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/

Hunter Dec 26 - POWDER ALERT

Hi All,

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.

There is a winter weather advisory posted for 7 pm tonight thru 7 PM Thursday with minimum 6-10 inches expected but could be alot more. Surface conditions have been good with snow making around the clock and it has not been too crowded considering the holiday.....so far at least. Visibility has been poor with cloud cover most of the time. New trails including the west side are opening daily.

For those of you new to my postings please note I only ski early mornings and report on those conditions. Conditions, weather and surface, at Hunter can change hourly as you all well know with either new snow, scraped off hardpack or very soft spring-like snow.

Ski ya soon,

Jon

 

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

 

** Nearly all of the NewsChannel 13 viewing area is under a winter storm warning from tonight through Thursday night  **

http://wnyt.com/article/708/

 

Hunter News 12/20

Hi All,

Get ready for some rough weather (see below). The ski conditions are poor - frozen granular, sugary, bumpy and chunky at best. I do not ski when it is defensive and one has to use all of one's skills to survive. Yes, it is sunny out but recent high winds with cold nights / warm days made it very hard & icy with narrow paths to navigate. The groomers do not have enough base to really dig down and crunch it up.

Long range forecast calls for cold snow making weather next week.

Mountain web cams:  http://www.huntermtn.com/huntermtn/webcams.aspx

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

Happy Holidays!

Jon  http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

 

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

WNYT Albany - 

Winter Storm Watch is in effect This Evening thru Friday Morning for most of Warren County, Hamilton, and Northern Herkimer Counties . . .

High Wind Watch is in effect Late Tonight thru Friday Afternoon for the Greene County & Ulster County Catskills, The Berkshires, Southern Vermont, and Essex County.

Snow & Sleet: High terrain of the Catskills - Coating to an inch of snow/sleet tonight into Friday.  4 to 8" of snow & sleet will be possible across the higher terrain of the Adirondacks.

Winter begins "offically" on Friday at 6:12 AM . . .