Hunter: From the base, middle prominent trail is Eisenhower
Photo by Ski Watch Reporter Terry on March 7, 2010

March 7, 2010
Hunter, NY
Ski Watch Reporter Terry

Ski Watch Reporter Terry skied at Hunter in the Catskills of New York on Sunday, March 7. Here's what Terry had to say about his ski day:

Well it was a beautiful spring ski day today at Hunter. Temps in the mid 40's, no wind and blue sunny skies. Because of this, today was crowded (as well as on Saturday). However that still didn't diminish how good a day this was. The storms from last week deposited 7 feet of snow (according to their website) not sure if that's correct but there was plenty of coverage.

100% of the mountain open, all lifts going. That natural snow was nice, lighter up top and heavier and wetter at the bottom (more mashed potatoes). The base was in real good shape too. Packed down natural snow, no ice, easy to hold an edge and turn on.
 
Did my warm up on Kennedy (intermediate) off the B lift, heavy traffic and by mid morning started to pile up in moguls, novice skiers were on this  and they created a bit of a traffic jam (similar to Belt Parkway, more  shade there, so it was a dryer snow, but with a lot of novices it became crowded and dangerous at  the end of the day). After Kennedy went over to the try the D lift up to  the 7th Avenue bowl. Wide open, lots of sun and they added some jumps at  the top edge of the bowl (bump ski to jump like the Olympics).

After taking the B lift for a while (skiing 7th Avenue, to Kennedy, both intermediates) with its mushed up piles of snow it was up to the top down  Hellgate and the Cliff (diamond) via the AA high speed quad lift.

Spent most of the mid day off that AA lift skiing Hellgate, The Cliff and Heuga's Express (all diamonds). The Cliff was narrower than Hellgate but still in good shape, groomer moguls at the top and steeps at the bottom. Heuga's had the better snow though (in the shade more).

Had to check out the West Side too. So up to the top down Belt Parkway cut over on Wayout (diamond) that was in the best shape I've ever seen it in (no ice, good cover top to the bottom). At the base of the West Side decided to take the Z lift up and ski down Claire's Way (double black diamond). Mogully on the right skiing down and steep, mashed potatoes on the way down (was told it was better early before more people were on it). For the rest of the day, I stayed close to the AA lift again alternating from  Hellgate, the Cliff and Huega's finishing off with Belt Parkway and a  final run on 7th Avenue to Kennedy.

One special event today was the Chef's race (some should stick to cooking  though). The rest of the week looks dry until Thursday and above freezing temps at the hill (low 40's). There is plenty of snow so this should take them to April at least.

 

-Ski Watch Reporter Terry