Hunter opens November 21st

Hi All,

The guns were turned on again late yesterday afternoon and we got a light dusting of natural lake affect snow overnight.

It looks like the main line, Huega & Minya/Lower Crossover will be ready assuming the groomers do their thing. I am told the snow mounds on H-gate are up to 15 ft high.

I am not sure about Hunter One or the “B” lift slopes.

The guns were turned off on the Belt so that will most likely not be ready. Temps have ranged from today from 29 to 34 with a good wind however expect much warmer temps tomorrow.

Next chance for snow making looks like Wednesday night. (see below NWS forecast)

Van Winkles bar & restaurant will resume 7 day service beginning next week i.e. closed today and tomorrow.

Happy trails & Happy Thanksgiving – gobble gobble

Jon

 

 

Detailed Forecast for Hunter

Today

A slight chance of snow showers between 1pm and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 52. South wind 10 to 14 mph.

Tuesday Night

A slight chance of rain showers between 10pm and 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Increasing clouds, with a low around 35. South wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday

A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers between 10am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Thanksgiving Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 33.

Hunter opens Tuesday November 21st

Hi All,

Here is the official announcement:

 

 

Get Ready For Winter

Mother Nature gave us a big boost over the weekend and our snowmaking team was able to fire up the snow guns from Summit to Base! As of now, Hellgate down through Kennedy and Fifth Ave are covered in snow – snow whales, to be exact. While we’re all chomping at the bit to get this season started, we need Mother Nature to pitch in again.  

With that said, we expect temperatures to drop toward the end of this weekend, allowing for another potential snowmaking window which will make for a solid opening day on Tuesday, November 21st.

Yes, you read that correctly – we’ll see you on the slopes Tuesday, November 21st for opening day of the 2017-18 Season!

Hunter opening day update

Hi All,

The inside talk points to an opening next Wednesday Nov 22nd.

The weather has not been conducive to snow making and significant rain is forecast for Thursday and Saturday before the temps drop on Sunday.

The nights have been cold enough to preserve the snow that was made only on the main line last week.

Also note that the annual ski patrol refresher / certification weekend is late this year and only occurring this Saturday & Sunday.

There have been numerous poachers who have walked up – maybe some of you - haha!

Keith & Anita’s annual Ullerfest (burning of skis to appease the ski Gods) will be this Saturday evening behind the Pro Ski & Ride Shop.

Get those legs in shape!

Jon

 

Hunter opening day

Hi All,

Pleased to advise the snow guns are blasting away, the weather is cold @ 21 and windy.

UNOFFICIALLY - My reliable sources say possibly end of next week, Friday the 17th, but could be a soft opening a day or two sooner depending on the weather / snow conditions.

Stay tuned!


 

Fingers crossed for a great season,

Jon

Hunter March 9

Hello Hunter Fans

Hunter is contemplating making snow again in order to recover from the recent warmth & rain. This would be unprecedented but necessary in order to make it through March. The mountain is not in good shape.

This weekend will be sponsored by Moet Hennessy with a host of events including a torchlight parade and fireworks Saturday night. Their premier spirit Belvedere Vodka will be the focus of the event.

FYI - They sold the Grand Marnier brand to Campari.

The event schedule is below.

The weekend weather will be bitter cold & windy with little or no snow accumulation. Lift operations could be affected by the wind. There is a winter storm watch for next Tuesday.

For those of you who have asked, my rotator cuff surgery last Friday was successful and I await the start of PT in a few weeks – ugh & ouch!

Bundle up and have sharp edges!

Jon

 

 

Detailed Forecast

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Tonight

A chance of snow, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 6 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night

A slight chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -10. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 17. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 23 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 17.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 1.

 

Moët-Hennessy Winter Bash

March 11th - 13th, 2017

Get ready for a weekend full of fun, music and events! Sponsored by Moët-Hennessy and Belvedere Vodka

Friday March 10th
6-8PM: Champagne tasting at the hotel / Van Winkles - Price: TBD

Saturday, March 11th
Day's Agenda:
12-2pm: Ardbeg and Glenmorangie Single Malt Tasting with guest presenter, small plates, BBQ style. $25 - Register Here
3-5pm: Hennessy Tasting - brand education and mixology event where guests can create their own cocktail! $25 - Register Here 
SAVE$$ - when you register for two or more events, the price is reduced to $20 per event!
Belvedere Vodka Presents:
4-6PM: Belvedere Vodka Party at the Main Bar
5:30 to 10:00PM: Funk Evolution plays at the Main Bar
6:45PM: Torch Light Parade and Fireworks

Sunday, March 12th - The US Chef's Ski Club Race. From classic french recipes to dazzling down-hill speeds, these racers bring the speed and the class. 
3-5PM: Wine and Food Tasting - Wines from around the world coupled with food pairing stations.  $25 p/p Open to the public with advanced registration. Register here
For more information on the Chef's Race, click here.

