Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:30 am
The last Saturday was glorious. The snow froze overnight and early in the morning you skied in the sun and late in the afternoon chased the shadows. In between it was nearly perfect.
But first, the lesson for the day. You have to be careful not to hit a steep shady slope too early, or you might end up like me, as shown below. Shays was, as the placard read, 'ungroomed and firm'. Actually, more like a wind-scarred glacier. That was too inviting so my kid charges down lower Shays and chats up some girl taking photos while I fall on my *** and slide down the next 200 or so yards. We skied another 4 hours including several more revenge trips down shays before leaving. Mega kudos to Charlotte in the ski patrol room for patching me up on the way out.
Kudos to Snowshoe for staying open and leaving some slopes ungroomed. Left to nature, Knotbumper developed some lovely fat and soft bumps all over. Shays was fabulous in the afternoon. Both Shays and Cup ski entirely different when the snow is good *and* the skier density is as God himself intended.
We wandered a bit on the way up 219, stopping at Droop Mountain battlefield, which is an interesting story and reminder that yes WVA was singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic in that fight.
Later, I drove down Woodrow Rd in the direction of a never opened ski area to be named something like Laurel Creek. This incredibly beautiful road looks like the centerfold for a motorcycle touring magazine. I never saw the erstwhile slopes, but I did find some nice views.
I also visited the Highland highway (WV 150) which is not cleared in winter. I made it a few miles before my car bottomed out and I had to turn around. It turns out they encourage snowmobile and cross country on that road. Think about that for next year.
Finally, we left Snowshoe to drive home, satisfied with the day and the season. I skied in every month from Dec to April and always had a great time. Goodbye mountains.
Back in Durham it was 64F and spring was full on, so I put away the skis for next year.
But first, the lesson for the day. You have to be careful not to hit a steep shady slope too early, or you might end up like me, as shown below. Shays was, as the placard read, 'ungroomed and firm'. Actually, more like a wind-scarred glacier. That was too inviting so my kid charges down lower Shays and chats up some girl taking photos while I fall on my *** and slide down the next 200 or so yards. We skied another 4 hours including several more revenge trips down shays before leaving. Mega kudos to Charlotte in the ski patrol room for patching me up on the way out.
Kudos to Snowshoe for staying open and leaving some slopes ungroomed. Left to nature, Knotbumper developed some lovely fat and soft bumps all over. Shays was fabulous in the afternoon. Both Shays and Cup ski entirely different when the snow is good *and* the skier density is as God himself intended.
We wandered a bit on the way up 219, stopping at Droop Mountain battlefield, which is an interesting story and reminder that yes WVA was singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic in that fight.
Later, I drove down Woodrow Rd in the direction of a never opened ski area to be named something like Laurel Creek. This incredibly beautiful road looks like the centerfold for a motorcycle touring magazine. I never saw the erstwhile slopes, but I did find some nice views.
I also visited the Highland highway (WV 150) which is not cleared in winter. I made it a few miles before my car bottomed out and I had to turn around. It turns out they encourage snowmobile and cross country on that road. Think about that for next year.
Finally, we left Snowshoe to drive home, satisfied with the day and the season. I skied in every month from Dec to April and always had a great time. Goodbye mountains.
Back in Durham it was 64F and spring was full on, so I put away the skis for next year.