Ski Hickory 2009-2010

Big Tupper Aerial

Steiner's Sports

Zelda and I spent the day in the car traveling in a driving rainstorm to visit Steiner's Sports. It was well worth the trip. We went to the Valatie Store...it's an unassuming building on the right as you come into town from I90.

We'd made the decision this off-season to move Zelda to alpine gear in the hope that we could spend more time skiing together and share more terrain. I know little about fixed-heel gear, but had always assumed the boots were less than comfortable. I've seen countless alpiners, unbuckle their boots at every opportunity. You really never see telefolk doing this and I came to the conclusion that the boots must be less comfortable.

On the recommendation of Highpeaksdrifter we decided to check out Steiner's, home to Garrick - the boot fitting master. Last month we picked out a pair of Technica Boots in the Glenmont store, and today they were waiting for us when we arrived for a 1pm appointment with Garrick.

I really had no idea what a boot fitting was. Basically almost everyone's body...their feet, ankles, legs and hips are completely out of whack. Ski boots are plastic footwear that really will only properly fit a mythical, symmetric body that only exists in a medical journal. The key is to figure out exactly HOW you are out of line, and modify each boot individually so that you can stand naturally and weight your skis evenly without stress or pain. It was quite an anatomy lesson.

Barton's Wind Towers

From the Post Star...artist rendering of how wind towers would look from Gore. I'll be honest - I'm torn. Alternative all the way. Jobs in America, and a cleaner environment. But looking at them? Actually they are more elegant than lifts and we're ok with those. And if I stay in the trees I'll never see them.

http://www.adirondackwind.com/

Connecting Gore and North Creek

Here's a recycled idea for a stimulus package.  A short term boost and a long-term jobs program:

So...for a $1M let's say you build a tram from Main Street to the Ski Bowl...more construction jobs right away. And then I think...the limited rooms, and then the restaurants in town would rise in value.  I'd bet you get more investment in town.  What a cool way to pay back the folks who are anchoring main street now.... Braley & Noxon, Sarahs, The Alpine, etc.  I bet Joel Beaudin and the Copperfield investors would do a little jig.

I know on projects that I've worked on that took multiple years...many times you end up with the RIGHT solution, even though it's not what you started out to do exactly. For this idea to work, BRQ had to be built, and we are getting some value out of it. (Maybe not an amount equal to the cost SO FAR, but the fat lady hasn't sung yet.)

And now the Ski Bowl. Not only is there good terrain over there, but it's an historic ski area that is being brought back to life. Pretty cool.

More on the Interconnect

I love this image the mountain is using to promote the interconnect. But ... the bottom of the trail system will not actually connect to the village. It is MUCH closer, but you can't actually see town from the bottom of the lift. It's probably too far to walk to Main Street.

I'd love to know about the ZONING of the land right around the bowl. Will town expand to connect to the skibowl? Will there be restaurants and business close enough for alpine booted folk to spend the cash "off mountain?" I realize none of this has mattered at Whiteface. The mountain is miles from town, and LP thrives.

Ski Hickory Aerial Photo

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Powderqueen joins Harvey Road

Powderqueen has signed on as a Harvey Road author for the 09/10 Winter season. She's exactly what I was looking really for in a second author.  She skis a lot.  She likes to write and takes great pictures.  She spends significant time at Gore.  She'll add breadth to the blog by posting more pics and reports from Whiteface, Hickory, Snow Ridge and other mountains in New York, Vermont and out West. Her ski itinerary and experience should make things a little more interesting. Her reports will be tagged with the "PDQ" tag you see below to make them easier to find. Like the one she submitted last year on the late February dumpfest at Jay Peak.

Oh yea...she's a ripper.  I skied with her only once, on that epic powder day last December. The girl can handle anything.  She's not flashy, just totally competent.   Can't wait to see her reports.

Looking Forward to Ski Season!

I've accumulated a whole lotta cheap early-bird ski passes, two new pairs of skis and a plane ticket to Utah! Greek Peak, Gore, Whiteface, Hickory, Snow Ridge, Killington, Stowe, Snowbird, Alta, Snowbasin, Kirkwood, Squaw...here I come...and who knows where else I may ski this winter!

New Trail Through Tahawas?

Talk on the Gore Forum indicates that the trail shown above, connecting the top of the Burnt Ridge Quad, with the bottom of the North Chair, may go ahead this year to allow ski racing on Echo.  In the current layout, skiing on Echo would prohibit a lift-served return to the base for skiers on Burnt Ridge. The way it's drawn below it would impact the bottom of the Tahawas trees. What do you think?  (See poll below.)

My two cents:  If they keep it up high on the side of BR then maybe the impact on Tahawas would be minimal.  Could also lead to some cool options for avoiding some of the flats on Pipeline and more tree skiing on the north side of  the ridge.

Freedom rises at Ground Zero

I just came from ground zero. I haven't been there for over a year.  Tourists were everywhere checking out the progress on the Freedom Tower.  Last time I was there the subway had been completed, but there was nothing really above ground.  I have to be honest...when I took this shot of the first big girders getting welded into place...I was pretty emotional. My reaction surprised me.

(via mobile)

Google Earth: Gore Interconnect

(Click image to enlarge)

New Interconnect Terrain

Accuweather Long Range Forecast: Winter 09/10

Accuweather Winter Forecast 09/10

Who's Looking for Gore Mountain?

The chart below shows the geographic areas where search for "gore mountain" originates*:

*Numbers from Google Trends

Harvey Road Authors

We're interested in additional authors for Harvey Road this winter. Authors could contribute their own content or pics. Things that might make you right for the job include:

• Desire to write for Harvey Road
• Catskill, Adirondack or NY skier
• Lift served or backcountry
• Use some kind of mobile device

We'd love to have trip reports from across New York State posted all season long. Gore/Whiteface, Hunter, Belleayre, Plattekill, and Windham passholders are ideal...people who get to the mountain regularly. We're also very interested in Hickory and Big Tupper.

Pay ... well there is no pay. You've got to do it for the love of the game. If you are interested post a comment below with an email address or drop me a note at harvey44@nyskiblog.com.