I went back for more on Tues. & Wed. The latest system came with much wind and a good deal less snow than anticipated. The wind chased what fell into the woods. Exposed areas were cold and blustery with snow streaming along frozen ground with grass tufts and icy crunchy stuff. The woods, on the other hand were sublime. Each day I got one powder run of dreams, plus a few others. To ski a perfect powder run in the woods is to make art. The flow takes over. No thinking. You are one with the mountain. Feel the rhythm, sensuous and unforced; trees are there but if you've caught the flow they don't alter anything. At the bottom you look up at the tracks and it cements the memory forever.
Denis, it is your fault that I first visited White Grass last March. Your trip reports piqued my interest. Now I understand why the tree there inspire such prose. Thanks for sharing.
Denis, just wondering what White Grass is like for snowboarders, I had a friend ride it about ten years ago but I've never ventured over. Obviously we'd have to hike but would gladly pay for the priveledge.
I think I asked about this last year, but I can't remember how it shook out (and I'm feeling too lazy to go look for it)...
Without touring gear of any sort, I'd need to rent something at WG to be able to ski it to any level of enjoyment, no?
I love the idea of going out there, and especially buy into the whole "get it while the getting's get" approach, but I'm not sure how someone "like me" (whatever that means) can give it a go...
What's the best way for a first-timer to get the most out of a day out there?
Splitboard or snowshoes. Walking is not allowed because it leaves "postholes" in the snow. Chip rents snowshoes at a very reasonable rate. http://www.whitegrass.com/about.html There is a relatively cheap snowshoe designed with ascents by snowshoers in mind. I've never seen them up close but have been told they work well. http://www.verts.com/
Edited to add that I've occasionally seen both snowboard and AT gear used at WG. There was a family on AT skis on Wed.
Okay...now I am sucked in. Thinking about between Christmas and New Years when all the Alpine areas are slammed (and my pass is no good). Would this be a good time to try it?
Okay...now I am sucked in. Thinking about between Christmas and New Years when all the Alpine areas are slammed (and my pass is no good). Would this be a good time to try it?
It all depends on the snow. Since it is natural snow only, enhanced by the snowfences in the open meadows, it can be infinitely better than snowmaking + grooming or infinitely worse. The latter can be realized in many ways, rain, thaw followed by refreeze, sun crust, wind crust, wind scouring, etc. Chip puts an honest conditions report on his page each day, http://www.whitegrass.com/report.html Check the big box near the top and Is it worth the drive? just below. Don't worry about the holiday crowds. The size of the place and the fact that you have to use muscle power means that crowds will thin out rapidly with distance from the lodge.
Denis, it is your fault that I first visited White Grass last March. Your trip reports piqued my interest. Now I understand why the tree there inspire such prose. Thanks for sharing.
Rob, It's your fault that I first visited Whitegrass last March. I wouldn't have driven out there by myself if you hadn't announced here that you were going to be there. Thanks for letting me share your lodging, too!
Chaga is also at fault to for encouraging my first backcountry skiing experience.
If we go the snowshoeing route, is there a better way to carry our skis than slung across our shoulders? Can one rent a backback that will help us tie them on? Or, more specifically, tie *2* pairs of skis up, since I think Jana's gonna want me to carry hers, too...
There are 2 common methods for carrying skis on a backpack; A frame and diagonal. I tried to find descriptions but they are difficult without pictures. There is an A frame picture near the bottom of this page. http://www.wildsnow.com/tips/light_packs.htm Diagonal is pretty much self explanatory. I prefer diagonal because hiking down from Tuckermans I tend to hit my heels on the tails of the skis in A frame.
Either way you will be more comfortable and stable if the pack has a waist belt cinched down tight. It doesn't have to be big. My favorite pack for Mt. Washington is a 20 liter Dakine that I got at a deep discount on steepandcheap.com
I'll be there tomorrow with my daughter and Marcus the Tree Barker. I'm going to bring some old alpine boards with tele-bindings and skins but the other two will be on rentals. Hey Rod, your TR when we met in the Valley last March sealed the deal. Every one I met there was really friendly. Chip even offered up the shootski sacrament and my wife and I toasted Ullr and our gracious hosts for our good fortune.
Ha, this alpine hacker will have his first day out this season not with heels locked down but free heeling Nordic style.
If we go the snowshoeing route, is there a better way to carry our skis than slung across our shoulders? Can one rent a backback that will help us tie them on? Or, more specifically, tie *2* pairs of skis up, since I think Jana's gonna want me to carry hers, too...
Are we better off renting a setup at WG?
Rent at Whitegrass. There's too much up and down to mess with alpine gear. Unless you are just going to do laps on the main slope, which kind of misses the point of being at Whitegrass. Even then I'd rent.
They have a great selection of gear will set you up right. Have fun!
Good call WVrocks. I've never carried skis on my back at WG. Never seen anyone else do it either. Light is right (Weight that is). It's easy to ski parallel on modern tele gear. You don't need to know the tele turn to get started. I recommend skis that are wider with a good sidecut, pretty much like modern alpine skis, and Excursion (2-buckle plastic) boots. Chip has many setups like this. It may take a couple of falls to get comfortably centered with free heels and then it's easy. Keep ankles and knees bent comfortably, avoid more than minimal bending at the waist, and stay relaxed & loose. Ankles and knees will smooth out the terrain for you.
not to dismiss the fact that WG has a simply amazing trail system of more than 50K total from beginner to expert trails from the base to the top of the mountain (and even beyond) but in between and around all those trails is a lot of something for the tele skiers to enjoy!
...sweet...Cracker and fresh skiing shots...I don't know how anyone could watch that vid and 1. not believe how good the skiing is up here and 2. not want to get the free heel dealy a go over at whitegrass...it's experience you can only get up here in the highlands of Canaan Valley...
