Whiteface, 2/17-18

[mrgbumper]

Drove up Sat. night from northern NJ, about 4.5 hours got in at 1:30. Sunday, got to the mountain at 8:30, overnight saw 2-3 inches, plus snow during the day added about 2 more. Cloudy the whole day with fog starting about half way up little whiteface, but visibility was enough so that you didn't have to rely solely on your feet to feel the mountain. Conditions were powder/packed powder with several icy patches where the groomers had been and where the snow had been skied or blown off. 10th mountain and cloudsplitter glades in very good shape, could use another foot to fill in a little of the underbrush/rocks that is peaking through. Overall though cover is pretty good (i'd estimate 2-3 foot natural base in the trees). Empire was a bit more skied off with more rocks sticking through about half way down. Upper mountain in good shape too, with packed powder and bumps on cloudsplitter, a little slicker on skyward. <BR> <BR>Monday was a top 10 day weatherwise. Overnight got below zero, warming up into the twenties during the day, crystal clear, beautiful blue sky the entire day with no significant wind. Run of the day was upper skyward/lower cloudspin with the guns going. Perfect powder coming out of the guns due to the low humidity and great weather. Also headed into 10th mountain glade. Ended up by this hidden cave that seems to be a local hideout (anyone got any info on this? I'm not posting how to get there because wouldn't want to piss off the locals). Chilled out there for a few minutes while a couple friends took a smoke. Ended the day skiing all 3200 vertical, really thigh-burning. <BR> <BR>Regarding the slides, seems to be plenty of snow but the freeze-thaws have caused avalanche danger. At the summit could still see trees sticking through whereas last year they were completely covered. Should be good to go mid-march or so if things pan out. It is defintely the best piece of skiing anywhere inbounds in the east (and better than most out of bounds areas too) when open. <BR> <BR>Whiteface is defintely up there with stowe/mad river/jay with offering some of the best skiing in the east. Plus it rarely sees a crowd and is quite cheap. Doing laps on the gondola is the fastest 2500 vertical you can do. All in all a great trip.