Rode at Hunter today (Friday)

[jtslalom]

Conditions at Hunter weren't that bad. It was generally hard but on a couple of trails it softened up pretty good. We made a few good turns but also dug up a few rocks. My new board gained a couple of burrs on the edges but nothing that a quick file and diamond stone can't take care of. We met one hard rider there named Ron at the end of the day but didn't see any other carvers on the hill. All in all it was a nice day with fair conditions

[Maciek]

Conditions at Hunter weren't that bad. It was generally hard but on a couple of trails it softened up pretty good. We made a few good turns but also dug up a few rocks. My new board gained a couple of burrs on the edges but nothing that a quick file and diamond stone can't take care of. We met one hard rider there named Ron at the end of the day but didn't see any other carvers on the hill. All in all it was a nice day with fair conditions

No you did not ride at Hunter. I did until 1PM and I haven't seen you... and I expected to see you. On other hand, it was difficult not see my "acrobatics" in the middle of icy Hellgate. I loved that! It brought me some memories... and sore muscles. Two years of break and I still have some muscle memory, but I really need to work and re-learn.

I was in that blue-white-black jacket on yellow-greenish Oxygen Proton 160SL.

[jtslalom]

Sorry Maciek,

I and my buddy Dave were there from about 9:45 am to about 2:00 pm. We mostly rode on the left most run at Hunter and took the midway lift most of the time. We mainly stuck to that run for all but two runs. We took one run down belt parkway which we then turned left to Hunter west. The cover was terrible on that run. The other run we took was down the middle. It went under the main quad. That run was a little hard but carvable. As I posted earlier, we did not see any other carvers. We did see 2 other hardbooters. One of them was at the bottom of the lift around 2:00 pm and his name was Ron. The other was on a trail that went down the middle of the hill and was under the lift but he wasn't carving, more like sliding all over the place. The guy looked like he was trying to swim by over exagerating a sort of race style technique. That was about 10:00 am. Other than that, there were NO other carvers. Once again Maciek, we were there.

[Maciek]

Sorry Maciek,

I and my buddy Dave were there from about 9:45 am to about 2:00 pm. We mostly rode on the left most run at Hunter and took the midway lift most of the time. We mainly stuck to that run for all but two runs. We took one run down belt parkway which we then turned left to Hunter west. The cover was terrible on that run. The other run we took was down the middle. It went under the main quad. That run was a little hard but carvable. As I posted earlier, we did not see any other carvers. We did see 2 other hardbooters. One of them was at the bottom of the lift around 2:00 pm and his name was Ron. The other was on a trail that went down the middle of the hill and was under the lift but he wasn't carving, more like sliding all over the place. The guy looked like he was trying to swim by over exagerating a sort of race style technique. That was about 10:00 am. Other than that, there were NO other carvers. Once again Maciek, we were there.

That swimming guy was probably me. And yes I used to race a bit on some amateur team some time ago. Now try to carve on ice and piles of snow intermittently :D You never know what's next so better stick to square shoulders and try to "swim" or "fly". Forget that smooth carving transition. Anyway that's my style... you will get used to it when we meet ;)

Ron was there?! I know Ron. We actually attended some camp on that slope a few years ago and then rode a few runs together here and there :) Did he rip the slope again? ... with his "bucket" catching snow?

As far as left trails I made only one run there. The upper part was either full of moguls and rock spots or narrow (non-carvable) or simply slow at bottom part. I have once scared a kid down there a few years ago. I do not want to repeat that so I dropped idea of riding on that part of mountain after one run. Anyway that is not so good to feel like a show-off to intimidated beginners so no point to stick where one does not belong anymore. Sooner or later ski patrolers whould tell that and I do not need to hear that. I prefer to be "exaggerated swimmer" beetwen training young ski racers.

[sic t 2]

Hey JT !! (& Maciek if you still remember me from the MC slalom classes....)

I was at Hunter on Thursday (12/28) and Sunday (12/31).

Had a great time both days. Thursday was more carveable but Sunday had way better mogul riding (and great sugar snow riding between the snowpack edge and the fence/trees). Both days were great. Actually, probably better than if it had been normal weather conditions as the depressing conditions kept tons of people away.

Wicked fast that man made snow !

You won't see me at the Creek this year. Did not buy a season ticket. I just had enough of that place. I mean, I can deal with South but I can't deal with the best slopes constantly being closed for the ski teams every weekend. So, no MC for me this year especially since that new building on the Vernon slopes looks like a real crowd maker. So they can stuff their lift ticket (and their priority parking fees) up their snowgun.

Hunter, Gore and Whiteface. I have frequent skiers at all 3.

Gore is a great carving mountain. Only place I ride my flows or winds.

The old guy

[jtslalom]

SicT2,

Nice picture of you on your bike. You might be an old man but you certainly don't act like one. I will be at Whiteface from 2/1 - 2/4. I will only get to ride one definate day and maybe a second day. If you are going up that weekend let me know and we can hook up at whiteface. As far as MC, dude I can't blame you. It really sucks when the best trails are closed due to racers and the only good ones left open are usually mobbed. You picked a good year not to go because right as I am writing (Thursday 1/4) MC is closed and has been since the Monday. There is no way they can reopen until they blow more snow and that won't be happening any time soon. Keep me posted on when you go up to Hunter and let me know about Whiteface. It's good to hear from you.

Later

[sic t 2]

I'll keep that Whiteface 2/1 -2/4 long weekend in mind. If the weather is reasonable I think I can make that happen.

Won't be boarding this weekend as the weather is a definitely a real skunker. But it will be perfect for the YZ450 on Sunday. Not my preference, this time of year, but what can you do but adapt.

Will be in touch.

Sic