Mount Snow - December 18, 2010

Day 1 this season, and it didn't take long to realize the camera batteries were dead - so, no photos.

Mount Snow had just about half of the mountain open this weekend, and it was surprisingly mellow as far as crowds. Lift lines were under 5 minutes, and most of the trails weren't terribly clogged up, except at some of the choke points. There's basically no snow on the ground in Southern VT right now, so it's all man-made, and they've done a really nice job. With a couple of exceptions the open trails had edge to edge coverage. There's a little crust and ice underneath that packed powder from the recent rain, and my edges could have used a little sharpening before we went out, but all in all it was really good.

Since it was the first time out this year, we took it really easy - started on one of the beginner trails for Megski, and then worked our way across the lower mountain lifts and then up to the summit a couple of times, for long, easy runs down Long John/Deer Run. The Sunbrook area was quiet and calm, but the snow was a little chunkier over there. No stamina this time of year - Megski had a cold so she was done by 12:30, and my legs stopped working shortly after that so I called it quits around 1:15.

We didn't get to check it out because we had to leave, but the old Midstation bar in the main base lodge is now called the Station Tap Room. We did look at the beer selection and it looks very good - Allagash Black on tap is a good sign. I'm looking forward to checking it out next time - maybe this weekend over Christmas.