The Inside Track - Director's Diary

March 12,  2010   

WEEKEND IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD:  After so many mild sunny days we cloud up for the weekend.  Saturday will be dry with continued mild temperatures and maybe a bit of snow and mixed beginning Saturday night.   Don't be fooled by the lack of snow around your neighborhood or even what you might see driving up.  Our North End still carries a foot of base on the trails and lots of snow in the woods. 

TURN YOUR TRAIL PASS INTO CASH:  Beginning this weekend --special deal for folks who would like to start taking advantage of the best deal in the nordic world--the Waterville Valley Nordic Center Season Pass.  New, first time applicants can deduct the price of your trail ticket from the price of a 2010-11 nordic season pass when you commit to purchase the same day.  See our front desk staff for assistance.

GET IT WHILE YOU CAN:  There will be plenty of time to bike and golf, or clean out the garage later...and only one more week of skiing here at Waterville Valley.  We will end the season at close of business on Sunday March 21.

TRAILS FOR THE WEEKEND of 3/13 and 14:   I skied out onto Upper and Lower Snow's yesterday and found the snow surfaces to be superb--a bit of brown snirt and discolored snow at the trail heads to mid elevations but still clean over most of the upper elevation trails..In fact still plenty of snow on the North End--a pile of white stuff still in the woods on all the trails.  Where the sun hit the snow corned up nicely and the skis slid smoothly. Clouds will prevent sunbake and slush so snow surfaces should remain quite fun on Saturday and even though wet Sunday the trails will be worth visiting. Watch for small woody debris poking through in places on Livermore, Moose, Wicked, trails affected by the blowdown in February--where some branches and tops were frozen into the trail.  Patrollers are out working on these areas.  

FORMULA FOR SPRING SKI CONDITIONS:  This is the time we wait for all winter...warm days and with the good snow cover we have it is not to be missed.  To optimize your ski adventure (1) Stay hydrated--bring water, (2) skate skiers --ski early in the day--the snow tends to soften up after noon; (3) make sure you have a decent wax situation on your skis and they are free from dirt and grime.  We can help you with all the above here at the shop.

RENTAL EQUIPMENT SALE IS ON:  We will begin offering rental equipment as follows:  Skis:  Fischer Orbiter Skis ('05-'07) $50,  Fischer Comfort Cruisers ('07-'08 $40,  All skis are equipped with Salomon Profil (non-pilot) bindings.  Boots: Salomon Escape F9 Boots, (02/03) $25, Salomon Escape 9 Boots ('07-'08) $55, Salomon Vitane 3 Boot (01-'02) $25.  ALL EQUIPMENT IS SOLD AS IS.  NO REFUNDS OR RETURNS. 

MONSTER GEAR AND CLOTHING SALE EXTENDED:    50% off carry over clothing.....35% across the board storewide.  We have loads of outerwear --nifty jackets and tops as well as base layer items and pants.  Now's the time to pick up new skate ski equipment or replace those tired boots and bindings. 

FIND THE YURT.  .  Lots of folks sitting on the deck now taking in the rays. It is located on Bob's Lookout just  over 1 kilometer from the trailhead at Lower Osceola.  Gogeous views of Mt Osceola and the Tripyramids. It's a great place to regroup with the kids before skiing Moose Run--usually it is about 10-15 degrees warmer inside and downright toasty when solar energy is at its max. Bring a bag lunch.  Sorry no food and beverage is served.

SKI THE NORTH END:   With Swan's and Village trail closed, the best bet way to get to the North End is to drive to and park at Depot Camp area.  Be sure to pick up a National Forest parking pass when you buy your ticket.  However--during busy times when that parking becomes limited: Options (1)  park at the alpine ski area --lot 4 or 6 and ski down the Pipeline Trail to Lower Osceola.  Or (2) Use the Shuttle:  The blue shuttles leave from the front of Town Square on the half hour.   Advise the driver you wish to go to Depot Camp or the alpine area dropping you at Pipeline (lot 4).  Bring your cell phone with you and when you wish to return call our front desk and we can arrange to have the next bus pick you up. 

OUR GOAL:  Our standard for our product offering is simple...to offer a quality cross country ski trail experience to our guests.  The achievement of this standard may include limiting our product offering if circumstances dictate.   Rather than open marginally skiable trails we will keep them closed and continue to closely monitor them until conditions allow us to reopen.

See you on the trails.