persee
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
So I just got home after a pretty good day of skiing (when you consider the stupid rain yesterday) at Cranmore. Yesterday wasn't wasted as DH got new boots (very badly needed - he's now back to skiing faster/a bit better than me! 
) yesterday, which were tested out today. I got bitten by the gear bug so I asked the fitter for suggestions but nothing was available in my size that would have been suitable so he kindly tightened up my boots in the problem areas (they are a size too big which he couldn't fix ! 
) to get me through the season and I will be getting boots in the fall.
So today at Cranmore was interesting (second trip this year, we were there on December 22 as well). They had the mountain nearly full open and had done their best to deal with the previous day rain by lots of grooming. We did our best to deal with the anticipated frozen conditions by not going for first tracks to let the sunshine soften things up. This did qualify as a bluebird day, so pretty up there. The conditions were mixed - no full fledged ice, but lots of frozen corderoy. I had my first exposure to death cookies on the North side of the mountain - Bandit and Rattlesnake. I think we were the first ones down one of the trails. I very much did not enjoy the death cookies. Made my knees hurt!
We spent most of our time in the East Bowl which was very uncrowded and due to the east face had softened up nicely. Had a great time cruising along these trails. The tightening up of the boots was nice - made my skiing much more confident than Saturday at Snow - however I am extremely aware of the need for new boots. I believe I'm very close to my limit to improve while in these boots and my DH's marked improvement due to his new boots just emphasized this. So boots are on the list, but I will wait until the fitter I trust has something for me. The current ones will do for now.
So it was a good day, just beautiful and I had a great time and was pushing myself. I finally got to ski the north side of Cranmore (something I've wanted to do since my learning season) - all narrow, "Classic New England", blue trails. Unfortunately did only one run there due to the death cookies. Also skiied Schneider from the summit down - this IS a blue trail, but when riding the chair it looks much steaper than it really is (it is decently steap tho) and I'd been incredibly intimidated by it since my first season. I would always look at it and go "no way I can ski that!". Well we did it today. I beat it and went back for more! The other thing I did (which made me proud) is that I decided to get a little air on a trail, I'd picked my spot, but unfortunately failed to line up properly so I didn't hit it straight, but I managed to land it, on my edges (needed to turn when I jumped). It was only about a foot off the ground but I was still psyched!
So that's my day. Can't wait until my next ski day!!!!
As for Cranmore I know it has a reputation as a little family mountain but I really still think it's a good place to go. The lift tickets are reasonable, the mountain has a good variety of terrain, and they never get overly crowded (in my experience). I would recommend the mountain, even as I've advanced I still have enjoyed it.
) yesterday, which were tested out today. I got bitten by the gear bug so I asked the fitter for suggestions but nothing was available in my size that would have been suitable so he kindly tightened up my boots in the problem areas (they are a size too big which he couldn't fix ! ) to get me through the season and I will be getting boots in the fall. So today at Cranmore was interesting (second trip this year, we were there on December 22 as well). They had the mountain nearly full open and had done their best to deal with the previous day rain by lots of grooming. We did our best to deal with the anticipated frozen conditions by not going for first tracks to let the sunshine soften things up. This did qualify as a bluebird day, so pretty up there. The conditions were mixed - no full fledged ice, but lots of frozen corderoy. I had my first exposure to death cookies on the North side of the mountain - Bandit and Rattlesnake. I think we were the first ones down one of the trails. I very much did not enjoy the death cookies. Made my knees hurt!
We spent most of our time in the East Bowl which was very uncrowded and due to the east face had softened up nicely. Had a great time cruising along these trails. The tightening up of the boots was nice - made my skiing much more confident than Saturday at Snow - however I am extremely aware of the need for new boots. I believe I'm very close to my limit to improve while in these boots and my DH's marked improvement due to his new boots just emphasized this. So boots are on the list, but I will wait until the fitter I trust has something for me. The current ones will do for now.
So it was a good day, just beautiful and I had a great time and was pushing myself. I finally got to ski the north side of Cranmore (something I've wanted to do since my learning season) - all narrow, "Classic New England", blue trails. Unfortunately did only one run there due to the death cookies. Also skiied Schneider from the summit down - this IS a blue trail, but when riding the chair it looks much steaper than it really is (it is decently steap tho) and I'd been incredibly intimidated by it since my first season. I would always look at it and go "no way I can ski that!". Well we did it today. I beat it and went back for more! The other thing I did (which made me proud) is that I decided to get a little air on a trail, I'd picked my spot, but unfortunately failed to line up properly so I didn't hit it straight, but I managed to land it, on my edges (needed to turn when I jumped). It was only about a foot off the ground but I was still psyched!
So that's my day. Can't wait until my next ski day!!!!
As for Cranmore I know it has a reputation as a little family mountain but I really still think it's a good place to go. The lift tickets are reasonable, the mountain has a good variety of terrain, and they never get overly crowded (in my experience). I would recommend the mountain, even as I've advanced I still have enjoyed it.
