NewEnglandSkier13
November 17, 2021
The snow guns are in place, and they'll be fired up as soon as we have consistently cold temperatures.
The mountain has seen a number of improvements over the summer. The deck has been significantly expanded which should make for a better apres scene on warm day. The Allagash/Saint John snowmaking project has been completed, so now there will be top to bottom snowmaking on those trails. The yearly glade maintenance and expansion has occurred with multiple new lines across the mountain. In addition, the T-bar has been brought back up to operational status after a year off.
In other news, LL Bean discount days are back this season!
rickbolger
saw that in my email this morning, fantastic!
Quietman
Best deals around!! Sure is a great option to the $100+ walk-up ticket rates at the resorts. Hope that Black has a great year, I plan on visiting!
skelley19
Those are some great deals! I really hope this is the winter that I can finally stop into BMOM on my way to or from Rangeley.
newpylong
I look forward to going. Not far from Errol.
NewEnglandSkier13
I hope to see some of you there this winter! I'm always there on weekends, but I'll also probably make it for some Wednesdays and Fridays this year.
ciscokid
Crap if I lived near there I’d be there every Thursday and Friday
JAM614
Technically speaking, Middle Allagash still lacks snowmaking, but Sam's point still stands, with a top to bottom run on the west side.
The sidecountry and backcountry trail network has been greatly improved for this season. The adjacent Rumford Whitecap has two amazing new 1000 vertical foot glades and a new skintrack cut on the northeast aspect. This backcountry zone is easily accessed via the ski area. New glades on the front side of BMOM help smooth transitions from dedicated Uphill trail to descent by allowing for uninterrupted tree runs into the East bowl. There's two years of woods expansion that is not captured in the outdated trailmap, so enjoy finding new zones and stashes.
newpylong
So the pipe goes down St John at the split then and not Alligash?
NewEnglandSkier13
So the pipe goes down St John at the split then and not Alligash?
Yes
JAM614
The snowmaking pipe actually feeds from top of summit triple and then down Upper Allagash, down St John trail almost to the Lower Allagash. The Lower Allagash is supplied from the bottom, so the pipe isnt continuous, there's a short segment unconnected. However, the coverage is now seamless. Only the middle Allagash that extends furthest to the west lacks snowmaking. Fortunately this section is on good ground, sheltered, and typically skis well with natural. The many mild glade options in this zonel also helps alleviate the traffic and snow quality.
newpylong
Thank you for the detailed explanation. That topology makes perfect sense and is very typical. We fed our longest trail from the top and bottom (with a deadhead in the middle) to reduce pressure loss.
That will be a great route to be able to cover if needed.
JAM614
Yeah, the project really is a big deal for BMOM, since it helps spread folks out and it provides a more suitable alternative for lower intermediates. BMOM skis small until we have all of the natural snow trails open. We take great pride in cleaning the woods to the maximum extent possible, so skiers are in there with minimal snowpack. We also have a liberal woods policy and since we don't have closures, skiers and riders make their own decisions and assume the risks. The trails hold up significantly better when the woods are in play.
newpylong
Has there been discussion about adding any additional lights off the top? It's been a long time since I was there but at the time only Androscoggin had them until the Rapid split? Do they make snow on Swift or Upper Pisquataquis where adding lights would make sense? Had to pull up a trail map to get the name for those last two. :)
JAM614
I don't think adding additional lighted trails is an immediate priority. In fact, since C19, they have scaled back night skiing, mostly limited to when holding evening race events and corporate sponsored Free ski nights (select Wednesday nights).
Yes, they typically make snow on Swift, and have the ability to blow on Piscataquis by daisy chaining power cords but have to use older fan guns that have low amperage draw.
If it's been awhile since you've been to Black, come check out all of the new terrain and improvements.
newpylong
I plan on it, my family is sold.
NewEnglandSkier13
Saturday, November 20
The snow guns were fired up last night! Hopefully we'll be open within the next 30 days!
ciscokid
30 days?
NewEnglandSkier13
30 days?
Yes, we usually start snowmaking mid to late November and open mid to late December like many moderately sized areas around here.
ciscokid
Smarter than 2 trails WROD
And $75 for it
