Down slope on Upper Superstar Headwall

Down slope on Upper Superstar Headwall

In comparison to yesterday, it was a veritable heat wave at Killington today. This morning when we left for the mountain it was 18 degrees, a full 30 degrees warmer than yesterday. The warmer temperatures we matched once again with full sunshine, although the wind was a little stronger. Although 30 degrees warmer sounds like a lot, it was still plenty cool.

Conditions on the mountain were much more variable than yesterday. The grooming done overnight was not quite as good as the previous day. Many of the trails were groomed with little death cookies. Apparently yesterdays deep freeze caused the surfaces to crust up a little bit. Once over with a snow cat and the tracks cut the crust up into bite sized chuncks. This type of surface condition was all over the mountain except where snow making operations were going on, so it had to be related to the snow itself, and not just a stray snow cat needing adjustment. Another groom tonight should chop the surfaces up to a more consistent shape. Snow surfaces being what they were, ski conditions were still very good. Most surfaces were very receptive to edges, allowing nice carving turns if that is your thing.

Snow making was continuing on Outer Limits and Super Star. Both trails were open top to bottom today for skiing and riding. Surface conditions on OL were very soft man made powder organized into broad whales. Under the snow guns on skiers left was fairly flat, while skiers right was developing several skier made bumps. Of course, since this was OL's first day, there were more than a few herbs planted on the bottom side of each bump. But with the blowing snow, OL was not set up for fast cruising, so the obstacle course was quite navigable.

Super Star continued to improve. Upper and Middle had a few slick spots. Middle had not been groomed, so yesterdays comments about the surface still hold. Lower Superstar was a different story. The guns have been moved almost into the woods on skiers left. A real nice combination of soft whales and intermediate bumps was developing. And since the crowd was over on Outer Limits, you could actually pick a line and keep it all the way down the hill.

Overall, it was a very nice day. Some insignificant light snow is expected tonight and tomorrow, so I would guess that conditions will continue to get better as we head towards the weekend. Think Snow!