Ski Southeast Messageboard

So I formulated the plan last night, knowing I couldn't make it to the Canaan Valley on a day trip I chose to finally try Pipestem and maybe the slightly higher elevation of Winterplace. As you will see the difference in snow totals felt pretty huge (pagamony, you were right)









I left at about 3:30 -- the drive was clear but the winds were scary through the Bluefield area. I got off the highway and went into Ghent, all power out, pretty spooky in the pre- dawn. I was was driving a son's Ford focus and after sniffing around to get up to Winterplace and nearly getting badly stuck and high centered -- I decided to head for Pipestem. Leaving Ghent:









So when I got to Pipestem I drove around and just took it all in -- this would be an amazing family resource, large and so well arrayed, ton's of activities. But the snow coverage.... not so much. My goal was the tram line which was undoable, which is just as well, I'm not in shape to skin out of that.









So I found a low- angle wind filled slope for my first turns of the season --Just me and the critters





















I loved it but was also anxious for something more-- so I decided to try Winterplace again. The entrance was cleared on one lane and I followed and drove around the plows until I found a slopeside parking space about when I had no more traction, I dug in one car length to get out of the plows path -- first use of the avy shovel I bought last fall







Ah yes slopeside accommodation











I skinned up twice on an easy slope and then a groomer started on his first lap -- I'm sure he saw my tracks and probably me, he didn't bother me but I decided I should move on







Still it had been the sweetest bunny slope I've skiied in a while















Then I decided to try for the triple play. I thought I could manage to get to Sugar in time for a final hour --It was 3:45 when I got to Seven Devils, knowing I wouldn't make it, I drove up and checked out Hawksnest. Never seen it before -- conditions were impossibly thin now, but can I just say -- what a freaking waste!!





A cool thing happened as I was heading home -- I pulled in to the gas station at the bottom of the road... started to park and realized the boy's car's gas cap is other side, did a graceless turn around and got out right beside Mr. Mike Doble, who I don't think I've seen in two years.... despite my fail on sugar it felt like a good sign.



The season has begun

Best TR of the (new) season!



So really, would that lift line at Pipestem ever be skiable? 'Cause that looks pretty bada$$.

Great start to a hopefully great ski season!

@teledave 280959 wrote:Best TR of the (new) season!



So really, would that lift line at Pipestem ever be skiable? 'Cause that looks pretty bada$$.





If that tram line had the coverage that I encountered at WP, it would have been skiable--they are only 20 mi apart so you would think it could happen. But Flat Top, or whatever it is that WP is on seems remarkably blessed in it's ability to catch snow. (and tour buses)



That tram starts at about 2300-2500, but it descends all the way to the bluestone river.



I don't know what it would take to fill in but I do know that the resort has the same feeling as CV Resort -- the roads WILL be open when that perfect day arrives. Funny, I don't think of WV being a model of efficiency but their state parks are consistently brilliant.

Ski Bunny, it must be crazy for you folks at SnowShoe -- this snow was so thick and dense --30' of it I can not imagine

@davidski 280967 wrote:If that tram line had the coverage that I encountered at WP, it would have been skiable--they are only 20 mi apart so you would think it could happen. But Flat Top, or whatever it is that WP is on seems remarkably blessed in it's ability to catch snow. (and tour buses)



That tram starts at about 2300-2500, but it descends all the way to the bluestone river.



I don't know what it would take to fill in but I do know that the resort has the same feeling as CV Resort -- the roads WILL be open when that perfect day arrives. Funny, I don't think of WV being a model of efficiency but their state parks are consistently brilliant.



I'm still waiting on the Jessco White themed terrain park to come into existence.

@teledave 280959 wrote:Best TR of the (new) season!



So really, would that lift line at Pipestem ever be skiable? 'Cause that looks pretty bada$$.



That lift line would be skiable if it weren't for all of the tall shrubbery about halfway down. Unless they've done some major clearing, there would be some bushwhacking at one point.



There's also a solid hundred-footer over a cave with a fake moonshine still in it at one point as well. Major gnar points for that one

Good work David!

Believe!

Nice Nice Nice ! You actually have more snow than when we skied pipestem all those years ago. The tramline was more bushy back then, so they are headed in the right direction. We need to learn to take some lightweight xc gear on these trips. Actually, winterplace was a good idea, That wide bowly slope and turkey shoot would be interesting - if you could get there.