have fun! tell me how it is -- i've only ever been to timberline in WV

2/9/2009 3:18:00 PM

Quote :

"^^I think the answer to your complaints is hidden within the first line you wrote. *hint* "Went to Sugar...""

I'd never book a trip there myself. I am going to Lake Tahoe in a couple of weeks and, with the free lodging and ride, it seemed like a good idea to pack a bag and get some practice runs in before heading out west. It surprises me that such a bad place can be packed far beyond capacity like that.

[Edited on February 9, 2009 at 3:21 PM. Reason : l]

2/9/2009 3:20:06 PM

i'm going on friday to sugar i wonder if it will be such a mess then? we're doing twilight so like 1-4 and 6:30 to 10 or whatever it is. like the afternoon sesh and the night sesh.

do you think it will be as crowded? the tickets are cheaper on fri than sat/sun so, going up friday morning. hmmm. what you said worries me.

we're going for the same reason though, free place to stay, etc.

2/9/2009 3:23:08 PM

Quote :

"have fun! tell me how it is -- i've only ever been to timberline in WV"

i went to timberline last year (free bigass place to stay ftw). i had a lot of fun there, it was late in the season and shit was empty. longest i waited in a lift line in 2 days of boarding was like 30 seconds. not to mention the all day lift tix were like $20 w/a student ID.

snowshoe, by contrast, costs your first born child. i'm looking forward to it though, the place is just large. need a gameplan to hit everything i want to hit.

2/9/2009 3:32:15 PM

^^ I was there on Saturday. Friday probably won't be as bad and maybe the night session won't be as bad either. The mid-day session was terrible though.

2/9/2009 3:43:58 PM

^^^ good luck, its been around 60 here since saturday and will continue to be until wednesday

2/9/2009 3:53:00 PM

well you can still ski in 60 degree weather (we are in the southeast, i've done it before)!! but yea it is supposed to be warm this week, sucks. i mean i wouldn't have wanted to go this past week either...when the lows were like 10 degrees. that is also miserable. everything will probably just be wet. but maybe that will alleviate some of the crowd. lows still look like they're going to be in the 30s later this week. but i just hope it changes before then. but i heard the bases up there are pretty good since it has previously been cold and snowy. the past two years (even as far up as snowshoe) have been like awful for natural snow. i don't think it is going to be that horrible even if it does stay in the 60s. sometimes not being weighed down by a jacket and all the extra shiz is more fun. and if its going down into the 30s at night they can still make snow if needed.

[Edited on February 9, 2009 at 8:37 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2009 8:30:38 PM

^ Hopefully they can make some snow before your trip. If it's warm all week and then gets cold right before the trip you'll be skiing on a sheet of ice unless they can lay some fresh snow on top of it.

2/10/2009 10:36:03 AM

^5 Dude you're going to be up at Snowshoe the same weekend as me! 20-22nd I'm headed up with a crew of 8, and know some other people going up in a party of 15. Should be interesting. I'm looking forward to Western Territory and zero lift line wait. This is my "warm up" trip before I go to Lake Tahoe

^^Umm, good luck with that. Doesn't really matter how deep the base is when its covered in ice. You probably won't have a crowd to contend with given the weather so that's good. But honestly warm weather skiing blows. Who in their right mind likes skiing on slow sticky melting snow and slush? For your sake I hope they work some magic.

Ideal skiing is 20s and cloudy. Doesn't take a lot of clothes to stay warm at that temperature and nothing melts. Semi-heavy snowfall is a good condition to ski in as well. You get some fresh powder, and the snow falling keeps the sissys away from the slopes so no crowds/lift lines.

2/10/2009 10:49:42 AM

unfortunately if it is my only chance to snowboard, it is my only chance to snowboard

shitty or not it is better than nothing.

[Edited on February 10, 2009 at 4:41 PM. Reason : although now, due to my fantastic life, i might not be going at all this year]

2/10/2009 4:40:38 PM

^^ where are you guys staying? there'll be 8 of us in a powderidge townhome. we're going up thursday AM, the 3rd night and 3rd day of lift tix came with the room as part of their package deal.

i'm looking forward to the western territory runs too. the extended weather forecast is looking pretty good after this weekend.

