Hunter skiing 12/30

Hi All,

Today was greeted by lots of fresh machine made powder, sun, no wind, and temps that rose from 15 to 28. The skiing was very sweet but the crowds were huge as the entire parking lot was filled for the first time. Lift lines were big especially when the quad went down again for about 40 mins due mechanical problems and is running slow. Grooming was great as both Claire's and Apurna were flatttened top to bottom tho quite firm. Lots of ungroomed powder on upper/lower K27 and Easide / Milky. Guns were on Huega, Ike, Racer's and recently started on upper Claire's. The crowds are quickly scraping off the snow down to a very hardpacked base.The weather will be variable over the next few days.

Let me emphasize again that I generally ski mornings and report on am conditions. What happens on the slopes in the pm can change 180º. If any of you care to add comments about pm conditions feel free to post it on my blogsite for all to read. http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

In case you missed it yesterday here is the press release for the Zip Line:http://huntermtn.blogspot.com/2009/12/hunter-mountain-to-provide-base-for.html

Movie: "Princess and the Frog". Torchlight Parade and Fireworks tomorrow night at 7pm / main lodge bar open until 10pm.

This will be my last report until Mon Jan 4.

A happy, healthy new year 2010 to all of you and your families.

Ski ya next year!

Jon

Detailed Local Forecast

• Today: Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 23F. Winds light and variable.
• Tonight: Overcast. Low 17F. Winds light and variable.
• Tomorrow: Variably cloudy with snow showers. High 28F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
• Tomorrow night: Variable clouds with snow showers or flurries. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 60%.
• Friday: Cloudy, some light snow. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s.
• Saturday: Snow showers. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the mid teens.
• Sunday: Chance of a few snow showers. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the upper teens.

Weather Advisories: POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ICE ON LAKES AND PONDS INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
WeatherNet 6 spotter reports indicate that yesterday's strong winds have caused some ice to break up on Saratoga Lake with two open areas of water. This has likely occurred on other area lakes as well. As the wind drops open areas of water will skim over with thin ice, but will not freeze deeply due to moderating conditions developing on Thursday and Friday. Snow by Friday will also hide areas of thin ice. USE EXTREME CAUTION THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND IF YOU HAVE RECREATIONAL PLANS ON THE ICE.
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Ice Thickness Guidelines from the NWS.
For People: 4" or more.
For Snowmobiles or ATV's: 5" or more.
For Cars and Light Trucks: 8"-12" minimum.
For Medium Trucks: 12"-15" minimum.

This Afternoon: Bright morning sunshine.
Increasing afternoon and evening high clouds.
Much less windy.
Much less cold.
Wind: SSW 10 mph
Sunset: 4:30 pm
High: 27

Tonight: Mostly cloudy.
A few flurries possible toward morning, otherwise dry.
Wind: Light southerly
Sunrise: 7:26
Low: Near 20

Tomorrow: NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Cloudy skies.
Flurries or a passing snow shower possible. A steadier period of light snow late in the afternoon.
Wind: South 5- 10 mph
Sunset: 4:31
High: Low 30s

Tomorrow Night: Cloudy with some light snow..
Wind: SSW 5-10 mph
Temps: Mid 20's

Friday: NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Cloudy skies.
Snow likely...a brief period of rain and snow mixed possible especially in areas south of Albany.
Wind: SE 5-10 mph
High: 34

Saturday: Cloudy.
Periods of light snow.
Windy.
Wind: NNW 10-20 mph
Temps: Mid 20's