Hunter March 27

Hi All,

Finally some spring-like weather today with temps from 12 last night and high wind to a very sunny 40 now and no wind. Expect some unsettled mixed precipitation however over the next several days.

Skiing has been flat, hard and fast with excellent visibility according to those few who have been out this week. Pond skimming and the spring party are still scheduled for Saturday April 5th.

Many of you who use Central Hudson will be shocked when you get the latest electric bills. They have price gauged everyone this winter. I will include below the contact info for our local NYS Senator James Seward and Representative Pete Lopez for you to write email complaints should you wish to do so.  Complaining to CH will not help you.

NWS forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UzRfC4X4ZzU

 

http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/james-l-seward/contact

 

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Peter-D-Lopez/contact/

 

 

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

 

Party on.............

Jon

HUnter March 9

Hi All,

My intention was to write a glowing report about conditions on Thurs Mar 6 when all open trails were once again groomed to perfection HOWEVER a nasty spill and slide on Claire’s resulted in a separated right shoulder (2nd in 14 months) and a trip to Kingston Hospital in the Hunter ambulance where it was put back in place under complete anesthesia. Needless to say it isn’t working too well and an MRI is scheduled for Tuesday. Of course I am right handed so everything now takes a lot longer.  My season it appears is over so I will not be able to give you all first hand accounts of the trail conditions.  To further complicate my ability to communicate with you a brand new computer system set up I purchased to replace my 9 year old dinosaur was not functioning properly until today.

Having said that, the weather today is partially cloudy with a breeze and a temp of 30 with a few flurries around. There was a huge crowd yesterday for the Grand Marnier after ski party with temps holding in the low 40’s.

NWS Forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.Uxyo54X4ZzU

In other news: The managers of Slopes / Dublin Bear bar & restaurant which showed early season promise neglected to pay their lease so it was shut down by the building owners. I will try and get you an update / estimated opening on the new Hunter Brewery.

Be safe my friends,

Jon

Hunter March 4

Hello all and a happy Fat Tuesday!

Today was an unexpected bonus day.  The temp dipped to a near record low last night of -9 and was only around 10 upon opening (warmer on top due to an inversion) but now 28. It was overcast and dreary but by mid morning it was really pleasant for a change. The sun filtered through the high clouds and there was no wind at all. Every open trail on the mountain was groomed to perfection and I was able to ski them all. Claire's and Racer's were excellent and in fact there was not one trail today I wouldn't take again. The mountain was empty - right onto the lift every time. Tomorrow may not be as nice but Thurs and Fri are both looking very good.

NWS forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UxYuK84XIxA

This Saturday Grand Marnier will sponser fireworks, a laser light show, a fire dancing show and a torchlight parade so be ready to party!!

Ski ya soon,

Jon

Hunter Feb 28

Hi All,

Last day of Feb - can you believe it?  March is roaring in like a lion! Brrrrrrr  -2 this am at the base and minus 9 at the top (without the wind) but now a heat wave at 15. The wind had died off after a wicked white-out squall last evening that left about 2" of snow in a half hr. Very strong sun today with a cobalt blue sky but it did nothing to warm things up - just made visibility great. Grooming once again was very good (except on the steeps like Racer's & Claire's) and the surface was corduroy powder on a rock hard base. The west side was very cold and hard packed - like skiing into a freezer - so one Rt 80 and done there. All front side groomed trails were flat and easy. There were no crowds at all.

The long range forecast shows unseasonable cold for the next two weeks. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UxDayc4XIxA   The storm that is due on the east coast Sun into Mon according to the Albany weather services now looks like most of the snow will fall to our south in NJ, LI & NYC with maybe 4 - 6" here but this could change.

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

Be safe,

Jon

Hunter Feb 26

Hello Hunter fans,

This week and today grooming is everything and let me say it was fantastic today. Everything including Claire's and Racer's was double groomed last night making for some very sweet powder (not sugar) on a hard base today - great job Skip and the groomers!! LowerK  & 44 were closed as usual.  The weather was cold 16 base and 10 on top with a stiff wind and some flurries. The sun was in and out this am but now very sunny. Every run front and back was sweet although with some flat light issues earlier. Crowds - what crowds? There was a mechanical issue with "B" lift and for a short time period the "D" was put into action until it was fixed (Scott to the rescue!). We are in for an arctic blast well into next week with snow flurries and some light accumulation:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.Uw5Ax84XIxA

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

Hello to the NJ Ski Council trip members out in Vail - some 140+ of you - enjoying a great western trip!

Happy hour and wing / shrimp night resumes tonight at Van Winkles.

Be safe,

Jon

Hunter Feb 24

Hello All,

Hunter just experienced its biggest 9 day holiday week crowd in decades. Great conditions sure helped.

Well it's back to winter today and all this week. Everything froze overnight as temps dipped into the teens and basically stayed there. It was 12 on top and 22 at the base but getting colder now. The wind was strong out of the west and would almost stop you on Huega and knock you sideways on lower Kennedy. Skiing was hard and fast with sugar shaved from frozen courduroy on a very hard packed surface - it was noisy and you needed good edges. The sun was in and out with some flat light situations on several runs. I did not go west due to the wind and was subsequently advised by ski patrol that Wayout was very cold, windy and slick (wind blown). One could only ski where it was groomed which did not include any of the steeper trails.  Lower K and Claire's were closed, Cliff & Racers ungroomed frozen moguls. The main line, Eside & Minya were okay. A Local Motion race was held on Madison today with the party at MacGregors. Here is the NWS forecast for the week - cold and snowy:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UwuOJs4XIxA

The Bakery/Cafe changed its hrs: Mon - Tue 7 - 3, Wed thru Sat 7 - 5, Sun 7 - 2.

Ski on.......

Jon

Hunter Feb 21

Hi All

Hunter has been experiencing some of the best crowds and conditions ever for a President's Week until today. Fog and light rain this am with heavy rain now and temp at 42. The problem is that it could all freeze tonight.

NWS forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UwejMs4XIxA

The water has no where to go and is ponding all over the place. Flood, fog and black ice warnings have been issued.

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

Hunter's new bakery / cafe has now posted a dinner menu per attached.

Drive and ski safely,

Jon