Snowmaking started at Killington !

Frankontour

Frankontour

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<I>**Snowmaking season has begun - snowmakers tested the most extensive snowmaking system in North America last night laying down a path of snow on Upper Cascade!** <BR> <BR>Look for pictures later this morning in the photo gallery. This is the first signal - opening day is just weeks away! For now, check out the snow as it combines with the brights of nearly peak foliage this weekend and into next week.</I> <BR> <BR>WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! still nothing on the pix gallery, but I'm looking frequently ! <BR> <BR>Tenney have a ski competition today (with invitations only) but I hope they will put pics on their website !! (and hope that Porter will have a lot of fun to watch that)
 
It is great to see snowmaking at Killington again for the fall season. The article that is posted in the skiing news has some incorrect facts. Killington's earliest opening day was not on October 3rd 1994 but October 1st 1992 and again on October 1st 1993.
 
Here are the best pix on the photo gallery !! <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2759.jpg" ALT="ski in the rocks"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2760.jpg" ALT="board on the rocks"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2761.jpg" ALT="snowmaking">
 
New to skiing at Killington - use to skiing in Aspen. Any advice on if an Oct31 weekend is worth it? My buddy needs to get out of dodge before the man puts him down for good. I need to get out of Chicago. Advice, would be much appreciated. I'm here for anyone who needs info on anything in IL/WI. <BR> <BR>Info on places to stay and generally have a good time also appreciated.
 
Ok, as you have seen, Ethan, Killington and MSS are the 1st in the northeast to make snow and to open (except the tiny Woodbury last year and la Réserve which surprised Killington in New England and Mont Saint-Sauveur in Canada). <BR> <BR>But here is some pics of last year's 1st day at Killington, so you will have a better idea of what october skiing looks like : <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2767.jpg" ALT="East glade"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2768.jpg" ALT="it's open"> <BR> <BR>I don't have other pics of Killington before nov 7. <BR> <BR>And for St-Sauveur : I went on november 2 last year, here is how it looked like. <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2769.jpg" ALT="Nordique 1 "> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/2770.jpg" ALT="Nordique 2"> <BR> <BR>Of course, for the experience, Killington can offer 10x more terrain than St-Sauveur, it really depends of the years. If it's open T2B, just go to Killington, it will be the best choice. If only the "Rime" trail is open at Killington and that St-Sauveur is open, I would recommend St-Sauveur which is higher, longer and have a great pitch to end (Over 25 degrees for the Nordique on the last 200' high) (and it's really really really cheaper than Killington too). Also, when only the Rime is open, you might have to take a shuttle up to a quad chairlift to reach the open trail near the top. St-Sauveur has no shuttle or walking to reach the lift. (but as I said before, as soon as it's open with the gondola, Killington easily pass St-Sauveur)
 
Fudge, the KOD is once again delayed. They now talk of possible opening only in november. <BR> <BR>I begin to be quite eager to see it open !!!! <BR> <BR>Loveland too rushes a lot, in CO. I wonder if a single ski area in North America will open before november.
 
Ya, Killington's page says beginning of November, but they are quick to reasure people that they have 2 to 3 times more open terrain at thanks giving. What a load. ashame they aren't honest. <BR>Porter
 
I guess I might not return to Killington this Fall if they wait to November. On US Thankgiving, I would prefer Ste.Anne (especially my wallet). That date should be close to their opening date.
 
i called k earlier today and have also spoken with a local shop owner at k...they both essentially had the following to say. 1) they are not going to open till it's top to bottom... 2) unless something of a freak storm comes in the next 10 days, they will not open prior to sat nov 1 and that is not a sure thing either.. it could go past that till the following saturday... thanks les!!!!
 
can't blame ASC or someone not even affiliated with ASC any more for lack of good snow making weather. ASC is struggling to make a profit, you can't expect them to blow 5 feet of snow just so 4.5 feet will melt and have slush left over to ski. it simply isn't profitable or a smart business move to open and operate at a loss. no one in new england is blowing snow yet besides tenney. ya, i agree it sucks. but it's a business and they need to make a profit.
 
That sux, Joe. It looks like tonight and the following three nights are going to be cold enough to blow snow, and have some natural snow, to boot. I was praying for an opening on Saturday, October 25. <BR> <BR>Here's the forecast from the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury for all of Vermont, and adjoining NH, NY, MA, and PQ: <BR> <BR>Tonight: Scattered rain showers mixing with snow showers, especially in the northern mountains where up to an inch of accumulation is possible. Lows from 30 to 40 north to south. Winds north 5 to 15 mph. <BR> <BR>Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy and raw with scattered rain or snow showers, up to an inch over higher terrain. Highs in the mid 30s to mid 40s north to south. <BR> <BR>Extended Forecast: Scattered snow showers or flurries Wednesday night, lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. Mostly cloudy, a chance of a sprinkle or snow flurry Thursday, highs in the 30s to near 40. Partly sunny Friday, lows in the 20s, highs in the 40s. Partly sunny Saturday, lows in the low 30s, highs near 50. <BR> <BR>Looks like I'll be hiking up Cannon with my rock skis Saturday morning...
 
I've read the forecasts as well, looks like there is going to be a lot of good snow over the next few days in the north country, wish i was free sat. to ski <BR>porter
 
river you r right about not being able to blame the company or a person for lack of good snowmaking weather....i thank otten for his contribution to making the asc and all the acquired resorts under his regime much more sensitive to their margins...his horrible real estate speculating i find is a major contributing factor to asc's and k's current philosphy. i agree that it would be silly to blow and watch it melt... but i get the distinct impression that they would not open regardless of the weather...they will open when their new margins for daily revenues can reasonably be expected to be met...one of those factors is when they can advertise to the general public that they have, 20, 30 40 trails open... not one or 2 that will be ridden primarily by season passholders who will bring them in no daily revenue, despite having fronted them the money... i find that disturbing at best... it just seems to be the prevailing philosophy now at resorts... ironically i just received an email from loon's marketing director boasting to me that i should buy my discounted season pass now before the price goes up on dec 1st...i should buy it now, loon says, in anticipation of the resorts " "planned late november opening ( weather permitting ) ". the tone of the email suggests thanksgiving at the earliest.... it cannot be denied that there is a definite shrinking of the shoulder seasons at all resorts going on at the expense of season pass holders.
 
i agree with your sentiments that they probably would not have opened before november even if they could. i also agree that it is very destrurbing, even though we know the reason why. <BR> <BR>it is too bad that pass holders will lose some days here and there... however, if enough people were truly upset about this and were very vocal and threatened (following through if needed) to not buy a pass, perhaps that would change things. or perhaps not. <BR> <BR>it seems like we're all gonna be hiking for turns before much opens i imagine. i can't say i mind that actually. i'd rather hike for one killer run than spend half a day on a couple of groomed cruisers.
 
I think that ski resorts that have both early and late season skiing should market a "off-season pass" that would allow skiers to ski from beginning to December 15 and from April 1st till the end. <BR> <BR>From a resort standpoint, it would reinforce their clientele at both ends of the season, and provide justification for running the lifts during those periods. <BR> <BR>From a customer standpoint, people who have more difficulty to afford skiing could gain access to great skiing at a low price, and people with season-pass from other mountains could complement their season without seeing costly day tickets add up... Anyhow, you're always more interested in being "in the money" with a season pass you've bought, than when you have no prior financial engagement. Thus a strengthening effect on attendance.
 
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