Hunter Jan 14

Hi All,

I did not ski today and did not speak to anyone who did. Most likely not skiing tomorrow either due to a bad head cold. Local Motion Race # 1 was scheduled for today with the post race party in the base lodge back by the bandstand. I can tell vou that the warm temps over the weekend in the 50's and a heavy rain last night really took its toll on the mtn. Lots of brown and bare spots showing and I wouldn't recommend using good skis.

The weather does turn colder tonight and I hope they can find a window to make snow over the next few days because we really need it. All the snow that was on lawns and in the woods is gone.

Mtn weather forecast:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

I can recommend dining at Bear Creek which is now under new management "The Lazy Swan" from Saugerties - excellent food and service, moderate to high prices for the mountain top but worth it!

Ski ya soon,

Jon

Hunter Jan 10

Hi All,

There were a number of people who contacted me and said that ski conditions yesterday were very good. Of course the snow softened by late morning but visibility / light remained flat. It's the old story - ask 5 people something subjective and you'll get 5 different opinions. If you do not like my reports don't read them and ask to be taken off my list - no problem - but the majority of the 113 on my list generally accept what I have to report which is alot more than just surface conditions. There are a number of people whose opinions I do not agree with - and you know who you are - because they will ski anything any time and whose philosophy is any day on the slopes is better than a day in the office. Some have better vision than others but defensive skiing for whatever reason to me is not enjoyable nor worth the risk! I may not have as many days on the slopes as some of you but what I do have on skis is quality time which to me is more important than quantity.

 

Today was a great morning weather-wise, brilliant sun, temps mid 30's and climbing, a stiff breeze and excellent grooming surface conditions on the front side. Racer's was still not groomed tho. The problem for me today was the crowd - it was like a weekend day with long lines and crowded slopes by 11 am. Apparently NY State has a program that Hunter participates in whereby different ski areas offer NY residents a coupon to buy a lift tkt for $10 on line and today was Hunter's turn. At least 1,800 were sold and this is on top of college week. It is great for the mtn and local businesses.

 

Claire's and 44 were closed this am as they were polished to a shine by the strong winds last night which also blew tree debris all over the slopes. Wayout was open but still a bit frozen and crunchy at the time I skied it. Ski conditions should be excellent this pm as temps climb into the 40's and the sun stays out.

 

The forecast for Fri & Sat varies and the wet weather my hold off until later in the day. See the mtn top forecast as well as the NWS forecast below.

http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

 

Movies: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

There is a great Blues Hall of Fame concert coming to the Orpheum Theater in Tannersville on Sat night Feb 16: http://www.catskillmtn.org/events/world-music/2013-02-16-the-blues-hall-of-fame-night-at-637.html   Reserved tickets are only $25 for a great lineup!

No report tomorrow.

Ski ya,

Jon

Hunter Jan 9

Hi All,

I did not ski this am. The temps last night dropped to 9 so everything froze and we awoke to low cloud cover, very poor visibility and a slow warm-up to 40 now but still very dark. Grooming was done last night, not this am and from reports I heard it was not that good or widespread. Also today I was told the mtn was over-run with rude out of control college week ($35 ticket) snowboarders - fancy that!  There is a chance of a passing rain / snow shower later this afternoon.

Weekend movies:  http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Weather forecast:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

There is a photographic exhibit of David Slutzky's at the CMF art gallery starting this weekend - details: 

The DNA of Snow

The Photography of David Slutzky, Snowmaker

 http://www.catskillmtn.org/events/exhibitions/2013-01-12-the-dna-of-snow-643.html

 

Ski on.......

Jon

Hunter Jan 8

Hello all,

Another sensational day of skiing. The temps dipped to 13 overnight but by the time the lifts opened it was 24 at the base and 32 at the summit - an inversion. It is 41 now.

