There had been some debate about whether or not Black Friday could be an excellent day to ski. My plan was to ski Hunter the day after Thanksgiving. Someone instructed it was a blackout day on some Epic passes in order that meant it will be crowded. Harvey thought Sunday could be higher.
I’ve at all times had good luck snowboarding on these days which can be well-known for one thing else — like Tremendous Bowl Sunday for example. My pondering was {that a} large occasion — like soccer or purchasing — distracts the casuals away and solely hardcore skiers are on the slopes. And Sunday snowboarding would imply driving house with the weekend visitors.
One of many nice issues about Hunter Mountain is how shut it’s to Metro NYC. It’s lower than a two hour drive for me. I caught with my plan – Friday at Hunter. It turned out Steve Aaron was out there to satisfy up that day so even higher.
I bought up at about the identical time I’d for work and rolled out informal. Passing the Thruway exit for the Woodbury outlet malls bolstered my argument for Friday. It was backed up a half-mile three lanes vast. I cruised by within the left lane and loved a second of pleasure in my strategic planning.
I arrived at Hunter at 8:15 AM and there have been perhaps twenty automobiles within the car parking zone earlier than me. I moved my skis to the rack by the Kaatskill Flyer and did a fast lap of the lodge space to reacquaint myself with the format. It’s been a pair years since I skied Hunter.
I texted Steve that I’d boot up at my automotive and discover him after I bought my ticket. I’d by no means skied with Steve earlier than however we’d met in particular person just lately at Lengthy-Path Outfitters in Nyack at a e-book signing selling his “Catskills and Shawangunk Scenes” calendar and Ken Posner’s new e-book “Chasing the Grid.” We discovered one another by the ticket window and headed as much as the elevate. We didn’t get first chair however have been fairly shut. No elevate line.
Steve is sweet firm. On the elevate we talked about his images, The Doublechair Podcast and all issues Catskills and NY snowboarding.
Hunter had a method down however the protection was deep, wall-to-wall, and so they had the weapons roaring to maintain all of it recent. We might see from the elevate that Belt Parkway was lit up too. I think about it will likely be open by the point this piece is printed. The snowboarding itself was wonderful. The crowds weren’t unhealthy. The Flyer was ski-on all morning.
That’s how the day went. We skied laborious however not quick since we have been on restricted terrain with lively snowmaking taking place. I’ve realized over time to deal with every snow gun as its personal microclimate. Even with the very best tools and crew you may have radically completely different high quality from one gun to the subsequent, particularly when there’s a mixture of followers and towers going without delay.
Steve agreed and shared a narrative about taking a tough fall below a moist fan gun a number of years in the past. We skied cautiously all day however to be trustworthy, I don’t suppose I discovered any moist weapons on Friday. There was a spot on the mountain — perhaps midway down — the place you may really feel a change within the snow density however it was all good. Hunter did an important job.
I attempt to not overcomplicate snowboarding this time of yr. To me, early season is all about getting within the laps. Now’s the time to get your legs and muscle tissue used to snowboarding once more, get your gear dialed and simply immerse your self again into the game. It was applicable that we have been snowboarding the day after Thanksgiving as a result of that was how I felt — glad that ski season had returned.
