Options
And some people thought the ski and snow season was over, which was also a blog post; there were still of few mid-April skiing options of fast meltdown season. A few ski areas closed on Easter weekend and the only liftserved options left were Mont St-Sauveur, Mont Ste-Anne, Le Valinouët, Saddleback, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Jay, Killington and Smokey way up in Labrador.
This was last call for Smokey, Le Valinouët, Saddleback and Sunday River.
It was a late season as usual at MSS, MSA and the Loaf.
The surprise snowstorm added an extra 16-19 inches respectively on Jay and Killington.
Le Valinouët and probably Smokey would have offered the best coverage, but short an extra long drive or a flight, these were non options for myself. Although I was somewhat tempted to check out Le Valinouet as they received some fresh snow during the week.
MSA, Saddleback and Sugarloaf, there was neither a better, closer or cheaper; Sunday River offered free skiing for it’s last day of the season.
MSS, Quebec’s longest ski season ski area had two runs. Even if I have a free ticket with my Edelweiss and MSS can compete in season length and the ultimate late season turns, it didn’t carry much weight for my weekend options.
The new snow at Killington and Jay and re-opening of terrain made them attractive options.
In the end, it came down to :
1) driving three-hour from Montreal and ski free at Sunday River. SR had roughly 29 runs open.
2) drive 90 minutes to Jay. Jay trail count jumped from 17 to 50 with this week’s 17 inches. For $35 for season passholders. ($45 without a pass)
A solo trip made SR’s saving an non-issue, as that saving would be eaten at the pumps.
The Skiing : Jay
We Are Strong
Getting closer, everything was green, except all the runs at Jay Peak. Arrived at the Stateside parking lot at 10ish. No snow at the bottom, 15c, sun; it was a typical May setup. Tramside was still open, so I presume that they might more car over there. Jay ran a shuttle service between areas. Trying to decide how little to wear. A funny note, as I bought my lift ticket a dad and his kid also had season passes from another hill. They mentioned that their area was closed, it was Killington!!! :O That is a bad sign someone drives north without even thinking that K might be still open. Not sure how that happened? It wouldn’t have been the case in the 1990s when K made sure it was the last to spin.
People getting ready in the parking lot. Fold up chairs and music blasting. Taking their time and being laid back. Everything a late Spring Day should be.
Started off with the Traditional mudfest walk towards the Jet Triple. Started off with Derrick, Jet, U.N, Haynes, Kitz. The skiing on the groomed stuff feel on Jet and Haynes feel mashed potatoes. As for Derrick, U.N. and Kitz were deep wet cement, bumps with the odd shape rocks underneath. Needed fatter skis to ski the cement it was hard work to power through. I was also trying to catch my breath, still wondering what it was about?
I had skied enough of Jet as there was going to be more opportunity to ski the Triple today and in the coming weeks. The snow and economic situation of keeping Tramside made it living on borrow time. The connection was ‘hikeless’ the previous day, it was no longer the case today. Maybe 2-3 places that didn’t have snow; the longest being about 25 feet. I was better hungry, but didn’t want to get my lunch in the car right away and have to take the shuttle not did I want to repeat taking the Triple to head towards the Tram from the top of Stateside.
The Tram was running as the carpet, the Metro, Flyer and the Tram. Did a few laps on the HSQ. There were a few options down, but I kept going back to Upper Goat (or Alligator) then alternating between Exhibition that was real sweet with a fun steepness and some bumps to it or GMB. I didn’t bother with the rest, even on my only ride on the Tram where someone had skied the Face recently. I hadn’t eaten, lined up Can-Am. I’ve seen better coverage in the pitch on previous closing weekends. They were a few narrow spots. There was one skiers in front of me, I caught up to him at a choke in the snow. I couldn’t believe my eyes, I know this guy. Someone that has a reputation to maintain; a reputation that involves never crossing the border no mater what. His cover is blown, but even Jay’s 50 trails could make Frankontour choose Vermont over the Laurentians. Instead of heading to the car to eat, I joined him for a couple of runs on Stateside. At this point, bumps had definitely multiplied on Jet and Haynes. After that, I took Northway to Montreal…skiing and driving as I had some business to take of in the Metropolis.
Back to the parking, people had t-shirts, drinking beer and wine, eating and music. Here is one song heard in the morning. Frankontour probably didn’t ski or walk when this song came out…but many in the parking were driving to the hill back then, drinking beer and listening to the same song. This should tell you something about Sunday’s Stateside parking demographic.
We are young : we were back in the 1984
Heartaches to heartaches we stand : it’s been a rough season
Jay open in May? : No promise, no demands
Love is a Battlefield
We are strong : Jay still going strong as a few of us
No one can tell us were wrong : even if I tell you Killington is still open
Believe me, believe me, I can’t tell you why
But I’m trapped by your love, and I’m chained by your Stateside
Jay open in May? : No promise, no demands. But Jay Peak is open this coming weekend and aren’t calling last weekend. Gunning for May, but no promises.
Okay, this ends this cheezy TR.
