walls was once you’ve been down it once and kind of know the terrain, if it is still intimidating, don’t stop at the top and look down, ski right over and make two turns, then stop. Once I get past those first 2 turns, I always feel like what was the big deal, I can do this. When I stop at the top, and look over, my head says “oh sh*t, wtf am I doing here” and the longer I wait, the steeper and scarier it looks!
Along with the crowd can be a mess of snow piles churned and bumped up. I think that is messing with my head more than the steepness. One or the other I can deal with up to a point. Put them together and it’s like I don’t know how to ski anymore. Both the entries to Upper Heavenly at Liberty and Minuteman at Roundtop are like that. I think I just found my goal this season. Get my head around headwalls.Obviously working up to skiing a headwall without stopping is a lot easier when it's not crowded
Great ... I’m supposed to ski Snowshoe for the first time in a few weeks. Just stick me on the greens and be done with it.They definitely have the headwalls at Snowshoe.
Hope it won't be too busy when you visit. As soon as you can get off the greens, the less crowded the runs will be. Also, the greens tend to get crazy chopped up and potatoey if it's been warm. Then you're dodging fallen newbies who don't know how to ski the stuff. The blues tend to be more consistent throughout the run because they see fewer people. I've never skied Liberty or Roundtop, but I find the blues at Whitetail to be more difficult due to length and sustained steepness. Snowshoe's blues tend to have the short wall and then flatten out into a green and they are over quickly. We ski the sides of the terrain parks for some nice roller blues. Evolution Park is a lot of fun in the morning when you can put down some nice tracks due to the wideness of the run. If you can get over to Silver Creek, I recommend checking it out. It tends to be less crowded and the green runs aren't as chopped up. We prefer the blues at SC vs the village area as they feel longer and have some nice variability.Great ... I’m supposed to ski Snowshoe for the first time in a few weeks. Just stick me on the greens and be done with it.
You'll be fine with any trails at Silvercreek. Often has better snow conditions than at the Main Basin because fewer people ski there. So the trails don't get skied off by 11:30am. The blacks are relatively short and usually quite empty. For an aspiring intermediate who is interested in working on technique, short is better than long in my opinion. One reason I much preferred Alta over Snowbird when I started skiing more challenging ungroomed terrain.Great ... I’m supposed to ski Snowshoe for the first time in a few weeks. Just stick me on the greens and be done with it.
Yes. Didn’t need to do a thing. Just ski . We had a fun trip! It was cold but the snow was goodWas your Ikon pass direct-to-lift?