Category: 2019-2020 Season

2019-2020 Season, February, Jay Peak, Powder Day

The Powder Deprived (Part Three)

Dude Falcon

The powder deprived masses descended on Jay Peak. Sixteen inches of fresh, pent up demand for powder, the biggest storm of the season (with plenty of advanced publicity), negative temperatures, frigid wind chills, and lift holds: what could possibly go wrong?

The snow was supportive and creamy with just a bit of wind loaded density. The Tram and Freezer were on wind hold, so the powder hounds were all consolidated in the Stateside area. As a result, the Stateside untracked went fast. Sooner than expected, I was cycling the Snail and Bonnie to ski Stateside.

More people than usual were making the Freezer hike from the Bonnie. But what is the point of that when you can just take Wedelmaster? Take it all the way to Beaver Pond if you insist on skiing the most overrated glade in the northeast. But I am dropping into the DP from Wedel for deep untracked after lunch.

Due to the cold, I went inside after every third or fourth run. The Tramside wind holds made for long lines at the Bonnie and the Jet. Normally, I generate enough heat to stay warm in line and on the lift. But the lines were excessive, as was the wind, and I was constantly getting chilled before the next run.

The bitter wind, muscle fatigue, and long Snail to Bonnie cycles all combined to end my day sooner than I would have preferred. It was a great day that had its frustrating moments. It wasn’t epic, but it felt like it should have been. If the weather pattern doesn’t improve, it could end up being the best day of the season.

2019-2020 Season, Cannon Mountain, February

The Powder Deprived (Part Two)

I awoke to the pitter-patter of rain. Earlier in the week, it seemed like Friday afternoon was going to be “the day”. But the changeover to snow was delayed. Friday was now the calm before the storm. Late in the day, I drove up to Cannon to see if the two inch per hour snowfall would start before the mountain closed.

I arrived just as the rain changed over to snow. The snow was “premature”, so accumulations were minimal. Groomed trails were skiing surprising well despite the rain (or perhaps because of it). But I didn’t come to ski groomers. Unfortunately, the natural snow trails skied even worse than they had on Thursday.

Just before Cannon closed, the sky opened up with two inch per hour snowfall. The drive home was formidable, as expected. The changeover happened even earlier in Northern Vermont where the snowfall would also last longer. For Saturday, I would bypass Cannon and head further north.

2019-2020 Season, Cannon Mountain, February

The Powder Deprived (Part One)

With only three powder days to my season (and none of them deep lift serviced days), I am a part of the northeast’s powder deprived legion. Natural snow terrain and trees have been slow to open. This weekend’s forecast was a game changer… as long as the mountains were on the right side of the mixed precipitation line.

I opened a four day skiing weekend at Cannon. The wind was honking and surface conditions were quite variable. Three inches of new snow did nothing for the lunar landscape of natural snow terrain. There was no rope for Zoomer Liftline but no one ever made a single track. That tells you something.

I ripped high speed arcs on a few inches of fresh over groomed. I enjoyed myself but I was all set after a few hours. Especially after the wind picked up and constant goggle scraping was required due to freezing fog. Today was fun, but it was not the main event.

2019-2020 Season, Cannon Mountain, February, Gear

Thank You, Next

Peabody QuadPeabody Quad Unload Terminal Needs Some Paint

While I am not currently in the market for a new pair of skis, it never hurts to be current on lineups for when the next edge blowout happens. Sport Thoma brought the demos, Cannon brought the hardpack.

Most of the available demos were groomer oriented, the selection was lacking in 100mm freeride skis. It was the right demo selection for the right mountain given the conditions. But not many skis piqued my interest.

I took all of the demos down the same route for consistency. I occasionally switched back to my current skis (Fischer Big Stix 100 186cm) to get a better feel for the differences versus a known quantity.

Nordica Enforcer 100

The extensively lauded Nordica Enforcer 100 (177cm) was even more impressive than its incredible reputation, but for all the wrong reasons. If I was looking for a dedicated groomer ripper, this would easily be the right ski. It has been many years since I’ve been on a rocket like this.

While I easily switched between all sorts of turn shapes and sizes, the skis came alive when laid on edge for long railed high speed arcs. The faster you ski it, the faster it wants to go. The skis are heavy and lack rocker for nimble dancing and snappy pivots. I would love to compare it to the freeride oriented Enforcer Free 104.

While no natural snow terrain was available, it was apparent that this ski prefers groomers. In a pinch, it would be doable in bumps and trees. But it is incomprehensible why I see so many of these at Mad River Glen. This would be an amazing front side part of a two ski quiver. But my quiver days are long past.

If I had to pick one ski to blindly recommend to all expert skiers regardless of their preferences, this might be the one that fits the needs of the majority of average expert level skiers who spend a most of their time on groomers. But that is not me.

Thank you, next.

Nordica Enforcer 93

I thought it might be interesting to compare the Enforcer 100 with the slimmer Enforcer 93 (177cm). This was the blandest ski of the four demos that I tried, it left me quite indifferent. The Enforcer 93 was no more nimble nor snappy than the Enforcer 100 but substantially worse at railing arcs.

In fact, I compared this ski back to back with my current skis (which have substantial hardpack drawbacks) and found long railing turns were actually less fun on the Enforcer 93 despite its generally better edge grip on all other turn shapes. I was dumbfounded.

Maybe a lighter and less aggressive skier would have a different experience. But for me, I couldn’t believe how different the two Enforcers skied.

Thank you, next.

Volkl Mantra M5

I demoed the second generation Volkl Mantra in a 177cm a dozen years ago. I wasn’t impressed then and I ain’t impressed now. I tried it in a 184cm to see if a different length might change my mind. Nope. It is still the same damp, heavy, lifeless ski that I remember.

This ski should have my name written all over it. I am a big, aggressive skier with a racing background. Yet, I found this ski less than amazing on groomed hardpack where I previously found it to excel. I cannot imagine taking this ski off the groomers into bumps or trees. It was the most overrated ski then and remains so today.

No thanks, next.

Blizzard Rustler 10

From the first turn (literally!), I felt an incredibly strong connection to the Blizzard Rustler 10. After just one turn, I had already comprehended its essence, I knew everything this ski was capable of. It spoke to me.

I was concerned the 180cm length would not be sufficient. At rest, the tail rises a few cm’s off the snow but is not excessively turned up nor twinned. The 180cm felt confident with plenty of contact, both fore and aft. The 188cm was not available for comparison but I am not sure it would have provided a better ride.

This ski has all the qualities I love: quick, nimble, playful. It pivots on a dime and makes me want to dance. Yet, it still holds its own on hardpack in a variety of turn shapes and lengths. The Rustler does not rail like the Enforcer 100. But it does better at slower speed groomer turns than one would expect.

The single half length of metal (which stops short of the tips and tails) seems to give this ski the best of both worlds (soft snow and hardpack). I can only imagine that it almost certainly has exceptional natural snow performance in the powder and the trees.

The Rustler 10 definitely tops my list for when my current pair gives up the ghost.

Thank you.

2019-2020 Season, January, Mad River Glen

Setback (Part 2)

The previous day’s hardpack at Cannon left me wanting for natural snow, albeit pretty firm and thin natural snow. Mad River Glen had almost all trails open and I had a full Mad Card to burn. I was tired and my skiing was lethargic. The upper mountain coverage was quite impressive, the lower mountain was not so much. While skiing the Creamery woods, I overloaded my skis during a turn which provided an unexpected pop that sent me flying. I landed pretty hard and called it a day after only a few runs. My personal setback was only just beginning. I could only hope that the seasonal setback would rebound with me later this month. One out of two ain’t bad.