Bousquet 12/28/24
I missed Sam by a day, and skied here on the 28th on the Indy Pass. The drive over was awful - there had been freezing rain overnight. Route 20 coming from 90 south of Albany got worse and worse with packed ice, until it was blocked by a major accident. I had to turn around, and decided to take the long way via 90 and then up through Lenox. There was a strong inversion - temps in upper 20s on Route 20, and then were up to 41F on the high point of 90, before back down to near freezing at Bousquet.
First time back here in 9 years. Lots of changes from the new lodge to the triple from Haystack. Impressed by the recent snowmaking, and friendliness of lifties-guest services for redemption of the ticket. Also caught up with Dave Kulis, Operations Manager who I've known for a long time through NELSAP, great to see him.
The snow had been groomed overnight and then there was the freezing rain, so the snow was more of a "loud groom" to start - but perfectly edgeable. You just couldn't see much on the top 350' of vertical. There were no real crowds so lifts were just about ski on.
Runs of the day were Grand Slalom and Parker Trail.
Drifters, the bar/restaurant upstairs, was nice and had a Switchback and chicken sandwich, all while watching the rare center-pole Hall double in action.
Made 20 runs, almost 12000' of vertical despite my late start.
Double Chair
Summit
Lunch at Drifters
