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Pico Peak
from Bitter Sweet
January 27, 2006, 10:30 AM
It got fairly cold last night. Temperatures dipped well into the single digits. But this time of year, unless there is a snow storm moving in, a temperature dip at night usually means lots of sun the next day. And today was a perfect example.
The mountain this morning was set up flat and fast. The dampness that was in the base from last weeks precipitation has finally solidified. No ice was visible this morning, because of all of the snow that we have had this week, but you could tell that the base had firmed up. Snow making operations were ongoing on Outer Limits, Wild Fire, Dream Maker, Lower Bitter Sweet, and Low Road.
For this first time in a while, I can say that there was a significant number of people out on the slopes. I spoke with a number of locals who just could not pass up such a perfect day. I also talked to a lot of weekenders who played hooky to take advantage of the conditions.
I did get bumped by a snow boarder on lower Bear Claw. Went over my left ski (of course... could not be my good leg) and spun me around. The good news is my binding released. Of course, the torque on my left ankle during this process left me quite speechless with pain, as the boarder continued to rip down the trail oblivious to the collision. After the collision, I did another half dozen runs. Got a good bruise mid calf, above the top of my boot, on my left leg, but so it goes.
Today's picture was a real tossup. For the first time all week, I had pictures with multiple skiers and riders in each frame. But, the skiing pictures do not tell the story of today. The real story was beautiful, sunny, crisp blue skies that provided unlimited visibility. From Bitter Sweet, it looked like you could reach out and touch the top of Pico... hence today's picture.
Green Mountain National
Hole Number 7.
A pastel by Kasia Karazim
You may be wondering why I have a picture of a golf course posted on the blog today in the middle of winter. Mary and I try to support local artists. Not by purchasing their works in great volume, but by actively promoting them to our guests and the community. Such an opportunity presents itself tomorrow night.
On Friday night, the Birch Ridge Inn and the Killington Arts Guild are hosting an evening with Vermont Pastel Artist Kasia Karazim. In addition to commissioned portraits, Kasia loves painting figures in landscapes. One of her paintings, shown here, of the 7th hole at the Green Mountain Golf course, was painted specifically for Jeff Hadley Day and donated to the silent auction. The piece raised $1,000 for Jeff Hadley and ALS.
A little background on Kasia... she started taking formal drawing and painting lessons at the age of 7 from a retired New York University art professor. She continued her private studies until she left for Union College in Schenectady, NY where she earned her BA in Philosophy and French. After working for a few years, she decided to pursue her first love and went back to school to attend the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D, C., where she earned her B.F.A. in Fine Art with a minor in illustration.
Currently Kasia works as a web and graphic designer, though her first love is fine art and illustration. Kasia primarily works in soft pastels and is looking forward to displaying and discussing her fine art work at the Birch Ridge Inn.
You are invited to attend this presentation in the Great Room of Birch Ridge. In addition to actual displays of her work, Kasia will share her process of creating pastel illustrations. From 6:00 to 8:00 PM coffee and hors d'oeuvres will be available as well as a cash bar. Following the presentation, persons wishing to dine at the Inn's restaurant can make reservations by calling the Birch Ridge Inn at 802-422-4293. Persons wishing further information regarding the presentation may call Sally Curtis of the Killington Arts Guild at 802-422-3852. We hope to see you Friday night.
Ski Bum Racer on Highline in Snow.
January 25, 2006, 11:00 AM
Having an injured ankle has made skiing an interesting exercise this year. In years gone by, I could bomb down the hill, confident that my legs were strong enough to push thru anything. This year, however, I have found myself working on my technique. Carving sweeping turns; trying to pick out lines ahead of where my skis happen to be at that moment; cruising around obstacles, instead of slamming into them. Today was a day where a little bit of technique paid off.
When we got to the hill this morning, it was apparent that it had been snowing most of the night. 4 new inches of fluff greeted us at the K1 base lodge, and it was still snowing. Promptly at 9:00 AM, we took the Superstar chair up to head over to Bear Mountain, figuring the visibility would be better at Bear. If we did not get the first run down Bear Paw, we got the second. No one was there. It was solid untracked powder. Not knee deep, mind you, but 3 to 4 inches of light fluff on top of a nicely groomed surface. Whoa! We did a couple of loops at Bear before anyone else arrived. We did not do Upper Wildfire today, as they were blowing snow there; but we did do the park on Lower Wildfire. I know we had first tracks there. Really great. Of course, all the while it is snowing hard, covering up anything we had skied before.
By around 10:00, things started to get chopped at Bear so we moved over to Needles. Cruise Control, Panic Button, Needles, Bittersweet, Skyelark, and High Road all had nice cover with a soft base perfect for carving turns.
