Trip report: Amazing spring skiing day at Jay Peak, Vt.

[Skimaven]

Yesterday I had to pinch myself. It was sunny, warm and the snow coverage was still great--on April 16! Was I in Colorado? Or was this really northern Vermont?

Well it was Jay Peak, Vermont. They said recently that they hit 400 inches of snow this winter and you can tell. We didn't come across many bare spots or rocks. We even took a short run in the woods.

The biggest challenge was dealing with the sticky snow that creates incredible drag when you ski over it. This stuff was found mainly in flat, sunny areas. We found great corn snow in other areas that hadn't directly faced the sun, however. And the bumps were soft. What fun!

What a great day to be outside! And, remarkably, this sunny, warm weather will last into the weekend. Here are a couple of pictures, below. More found at my ski blog at skimaven.com.

If you are in New England, you might consider heading to a northern resort to celebrate a terrific season. I might just have to ski Stowe this weekend...someone's got to do it!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Looks great! We have indeed had a great run of weather in NNE these past few days!!! I was at Sunday River on Tuesday and Sugarloaf today. This is the time of year when latitude and elevation are all-important!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Nice Pictures!! :cheer:

Don't 'cha just love spring skiing?????

 

[ski diva]

Just learned that Jay is extending its season to April 27!!!! Woweee!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

WOO HOO!!!! So you have NOT skiied your last day, yet, right?????

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The race is on for "last one to close in the east!" Contenders are Wildcat (NH), Sugarloaf (ME), Sugarbush (VT), all shooting for May 4. Any others are weather/snow dependent at this point -- as could be the above-mentioned if we get TOO many more of these 60 degree bluebird days!!!

Wildcat has just announced that they MAY be able to stay open through May 11. Some trip reports on Alpine Zone are indicating thinning coverage there, however.

I will personally attest to the snow depth at Sugarloaf, where the glades are just now (finally) skiable, following some thaw/rain/freeze events that left all with a tough crust. Base depths appear to be around 50" there, with a lot of snow pushed to the sides of runs that can easily be "farmed."

Remarkable season here in the east - rarely do we top the Rockies for season length! (snow quality an altogether different issue)

 

[Jilly]

Last ditch Diva Day Saturday the 26th at Jay????

 

[dloveski]

Ski Vermont

In Boston from Utah---for a conference, so shlepped along my boots and plan to head to Vermont for some weekend skiing. sounds like it could be interesting---my first ski foray outside of the Rockies. Sort of a reverse ski trip.

 

[dloveski]

So, I ask the Eastern Ski Divas which ski I should rent or demo, given the current conditions? I left my quiver at home. I would guess something soft and wide for the soft/slush/corn?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

75 underfoot should do it. The stuff is absurdly heavy. Go short for length. It's 75 here now, I'm 40 miles from Sugarloaf. Glad you're not using your own - this weekend is bound to result in some major base damage. Not sure what I'm taking now....

 

[dloveski]

Thanks MSL

I'll heed your advice and report back. this should be interesting. Skiing at home in Utah continues to be good and Alta and Brighton will close Sunday. But work brought me here, and I'm curious about a NE resort. It's a field trip with hopefully some skiing for me.