Month: November 2018

Another fine day at Loon. I drove up through a steady rain, gambling that (a) the rain would let up by mid-morning, and (b) it would keep the crowds away. I won both bets! By the time I was on the snow the rain was just a drizzle, and after three runs (9:30 or so) it was just about done.

In addition to the Gondola, the Seven Brothers and North Peak Quad lifts were turning. Yes: North Peak (and Camp III) are now open.

Atop North Peak — and down to about 100-200 feet below — the precipitation was in the form of snow.

Got my first tracks of the season on Angel Street.

The venison stew was unfortunately not on the menu at Camp III — they’re waiting for the meat…

Maybe next time.

Back on the snow!

Like last year, I spent Day 1 at Loon Mountain — an easy two hour drive without traffic or weather. There was no real traffic northbound at 6:45 AM, but there was some weather: rain at home turned to light snow 20 minutes into the drive. With the speed on I-93 at times as slow as 35 mph at times, I managed to get onto the mountain shortly before 10:00.

It’s early season — pre-Thanksgiving! — so any open terrain is a gift. Loon was running the Gondola to the summit, with a choice of 4 ways down to mid-mountain, and two ways from there to the bottom. Not a lot, but enough for Day 1.

Crowds were not a factor. I didn’t have a single full gondola ride all day, and managed two solo rides where I could put my feet up. The gondola cars are newly replaced this year, clean inside and plexiglass windows scratch-free.

Temperatures have been excellent for snow-making, and Loon has been blasting the guns over on North Peak. I gave the base of the North Peak Quad a wistful look…

… and dreamt of the venison stew at Camp III.

It’ll happen. It’s early.