Friday December 6th was Free Day at Attitash. I had requested the day off from work before I even knew of the event. Such perfect timing! I planned a cheap ski weekend around the Attitash Free Day. After driving up to Attitash and skiing for free, I would crash at the Hikers Paradise in Gorham, NH for only $15 and then hit Cannon on Saturday to use my $20 coupon. Two days of skiing and lodging for only $35... w00t!!
The Free Day and recent snowfall in Boston Metro brought the crowds. I was amazed at how many people made it up for a Friday. But Free Skiing is Free Skiing! I quickly ran into the lodge and bought an awfully expensive $15 ski lock, because I had forgot mine at home. Leaving skis unattended at places like Burke, Cannon, Magic, and Wildcat I have done on occasion. But at an ASC resort with a sketchy crowd? Um... NO! As I was en route to attach my new lock to my skis, I over heard some wise ass kid saying something fresh about a pair of Volkls with Rossi bindings. Give me a break! Maybe some people can not buy new gear every year and have to use their old bindings when they break their old Skis? Shit Head.
Any ways, that about sums up the people that were attracted to free day... lots of fresh, irresponsible, immature babies. They slided on both skis and boards, so no generalizations based on number of planks here. However, I will generalize on the age demographic and say that the upscale kids of today are a bunch of snots. I encountered attitude everywhere, and literally witnessed kids acting like babies and skiing/riding with complete and total disregard for others. Now, pushing past the type of skier Attitash and Free Day attracted, lets get down to the skiing.
Four routes were available. From the summit triple, you could take Saco (which was well covered) down to Tightrope (which was very hard pack and generally unpleasant) down to the quad. Why is Tightrope labeled double black diamond? Are they for real? This trail is of moderate pitch, not excessively narrow despite the name, no bumps or natural snow, etc. Essentially, it is an ASC classification that stands for "in their dreams." A few beginner snowplowers and boarders were sidesliping down Tightrope. Unfortunately, trail classifications definitely do not act as a deterrent!
From the quad, two options were present. Cardigan/Turkey Chute to Moat was a little scratchy and scraped in parts. There was lots of traffic and a dangerous intersection at the bottom of Moat. The other option was my favorite trail for the afternoon: Grandstand. I was a little disgusted again with the trail classification, as Grandstand should not classify as a black diamond, even at Attitash. Natural snow was on skiers right with snowmaking whales on the left. I opted all day for the natural stuff on the right side edge of the trail. Small bumps built up sometimes between the twigs, then snowboards slided them off looking for jumps. Then skiers would build bumps up again, and repeat.
The beginner double double chair offered a few options down. One run was all I needed to get a feel for the area though. It is a very pleasant learning area with slow and wandering trails through the woods. These trails had the best coverage and conditions on the mountain, not surprisingly. Everything else was definitely a bit thin and scratchy.
I hit the road just before 3PM in search of food. I found most of the pubs in the Bartlett/Glen/Intervale areas did not open until 4PM, so I opted to begin my drive through Pinkham Notch to Gorham where my bed would be for the night. I found a most charming and comfortable Pizzeria/Bar/Lounge/Ice Cream Stand/Take Out Food/Whatever called Mr. Pizza. Yea, nice name huh? Wowzers, what a burger! And a Tuckerman Ale to boot, I was a happy man. Hit the hay early around 7PM dreaming of making turns at Cannon the next day.
Panoramic Shot of the Mountains Overlooking Gorham, NH