Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Hunter March 25

Hello all,
Crazy March weather continues to preserve the snow not only on the slopes but over the entire mountain.  It is all still white however that could change with rain and warm temps tonight and tomorrow. The base is still very deep for this time of year.  It is clouding up now.
The surface conditions have been loose and frozen granular but very flat as the excellent grooming keeps all trails very easy. The west (Claire’s) has been opening only in the afternoon as it takes time to soften a bit.
Temps at night have been in the low teens and single digits. This AM there was an inversion as the summit recorded 30 while only 14 at the base. It is now in the low 40’s on both the top and base. The sun has been brilliant for the past 3 days but the wind was a factor until today when it finally died down a bit. Very variable weather due for the next 4 days including warmth, rain, snow, wind and a return to cold.
Hunter has a few activities such as the Cardboard Box Slope-side Derby this Saturday along with several DJ’s starting at 1 pm: 
Make your preparations for this weekend! March 28th is the Cardboard Box Derby and Dummy Race! It's time for constructing your winning cardboard craft and/or dummy! Get all the details here.
 
Plan to party!
Jon
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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Hunter March 19

Hi All,
Well it’s still winter here with temps in the mid 20’s, strong wind but lots of sun today. I did not ski but can tell you surface conditions were frozen granular, noisy but easy. Wind chills on top have been in the single digits for two days now. The Flyer was off loaded and shut down at 3:15 for mechanical issues. The weather outlook for Friday thru Sunday is not great with a chance for both snow, rain and a cold wind. Spring officially begins around 6 pm tomorrow.
No other news of interest to report.
Jon
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Monday, March 16, 2015

Hunter March 16

Hello Hunter Fans,
The “Ides of March” wicked winds and cold weekend temps gave way to a calmer weather day. It was 27 overnight but 43 now. The sun was great from 9 – 10 this am then someone turned out the lights. I mean the visibility /light was about as flat as it could be. The surface conditions were a very consistent groomed corduroy granular (sugar) on top of frozen granular. It was noisier skiing than I had expected. All trails were the same but for better visibility one had to be close to trees or rocks on the sides of slopes for any definition of the surface. I did not stay out long after the light changed. There were no crowds at all and not even enough people to put 6 on the flyer at once.
Thursday looks like the next decent ski day at least for a fair weather skier like me. Hard to believe that Friday will be the first day of spring.
Don’t even think of dusting off the golf clubs yet!
Jon
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Hunter March 11

Hi All,
Spring is here for a few days as mother nature teases us again with temps in the upper 40’s and above freezing at night. The firemen have been dominating the slopes this week although down in numbers from previous years. The entire front deck (with BBQ and a beer bar) was cordoned off for the firefighters and there was extra security to keep out the general public and booze. Many of the hosers chose to stay outside the deck at a few of the picnic tables and party with their own “supplies” – you can’t change the culture!  I was not out today but it was very typical spring conditions with a heavy snow surface and a mix of clouds & sun with a pretty stiff breeze. Tonight it will drop into the low 20’s and also for the next few nights with a nasty mix for the weekend.
The melting snow has turned the local streets and parking lots into mud holes as the water really has no place to drain. There is still a good foot of snow pack on the lawns.
This time of year roads & trail surface conditions and temps change dramatically from am to pm so be ready for it.
Ski ya,
Jon
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Monday, March 9, 2015

Hunter March 9

Hi All,
Another glorious weekday to be out on the hill. Overnight temps in the 20’s quickly climbed to 40 with strong sun and a light wind (but very strong wind at the summit). The grooming was again excellent and visibility perfect. All front side trails were very sweet but Cliff/Racer’s I thought was exceptional. Wayout was still semi frozen corduroy when I went down it and Claire’s was closed due to not being groomed and it had a very shiny glazed surface. There were no lines and the slopes were fairly empty for such a nice day.
Grand Marnier was hosting its bartenders bash on the front deck of the lodge complete with a DJ and BBQ.   
The firefighters were starting to filter in for their two days of races tomorrow and Wednesday. It looks to be a great weather week to be outside and its about time!
I would guess that the lifts will stay open until 5 pm this weekend due to the time change.
Ski on..............
Jon
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Friday, March 6, 2015

Hunter March 6

Hello Hunter Fans,
An amazing day today – call it a 9.9 out of 10. Cobalt blue sky, no wind, strong sun and temps that went from –1 last night to 23 now and the sense that spring is finally around the corner.
The grooming once again was exceptional making all trails flat, fast and powdery on a base that is over 100 inches. Hunter had no snow from yesterday’s storm that hit the city, LI and NJ.
The crowds were very light for such a great day and the “F” was running today. There were no lines at the Flyer although it did go down for a short while around mid-day. The west was hard and fast but 44 was closed and looked as nasty as I have ever seen it. The weekend is looking good although the nights will be quite cold and the forecast shows some 30’s and maybe low 40’s next week:  http://www.ctweather.com/wrip-weather.php
Get ready for a GRAND Marnier party weekend as follows:
 
GRAND MARNIER WINTER BASH THIS WEEKEND
Grand Marnier hosts one of the biggest parties on the slopes THIS weekend! They're "Painting the Mountain Red" with fireworks, a torchlight parade, fire dancers and music! DJ David Barese brings you his skill on Saturday and Monday @ 2pm, then Funk Evolution sets the stage Sunday at 4pm!  Don't miss one of the best weekends on the hill!
Weekend movies:  http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html
The Copper Tree Bar will be open Saturday for the last time this season.
Don’t forget to move the clocks one hour ahead Saturday night.
Party on..........
Jon
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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Hunter March 3

Hello Hunterites,
Yesterday’s wicked winds which forced the closure of the west side for the day by 11:30 are gone. The grooming was once again amazing however the early hazy sun disappeared by 11 and the light became extremely flat in advance of the storm that is moving in this afternoon. Surface conditions were great on all groomed trails and none was better than another. The mountain was very empty and one could ski right onto the lift. Snow , sleet, freezing rain and rain are expected over the next few days:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.VPXzi-GwFBI  The temps will climb into the upper 30’s maybe 40 by Wednesday pm and then plunge back into the teens on Thursday. It will get messy. Contrary to earlier misinformation, the Copper Tree Bar (not the restaurant) will be open this Saturday, its last day for the season, but may close by 4:30 -  5pm due to a private party starting at 6.
March, as usual, has come in like a lion and spring will be slow to arrive. Lot’s of festivities on tap for this weekend compliments of Grand Marnier which is sponsoring them so get ready to party – like I have to remind you? – ha!
Keep your cold weather gear available,
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