For the third topic in the DCSki Discussion Series, I invite you to describe your ski season so far.  Have you made it to the slopes?  If so, how many times, and where?  What was it like?  How has COVID-19 impacted your skiing this winter?  What are your plans for the rest of the season?

For me, I had to take a breather this season.  So no downhill skiing for me, unfortunately.  But I did pull out the cross country skis and snowshoes to trek around my mountain property last weekend.  I realized that cross country boots are sooo much more comfortable than downhill boots.

I've skied most weekends this season at Hidden Valley, and one Tuesday at 7 Springs.  The main impacts from COVID (that I've whined plenty about elsewhere) are that it has been very busy and particularly early in the season it seemed HV was not prepared or well staffed.  To Nutting's credit, the staffing and management have improved as the season has gone on, though the crowds really have not. 

This summer and fall mountain biking my formerly "hidden gem" trail system that is now consistently packed with hikers and bikers prepared me for this inevitability for ski season, but it's still somewhat annoying to wait in 20+ minute lift lines for 30 second runs, that's my main gripe.

I got in two days in early Feb at Whitefish Mountain and they were both incredible powder days, with multiple locals telling me they were the best two days of the winter to date.

So all in all, I will try to see mostly the positive.  We're skiing, mother nature has been good to us, other people who apparently came out of nowhere are now enjoying a sport I've always loved.  Etc.

Mine has been very very good, especially since I broke a femur in August and worried about skiing at all this season. Been skiing 38 times so far, with a handful of those local XC. I've improved my short radius turns and ski slower now. Very privileged. All of my days so far have been in home state of PA.

Covid impacts have been manageable, though the reservations certainly affect the friends I normally ski with. They all have passes, but don't always make a rez in time, or we change plans and they are stuck. Covid lines and staffing issues have been very noticeable. 

Rest of the season looks the same; a local weeknight or two, local-ish weekends, 7 days at Whitefish planned next month with a day of cat-skiing and another day of backcountry skinning planned. 1/3 of my family is fully vaccinated, another 1/3 will be second dose by then, and I'm hoping to squeeze in somehow also. If not, I'll just keep trying to be as cautious as I can. If I get double dosed, I'd like to get to Vermont at the end of the season since they just lifted restrictions for fully vaccinated. 

I'm enjoying the positive. 

Mother Nature has been good to us.

It's been a great snow year but due to covid concerns, we have been getting out only once a week, down from our usual 2 to 3 days per. All skiing has been done at Laurel save for 1 day at Seven Springs when Laurel's lift was down. I've been skiing spots at Laurel that I haven't hit in 20 years. Laurel was closed in 2010. They actually groomed Dream Highway about a week ago. I think the last time Dream was groomed was 2003. I skied it yesterday after the ice storms closed the ski area for 2 days. Laurel received another 4 inches of snow since then. Oh, there was real ice lurking beneath the natural snow trails but snow coverage was good and the ice is a better base than dirt and rocks. Dream Highway maybe a bit much for intermediates who can't make short turns to stay out of the center of the trail but if you can keep to the sides and look ahead for good spots to turn Dream is a blast of a trail. Lower Wildcat was in fun shape. Ice moguls were groomed down and new fresh bumps were starting to form, pliable and forgiving in their proto stage. I peeked into Doc's but found pure rippled ice at the entrance and a lot of branches so I bailed on that. Friday's crowds were spare, maybe a wait for for a chair. Most were waiting to catch a breath as empty chairs whizzed by. Today is an example of the kind of day we would normally be out catching freshies, a surprise 6 inches overnight but on a Saturday, prime crowd day.

So it's been a great snow year tempered by my decision to reduce exposure risk. So better skiing but fewer days out to enjoy. I got my first vaccine this past week but although my wife is eligible per state guidelines the hospital systems are only hitting 65+ and not those with immune issues and lung damage. So we chase vaccine sites that do include all of the 1A categories.  If we can both get vaccinated before the season is over we will do a last-minute spring trip hopefully to Maine to visit and si with friends and family living there. 

