Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Hunter Jan 30

Hi All,
Crazy weather here yesterday and today as temps climbed to 62 with strong winds, clouds and light rain. Now 59 with even heavier rain due late tonight, possibly up to 2" with flood watches posted.  The firemen who are here racing this week are feeling the heat! Conditions are soft and in some places very sticky.  Most of the snow on lawns and in the trees is gone.
The weather is going to turn much colder and alot of this moisture is going to freeze over the next few days.
Mountain weather forecast:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php
Tomorrow is the last day to buy discounted tickets to the Country Music Festival before sales are open to the public on Feb 1st.
Hoping to be back on the slopes sooner than later,
Jon
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Hunter Jan 23

Hi All,
Great frigid weather skiing. Hunter has been blowing tons of snow all over the mtn around the clock.  The sun is strong today but the temps and wind chills are an issue. It was -1 this am but now a heat wave at 8. The police races are going on today and tomorrow, crowds are minimal and surface conditions are excellent.
The end of the week and weekend are shaping up for some great conditions. Some snow is due on Friday but the amount of accumulation is still in debate.
Some of you may be interested in this article concerning skiing vs. snowboarding trends - I like it!! 
Be safe!
Jon
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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Hunter Jan 17

Hi All,
Another cloudy, flat light bleak day today. Temps around 30 all day but due to get bitter cold tonight with wind. Ski reports today were mixed:  poor to acceptable depending on where you were. Snow making was in progress on many trails with many guns blowing wet (on purpose according to the snow makers who were questioned about it) especially on Wayout. Hunter is trying to build up the base for the 3 day weekend. Rocks were still prevalent just under the surface.
 
My first hand trail reports unfortunately will end for a while - maybe for the season - pending an orthopedic / MRI evaluation of my right shoulder which popped out and after a few minutes back in plus a hematoma on my right hip as a result of a fall down icy steps last night. There seems to be rotator cuff damage but no broken bones per the X-rays. Just getting over a bad cold too - hasn't been a good week - and of course I am right handed! Thank God for Oxycodone! 
 
 
 
Shit happens - no report tomorrow - will be in Albany at the ortho's office - have a great weekend!
Jon
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Hunter Jan 16

Hello All,
I did not ski but was told by several that I didn't miss much. We got about 4 to 6" of semi wet snow that barely covered the ice and rocks. Reports were of a thin layer of snow on top of ice and rocks with damage to ski bottoms. A wet snow & freezing mist at the top coated goggles with ice limiting visibility. Wet chairs contributed to people getting very wet. Having said that, I also heard the first few runs, making tracks where it was groomed on the main line, Eside, Minya and Lowercross was sweet but only where there had been a base before. The problem was knowing where the bare spots and rocks had been showing before. Rock skis were the smart way to go today. It is 34 now with a mix of wet snow and fine rain. The snow clumped up fast after it was cut up.
Schools were closed and there were no power outages that I am aware of.
The roads were plowed, salted and are clear. The temps will drop into the low 20's tonight and freeze everything so the grooming had better be good for tomorrow. Forecast:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php
We have a 3 day weekend (MLK) coming up so expect some crowds again.  Movies:  http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html
For those of you in Colonel's Chair please note there was another water interruption last night due to water main repairs so flush the dirty water out of your pipes before flushing toilets or using any hot water.
Ski ya,
Jon
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Hunter Jan 15 - powder alert

Hi All,
Hunter has been making snow on the main trails but a storm arriving tomorrow should help alot. See below chart showing us in the 3 - 5" range.  Due to our elevation we should be at the higher end of this range.
Powder hounds get ready........
Jon
 
 
 
 
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Monday, January 14, 2013

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.
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
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Thursday, January 10, 2013

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.
 
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
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

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.
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

 
Ski on.......
Jon
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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.....
 
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.
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Monday, January 7, 2013

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.
Ski on........
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Thursday, January 3, 2013

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,
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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!
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,
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