Ski Southeast Messageboard

Finally got to try Canaan. Hard to resist a $15 lift ticket. Overall, I am sure glad I tried it. A totally different mountain compared to Timberline and unique to the Southeast. The only similarities to Timberline would be the lack of fast climbing lifts and lots of glades. Although the primary lift operates at the industry standard 4.5 mph, compared to Timberline's 3.5, the lift isn't that steep, so like Timberline, this is no place to rack up vertical. However the mountain skis much bigger than Timberline, probably because it is wide and not that steep, and has multiple fall lines in many directions and a big flat area in the middle. Like Timberline, there is a lot of gladed skiing, but mountain sees less traffic. Also many of the trees are noticeably older growth than Timberline and many are some of the biggest trees I have seen East of the Sierras. To access all 850 vertical feet you will need to ride two lifts, no big deal as the beginner lift at the bottom is reasonably steep and provides a fun view of Airboarding. In case you have no idea what Airboarding is, imagine a inflatable sled, much like a raft, that you lay on your stomach and can go straight down the slope at breakneck speeds yet steer and brake pretty well. It is a much improved take on tubing, but where you get to enjoy the same chairlifts and slopes as skiers and boarders. It looks like a fun way to take out your friends, literally. Remember, Canaan is a public ski resort, that looks at risk management very differently from other resorts. So be a little more careful when you visit. To me the most usable feature is the ski in/out parking. Of the 50 or so different resorts I have skied, this is only the second one with ski in/out parking, great if you make frequent trips to your car during the day. Also the facilities, (lodge, cafeteria, and bar) are some of the nicest in the industry. Unfortunately there are no lodging options on the mountain, but a few nearby. [YT][/YT]

This, and this and this ^^^



so cool, you got the most out of a really great place. It is true it's small but when it's all open I prefer it to snowshoe or T-line. Even aside from the vibe, it is the terrain.



I took it that you have never skied there before? In which case you nailed a lot of the interior terrain, you must have good skills and a great eye for trees. Watching the video I was really surprised by how much they had open, but as you said, they operate a little differently. If you get a chance to meet and talk to some of their older patrollers that is a pure treat, esp. on a powder day



I loved your report, and I'm real jealous

Nice! I am looking forward to getting up there. Are any of those glades on the map. If not what are they off of? Haven't hit Canaan yet but will be this year.

By the way, my avatar is from CV, I keep meaning to update it but that day was just so good

I really want to get back to CV. They were only about 20% open when I was there last year but I really enjoyed that 20%! I would love,love, love to ski the rest of this place. Looks like they are almost at 100% now so if you have been thinking about going just do it! Its hard to beat the combo of TL/CV especially since they are only ten minutes apart. CV maybe the best kept secret in the SE.

@WakeBoarder 284481 wrote:Nice! I am looking forward to getting up there. Are any of those glades on the map. If not what are they off of? Haven't hit Canaan yet but will be this year.





Their map is pretty basic, but the trees between runs aren't named but can be very sweet. Although I am sure that Melton was navigating one stretch that proved outside of my pay grade along a creek bed by the center runs

Nice, I enjoyed Canaan and Timberline January 4th and 5th (delinqeunt TR to come) and had similar conditions and a lot of fun.

@johnmelton 284471 wrote:. Unfortunately there are no lodging options on the mountain, but a few nearby.



Um the very nice CV resort is a mile away w/ constant shuttles

Man they have some coverage. I could never do the trees like that. VERY cool !!

That's the spirit ! Well done report ! Now please stop telling people about this place. Delete this thread.



I thought that sunlight dappled trees at 2:30 was really nice. I'll be up there Jan 18 weekend for whitegrass and canaan so i have been checking the snow report. Of the 39 open slopes, 25 are listed as natural snow. Ain't that grand ?



and did they have lift attendants ?