Hi to all 90 of you on my direct email list.
Winter is here with a vengeance. Very cold, very windy and very snowy. The high temp today only 24 with steady winds at 15-20 and gusts to 35 mph. It has been snowing and flurrying all day with about 2" of dry powder blowing all over the place. There is no sun with very flat and often poor visibility. Sanders & salters are out on the roads. I did not venture out yet but Sunday was opening day with, as expected, too many people for just H-B-K. Hgate was very slick, Midstation had decent powder and Kennedy was, for the most part, survival skiing - as was told to me by many who tried it out. Guns and wind were blasting all day. The new lift broke down around 3pm and the mtn was shut at 3:30. Today the 6-pack didn't get going until around noon time. B was opened late and F even later am - vouchers were issued to ticket buyers. I didn't speak with anyone who went out on the hill today - it has been a nasty weather day in addition to the lift problems - broken switch somewhere. Snowmaking continues 24/7 as the temps are perfect for that and skiing should improve with each day as more terrain opens up. Belt, Ike, Minya & Eside are under heavy snowmaking as are parts of Hunter One and the B-lift trails.
I rode the new lift round-trip on Saturday and can tell you it is fast (running at 900 ft per minute out of a possible 1000 ft/min) smooth and quiet. It takes about 5 1/2 mins to the top running counter-clockwise. The lift path has been cut wider to accommodate the a much wider lift. The new gate system is staggered and quick - less than 2 secs to get through and you have to really pay attention. They plan to set up lift lines as follows: two lines for 3's, one for 4's and two single lines. The off ramp is elevated and you slide down it toward the summit lodge.
The food menu in the cafeteria has been re-vamped to include alot more healthier options and the entrance & cashier areas too have been streamlined. Yes, the prices are higher too and credit cards are now accepted at the main bar. There has been no selection / induction plans yet for the Wall of Fame.
The weather for the bitter cold week ahead is below as usual. http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions or issues please let me know and I'll try and get answers.
Ski and ride safely,
Jon
Detailed Local Forecast
Today: Blustery with snow showers. High 24F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Tonight: Occasional snow showers. Low 19F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
Tomorrow: Windy with snow showers early becoming more scattered later. High near 25F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Tomorrow night: Intermittent snow showers, especially early. Low 16F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Wednesday: Snow showers at times. Highs in the mid 20s and lows in the low teens.
Thursday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the mid teens.
Friday: Snow showers. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Hunter snow making update
Hi All,
The guns were only turned on this am around 8 - 8:30 but the lower mtn guns were shut off early due to warming temps at 34 so coverage is from Hgate down to the top of Kennedy per attchached photo taken around 3 pm today. Temps will drop into the 20's tonight so the mtn should look alot whiter tomorrow. I saw no snow making anywhere else on the mtn. The 6-pack was running smoothly.
Ski ya soon,
Jon
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hunter Opening News
Hi All
The following email just received from Hunter:
QUOTE
Hello from Hunter Mountain!
This is the e-mail you've all been waiting for! Snowmaking is scheduled to begin in the next 12 hours and the weather looks FANTASTIC. At this time, we are planning to open on Sunday, December 5... and we hope to see you here!! We'll be posting photos, videos and more on the website, on Facebook and in the Hunterblog as snow begins to fly!
UNQUOTE
We are getting at least 4" of heavy wind driven rain. The streams are close to cresting, roads, parking lots & basements in the lower areas are flooded. By morning everything will turn to ice.
Ski ya soon.....
Jon
Detailed Local Forecast
Today: A wind driven heavy rain. High 53F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny skies. High near 35F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow night: A few clouds. Low 22F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the low 20s.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.
Sunday: A few clouds. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.
The following email just received from Hunter:
QUOTE
Hello from Hunter Mountain!
This is the e-mail you've all been waiting for! Snowmaking is scheduled to begin in the next 12 hours and the weather looks FANTASTIC. At this time, we are planning to open on Sunday, December 5... and we hope to see you here!! We'll be posting photos, videos and more on the website, on Facebook and in the Hunterblog as snow begins to fly!
UNQUOTE
We are getting at least 4" of heavy wind driven rain. The streams are close to cresting, roads, parking lots & basements in the lower areas are flooded. By morning everything will turn to ice.
Ski ya soon.....
Jon
Detailed Local Forecast
Today: A wind driven heavy rain. High 53F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny skies. High near 35F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow night: A few clouds. Low 22F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the low 20s.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.
Sunday: A few clouds. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Hunter weather & opening day
Hi to all 88 of you on the direct email list,
Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating and snow making plans are being put on hold possibly until after T'giving. Opening day may not occur until about Thurs -Friday Dec 2nd - 3rd. This is not official as no official opening day has been set yet but that is what is being discussed. Even tho some cold nights are forecast for next week the days will be warm (40's - low 50's) and more rain is likely. It is 50 here now and raining steady (about 2") with high winds.
I was honored by mgmt to be asked to write one of the feature articles in the complimentary magazine "Hunter Mountain Life" which you can pick up at any mountain facility or access it on line via the official Hunter website. The article on pgs. 16, 17 & 18 is entitled "Hunter, A Love Affair".
Consumer demo days are set for Dec 11-12. My blog site: http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Getting anxious to ski.........
Jon
Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating and snow making plans are being put on hold possibly until after T'giving. Opening day may not occur until about Thurs -Friday Dec 2nd - 3rd. This is not official as no official opening day has been set yet but that is what is being discussed. Even tho some cold nights are forecast for next week the days will be warm (40's - low 50's) and more rain is likely. It is 50 here now and raining steady (about 2") with high winds.
