Hunter Jan 28 conditions

Hello Hunter fans,

Today was one of those special rare days to be on the slopes. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, there was fresh well groomed snow on every trail and brilliant sun. Granted it was cold (9 at the base and 2 at the top with a very strong and steady 20 mph wind) but extra layers of clothes and a face mask made up for that. I would say it was the largest non-holiday Wednesday crowd of the season. “F” was open and running and there was a line at the Flyer all morning. No “D”lift. The surface did get scratchy by 11:30 due to the crowds but all in all it was a fun day to be out. We ended up with about 5 – 6” of snow from Monday night through Tuesday. Contrary to my report yesterday, there were a few main line trails groomed for yesterday’s skiing. Everything was open today except # 44 which looked like a flat ribbon of shiny porcelain. Claire’s was not groomed but had cut up powdery well spaced bumps. The upper section of Huega was a wind blown wind tunnel however the run out and Drop-off were nice. The Belt down to Wayout was very powdery as well and Wayout was sweet. Hgate, Cliff, Racers, Ike, Minya & Eside all groomed and nice. There was no snow making in progress except over at the tubing park. Clouds and snow move in tomorrow pm and into Friday with bitter cold temps throughout the weekend with more snow predicted for Sunday pm.

The 7 day forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VMkxxC6wFBI

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

Enjoy and bundle up,

Jon    http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Jan 27 storm update

Hi All,

What a bust! More hype than snow. We only got 2 –3 “. Currently 12 at the base and 4 on top with winds that make it feel like –12. It is cloudy with flat light and occasional snow fog drifting over the mountain.

There was no grooming last night due to the expected BIG storm so conditions are as they were at close yesterday with a light wind blown coating on top – not for me!

The firemen’s races were postponed until March 10-11.  The sun is expected to make an appearance tomorrow and grooming should be widespread tonight so Wednesday looks to be a good day.

The 7 day outlook:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VMekLS6wFBI

Snow is again forecast for Thurs but can we believe them anymore?

Just another exciting day in Hunter,

Jon

Hunter Jan 22 conditions

Hi All,

Today was dominated by flat light conditions so I did not stay out long. The temps ranged from a low of 19 to 29, no wind and only a few short periods of brightness. The surface conditions were exceptional with nice powder, no ice and a few trails with whale humps that were not groomed: Huega & Dropoff. The main line, east side trails and Cliff / Racer’s all nice. I did not make it to the west side. The “Z” lift was running fine. Snow making continued a few trails. The Police races were held yesterday &  today and the Firemen come in next Tue – Wed for their races. There were no lift lines at all. Racer’s is now groomed every night since it is among the most visible trails from the road and parking lots therefore the mountain wants to always show people on it. Someone in mgmt finally woke up.

The weather looks great for tomorrow with plenty of sun and warmer temps.  The 7 day outlook:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VMFRXi6wFBI

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

Ski on.....

Jon

 

Hunter conditions Jan 20

Hi all you Hunter fans,

Just another spectacular day and great recovery for Hunter after the heavy rains on Sunday and freeze on Monday. The guns were blasting dry powder on most front side trails all night and day making for some great western style skiing all morning under a sunny blue and windless sky. Visibility was excellent. Grooming was done where necessary like on Racer’s which was flat and fast. Every trail on the front side was in excellent shape as guns continued blowing.The west side was still closed since Saturday when the lift broke (electrical component failed and a new one is due to arrive here from Colorado today). The “Z”  lift should be running for tomorrow.  Temps today ranged from 20 to 28 now.

Crowds were very light now that college week is over (yay!) and there were no lines. No “D” or “F” as not needed.

The weather outlook remains cold and variable:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VL6eRS6wFBI  

I would expect some very sweet surface conditions all week.

In restaurant news: Numero Uno Pizza is closed and for sale as the owner suddenly and unfortunately passed away from what I am told was a heart attack.

This is the week to play hooky if you can.

Happy trails,

Jon

http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter conditions Jan 15

Hello Hunter fans,

A new mid-week season record of two sunny, blue sky, no wind days in a row! Temps started out mid teens to now 24.

Give a word of thanks to ski patrollers and snow makers when you see them as they really have endured some harsh weather this season. They should receive combat pay for what they do.

Grooming was again excellent . New machine made snow in the form of soft whale humps was to be found on Minya. The main line was again powdery with some guns keeping things fresh. Cliff was flat and fast as was Racer’s. Ike was loaded with powder. Wayout was frozen corduroy.  Claire’s had heavy snow making around the doughnut  (no visibility) and was not groomed on the lower half. Westway 44 was still under the guns and closed. There were more than a few college kids here today and the line at the Flyer did reach to the back of the corral a few times when the lift stopped. No “F” or “D” again.

All other trails were flat but fast.  Friday looks to be cloudy and windy, Sat cold and sunny with a chance for a mix on Sunday.

7 day outlook:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VLf26XuwFBI

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

Have a great weekend!

Jon

Hunter Jan 14 conditions

Hi All,

It’s days like this that any skier lives for – WOW! A top 3 day.

First off let me give kudos to Bruce and the snowmakers for such a great recovery from Sunday’s rains and to Skip and the groomers for an unbelievable job grooming the entire mountain – yes every trail (except of course LowerK which was closed). The sky was powder blue, lots of sun and no wind with temps from 13 to 23. The main line which still had some guns blasting was western powder all the way – soft, light and fluffy. Claire’s had the same conditions as HBK in the chutes with some guns blasting and was groomed to perfection. Westway 44 was under heavy snow making top to bottom and will be ready for the weekend. All trails front & back were, as a minimum, corduroy.  No “F” or “D” but no need for them either.

There was a very short line at the Flyer thanks to college week which for $39 and an ID gets a student a lift ticket. The weather outlook for tomorrow is sunny as well.  Wind with some snow expected Friday with slightly warmer temps.

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

Hunter is in its prime now with a great base and good snow making weather so come and enjoy it!

Ski ya,

Jon

Hunter Jan 7 conditions

Hello all and Happy New Year!

The planet has shifted and we are now in the North Pole. Recovery is still under way from the heavy rains and warm 57 temps last weekend. The guns have been on around the clock but the strong winds are definitely hampering efforts to cover all the trails. It was 15 at the base and 0 at the summit this am with a strong steady wind greeting you as you tried to exit the chairlift. Grooming was minimal last night as only the main line was flat but covered with nice powder once one made the first turn towards Hgate. The very top was wind blown. Cliff, Ike, Minya, Lowercross, Huega all covered with big but soft whale humps. Gunhill was groomed.  The light was good until about 11:15 am when the next front and squall line started to advance on us. Someone turned out the lights - the winds really kicked in and the temp is on its way down to minus 5 this evening. The entire area is under a wind chill warning for tonight and tomorrow and they are talking about 30 below zero.  I did not venture over to the west side – too dark and windy but heard it was groomed.

7 day forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VK1x83uwFBI

Restaurant news: The Brewery (old Fireside) is still not open. Roseberry’s (site of the old Heartbreak / Hunter House) is now open 7 days from 4 pm with a restaurant & bar happy hr 4 –7. Karen’s Kitchen, located in the Hunter Village Square building across from the Village Hardware store is open for breakfast and lunch Thurs – Mon.  Happy hour 4 – 6  has returned to the hotel @ Van Winkles.

Bundle up,

Jon