2/10/2009 8:44:36 PM

I'll be there with this ^ douchebag. First and maybe last time I'll be goin boarding this winter, and I'm actually in WV

After this warm spell we are getting right now, looks like the week heading into our trip is looking fantastic for them to lay down a good top layer and get some fresh powder in right as we're getting there (Wed-Thurs)
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/tenday/USWV0704?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_ski




[Edited on February 10, 2009 at 10:37 PM. Reason : .]

2/10/2009 10:32:18 PM

^&^^we're staying in The Summit and I'm not sure where the other party is staying. The Summit lacks a few amenities and is a little distance from the slopes but its pretty good at muffling sound which is key. We've had kegs there in the past

We'll be up just Friday night through Sunday afternoon.

2/10/2009 10:55:10 PM

Should we get a keg this year? It might end up being cheaper. I, for one, plan on drinking like I'm in college again... I could use it.

Plus, I'll probably be up until like 4am both nights since I won't have time to adjust with the time difference... and the weather is shaping up nice... I just want it to snow while we are there too of course... I love night snow in the village.

[Edited on February 12, 2009 at 4:27 PM. Reason : but then again, I also want to hit up the bars like we did last time... so cases might be better]

2/12/2009 4:26:38 PM

Quote :

"Should we get a keg "

is the answer to that question ever "no"

2/12/2009 8:55:07 PM

Big dump this weekend in the Sierra. Tomorrow I'm picking up bindings for my new randonee skiis. With a 2000 ft snow level maybe I could ski Mt. Diablo sunday?

2/12/2009 9:20:42 PM

Haha, where do you live? I can see Mt. Diablo from my bedroom window (I live in Concord, though it's much closer to downtown Walnut Creek).

I'm seriously considering going up to Stateline this weekend for Heavenly, but I don't want to rent a SUV and chain up...

[Edited on February 12, 2009 at 9:43 PM. Reason : x]

2/12/2009 9:43:09 PM

went to sugar on friday. wasn't that bad at all. a little soft, not slushy, much better than ice. everything was open. and it was in the 30s. they had blown snow the night before (thurs). it was fine, for what it was. not too crowded for the night session (the late afternoon session was kinda packed, though).

2/15/2009 2:27:06 PM

Man, conditions look like they are going to be GREAT up at Snowshoe this weekend. Snow Friday and Saturday... only problem is I don't think we have a SUV to get up there for the first time ever so hopefully it doesn't start really snowing until we get to the mountain.

(especially since I'm not sure who is driving -- if it's part of the Northern crew, I'm fine)

2/17/2009 11:41:33 AM

^I'll be leaving for Snowshoe on Thurs morning from Morgantown, WV and I'm a little worried. I don't drive an SUV and it's mostly backroads getting there from here. I can drive fine in the snow, I've been doing it up here for a couple years, but I'm worried about my car gettin up and down those hills. I hope it'll be fine on the way there b/c it looks like it's gonna be mostly rain the night before. Who knows on the way back. Should I grab some chains before I leave town just in case?

Upon during some research I found this which could be helpful.

http://www.wvdot.com/14_roadconditions/14_roadcond.cfm

Road conditions for major highways, US routes, and roads around the ski areas. Can also get conditions for neighboring states.

[Edited on February 17, 2009 at 1:06 PM. Reason : link]

2/17/2009 1:01:57 PM

I don't think it will be THAT bad, but I'm not familiar with the roads from WVU down there...

I know it's never really gotten bad for us until we get past Elkin... actually like 4 of the 6 times I've made the drive we've gotten snow starting there... It's supposed to be pretty cold from Roanoke on for Friday, so we might get some snow showers before that... doubtful it will accumulate much, if at all, before getting closer to Snowshoe though...

2/17/2009 1:06:58 PM

Hey Bryan, Mike is driving his Honda Pilot so that's one SUV. The other vehicle is a Honda Accord, but I'm very suspect of the tires on it. If they don't look great to me we're going to take my Integra instead. My front tires have less than 2,000 miles on them and the rears have less than 10,000. Plus I've made that drive several times before.

And if the weather looks iffy for most of the route we could always take the longer way up I-77 and stick to more interstates.

regardless, conditions look like they're gonna be awesome!