I was honored by mgmt to be asked to write one of the feature articles in the complimentary magazine "Hunter Mountain Life" which you can pick up at any mountain facility or access it on line via the official Hunter website. The article on pgs. 16, 17 & 18 is entitled "Hunter, A Love Affair".
Consumer demo days are set for Dec 11-12. My blog site: http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Getting anxious to ski.........
Jon
Monday, November 8, 2010
Hunter weather & snowmaking update
Hi All - We're almost there!
We got blanketed today in town with 2" of wet snow and up to 6" at the summit. The temp never rose above 32 and will drop into the 20's tonight. Trees were bending and power lines were drooping but no loss of electricity. The plows and sanders were out and all mtn top schools had to cancel after school programs. I was told that there was no accumulation off the mountain top. There will be ski & snowboard tracks on the mtn tomorrow from those who walk or find other means up the mtn!
The end of the week & weekend (Thurs -Mon) will result in a warming trend with daytime highs into the low 50's but snow making should commence next week "IF" the forecast calls for a cold spell as expected and Hunter could open as early as Sat Nov 20 - "IFFY" but certainly possible. The new lift is ready to go and hoses have been and continue to be connected to the guns - there are over 100 new hi-tech guns on the mtn. http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/
Ski ya soon,
Jon
We got blanketed today in town with 2" of wet snow and up to 6" at the summit. The temp never rose above 32 and will drop into the 20's tonight. Trees were bending and power lines were drooping but no loss of electricity. The plows and sanders were out and all mtn top schools had to cancel after school programs. I was told that there was no accumulation off the mountain top. There will be ski & snowboard tracks on the mtn tomorrow from those who walk or find other means up the mtn!
The end of the week & weekend (Thurs -Mon) will result in a warming trend with daytime highs into the low 50's but snow making should commence next week "IF" the forecast calls for a cold spell as expected and Hunter could open as early as Sat Nov 20 - "IFFY" but certainly possible. The new lift is ready to go and hoses have been and continue to be connected to the guns - there are over 100 new hi-tech guns on the mtn. http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/
Ski ya soon,
Jon
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Hunter 6-pack lift news
Hi All,
FYI on Tuesday Aug 17, weather permitting, a heavy lift helicopter will be here to place the new lift towers on the steep sections of the mtn. Construction is actually ahead of schedule. The superstructure base terminal has arrived, lying at the base of Hunter One for now, and has already been painted with the new name "Kaatskill Flyer". The old quad towers and equipment has been moved to the west side for storage until next spring when that project will commence. It won't be long now...........
Ski ya,
Jon
FYI on Tuesday Aug 17, weather permitting, a heavy lift helicopter will be here to place the new lift towers on the steep sections of the mtn. Construction is actually ahead of schedule. The superstructure base terminal has arrived, lying at the base of Hunter One for now, and has already been painted with the new name "Kaatskill Flyer". The old quad towers and equipment has been moved to the west side for storage until next spring when that project will commence. It won't be long now...........
Ski ya,
Jon
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Hunter News
Ski Bowl scores $4.8M federal loan
Agriculture Dept. funds targeted at ski lift improvements
By Doron Tyler Antrim
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published: Saturday, August 7, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
HUNTER — The Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl is getting a $4.8 million loan guarantee from the federal government for ski lift improvements.
The loan, to be administered by KeyBank, N.A., was announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The guarantee means the government will assume the cost of the loan if the resort were to default.
The money is being made available through the 2009 stimulus package.
USDA’s loan guarantees, totaling $413 million, will support 128 projects in 35 states and territories.
The loan will help the resort in a multi-million dollar effort to renovate and relocate one of its lifts and purchase another lift.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement: “The loan guarantees we are announcing will help businesses to grow and promote job creation to promote economic opportunity in rural communities.”
Jessica Pezak, Hunter Mountain’s director of communications, did not immediately return calls for comment.
The ski resort is in the midst of completing an ambitious zipline construction project, which plans to be the highest and longest in North America.
When completed, riders will be able to use the ski lifts to travel from the base of the mountain to the zipline.
Friday’s announcement comes a day after USDA announced $3.5 million in stimulus money for broadband improvement projects in several Greene County towns.
Agriculture Dept. funds targeted at ski lift improvements
By Doron Tyler Antrim
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published: Saturday, August 7, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
HUNTER — The Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl is getting a $4.8 million loan guarantee from the federal government for ski lift improvements.
The loan, to be administered by KeyBank, N.A., was announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The guarantee means the government will assume the cost of the loan if the resort were to default.
The money is being made available through the 2009 stimulus package.
USDA’s loan guarantees, totaling $413 million, will support 128 projects in 35 states and territories.
The loan will help the resort in a multi-million dollar effort to renovate and relocate one of its lifts and purchase another lift.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement: “The loan guarantees we are announcing will help businesses to grow and promote job creation to promote economic opportunity in rural communities.”
Jessica Pezak, Hunter Mountain’s director of communications, did not immediately return calls for comment.
The ski resort is in the midst of completing an ambitious zipline construction project, which plans to be the highest and longest in North America.
When completed, riders will be able to use the ski lifts to travel from the base of the mountain to the zipline.
Friday’s announcement comes a day after USDA announced $3.5 million in stimulus money for broadband improvement projects in several Greene County towns.
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