West Mountain: 02/08/2012

Ski conditions Wednesday night at West were pretty far from ideal: very firm hardpack (it ain’t ice unless there’s fish underneath). About the only soft “snow” on the hill was the sugary loose granular piles along the very edges of some trails. I had been hoping that we might be skiing under the snowmaking guns, but temperatures were just a degree or two below freezing – marginal for snowmaking - when I pulled into the lot around 6pm. I certainly can’t fault West Mountain, they generally do an excellent job with snowmaking and grooming. Ski areas all over the northeast have suffered not only from the lack of snowfall but also from a lack of consistent cold temperatures for snowmaking operations, and I’m thankful that there’s any skiing at all this winter.

West still has fan guns placed around the mountain, and with cold temperatures returning I’d look for the snowmaking crews to be back in operation this weekend and into early next week. From West Mountain's Facebook page earlier this afternoon (Friday): "We have not been able to make snow as of late. We are waiting for consecutive 20 degree days so we can make a real push at it. With temperatures in the high 30's, 40's and even 50's it has not been the greatest snowmaking conditions. However, the temperature is supposed to drop here in the coming days."

Conditions at West Mountain recently seem to favor the daytime skier, as this video (shot earlier this week) shows:



West Mountain’s electronic ticketing system has been down for several weeks, and their Facebook page recently announced “Ski West Mountain is no longer using the Dag Card System (Go West Card) due to a lack of technical support. Rest assured all seasons pass holders & program participants will be contacted shortly to pick up their new seasons passes.”

Last, mark your calendars for next Friday night, February 17. West Mountain’s annual “Fire on the Mountain” is one of their biggest events of the winter, and features a torchlight parade and live music by the Audiostars. Admission is free.