It was ego snow all morning and all main lifts including "F" were running fine for a change. There was no line to speak of and everything (except Racer's) was groomed to perfection. Can't say there was a bad trail on the mtn today. It is getting to the point where more snow would be nice - either natural or machine made but that doesn't look possible in the near term. There are some brown spots developing and more pebbles and rocks bouncing down on the slopes from the ledges etc.

 

Ski on.....

Jon   http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

 

The weather forecast calls for warmer temps throughout the week and weekend with some nasty weather due for Thur night and Friday.

See the mtn top forecast:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

 

Here is the forecast out of Albany WNYT:

Mainly clear again tonight with lows around 20.
A weak front will push through tomorrow with some clouds and a few rain and snow showers.  The bigger story will be milder air as highs jump to the lower 40's.
Back to high pressure and sunshine for Thursday but highs will remain above normal, in the lower 40's.
The next system will arrive on Friday.  The timing of the onset of precipitation will be critical as temperatures will start out close to freezing early Friday morning.  This may mean some pockets of freezing rain or sleet before it warms back into the lower 40's during the daylight hours.  Rain showers will be the dominate precipitation type for most.
Even milder air is expected for the weekend with a good amount of sun on Saturday with highs in the mid 40's and a chance of showers and in the upper 40's on Sunday.

Hunter Jan 7

Hi All,

What a great day to ski. Lots of strong sun, temps 28-32, no lines and great gooming (except Racer's). The only problem today was that the west side lift was down at least till noon when I quit so no skiing over there - It might still be closed. They did open "F" today even tho there was no need for it crowd-wise. It was ego snow all over the face of the mtn - no bad runs to speak of. Tomorrow looks to be a repeat of today but Wed could bring some wet stuff (don't like to mention the "R" word) and much warmer temps 40's.

NWS 7 day forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Ski on........

Jon  http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter News Jan 3

Hello all,

Another sensational cold weather day of skiing. The sun was out strong most of the morning with temps on top at 8 with 15 at the base (now 25) without any wind. Grooming was great on all trails that were groomed (exceptions: Racer's, Claire's & Milky). Guns were still blasting on 44 (closed) and on Upper Cross (closed). Claire's was open but icy in the chutes followed cream cheese topped monster swales - maybe it will get groomed tonight. The entire front side was awesome!  Nothing has melted or receded - Hunter still resembles a winter wonderland. The weather will stay cold but winds will pick up Friday thru the weekend:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

There were enough people today to justify opening "F" around 11:30 this am but the Flyer line was never more than about 5 mins. Fresh snow was made overnight on the main trails and skiing was ego perfect.  We are expecting sizeable crowds again this weekend so get out there early at 8:30 when the lifts open.

Ski ya soon,

Jon   http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter News Jan 2

Happy New Year Hunter fans!

The massive crowds have left but most of the 20" of natural snow we had from last Thur - Sat is still here thanks to colder than normal temps. The mtn continues to blow snow on top of what we have. Skiing was sensational today at least while the sun was out.  Clouds and some lake effect weather moved in around 11 causing visibilty issues. Temps were 12 overnight but now 23 at the base and still 12 on top with a light wind. There was a light lift line due to college week but no "D" or "F" needed or open. Lower K27 opened with heavy snow making ongoing and although I did not ski it, the reports ranged from great to wet guns and poor visibilty. HBK was very sweet as was most of the front side. Mid station was creamy light freshly blown powder. Claire's was under heavy snow making in the chutes and needed grooming. Wayout was very good tho dark. 44 was under heavy snow making along the fence line and was not open. Eside, Milky and Minya were also sweet but getting scraped off. Hunter has the most open and decent skiable terrain in a few years.  The big dip leading up to the west side lift is much improved but the last section still requires some speed to reach the lift. The grooming has been exceptional - thanks Skip!

Weekend movies:  http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Mountain weather center forecast: http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php

Come up and enjoy some great January cold weather skiing and riding.

Ski ya,

Jon  http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/