Friday, April 12, 2013

Hunter April 12

Hi All,
Following from Hunter mgmt:
 
In case you haven't heard already, we are planning to open tomorrow. The
opening time may be delayed based on this storm today and how grooming goes
on the mountain. We'll know more first thing tomorrow morning.

It is sleeting hard and windy with temp at 34 - roads & sidewalks are very slick and grassy areas are turning white. Main St. just got plowed and sanded. No snow accumulation is expected:
 
Lots of brown and bare spots on the mtn - looks like a plague as warm temps all week have taken its toll on the slopes.
The bar should do well this weekend.
Jon

Friday, April 5, 2013

Hunter April 5

Hi All,
A sweet ending to the season's midweek skiing with lots of sun, no wind and great grooming. Racer's and Claire's were not groomed but by mid day Racer's was soft - Claire's still closed. The early frozen corduroy quickly softened in the sun as temps rose from 28 to 50 rather quickly. All main trails were consistently soft and easy. The pond was dug out this am and is now filling with water for tomorrow's party - see attached photo.
The mtn has stated that it will open the weekend of April 13 - 14 - let's see!  If there are any other decisions I will let you know but otherwise this will be my last regular newsletter and I thank you all for your support and mostly positive responses throughout the season.
Have a safe and enjoyable spring now that it has finally arrived.
Jon

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hunter April 4

Hello Hunter fans,
Finally at around 11 am this morning spring skiing arrived as the frozen snow started to soften under a cobalt blue sky and temps that went from 25 to 50. Today was in the top 10 days of the season. Great grooming on all trails except Racer's which probably was skiable by noon and Claire's which was closed due to a shiny boiler plate surface (it may open this pm). There were no lines and finally no wind. The surface was a consistent hero type snow. Wayout was a great cruiser as it stayed firmer longer. The only thin / brown spots were on the skiers right of Upper K.  Lower K was closed this am but most likely open now. The general base is still deep and not receding on the sides as cold nights preserve it - tonight and Friday night will also be below freezing..
Saturday is looking even better for a great pond skimming and beach party on the deck - bring sunscreen! You will notice the new benches against the windows and the new tables along the slope side edge of the deck.
Note that Last Chance Cheese will only be open Fri  thru Sun starting this week thru June 6 after which it will again open weekdays.
Party on.......
Jon

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Hunter April 3

Hi All,
Winter just won't let go! Woke up this am to a blanket of snow 1/2 to 1" over everything (2" on top). Skiing this am was very nice but very cold with temps only in the 20's (16 at the summit) and chill factors in the single digits as high winds prevailed with occasional flurries. Temp just now getting above 33 with a bit more sun than clouds. Grooming was much better than yesterday as done on all trails except Claire's & Racer's and you wouldn't want to go on them - frozen solid ripples. There were freshies most of the am especially on the sides of the terrain park slopes with very few customers and virtually no lines. Minya had more snow than most due to its location away from the wind which was out of the west. Wayout was a nice cruiser but the cut through from White Cloud was a bit rocky. Cliff / Ike and HBK/Gunhill all good. The weather should start a warming trend tomorrow after another bitter cold night tonight.
Even if you don't plan on skiing this Saturday, come on up and enjoy a great deck party.
Windham has closed for the season and Belleayre is following Hunter's spring schedule however without the partying.
Thursday and Friday look to be excellent ski days.
Jon

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Hunter April 2

Hi All,
You got me * #(:#$*@ !! Glad that was the fun response from most of you to yesterday's April Fools report about which nothing was true including the 4" of snow - gotcha - ha!
Woke up today to a dusting and flurries with an overcast sky and plenty of wind - temp at 25. The mtn resembled a ghost town with only a handfull of skiers on minimally groomed trails. Visibility went from flat light to okay at times as the sky brightened a bit with temp now around 30 but still a nasty wind. It is amazing how much snow is left on the mtn this late in the season. The nights will be in the low 20's thru Thursday. The pond skimming party this Saturday should be a great success with temps predicted in the mid to upper 40's with sun and, unlike this past Saturday's great crowded deck party when (stupidly) the band and DJ were inside playing to an empty house, the band will be outside.
 
Also some news about Van Winkle's Restaurant & Bar in the hotel:
VW will be closing Tuesdays beginning next Tuesday April 9. Also, they will be closed for maintenance Mon - Thurs the week of April 15 through 18, reopening on the 19th (Fri) at 3 pm.
Keep the cold weather gear out and the edges sharp,
Jon