Friday 15 April 2016

Sunday 10 April 2016

April 10

No snow yet. According to the forecast it is going to start around noon.
Update: Well, the snow has not amounted to much. I think our ski season may be done.

Saturday 9 April 2016

April 9

There is no skiing today. We have more bare ground than snow covered. However, maybe tomorrow, according to the forecast.

Wednesday 6 April 2016

April 6

We have received about 2 cm of snow this morning - just enough to tune up the surface. I've been out skiing and it's not bad. There are a few wet spots and the snow is generally pretty thin, but it is skiable. I groomed a few trails in the central and northern portions with the roller and snow comb.
On the positive side, I have now cleared the fallen trees on trail #10 near #1, and removed the fallen limbs along the edge of the entrance to Pasture trail. Roller Coaster is still blocked by a fallen tree, and the south half of West Side Story is flooded.
If you are going to come skiing, better do it quick, as the weather is supposed to warm up and the snow will change to rain.

Tuesday 5 April 2016

April 5 - Spring skiing

I've just come in from skiing. It not great skiing, but most of the network IS skiable. See my post from yesterday for a list of trail sections that cannot be skied.
In addition, there are a few bare spots, mainly where there is either ponded or flowing water. With the bright, warm sunshine today, the surface snow is beginning to melt and get quite sticky, except in the shady places where it is still powdery. There has been significant melting this afternoon due to the warm April sun; consequently, a lot more bare spots. We are expecting a moderate snowfall tonight and tomorrow morning. Skiing might be better tomorrow morning, before the snow changes to rain.
Trail #5, northern portion, at noon April 5

Monday 4 April 2016

Monday April 4 - Snow arrives 3 months late

I am not at Hockleycrest today, but I'm pretty sure there will be enough snow to ski on. This is the snowfall we should have had in January.
If you decide to give skiing a try, there are a couple of things to bear in mind:
  • All the directional signage and maps have been taken down, so you'd better know your way around, or download and print a map.
  • a little over a week ago we had a massive ice storm, which brought down many tree branches and in some cases entire trees. Not all trails have been totally cleared.
The following trails should be avoided:
  • southern half of #5 West Side Story - due to fallen branches and flooded areas
  • eastern section of #10 Field and Forest (between #1 and #3) due to a fallen tree
  • #18 Roller Coaster due to a huge hemlock tree fallen right across the trail
You will also find fallen trees or limbs on #12 along the north edge of the field, and on #17 along the north edge of the field, but these can be avoided simply by skiing further out into the field.

Sunday 3 April 2016

April 3 - Disappointment

Last night's forecast said there would be snow squalls, possibly totalling 15 cm accumulation. Wrong! This morning we have snow, but not enough to ski on. There is about 1 to 2 cm of snow on the ground. Meanwhile I am still cleaning up fallen trees and branches from last week's ice storm.