2/17/2009 4:00:13 PM

Went to Wintergreen on Saturday. It was packed for the holiday weekend and a little warm for my tastes, but was still fun. The lift for all the blue trails was out of commission for half the day, so that sucked and made the main lifts even more crowded. The high-traffic trails were slush in the afternoon, but pretty good conditions considering it was high 40s that day.

2/17/2009 4:32:12 PM

p.s. - I meant Marlinton (not Elkin)... but anyway, the forecast doesn't LOOK that bad but it wasn't supposed to snow at all a few times we went and we ended up getting like 6" in the village or more... it always seems to happen and there IS snow in the forecast on weather.com for both days all around the area so my guess is we'll see some accumulation up there...

Thursday's forecast looks rough though so I'd definitely be careful ^^^^

^^ So... Me, you and Mike sound good in the Pilot?

[Edited on February 17, 2009 at 4:41 PM. Reason : actually, screw Deen... fucker almost got me ticketed first time up there drinking liquor in my car]

2/17/2009 4:38:52 PM

lol, that was pretty hilarious. Well Deen already called a spot in the Pilot And Carl smokes I don't want to deal with that shit

2/17/2009 4:59:31 PM

Headed to Lake Tahoe on Saturday will be skiing Monday, Tuesday and wednesday. The area got over 100 inches in the last week. next system should be coming in on Sunday, so I should have some fresh powder to ski on.

2/18/2009 1:12:42 PM

I have been snowboarding before and have a trip planned for the beginning of March...

Was gonna see what it would take for someone to let me use that board when i go. I would agree to pay any lose/damages if anyone was curious. Just let me know.

Im about 5'10" 170lbs boot size 12.....

Flame away....

2/18/2009 2:29:16 PM

Anybody have any way to get discount lift tickets for Sugar. I found a place to get 1/2 price lift tickets for this Saturday Full Day at Beech, but was more interested in Sugar. If anyone has a few tickets for sale let me know, thanks.

2/18/2009 2:51:54 PM

If you purchase with your AmEx you get B1G1 after March 2nd. Pretty good deal on the rape cost.

2/18/2009 6:49:28 PM

Ya, there's another big dump this weekend in the Sierra so skiing Monday will be awesome. I'll be at Dodge Ridge trying out my new backcountry setup.

2/18/2009 9:05:22 PM

Sunday conditions at Snowshoe this past weekend were GREAT!



I was an idiot for not wearing goggles and/or a face cover but as you can see, plenty of snow fallling and awesome powder. There will still some ice spots at the top on some of the farthest over Silver Creek trails, but by and large it was win.

2/25/2009 5:44:18 PM

Quote :

"Anybody have any way to get discount lift tickets for Sugar. I found a place to get 1/2 price lift tickets for this Saturday Full Day at Beech, but was more interested in Sugar. If anyone has a few tickets for sale let me know, thanks."

How do you get 1/2 off lift ticket at Beech? I am thinking of going to Beech next weekend. Is this a deal that anyone can get?

2/25/2009 9:48:22 PM

beech had 1/2 off tickets for this past saturday for the skiNC summit, you just had to print off the front page of their website

2/25/2009 9:57:30 PM

9 days till Heavenly at Tahoe!!!!

2/25/2009 11:20:16 PM

Tomorrow I am leaving for Colorado I need the break My puppy has been a huge handful and has taken a lot out of me. I need to recharge my batteries...

My SO and I are going to try to hit WP one time and Loveland Pass another. Pics to come next weekend

2/26/2009 9:05:52 AM

^^ Leave for Tahoe on the 12th for my bachelor party.

Hopefully will get some more snow between now and then.

2/26/2009 12:02:10 PM

Just got back from tahoe.

Spent a full 3 days at Kirkwood for an amazing time. it was rainy and nasty and every other slope in Tahoe, but Kirkwood got snow every single day.

First 2 days, the snow was heavier moisture so the deep powder wasnt easy to deal with. The last day was perfect. Blue skies, fresh dry powder, nice groomed runs. Skack and I decided to be bold on the last day and take the Cornice Express up to some harder blacks. Didnt realize the run started with what appeared to be a double black. But we made it through.

Would absolutely recommend kirkwood as the place to go in tahoe. But make sure you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle or chains, or you very well might be SOL.

