An online community was formed today to track Big Jay news and developments. The Ski Big Jay Google Group provides Big Jay skiers and riders a communication platform to discuss the issue, network, keep informed, and get active. The Google Group is open to the public and should see active discussion and perhaps hopefully lead to organization of the community.
A public forum was held at the Stateside Lodge of Jay Peak Resort on Saturday December 15, 2007 regarding restricted skier access to Big Jay. The decision to restrict skier access to Big Jay during the current ski season was made by a panel of organizations and managers including the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Green Mountain Club, and Jay Peak Resort who were all represented at the meeting. Commissioner Jonathan Wood of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation conducting the meeting with assistance from Ben Rose, executive director of the Green Mountain Club. Jay Peak Resort President Bill Steiger represented the ski area showing strong support for the action. Approximately seventy-five to one hundred people attended the meeting including backcountry skiers, Green Mountain Club members, locals, Jay Peak Ski Patrollers, and Jay Peak Resort employees.
The meeting began with opening comments from Jonathan Wood who stressed the importance of sharing view points without criticizing the opinions of other people. Wood presented background information on Big Jay including a historical perspective about how how the state acquired Big Jay and integrated the mountain in the Jay State Forest. Details about the Green Mountain Club easement were also covered with assistance from Ben Rose. Another Green Mountain Club representative provided a multimedia presentation showing a variety of photos detailing not just the destruction involving “The Scar” (as the illegal cut was called) but also extensive thinning and cutting else where on Big Jay. The presentation concluded with a description and photographs of the trail work conducted in October shortly before the ski season began.
The Veteran’s Day Weekend proved to be an exciting one in the New England skiing world. Sunday River led the way, opening on Thursday, with Sugarloaf, Bretton Woods, and Mount Snow following to make four open ski areas in New England before the Holiday. Sunday River and Mount Snow are the clear leaders providing substantially more terrain than either Sugarloaf or Bretton Woods and continuing to expand trail counts daily.
Several resorts are following closely on the early season leaders. Snow making is currently in progress at Jay Peak on The Jet and Haynes, Sugarbush on Jester, Attitash on Illusion, Stowe on Ridgeview and Lord, and Waterville Valley on High Country. Snow making has also been spotted at Killington, Okemo, Bromley, and Stratton in Vermont and at Wachusett in Massachusetts. Some of these resorts will likely be open by next weekend with snow making temperatures on going.
Turn earners have reported in with natural snow turns made at Mount Mansfield, Mount Ellen, General Stark Mountain, Tuckerman Ravine, and the Great Gulf! Not much natural snow has fallen so far this season, especially compared to this time last year. But the opportunistic can capitalize on being flexible and diligent.
Snowmaking crews fired up the guns at seven New England ski areas Sunday night to commence preparations for opening the 2007-2008 season. Only time will tell which one of these front runners will open first but suffice to say no bull wheels will likely be turning for at least another two weeks. TheSnowWay.com will be reporting first tracks and first hand reports and pictures very soon! But for now, sit back and enjoy some pictures taken at each of the following mountains:
Maine:
Sugarloaf/USA
Sunday River
New Hampshire:
Attitash
Bretton Woods
Vermont:
Killington
Mount Snow
Sugarbush (No Cam Shot but snowmaking has been verified)