Hunter Dec 10

Hi All,

Hunter is in recovery mode after several days of messy warm and rainy weather. With temps hovering around 30 now, occasional light flurries, flat light and no wind the guns have been turned on in numerous locations. I would expect more terrain to open later this week including more of the East Side, Huega and possibly Wayout as temps plunge overnight and the air remains bitter cold with snow flurries over the next few days. No sun is forecast until Friday. Check it out:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.Uqc4yyfO2Ts

 

The only other news of note is for those of you with Hunter PO Boxes - the boxes and lobby are now accesible 24/7 although no such notice has been posted on the door. This major convenience will be permanent and not just for the holidays. The assistance window however will be open for normal business hours as usual.

 

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

 

Will try to give you an "on hill" report Thursday.

Ski ya,

Jon

Hunter Dec 3

Hi All,

I finally ventured out on the slopes today for the first time and it was very enjoyable for what was open. The temp was 40 (now 45) and very sunny with excellent visibility except for the first section of the Belt which was typically dark. The surface conditons were very consistently well groomed soft and easy - great for a first day! The snow did get a bit heavy however by noon time but not grabby / sticky. HBK was smooth from top to bottom as was the Belt - no ice, bare spots or cookies. Hunter was like a ghost town with very few skiers / riders. The base was very good on HBK but I could see that without snow making on certain sections of the belt it could narrow with the warmer temps and rain predicted for later in the week.

Here is the NWS 7 day forecast which doesn't show colder weather until Saturday at the earliest:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.Up4Ylyf287o

 

In restaurant news - American Glory BBQ based out of Hudson wuill be running the Village Bistro in Tannersville. The bakery / bagel shop in Hunter is still a few weeks away from opening due to a full makeover of electrical and plumbing etc. The old Yacht Club / Slopes will be open weekends under new ownership as the "Dublin Bear"  www.dublinslopes.com  with a full new menu.  Van Winkles has their new winter menu out as of yesterday but I do not yet have a link to it - stay tuned. 

 

Weekend movies: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html  note they will also be utilizing the Orpheum Theater in T'ville for some movies.

Good to back on sticks!

Jon

Hunter - Ullerfest date changed

Hi All,

Anita has advised that due to the forecast of rain tonight the Ullerfest has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Saturday Nov 23 from  5 - 8 pm.  Temp 41 and raining now.

Remembering JFK today :(

Jon

Hunter - Nov 19 up-date

Hi All,

Even tho the snow guns could be on 24/7 most of this week they are not. So why not? I'll tell you why. The humidity is too high and the water is still too warm plus there is a small temperature inversion where it is warmer at the summit than at the base.The snow they did make last week was because the climate and  predictions justified it.  An earlier test of the system did blow a small feeder pipe just above the bottom of the Flyer which is now fixed. The snowmakers have been advised that they may blow again possibly tonight but this coming Sat night for sure. Hunter buys its power via a multi year contract on a pay as you go basis from a supplier other than Central Hudson but uses CH as its transporter.

It has been very cold and windy with occasional flurries last night and today with clouds, a high of only 33 and bitter wind chills.

In other news:

Keith and Anita are hosting their annual "Ullerfest" this Friday night Nov 22 behind the Pro Ski N Ride shop on Main St.  For those of you unfamiliar with this tradition it involves the burning of a pair of skis in a giant bonfire to appease the snow gods in hopes for a great winter. Good food, grog and friends.

A new doughnut & coffee shop has opened in Tannersville called "Twin Peaks".

A new Italian-American restaurant called "Michaels" has opened in Palenville just passed the traffic light on the left side at the former site of Ryan Nellies Bar.

The Bakery / Bagel Shop in Hunter across from the mountain is still undergoing renovation.

VanWinkles in the KMC hotel will be out soon with the new winter menu and has hired Sharon (used to work in the ski shop for Irwin) as the new ass't mgr.

The main parking lot at the mountain has received a much needed paving, although a patch-work job, and has added a premium pay parking area adjacent to the High Peaks lot on the west end of the base lodge where the handicap parking used to be.

The tow rope at the tubing park has been replaced by a "Magic Carpet" lift.

More fill was added to the approach at the west side quad lift and the area was re-graded - so I was told.

Ski ya soon I hope,

Jon

Hunter - opening day??

Hi All,

Unfortunately the guns were turned off as temps headed into the 40's - 47 now and very sunny. The snow that was made is being stock-piled in huge mounds until such time as they decide to groom it out and open the mtn. This is now estimated to be around Thanksgiving due to a change in weather predictions for warmer temps (50's) and rain early next week. Your guess for an official opening date is as good as mine so as they say - stay tuned......

This will give a you a little more time to get in shape.

By the way, the bagel shop should be opening soon as a bakery / bagel shop under new ownership coming out of a Windham bakery. Also note The Prime Steak House in Windham finally fired Chef  (the woman beater) who previously ran the bagel shop so I am taking it off my black list.

Ski ya,

Jon

Hunter Nov 12 - Guns are on!

Hi All,

A cold artic blast left us with a frozen dusting last night and Hunter turned the snow guns on H-gate. I expect a limited terrain opening by the end of the week if not sooner. It is 26 out and not expected to rise above freezing for several days.

Better get your equipment and bodies in shape!

Ski ya soon,

Jon

Hunter - JDRF walk to cure diabetes

Hi All Hunter fans,

Hope your summer is going well.

I am asking you to donate to the JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - the local annual walk to cure diabetes will take place in Sept. in Saugerties.

Charlie Murphy the 13 year old son of long time Hunter employees John & Terri Murphy was diagnosed with the disease at age 10 and will be walking to raise funds for the foundation. The official website is below and any donations are tax deductible and you will receive an email directly from the foundation detailing your donation.

Fill out the on-line form with Charlie's name, state (NY), and his team name  "Wee Piper". You will also be asked to check a boxes related to anonymity of donors name and amount etc. Open your hearts and wallets and let's put Charlie over the top of his goal - this charity directly benefits children with this nasty disease.

 

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage

 

Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Jon