Ski Southeast Messageboard

Left home at 5:00 a.m. to get to Beech at opening. This was my first experience with Beech and, overall, the skiing was great. Conditions at open were near perfect, with snow making occurring only on Robbin's Run.



Lapped Upper and Lower Shawneehaw for the first hour till the wait at the quad built to 2 deep. Switched to Robbin's Run as the guns kept all the Floridians away and I had the run to myself.



Blowing started on Lower Southern Star at some point in the morning, with a connection through Robbin's Run. This was by far the best, and most vacant, run of the day. Even when the wait at the Quad was 5-7 minutes there was nobody on Lower SS. Wide open, fast turns. Aaah.



I talked with one of the ski school instructors and heard Oz should be open by Saturday at the latest. They have been blowing back there for several days and will open it as soon as there is enough snow.



My only disappointments were:

- Lower White Lightning was advertised as open, but was roped off. I am glad it was, as the surface was sheer ice, but Beech should not have shown it as open.



- A few slick spots developed near the top of Robbin's Run. These were the scene of my only wipeout during the day. Not really Beech's fault, as they had some monster winds the day before, but not too great.



- No XXL helmets in the rental shop. I still haven't bought myself a helmet so I thought I would rent one for the day. My head is big, but not so large that a shop shouldn't carry my size. Oh well, time to buy one.



- My camera refused to work in the cold. I guess the battery was on its way out. Sad, as the conditions and weather were great.



Overall, I liked Beech. I was impressed with their ability to handle crowds on a busy day, the professionalism of their patrol (not once was I yelled at for skiing fast and in control...I'm looking at you Sugar), and the general vibe of the place. If they were 100% I think I would have been satisfied with the variety of the terrain as well.



Thanks Beech for a great day on the snow.

Great TR, my take yesterday was how many PEOPLE WERE THERE! Both upper and middle parking lot was full at 10am! We skied until the 130p crowds started and it was PACKED! Got my group to move to the single line to get ahead of the crowd at the quad.



Ditto on the snow, the ice spot at the top of Robbins was discovered as I had a yard sale when falling down. Just went around it on Shawnehaw then whipped over to Robbins. Nice run, love how everyone stays away! Loved Southern Star, no one there and a blast to fly down. Skated down White Lightening, wonder why they are not blowing snow on it??



Ski patrol was humming, watched one little boy end up down on the snowmobile road after flying down from the top of freestyle. Pretty scary looking wipeout heard he went to the hosp but was OK. Another poor child broke his leg at the same time. Told my crew that helmets must stay on and watch your back, that's the part to worry about.



So, morning skiing is awesome, lines not too long, snow good then go over and say hi to Steve when the afternoon crowds hit and have a beverage!



Happy New Year Y'all!

Yeah, there were quite a few people. I bailed at 2:00 when it was taking about 15 minutes to lap the quad. Still, not too bad when I compare that experience to a busy day at another resort.



That's too bad about the two kids. I think I saw one of them on the ground near one of the hydrants toward the bottom.

NICE! Good to hear that Oz will open soon