By 11, Mary's legs had had enough. She headed in so I headed over to the Canyons. Snowing like crazy at the peak. In the Glades it was consistently ankle deep. A few places near the tree line on skiers right on East Glade it was mid calf to knee deep where the snow had blown in. East Falls and Cascade were very nice. Little snow bumps were forming because of all of the snow coming down from the sky. Many people were doing Double Dipper, but I passed as my ankle was letting me know about all the snow. By noontime, I took a quick run down Rime to Bunny Buster, and I was done.
While today was not one of those days were you needed powder ski's, all in all, it was an excellent day on the mountain.
Got Snow!
South Ridge Triple Chair encased in Snow.
January 24, 2006, 1:00 PM
Mary and I got one of the first boxes at the K1 this morning at 9:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, when we are usually safely ensconced in a booth at Charity's for lunch, I am still out doing top to bottom runs. What a beautiful day!
Yesterdays little storm dropped about 4 inches of moderately heavy snow all over the mountain. It turns out, it was the perfect consistency for the grooming machines to work with last night, for this morning the mountain was set up perfectly. Everywhere we went, the snow was beautifully soft and carve-able. We did a half a dozen runs in the Glades, on East Falls, and Cascade to start the morning. There is another storm blowing in tonight from the north, which created some cloud at the peak. The changing light made it a little spooky the first couple of runs, but when you realized how good the surface conditions were, you could just rip it between the light and the shadows with little fear of finding a surprise hiding in the darkness.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the resort at Bear Mountain, there was brilliant sunshine with bright blue skies. I did tweak my ankle on a wet spot at the base of Viper Pit on Bear Claw, but other than that event, Bear was great. Upper Wildfire was once again my favorite. We did 4 passes through the park on Lower Wildfire which was busy with boarders partaking of the various features.
The snow storm last night left some interesting artifacts around the mountain. Todays picture was taken of one of the chairs on the South Ridge Triple, which was still magically encased in snow at 1:00 PM this afternoon. Light snow predicted in the forecast everyday this week, conditions should be outstanding thru the week into the weekend.
Birch Ridge Snow Stake, January 23, 2006,11:00 AM
I am always one that can accept the good with the bad. In the long run, things have a tendency to balance out. Well.... today is one of those good days for the winter at Killington.
A light snow started falling early this morning an hour or so after sunrise. By 11:00 the grounds of the inn were covered with 2 inches of a very fine light snow. It is supposed to continue snowing the rest of the day. Total accumulations are predicted in the 4 inch range, but we know how good the weathermen are at predicting those things. But, the ground is white again, and for a ski resort in winter that makes things right with the world.
Birch Ridge Snow Stake, January 22, 2006, 2:30 PM
Even though our chefs cook for us all the time, I don't often get a chance to dine in our restaurant. Last night was a little different. My son and his girlfriend, with his girlfriend's parents, came to visit for the weekend. We had not seen each other over Christmas. So it was a celebration of sorts to have everyone at the inn.
We started with a few cocktails at happy hour, sitting for dinner around 6:15 PM. I would usually prefer to dine a little later when I do a formal dinner, but the restaurant book was pretty busy last night. I wanted to make sure that we had enough time to enjoy our meal, yet be able to get another party down on the table later in the evening. I had never met my son's girlfriends parents, so we had a number of pleasantries and polite moments to get through, before everyone could relax. Of course, a cosmo for mom, and 3 nice bottles of wine from the cellar helped everyone become friends in quick fashion. By 12:30 AM, we were all over at the Wobbly Barn. My favorite Wobbly bartender, Bobby, had a pint of Guinness waiting for me, and the rest took care of itself. 4 Guinaye (or is it Guinness's') later, with a little dancing thrown in for exercise, and we walk back the the inn at 2:00 AM. I had not seen my son in a while so we stayed up talking, getting to bed around 4:45 AM, with another ski day shot before it got started.
It turned out to be a great weekend. I got a chance to see my son and his girlfriend again. The girlfriends parents were really nice and fun to be around. (You guys can come back anytime!) I had an excuse, like I need one, to crack open some nice bottles of wines for personal consumption. And don't forget the Guinness....
It turned much colder last night. Today's temperatures at the inn are in the low 20's with a raw damp feeling to the air. As you can see from the snow stake picture, we got a little dusting of snow on the ground. More is due in tomorrow, so we can go outside and play.
Killington Panorama, January 21, 2006, 12:30 PM
Oh boy. It continued to be warm overnight with light showers. Any remaining snow at the snow stake at the inn has melted into the mud. But the mountain is still hanging on.
I spoke with several trusted sources who went skiing this morning. Conditions were very similar to yesterday with soft hero snow all over the mountain. However, some areas are starting to see exposed ledge poke thru the snow. All things considered, Killington has survived the January thaw.
The rain showers of today are supposed to end as snow showers this evening. Colder temperatures are returning which will allow Killington to start blowing snow again. And the forecast for next week features some snow from mother nature as well. A snow dance of two will help the situation...if you please!
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