Hunter Jan 3

Hi All,

It was an interesting powder day with 12" over the past 24 hrs.  It was fairly dry snow but had some weight to it.  First few runs were fun but once it got cut up, skiing became a bit more challenging and inconsistent. The only groomed and consistent powder trails from the top were the Belt and Huega/Dropoff or mid station which was groomed from the top of "D" down thru Kennedy. There was no "D" or "F" running. The temp was brutal at + 4 at the base and -10 at the top with gusty winds especially coming from the west side. It got colder and and more windy as the morning progressed. I would estimate the wind chill now at around minus 20 to 25.The only significant line was when the Flyer opened but after that you only had to wait for 3 or 4 chairs. The sun has been strong but didn't add any warmth - just good visibility. Many snow guns were and still are on. I would expect some major crowds tomorrow due to the snow that fell down state. Main St has a hard packed white surface - no pavement showing but the roads leading up here I am told are clear.

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

There is another snow / mixed with rain system due Sun into Monday which will then freeze on Tue due to single digits forecast.

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

Ski safely.....party hearty,

Jon

Hunter Jan 1 powder alert

Happy New Year Hunter Fans. I hope it is a good and healthy one for all of you.

Please see below snow forecast map and note we are in the 10"+ area for tonight thru Friday morning and it will be very dry and drifting snow due to the cold temps and below zero wind chills.

 

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

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Greene County from 7 p.m. today through Friday morning. Heavy, fast snowfall is expected, with accumulations of six to 12 inches. Light snow is expected to start tonight, then become steadier through the day tomorrow and taper off tomorrow night into Friday morning. The snow will be accompanied by low temperatures, ranging from -4 to 21 degrees over the next two days.

 

Be safe on the roads and on the slopes!

Jon

Hunter Dec 26

Hi All,

Hope you are enjoying the holidays. I have not been to the mtn so cannot comment on conditions or crowds. It is snowing on and off all day with 1 -2" expected by the time it ends. Visibility is poor. Guns have been on around the clock recovering nicely from the warm weather and rains.

The main lodge bar has increased prices per attached. The Horton Smith House is going to public auction I believe on Feb 13. The Brewery & BBQ at the old Fireside will take at least 3 months to open so it basically misses the ski season. The new and totally remodeled Bakery & Bagel shop opposite the mtn is open so stop in and say welcome to Frank. It is a full line bakery, bagel and sandwich shop open 7 days a week 6 to 6 (6-8 Fri-Sat). The specialty is Italian, they have gluten free items and they will custom make anything with an advance order. There is plenty of nice clean friendly space to sit down.

I had dinner last week at the Dublin Bear (Slopes / Yacht Club) and must say the food was very good, portions large, service excellent and prices quite reasonable.

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

NWS 7 day forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UryI9vuvkrc

Come on up for the new year celebration and enjoy some excellent skiing, riding and eating.

Party on.....

Jon

Hunter Dec 19

Hello Everyone,

Just another day in paradise - 2 in a row! Cobalt blue cloudless sky, temps from 24 early to 41 now and lots of nicely groomed powder with a very minimal lift line. The only downside this morning was a very strong wind on the west side that affected skiing from top to bottom and caused the quad lift to operate at a snails pace. Wayout was nice and Claire's was groomed flat from top to bottom but the wind was blowing the snow around. I would think it is much better this afternoon. Best consistent run for surface conditions: Eside/Milky. Minya & Lowercross were not groomed and were a bit rough. Everything else on the front was in great shape including HBK & Cliff/Racers/Ike/Gunhill.  LowerK27 closed. Unfortunately today may be the last really nice day for a while with warm & wet weather coming in and snow making has ceased:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UrM4ZCevkrc

The Bakery / Bagel shop in Hunter is not open - maybe another week at most.

The old Fireside Restaurant  AKA  Casarellas on 23A (opposite the entrance to the dump) with views to die for may be opening soon as a brewery / restaurant. Trying to get more details.

The Copper Tree Restaurant and Bar in the base lodge will not be opening this weekend as previously thought.

Tis the season to party on.....

Jon

Hunter Dec 18

Hello Hunter Fans,

Mother nature deposited another 3 - 4" yesterday (not worth skiing) in a blinding cold wind and a dusting last night that made for some excellent surface conditions today. It was a tale of two days today. The morning was cold, teens & windy with only a few spots of sun (usually while I was on the lift) and occasional fog at the summit. There were also guns going all over the mountain adding to some visibility issues especially on Huega. The entire front side of the mountain was open except for LowerK27 and it was all groomed out except for the Cliff making for some very sweet dry powder runs. Wayout was very nicely groomed with a dry powder surface but the Belt to Wayout was an ungroomed mix of frozen whales and losse powder - not exactly the easy run it is supposed to be. Claire's and the Alternate were not opened until 11 am but Claire's was nothing but a slope full of big whales and what looked like some wet powder. There was a line starting to form at the Flyer around 10:30. No F or D nor were they needed. The sun popped out strong around 11 and the temp rose to 31 making for a totally different day. They were checking tickets today for the first time that I have seen. Kudos to the snowmakers and groomers!

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

The weather should turn much warmer and messier over the weekend with highs on Sunday in the low 50's:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.UrHZxSevkrc

It looks like the new Bakery / Bagel shop in Hunter has opened and I will check it out later today to confirm.

Van Winkles will not have happy hour pricing during the holiday period next week.

Ski on....

Jon

Hunter Dec 16 - new powder alert

Hello All,

Nothing like a cold sunny day after a storm! We had a good foot of snow. Every trail on the front side of the mountain except Racer's was groomed to consistent perfection. Sweet dry natural powder with excellent visibility made for some really enjoyable ego snow and no lift lines. Temps stayed in the mid teens to now lower 20's with 6 at the summit and a strong wind out of the west. Wayout was closed due to a snow cat issue details of which I will not disclose so I never got to ski the west side - I do not ski Claire's unless I can eyeball it first. Guns are still blowing snow in key areas keeping freshies available in some locations. No one run was  better than another today except Racer's which remained cut up, bumpy and uninviting. We are expecting 2 - 4" more snow tomorrow (see below chart) and bitter cold temps should keep it all in place until the end of the week when it warms up a bit. NWS forecast:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Hunter&state=NY&site=ALY&lat=42.2112&lon=-74.2157#.Uq86tSevkrc

 

 

 

 

Ski ya,

Jon

Hunter Dec 13 - weekend powder alert

Hi all,

Friday the 13th proved to be excellent for surface conditions, decent visibility with high clouds & occasional spots of sun, temps holding in the mid 20's but very high winds especially at the summit. Snow making continues around the clock with guns now on Upper Cross, 42nd St, Racers and mid-station. Wayout was scheduled to open today but the high winds and rumored lift problems prevented it. Claire's is slated to open tomorrow provided the lift can run. Cliff and Ike were nicely groomed out but the best today was Racer's with creamy powder although still under the guns. HBK - excellent! Eside was open but did not look groomed - whale humps. Minya / Lower Cross were sweet right on down through the Terrain Park - still cannot cut through to Kennedy behind top of "B". The crowds were light with no lines at the Flyer.

Snow is due to begin early to mid-day Sat right on through Sunday - see below accumulatrion chart showing Hunter in the 6 - 12 " range.

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

Consumer Demo days Sat & Sun.

Have a great weekend!

Jon