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