Monday, March 13th - The Bartender Bash, open to anyone in the restaurant/bar industry upon proof of employment. If you work in the industry make sure you come celebrate with us! Meet industry peers, learn some new skills from Belvedere's talented Mixologists.

Day's Agenda:
9am: Sign in at the Bartender Bash Registration Site
9am-12pm: Ski at your leisure or join us on the outside deck for fun activities
12pm-4pm: Lunch, cocktail tasting, DJ David Barese and games at the Snow Lounge on the outside deck!

Don't miss one of the best weekends on the hill! Grab your friends and hit the slopes, then Apres Ski with Moët-Hennessy and Belvedere!

Hunter Feb 27

Hi Hunter Fans,

As many of you know Hunter took a big hit this past week & weekend with the record breaking temps, heavy rains, sleet and Sunday’s freeze. The west side was closed for that past few days in order to preserve what snow is left.

The grooming I was told has been exceptional with “snow farming” to cover some bare and thin areas.

In an unprecedented move, Hunter will turn on the snow guns later this week when the cold wave arrives (after more rain Tuesday night and Wednesday) in order to lay down some fresh powder over the frozen crust. Yes, really – making snow in March!

This weekend there will be consumer demo days with 2018 equipment available to try out.

For entertainment, The Marco de Sade Band (blues / rock) will be at Last Chance Cheese in Tannersville Saturday night. They are awesome!

Local restaurants have fortunately been very busy on weekends so wherever you plan to go, reservations are suggested.

The MTV filming is ongoing and will most likely air as a reality series in the fall.

For those of you interested in the local arts, classical, folk or jazz music and theater, you should get your names on the weekly email for: 

WAA Newsletter for the Week of February 19, 2016   Trautman5@aol.com

This will most likely be my last blast for quite a while as I am scheduled for left rotator cuff surgery this Friday in Albany.

Detailed forecast below.

Happy Trails,

Jon

 

 

Detailed Forecast

Tonight

A slight chance of rain and snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 13 to 18 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday

A slight chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night

Rain likely, mainly between 7pm and 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 11 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Friday

A chance of snow before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 12.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Hunter Feb 16

Hello Hunter Fans,

Many of you have asked if you were deleted from my list since you have received no daily ski reports. The answer is “no”. I have not been skiing nor will I be this season – it ended before it started for me due to injuries to my left arm from fall yard work. My left elbow (bicep tendon) was surgically repaired in October and my left rotator cuff is due to be repaired hopefully within weeks. Getting old sucks!

I cannot comment on daily trail conditions, grooming etc. based on others’ opinions as they vary greatly. If you want to know I’m afraid you will have to ask your friends who have been on the slopes.

This has been a good snow season but I can’t say the same for the weather. I call it the season of flat light and, to date, you can count the number of full sunny days on one hand. The wind and cold have also been major negative factors.

 

The crowds this season, especially on weekends, have been much larger than the past few years with some days hitting close to 8,000 which number by the way is expected both this & next President’s Day weekends.

 

Regarding other mountain top issues, MTV Productions which was responsible for the reality TV series“Jersey Shore” cut a deal with Hunter/PEAK and began filming here last weekend. They will be here for six weeks and have hired pro snow boarders as their main focus to be filmed in the base lodge, on the slopes and in various local bars, restaurants and other businesses.  They have rented a large local house (no, not mine) as their main base and have wired it with cameras & microphones etc. They are spending a lot of money up here. I have no clue as to when they will finish filming, editing and air the episodes.

 

In restaurant news, the Brewery is open and offers a good pub fare with 20 beers on tap. It should have its own craft beers shortly I am told but I have heard that before.

Scribner’s Lodge –Prospect Restaurant & Bar - is spectacular after a 3 million dollar renovation with great ambiance, amazing views , excellent food, wines & liquor, but it is expensive.

Hammo’s in Hensonville (The ex Horton Smith House) offers excellent pub food plus some Indian dishes together with 10 craft brewed-in-house beers.

 

The weekend forecast:

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Washington's Birthday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

 

I will be back on skis next season with a vengeance!

Jon