Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:01 pm
THE MISSION: Get back on skis after a summer of climbing, make sure I still remember how to ski.
THE TRIP: Not much really to add past what brookbarrel said a couple days ago- really good coverage on open trails, really good grooming (with the exception of one death-cookie alley), few people, no lines, beautiful day. Also, HUDGE props to brookbarrel for filling me in on the Ukrops-customer-card-$15-lift-ticket deal. The deal is still good until this Friday (Dec 19), so if you can snag a card and get a $15 liftie, I highly recommend you make the trip. Definitely beat the admittedly low expectations I had, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the open terrain.
Got up at 5:30, detour through Fredericksburg to hit up Ukrops when they opened @ 7 am to get the card, beautiful drive through the middle of the state on 55-mph winding one-lane country roads, got there around 8:40 and managed to snag one of the first 5 or so chairs up the mountain.
Even though I lived in Blacksburg/Roanoke for 6 years, I never managed to make my way to the 'nutten, given that 20 more minutes put me at Snowshoe. Its definitely a small little mountain that caters more to the inclusive resort crowd, but Diamond Jim is a legitimately fun trail by southeast standards- a couple "steep" sections and plenty of small rollers to pop small airs made for plenty of entertainment. It was most definitely the best terrain I've ever skied on opening day- certainly better than anything the other resorts have to offer (for the time being, anyway).
Honestly, I could have been skiing a green cruiser and still been happy. I'm just really glad to be spinning chair laps and sliding on snow again, and ready for the winter to begin in earnest.
THE PICTURES:
EASTCOASTER'S FIRST LIFT SHOT OF THE 09/10 SEASON:
They have a stunning view of the Shenandoah Valley and Ridge from the top of the mountain:
The snow guns were on in full-force for the first few hours of the day, trying to capitalize on the remaining cold temps:
The bottom 1/3 or so of the Diamond Jim trail. The "steepest" bit is just below the group in the upper right of the picture, on the lookers right section of the trail. Routine lap at this point: Make two quick turns down the short steep, use your third to pop off the roller near the middle skier, then arc three or so huge GS turns out past the slow sign- a lot of fun:
This season will see me flying solo a lot out west, but I might be able to scrounge up a few photosluts in my travels. Here's hoping to another good season for all on SkiNC, with plenty of snow and cold weather. Huzzah!
THE TRIP: Not much really to add past what brookbarrel said a couple days ago- really good coverage on open trails, really good grooming (with the exception of one death-cookie alley), few people, no lines, beautiful day. Also, HUDGE props to brookbarrel for filling me in on the Ukrops-customer-card-$15-lift-ticket deal. The deal is still good until this Friday (Dec 19), so if you can snag a card and get a $15 liftie, I highly recommend you make the trip. Definitely beat the admittedly low expectations I had, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the open terrain.
Got up at 5:30, detour through Fredericksburg to hit up Ukrops when they opened @ 7 am to get the card, beautiful drive through the middle of the state on 55-mph winding one-lane country roads, got there around 8:40 and managed to snag one of the first 5 or so chairs up the mountain.
Even though I lived in Blacksburg/Roanoke for 6 years, I never managed to make my way to the 'nutten, given that 20 more minutes put me at Snowshoe. Its definitely a small little mountain that caters more to the inclusive resort crowd, but Diamond Jim is a legitimately fun trail by southeast standards- a couple "steep" sections and plenty of small rollers to pop small airs made for plenty of entertainment. It was most definitely the best terrain I've ever skied on opening day- certainly better than anything the other resorts have to offer (for the time being, anyway).
Honestly, I could have been skiing a green cruiser and still been happy. I'm just really glad to be spinning chair laps and sliding on snow again, and ready for the winter to begin in earnest.
THE PICTURES:
EASTCOASTER'S FIRST LIFT SHOT OF THE 09/10 SEASON:
They have a stunning view of the Shenandoah Valley and Ridge from the top of the mountain:
The snow guns were on in full-force for the first few hours of the day, trying to capitalize on the remaining cold temps:
The bottom 1/3 or so of the Diamond Jim trail. The "steepest" bit is just below the group in the upper right of the picture, on the lookers right section of the trail. Routine lap at this point: Make two quick turns down the short steep, use your third to pop off the roller near the middle skier, then arc three or so huge GS turns out past the slow sign- a lot of fun:
This season will see me flying solo a lot out west, but I might be able to scrounge up a few photosluts in my travels. Here's hoping to another good season for all on SkiNC, with plenty of snow and cold weather. Huzzah!