Hunter Feb 16

Hi All,

As we approach the President's Day weekend the weather is not cooperating. It is currently 35 with a light rain, some wind and flat light. The temp did drop to 21 last night but no snow was made. It looks like we may get a dusting of wet snow tonight and again Friday night.

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

You can still purchase tickets for the flood victims benefit concert at the Orpheum in Tannersville for Sunday night: http://www.catskillmtn.org/events/orpheum-performing-arts-center/2012-02-19-professor-louie-and-the-crowmatix-and-the-546.html

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

Due to a non ski related injury (non-displaced bone fracture of the right fibula head in the knee joint) that will temporarily sideline me for up to 3 weeks my reports will be very sporadic and will only advise of weather and / or news that is pertinent to the mountain. I am able to hobble around with a serious knee brace - thankfully no crutches. I suggest you save any of the above links in your "favorites" for quick reference on weather and movies.

Shit happens!

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 10

Hi All,

3 great weather days in a row - new season record! Strong sun pushed temps from 15 last night to 40 now. No wind and only some high clouds moving in as I write. The mountain was groomed to perfection except for Claire's which was bullet proof - Kudos Skip! It was easily another "9" today. It is the grooming that will make or break a ski day although they did blow some new snow last night. Starting tonight we will see a deep freeze thru at least next Wednesday with some possible snow accumulation of an inch or two, high winds and clouds. Here's the forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

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

It looks like Cosmic Charlie's may be open this weekend as a welcome addition to the Hunter restaurant scene. It is the old Low & Low real estate office near Numero Uno Pizza.

I strongly caution you that just under the thin granular surface and even if we get a few inches of snow the mountain is like concrete and there have been helicopters here almost every day this week taking some poor soul to Albany. Please ski carefully!!

Have a great safe weekend,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 9

Hello ski fans,

Hunter made more snow last night on the usual main trails and skiers were greeted today with lots of sun, no wind, no crowds and temps that went from 20 to 40. Those I spoke to rated the day a "9". Claire's had been groomed so that was back on the "A" list today but Racer's was a bit too slick for most. The lifts were running fine and a crew was actually filling in potholes in the parking lot with hot asphalt. Tomorrow looks to be another great day making it 3 in a row which for this season is some kind of record. The outlook for the weekend is much colder especially on Saturday night and Sunday with possible snow flurries.

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

Just a note to remind you that Monday will be Orville's 95th birthday - WOW!

Ski ya,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 8

Hi All,

With temps down to 15 last night Hunter was able to make some nice snow on HBK & the main Eside trails. There were some cloudy flat light periods but the sun is out in a hazy way and the temp is 38. There was no wind. All of the skiers I spoke to said conditions were very good to excellent on the trails that were machine groomed and / or had fresh snow. The mountain is still basically flat and fast. The one trail that was not touched and said to appear treacherous was Claire's. The Flyer was down all day yesterday due to mechanical reasons but seemed to be working fine today. The crowd is very small considering how good conditions are.

The mountain's lift engineer manager, Scott Berwick, broke his hip on Saturday skiing Racer's and is said to be recovering nicely. We all wish Scott a speedy and full recovery. Weekend movies are posted: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

More snow making in the coming nights which are forecast to be very cold should greatly enhance skiing for the weekend.

Here is the NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Ski ya around,

Jon

Hunter Jan 7

Hello Hunter fans,

Sorry not to be able to give you trail conditions but I can tell you it was and is a miserable damp, windy, cloudy, cold flat light day. Temps have been between 32 and 37 and I was glad to stay in and watch the NYGiants parade festivities.

It will drop into the middle teens tonight at which time snow making will commence again. Tomorrow will be cloudy and quite cold but Thurs & Friday are looking to be sunny and very favorable for winter ski conditions.

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

Ski ya,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 6

Hi All,

It was a "Giant" evening and those who stayed over to ski after watching the game were rewarded with an amazing day - another "10". Temps in the low 20's preserved the snow and allowed for excellent grooming. It is now 50 (60 on the deck) with nothing but blue sky and sun with a light breeze. The mountain hosted the chef's race on Madison (party at Chateau Bellevue) and was otherwise quite empty. Although I cannot ski for a few days due to a calf injury, those lucky enough to be on the hill today had a great time with all trails in great spring-like shape. The weather looks good for tomorrow, light snow showers expected Wed then great for the rest of the week. Here is the NWS 7 day forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

Come enjoy it while it lasts!

Ski ya around,

Jon http://hunterskiscene.blogspot.com/

Hunter Feb 3

Hi All,

The groundhog may have seen his shadow yesterday but there were no shadows here as a low dense cloud cover made for some very flat light and a damp nasty day. Today however, was a great sunny cold day to ski on some very nice snow that was blown last night. Hunter is the king of recovery! The temps here were between 19 and 34 today with a cloudless sky. All the main trails were nice but Racer's and Claire's were slick and if you didn't have sharp edges you were in trouble. The whole mountain was flat and fast. Cliff and Eside had some wet gun spots but otherwise okay. There was enough of a crowd to open "F" today.

There is no snow in the forecast but the nights will be cold enough to make snow per the 7 day NWS forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157

The weekend movie link: http://www.catskillmtn.org/retail/movie-theater/index.html

Enjoy your weekend!

Jon