NELSBEER
ROVER did spin on crowded weekends thru part of the season. Then it started experiencing random stoppages that weren't the result of button pushes. Nothing serious it just slowed to a stop, they got it running each time but didn't want to risk a longer stoppage by running it later in the season when it really wasn't needed.
During the summer they traced & fixed the problems, so the lift should be ready to run. There has also been discussions floating around about how to make the trail under the ROVER more useful & fun, maybe drawing more kids into that area. We'll see what they come up with.
Optimizing the snowmaking, grooming & lift experiences seems to be a top down priority due to the number of EPIC pass skiers we have been drawing. Skier visits were up last year and with 7% more passes sold this year having everything working well will be even more important.
One other factor adding to weekend crowds, talking with Boston folks on the lift I learned Crotched is the best option for city folks with electric cars who want to make the round trip without stopping to charge.
ciscokid
Speaking of e cars, stupid question, like all batteries in electronics in the extreme cold do you lose mileage? Or go dead faster?
Or do they have some kind of battery heater.
This forum has the answers
NELSBEER
They are batteries. They charge more slowly in the cold, run down faster and face longer lines at charging stations on cold days. The colder it is the less charge you have. Also, the heat is electric, lose more juice with that as well or just keep your ski togs on. Heavy loads cost mileage too.
The people I talked to seemed very aware of their vehicles limitations and were playing it on the safe side. Wonder if AAA has any support for electrics?
yardsale
NELSBEER;c-61861 wroteThey are batteries. They charge more slowly in the cold, run down faster and face longer lines at charging stations on cold days. The colder it is the less charge you have. Also, the heat is electric, lose more juice with that as well or just keep your ski togs on. Heavy loads cost mileage too.
The perfect vehicle for the snow sports family. Curious how many show up on a busy Saturday in Bennington/Francestown NH. Doesn't Crotched offer free, front row charging for these cars? Mt. Snow has free chargers in the Sundance lot - but you gotta pay for parking in Sundance on weekends.
ski_it
Could have sworn I saw parking tickets on e-cars there at Mt Snow.
joshua_segal
October 16, 2023 - Sunday
Color is really delayed this year. I'd estimate that as of yesterday, it was only, perhaps, 30%. It was also more like the pastel colors of spring rather than the vivid bright colors typical of the fall.
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As far as I noticed, there are no e-car charging stations at CM, but only being 70ish miles from Boston, round trip should be no problem.
newpylong
Up here it isn't delayed, it just never happened. Leaves fell with minimal color beforehand.
NewEnglandSkier13
We passed peak up here about a week ago. Here's a shot of the Bigelows from East Nubble:
ciscokid
Beautiful pic Sam
newpylong
Yes that is a great pic, we saw none of that...
lotsoskiing
newpylong;c-61878 wroteYes that is a great pic, we saw none of that...
Same in CYT. Muted colors, and the few sunny days did look pretty, but not like pther years.
Bring on the snow!
yardsale
ski_it;c-61866 wroteCould have sworn I saw parking tickets on e-cars there at Mt Snow.
yes. the charging is free. the parking is not (on weekends)
I was just wondering if Crotched had chargers there for EV's as this seems to fit in Vail's carbon footprint reduction plan.
Rumor is that some paid lots in West Dover become free for those carpooling with 4 or more.
joshua_segal
yardsale;c-61893 wroteski_it;c-61866 wroteCould have sworn I saw parking tickets on e-cars there at Mt Snow.
…
I was just wondering if Crotched had chargers there for EV's as this seems to fit in Vail's carbon footprint reduction plan.
….
No EV chargers at CM.
NELSBEER
On a bright note:
CM will be having its Fall Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 28 from Noon until 3pm. Its a start of the season event for Crotched loyalists & those that know about it.
The kids will be entertained as parents hang out with people more interested in talking about skiing than politics and hey, free food & beer sampling can't be beat.
Official Announcement:
Have you missed us? We're almost ready to kick off our 60th year of out-of-this-world adventures and we want to start the countdown with our Fall Block Party! Join us for a FREE BBQ from 12pm to 3pm behind the lodge. Henniker Brewing Company and Downeast Cider will be here passing out free samples plus we'll have beer and cider for purchase for those 21+. We'll have a DJ, fall photo op, job fair, pumpkin painting, hay ride & more! We hope to see you there.
With leaves, such as they are this year, at about their peak it is a great time to climb Crotched. Bring your binoculars and look Southwest from the top you can see the crowd on top of Mount Monadnock that paid to park & climb the busiest hill in the Northeast.
Look North and you may spot some SNOW on top of Mount Washington!
Parking is free (always) we don't even have a cash box!
Did you notice the oddity above. We were going to be celebrating 20 years since the re-birth of Crotched in 2003. We're now observing 60 years since the mountain first opened, got to love marketing! I already suggested a Wood (or maybe a double bubble) Chair #60 on the West Lift as a companion to Wood Chair #10 done 10 years ago.
NELSBEER
Weekend Update..
Due to the weather forecast, heavy rain this Saturday the above 👆 CM Block Party has been postponed a week to Saturday October 28th. The above date and time is Correct.
It was scheduled for this weekend (21st.) originally. At one point there was a hope to run lift rides, that will not be possible, the lifts are not configured for foot traffic.
joshua_segal
Trails are mostly mowed. Unofficially, opening day is scheduled to be, Friday, December 1. For the skeptics, last year, CM's scheduled opening day was Friday, Dec. 2. They had the snow - but management saw the forecast for the weekend which was pouring rain, and they made the call to open a week later.
Whether CM opens on the 1st (or not) will be much more likely due to the weather and not the availability of the snow. With 6K gallons per minute of pumping capacity, 36-hours of snowmaking is all CM needs to open a few trails T2B.
Quietman
The guns are finally blazing!
joshua_segal
Based on the number of guns running, it looks like they're running 4-pumps and as of AM of Nov. 21, the guns have been running continuously for at least 36-hours. It looks really good to make CM's scheduled Dec. 1 opening.
ciscokid
Thanks to Nels and Quiet for pics
tedede
Stopped by take a photo and say hi to some friends. Looks like the standard east side opening of Moonwalk, Sat Summit, Meteor, Galaxy, Lower Magnitude. Nothing on the west but the carpet, but there's still time if they want to get a couple open there. Should be a great week upcoming to add coverage minus the pond-filling event tomorrow night.
