Mid-Atlantic Resort Conditions Glossary

[SWriverstone]

Okay, here's the deal: resorts in the mid-Atlantic region (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, etc.) don't actually have any real snow. This is a marketing illusion maintained by the resorts to stay in business. These resorts' websites are hilarious, with an abundance of phrases like "packed powder" and "36-inch base." What the mid-Atlantic resorts do have is an impressive variety of icy conditions. For anyone contemplating boarding in this beautiful part of the country, I offer this brief glossary of mid-Atlantic slope conditions to help you cut through the resort-lingo and be prepared.

thin glacier - what the resorts call a "base," with the distinction being that glaciers are ice resulting from severe compression.

white ice - what the resorts pretend is snow; also pretentiously called "packed powder" by resorts.

sugar ice - nothing like sugar snow; rather, 1/16"-diameter ice pellets deposited in loose piles on top of the glacier.

granular ice - similar to sugar ice, but somewhat finer; typically found in redistributable piles over white ice (which is found on the glacier).

plasma ice - some form of pseudo-frozen, intermediate stage of H2O; not found in nature; properties unpredictable.

glaucoma ice - name for airborne ice---sometimes called "glice,"---that sprays from the blowers, typically sticks to goggles and blinds boarders without goggles; mitten-squeegees are useless against glice as they only smear it.

yellow ice - not ice that's been peed on, but very similar in color; often found after any remaining sugar and granular ice has melted or been blown away; usually slick as snot and deadly.

cobblestone ice - a challenging surface to achieve; resembles a cobblestone street, only all white; induces teeth-jarring vibrations when crossed on a board or skis. (Sometimes called "micro-moguls.")

sprinkler ice - a unique, wet surface created when the sprinklers are turned on (sprinklers are snow blowers cranked up when the temperature is well above freezing---a surprisingly common occurence).

packed dirt - special areas of the slopes that have been groomed with rich, brown dirt (presumably to increase friction over an area of yellow ice).

Now, when you take a hard-earned vacation to a mid-Atlantic resort, you can rest easy knowing you'll be prepared with this handy glossary!

Scott

[Phil]

You've been riding the wrong mountains.

[philistine]

wow... Ice...

[SWriverstone]

Originally posted by Phil

You've been riding the wrong mountains.

Hi Phil...seriously, are there any mid-Atlantic slopes that aren't experiencing the wide temperature range melt-freeze cycle? Does RoundTop have good-quality snow and no ice? (I don't ask sarcastically, but in a genuine attempt to find some slopes that aren't rock-hard!)

Scott

[Slim]

It's been a while, but we used to find good snow every once and a while in West Virginia (Canaan, Timberline, and Snowshoe).

One time, we hit it during a major snowstorm and enjoyed three feet of fresh powder--and because the roads were impassable we had it mostly to ourselves. Of course, it was more often hard and slick.

You can sometimes find cheap flights to Burlington, Vt. (close to Sugarbush, Stowe, Jay Peak, Smugg's) for less than $100. Conditions are more reliable (and runs are longer!) Worth keeping an eye out for...

[neil sunday]

i've been carving perfect groomers ALL season. I live in central pa and freeride 2 days a week and train gates an additonal 3 days per week. the other two days are rest days!!!

you're not looking hard enough.

ice simply tests one's body positioning on the board... but this season, i've yet to encounter it...