My last visit to Jay was almost two years ago. It was surreal reflecting on that, as I peered at Jay’s cloud enshrouded peak from Kitzbuehel. I missed the place.
I missed its terrain. I missed its trees. I missed its culture.
I missed its powder.
It is good to be back.
With two Indy Pass tickets to burn and a storm heading south, I thought a trip to Pat’s Peak might be interesting. My last visit to Pat’s was over a dozen years ago when I participated in evening beer league racing. I only skied Pat’s at night, so I never got a complete feel for the mountain. And, I wanted to check out their new Cascade Basin trail pod.
The storm was a morning and afternoon affair. With almost no new snow in the morning at any mountain, I thought an afternoon start with an evening skiing option would be ideal. The storm would intensify and the turns would get later in the day and into the evening.
Pat’s totally busted on the storm with almost no new snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures. Snow conditions were decidedly firm and hard pack. I found Cascade Basin to be an ideal beginner area. Its blue square and a black diamond trails are rated relative to other trails within Cascade Basin, not relative to other trails at Pat’s. The entire complex is decidedly green circle pitched, regardless of ratings on the map.
I was dreadfully bored, underwhelmed, and disappointed with the surface conditions. I left after less than two hours of uninspired exploration. I cannot imagine returning again, even on an Indy Pass. A fine place for a beginner or for beer league racing, but not much else.
It was an uninspired early season day skiing at Cannon.
The writing for this season was already on the wall.
Cannon’s opening weekend was impressive considering warm November temperatures that pushed the first day back into December. The end of November storm definitely helped. But Cannon’s firepower clearly did the overwhelming majority of the work.
Upper mountain trails included Tramway, Upper Cannon, Upper Ravine, and Taft Slalom. The Links, Middle Cannon, Middle Ravine, Spookie, Rock Garden, and Gremlin were all open at mid-mountain. Everything funneled into Lower Cannon and Lower Gremlin.
I started on the upper mountain and lapped the Cannonball Quad until a line developed. Then I skied back down to the Peabody for more ski on lift rides until the Cannonball Quad emptied out. It was good practice for staying ahead of the crowd.
Due to the previous night’s rain/freeze, conditions were hard and firm. The upper mountain was pleasantly edgeable until mid-morning. Lower mountain was decidedly loose granular and serviceable but not much fun. I called it after a few hours.
I briefly considered Jay. Two years ago, that would have been the play. Jay received a bit more accumulation and offered plenty of “reserved” untracked. But I wanted to hike and ski, not ride lifts and duck ropes. Over the years, Cannon’s Front Five has consistently provided some of the best early season powder skiing. Fall storms always seem to over deliver at Cannon. And, after all these years, it’s still home.
The lack of cars was surprising. I followed the usual skin track up Banshee to an almost untouched Avalanche. First turns of the season were sublime. It never gets old. Snow depth was just enough (8-10″), but I occasionally bottomed out onto slick fast grass. It is a shame Cannon blows snow on Avi, the natural skis so well. I went back up for first tracks down Paulie’s and Zoomer. Neither compared to turns down Avi, but both were enjoyable runs.