2/26/2009 12:03:08 PM

Just back from Breck, Vail and Keystone. PERFECT weather on Sunday and Tuesday, Wednesday at Vail it was raining/snowing/sleeting all at the same time... nasty with very low visibility, got stuck on I-70 trying to get back to Dillon! But that led to ~10" around the area with awesome powder at Keystone the next day with clear skies and low 40's. That was my first time out west, and first time skiing at all in quite some time... now I've got the itch...

2/26/2009 1:35:49 PM

BTW. Those going to the Tahoe area. Kirkwood required chains or 4x4 almost every day we went there. I rented a Lincoln Navigator from a company called Rent-A-Wreck for a total of $320 for 5 complete days. I couldnt rent a full size SUV for anything less than $1000 anywhere else.

The car had 130k miles on it, but was clean inside and out, and worked out really well. For this location, I would recommend it if you want a 4x4 without paying all the extra.

2/27/2009 1:06:15 PM

Judging from the forecast here I don't think chains will be necessary for anyone going in the next 10 days. The snow level is pretty high even on days when there will be some rain. If you are going next week, thank the lord because conditions are going to blow this week. It's damn near 70 in the Bay Area which means 40 minimum on south Lake...

** How is the nightlife around Kirkwood? I've never been there. I'm extremely partial to Stateline and Heavenly obviously...

[Edited on February 27, 2009 at 3:42 PM. Reason : x]

2/27/2009 3:40:27 PM

Kirkwood's base is over 7800 feet. I have a feeling, the snow level will be around 7000-7500 for most of the week. The previous week we were there the forecast looked about the same. Rain/snow in the entire tahoe area, but kirkwood was snow the entire period.

I dont think there is much of a night life at Kirkwood. Its far removed from just about everything.

I have been to just about all the resorts in Tahoe now, and Kirkwood is by far my favorite. Heavenly was ok, but it was a lot of cross country from trail to trail. I understand they have improved that, but I didnt like it and it stuck out.

2/28/2009 4:51:38 PM

Heading to Breck tomorrow... gonna ski Breck, Vail, Keystone, and Beaver Creek... cant wait

2/28/2009 5:28:28 PM

Damn. I really wanna go again. Somebody going out west invite me

2/28/2009 11:49:11 PM

definately gonna be heading up to wintergreen this week, probably tuesday. seems like they gettin some snow this weekend, and it will be nice next week, and all slopes are open.

3/1/2009 12:17:10 AM

met up with the family in snowshoe this past weekend






pwnt

3/1/2009 5:47:07 PM

how did you do that? looks like it fell off the car or something. that sucks.

3/1/2009 6:35:39 PM

it's kind of embarassing actually

what i figure was this scenario:

while in a lift line, I always unlatched the highback lock, and knocked it down..
the burton mission bindings, the top strap is pretty thick and the highback wont go down all the way unless you move the straps out of the way
so im guessing that while moving up to the loading point on the lift, i must have kicked the rear binding highback up.. when I sat down, the board was under the chair, and the highback up in between the chair and the ground
as we started moving i heard a very very loud pop, and said to my brother in law "that didnt sound good" but had no idea what it was... half way up the lift i noticed that the highback had gotten jacked up

it was unlocked from the base, so i know i put it down, i guess i accidentally kicked it up

with all the stores at the top of the mountain having sales, a large binding was in hot demand.. found a replacment set of mission bindings at the one store on the mountain that wasn't having like 50% off hardware sales

ah well, lesson learned.. after that i've changed my detach routine to overlay the top strap over the high back to prevent the highback from getting engaged by accident

$200

3/1/2009 6:50:44 PM

damn that does suck. i have a similar routine (putting the strap over the highback). i haven't had a problem.

better to break them that way then to hit something

i forgot to lock my racks once and my board flew off the car at about 45mph. didn't even crack my bindings.

3/1/2009 10:33:34 PM

Hope to ski from the summit of this sometime this month if the weather is ever nice:

7000 ft of vertical descent should be fun.

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 12:33 AM. Reason : x]

3/2/2009 12:33:01 AM

Just get some Flow bindings and you won't have to worry about it.

3/2/2009 7:34:53 AM