As LHC said, it's been tricky for us older DCSkiers because of the special health concerns this winter.  My wife has grown increasingly concerned over time and we came to the conclusion that I wouldn't ski at all this winter until she or preferably both of us got the vaccine.  I really felt some fear of missing out pains about no skiing.  There was no telling how long it was going to take to get the vaccine even in our age 65+ bracket.  After much soul searching we decided I would visit my son in Utah and ski there for several weeks while she remained in VA.

On 2/18, the day after I arrived in Utah, we got an email from our home county inviting us to make a vaccine appointment.  GRRRR.  If I'd known that was coming I would have delayed my travel.  I am going to remain in Utah for a few weeks now.  On the plus side, my wife got her first vaccination shot today, so her caution is paying off.  I am looking into the possibility of getting the vaccine for myself in Utah, otherwise I will surely return to VA around the time my wife gets her second dose and try to get my first dose.

I skied Snowbird with my son on Feb 19 and 20.

The wife and I are usually ski one week a year out west.  We have never skied locally before this year but with Covid and our kids both away at school we decided to dive in.

5 days at snowshoe we timed our visits really well and had great conditions both visits (3 days and 2 days), Silver Creek is a nice little bonus.

3 days at Timberline 2 days with really great snow and one day (last Friday) with OK conditions. I really like the skiing here.

1 day at Whitetail -- We went on a Tuesday, no crowd, and this place is fun. I like the separate lifts/terrain.  We went after about 8 inches of fresh snow.  The lift lines on the weekends have looked crazy and I don't know how often we will make it back, I don't like skiing in crowds.

We got the IndyPass and it has been great.

2 days at CVR, this place has interesting slopes and character but I think the only way to really have a good day here is to visit after you have lots of fresh snow, the grooming is....

 2 days at Winterplace (we ski and visit son at VT)  --- I really like this  place, if you can catch it without any lines and some fresh snow it is a blast

1 day at Mass -- I like the vibe on this mountain, really looking forward to being able to chill slope side next year.  I plan on going one more time, just hope the weather holds

1 day at Bryce --- we went here early season, they had about 5 inches of fresh powder and it was fun, not much to ski but it was our first time out this year and we had fun.  

wgo wrote:

@bryantfsu93 that is a solid list of local resorts. +1 on your CVR observations, great place after a powder dump. +1 on the vibe at MNut - I hope they keep up the expanded offerings at the Mid-Mountain grill next season. My wife and I were tempted to stop for a beer at the grill before heading home but decided on getting in a couple more runs instead.

 My impression is that the Massanutten Mid-Mountain Grill is a work in progress.  Have heard the plan is to add indoor plumbing for restrooms in the building.  Presumably that will help with food prep as well.  With all the mountain bike trails and people who ride up the lifts for "scenic rides" I expect the Grill to be open during the summer too.

bryantfsu93 wrote:

The wife and I are usually ski one week a year out west.  We have never skied locally before this year but with Covid and our kids both away at school we decided to dive in.

5 days at snowshoe we timed our visits really well and had great conditions both visits (3 days and 2 days), Silver Creek is a nice little bonus.

3 days at Timberline 2 days with really great snow and one day (last Friday) with OK conditions. I really like the skiing here.

1 day at Whitetail -- We went on a Tuesday, no crowd, and this place is fun. I like the separate lifts/terrain.  We went after about 8 inches of fresh snow.  The lift lines on the weekends have looked crazy and I don't know how often we will make it back, I don't like skiing in crowds.

We got the IndyPass and it has been great.

2 days at CVR, this place has interesting slopes and character but I think the only way to really have a good day here is to visit after you have lots of fresh snow, the grooming is....

 2 days at Winterplace (we ski and visit son at VT)  --- I really like this  place, if you can catch it without any lines and some fresh snow it is a blast

1 day at Mass -- I like the vibe on this mountain, really looking forward to being able to chill slope side next year.  I plan on going one more time, just hope the weather holds

1 day at Bryce --- we went here early season, they had about 5 inches of fresh powder and it was fun, not much to ski but it was our first time out this year and we had fun.  

