Jay Peak, Jan 18, 2023
Weather: Wintry mix to start near 32F, freezing drizzle, fog, breezy, then colder in afternoon
Ski stats: 25000' vertical, 24.5 miles, 90 min ski time, 22 runs
I hit up Jay again on the 18th on the Indy. My expectations were low due to weather - when I left Newport, it was 32F and raining. Temps dropped to 30F and raining on the way over. Closer to Jay, it warmed to 33F and snow mixed in. Temps were all over the place.
Got my ticket, and gave it about 15-20 min to let some of the rain end, since it was going to be getting colder through the day. The light mix continued, and I just decided to make some runs. Headed over to the Jet first. It was breezy and wet, yet the snow wasn't really all that wet. The seats were soaking wet on the chair, the mix didn't help. At the top, it was freezing on contact, and was nearly impossible to see out of my goggles.
Despite this....the snow surface was really incredible. The milder temps, combined with excellent grooming resulted in a most edgeable surface. Jet and Haynes were sublime steep cruisers. No ice, no people. Just super foggy and freezing drizzle.
Jet
UN
Haynes
Made run after run on Jet and Haynes. Then headed to Montrealer, and checked out Purgatory, which was a natural bump run.
Northway off the Bonaventure Quad was socked in with fog:
The tram was running, despite the icing. On the ride up, chunks of ice kept hitting the roof of the tram car. You could barely see out of the cabin. The top was very foggy. Here's Vermonter:
Made only a few trip on the tram which was then shut down.
Lots of fun trails on the mountain the check out. Lower Lift Line had thin cover but was enjoyable to ski.
They opened Bushwacker Glade off the Metro Quad. Firm snow but just enough looser snow on top to turn.
So despite the non-ideal weather, this was probably the best day at Jay I've had (I've only been a half dozen times), as the snow surface was just a joy to ski, nobody was there, and it was included on the Indy.
