First Hand report : Heroes on the Hill - Massanutten. By Robbie Allen

The rain and time change didn't stop a few folks from coming out for Massanutten's Hero's on the Hill day this past Sunday March 14. Those who made the trip found a resort with empty slopes, 100% open, good coverage and true mid Atlantic conditions.

For me the price was right, so I got up at 0500 which was really 0400 with the time change and made the drive up to Harrisonburg, Va. from Williamsburg, Va where I am presently stationed. A good thing about the time change was that I could not see the looming rain clouds in the dark. I arrived at the hill just before 0800 and was surprised to see the level of activity on the resorts main roads. There is normally a good number of takers for stay free in exchange for a time share tour deal. Once up to the ski lodge however the crowds were non existent.

As it was Hero's on the Hill, I dressed the part decked head to toe in my Government issue camouflaged Gore-Tex (Don't tell the Supply Chief). A quick flash of my ID card at the ticket booth and I was off. I was heading up the hill before 0900. The sky was a mix of clouds but at this point it was not raining just misting. The slopes had been groomed thus were nice and smooth. I took the lifts up to the peak and opened the day with a few runs on Diamond Jim and Paradise. The rain had left some icy patches but the overall coverage was good and really true Mid Atlantic conditions. We have been a bit spoiled this year with conditions that are not typical for the area.

For the first hour I literally had the upper peak all to myself. I did not see a sole. I joked with the Lift Operator that it was nice of them to open the resort just for me. It certainly felt that way.

Seeking someone to talk to I slid down to the lower lifts and made a few laps on Mass Transit, Showtime and the Rebel Yell rename "MAKattack". Other than one family of four, a couple of ski patrollers and a class of instructors I was alone. I didn't even have the chance to talk to anyone.

Bored here I headed back to the peak area. The rain which had been more of a misting to this point began to pick up. I began to test the true rainproof qualities of the GI ski gear. On the peak lift again I found a few more folks this time. I rode up with Senior Chief Davis and his nephew who had come all the way from Elizabeth City, NC for the Hero's on the Hill day. Senior Chief has spent his Coast Guard career jumping out of helicopters like in "The Guardian". He was happily explaining the joys of skiing in the rain to his nephew. We made a few runs together and swapped some stories. His sea stories were better than mind, but my ski stories held there own!

As the rain picked up the overnight ice began to soften and the slopes came in. True Mid Atlantic conditions abounded. The slope were wet frozen gradual, just like they had at the Olympics this year! I have always said "skiing in the rain is good! Skiing after the rain is bad". However being dry can be an issue. The GI ski gear held up well but I needed some dry gloves. So after a few more run off the peak, I said good bye to the Senior Chief and linked together a high speed thigh burning run from the top of Mass Peak to the lodge.

Back at the lodge I was surprise to see the turn out had picked up especially in the beginner area. I spoke briefly to Steve Showalter the Ski Area General Manager. He said they had expected a bit more folks on the hill for the promotion but as it was raining in Richmond and DC that had probably kept people at bay. He hopes to promote Heroes on the Hill more next year. If the weather and conditions hold out I am sure the turnout will increase as well. Thanks to Massanutten for a fun if wet day on the hill!

The ribbons of white empty at Massanutten this weekend for "Hero's on the Hill" - photo by author
The author testing GI raingear. - Photo by author

Thank you for covering this. You are all heroes. Yours, Connie Lawn

Think I might have seen you heading out. I was there with my nephew getting his rental equipment at 8:30am. But we went back to the condo for breakfast before skiing. Mostly on Lift 6, but took a run down Showtime just to check it out. We left around 11:00 since our hands were cold in wet gloves. Plus we needed to leave around lunch time to head home to NC.

I took advantage of the $15 lift ticket and $15 rental that season pass holders could get for a friend. Mnut certainly seemed to be doing as much as possible to get people to check out the place. Talked to a young man from Manassas who was there with his father and sister. It was their first time. He thought the place was fun.

It was too bad the sun only came out Sat afternoon.

Warm, a little sun, soft corn snow




Top of Lift 6: Diamond Jim (left), ParaDice (right)

Way to tough it out. I considered making this, but the threat of rain made me wimp-out. It's a great gesture by Massanutten that I hope they continue annually. I'm waiting to see the photo of the GI Goretex rain gear in action. I drool over that stuff when I see it at military expos.