 Good use of the Indy Pass!  Haven't been to Winterplace in a long time but it really is fun midweek without crowds.  From Raleigh it's an easy drive that's essentially all Interstate highway.

wgo wrote:

@bryantfsu93 that is a solid list of local resorts. +1 on your CVR observations, great place after a powder dump. +1 on the vibe at MNut - I hope they keep up the expanded offerings at the Mid-Mountain grill next season. My wife and I were tempted to stop for a beer at the grill before heading home but decided on getting in a couple more runs instead.

 I agree, for someone who did not previously ski mid-A that's a fine sampling.  The other good one missed is Blue Knob, but that could be tricky being under PA travel restrictions.

I'm 65+ and today I'm taking a rest day after three days of skiing at Snowbird.  Crazy enough, this morning I was able to schedule a moderna vaccine shot at a pharmacy here in UT for Feb 27.  grüß Gott

We really want to try Blue Knob, but the PA restrictions are an issue.  IndyPass gives us 2 days so I'm hoping we can still work it out, get a test then head up after some fresh snow, but the test makes the timing tough.

We have been very surprised at the quality of skiing in the Mid-A.  I understand this has not been a normal snowfall year but it has really been lots of fun.  

Snowbird seems like a great place, we normally ski Colorado, but UTAH is on the list.  

Also I'm really trying to talk the wife into hitting up the Washington State/Idaho IndyPass spots next winter.  I think spending 2 days at 49Degrees and 2 at Silver Mountain would be a blast.

bryantfsu93 wrote:

 2 days at Winterplace (we ski and visit son at VT)  --- I really like this  place, if you can catch it without any lines and some fresh snow it is a blast

I do too.  It's the easiest ski area to reach from where I live in NC, I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes in a lift line ever, you can park right next to the lodge, and the vibe is very unpretentious.  It's really underappreciated in this region.

This season has been similar but odd at times due to Covid.  I just returned from Colorado today.  Here's my season thru Feb.

Snowshoe - 8 days so far, no issues.  Keep your mask on in the lift line and inside buildings.  IMO, SS is very busy this year.  I would not ski there without an Ikon Pass with the primo add on weekends.  Ski conditions have been excellent. 

Copper Mtn Co - 2 days.  Very strict mask policies.  You must wear it at ALL times unless actively eating or drinking.  Skiing was excellent this week. Crowded on Sunday, wide open on Tuesday.

Beaver Creek CO - 1 day.  See above.  Had the place to ourselves on Monday.  Seriously considering an Epic Pass for next year ..... and I'm a Snowshoe (Ikon Resort) homeowner.

Peak N Peek NY - 1 day.  Great snow in the Lake Erie snow belt.  No lines to speak of on a Sat.  Masks required in line and inside while not eating.

TRAVEL - We flew to DEN last Friday from PIT.  PIT is a ghost town.  I swear 50+% of the gates are closed.  DEN was pretty busy.  6 feet apart is a joke.  There's just no way, too many people in line and on the airport tram.  If you have Covid concerns, DEN may not be for you. 

If Ma Nature allows, I'd like to get 4 - 6 more days at Snowshoe in March to make my Ikon pass worthwhile.

9 Days so far and several local hike up the hill days.   I opted out of working part time at 7springs this year so I have considerably less riding this year than in previous years...definitely have missed it.   

8 days @ Oglebay, WV   Little local ski hill.  Some days have had a good turnout.   Some are slow. 

1 day @ Wisp, MD.   Busy with list lines most of the day.   

I have 2 more days on my oglebay 10 day pass...and 3 more days at Wisp (gifted a mission FOURdable pass).   Probably won't get to use them all.   It was an awesome stretch of great conditions at home.  I rode and abandoned road known locally as "Suicide Hill" and rode 3 days on a power line cut that was definitely double diamond steepness. 

Definitely worth the hike! 

Laurel Hill Crazie wrote:

It looks like Drew shares Denis' ailment, Lines diseases. He sees a line and has to ski/ride it.