TR Replies
The open pickups were a definite era edge as well.
Nowadays the PS mets out stern disapproval of ferrying skiers sans seats & seatbelts
(proly a touch of backlash from the accidents they see when the pilgrims are surprised by the icy roads ::)).
Nonetheless even 6 laps is a nice day of skiing.
Glad you guys were the first to nail the laps and get the flats packed down. Thanks!
Nowadays the PS mets out stern disapproval of ferrying skiers sans seats & seatbelts
(proly a touch of backlash from the accidents they see when the pilgrims are surprised by the icy roads ::)).
Nonetheless even 6 laps is a nice day of skiing.
Glad you guys were the first to nail the laps and get the flats packed down. Thanks!
Jeff. Robie-
Thanks for the shoveling help and bringing that handy tool! My calculus shows a cumulative here in Ashford of 80" since early December. Seven inches of cement yesterday and another lighter six inches last night has brought the total on the ground back over two feet. No County plows for two days. MTTA website says South District was contract plowed to the middle snowpark after we turned back.
I had unfair advantage the day I did the Dip 13 times. As a volly,...
Thanks for the shoveling help and bringing that handy tool! My calculus shows a cumulative here in Ashford of 80" since early December. Seven inches of cement yesterday and another lighter six inches last night has brought the total on the ground back over two feet. No County plows for two days. MTTA website says South District was contract plowed to the middle snowpark after we turned back.
I had unfair advantage the day I did the Dip 13 times. As a volly,...
After a string of nasty threads resulting from a lack of snow, are we getting nasty arguments resulting from high avy conditions?
Nice photos man.
Tuesday was a epic day to be in the mountains.
Tuesday was a epic day to be in the mountains.
Stevens had to close at noon today (1-1-09) at the request of the DOT. Even so, they passed out vouchers to ticket holders to use another day :D. Disappointing to hear the Crystal was not as accommodating. Not the first time Stevens has put the customer first (and hopefully, not the last). Oh, the skiing was very nice too. Few, if any, made it up from the Westside.Thanks!
Fun report, Lowell,
author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=11723.msg48728#msg48728 date=1230778555">
... On my way home, I passed a coffee shop with the following sign in the window. I think the sign was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but you never know... ;)
Sign in a window across the street from Columbia Golf Club, Minn...
I did not see a soul in my tracks today, so it's still my stash and let me say OMG. if you were not there, too bad. 1st chair on six and my stash all day long, I felt like I was in sinners all day long. Glad you found your stash, I will wait for the next storm to hit, Sat is looking like it might nuke again and it will be stash time.
Turn well and ski with a bud, it's getting kind of spooky out there.
Turn well and ski with a bud, it's getting kind of spooky out there.
Private Stash?
I've been there! It's not private any more!
I've been there! It's not private any more!
I am out the door at 4 AM and will be at CM EARLY and will get some of those turns we all dream about all year long, This is the Storm we have been dancing about, It's snorkel time and be safe and ski with a bud, I have a private stash that no one knows about and is always there for 3 to 4 laps.
turn well friends.
skin it, climb it, ski it.
turn well friends.
skin it, climb it, ski it.
I got stuck on the Liberator at Mission last year for 50 minutes during a big storm with winds to 60 mph, snowing with near whiteout conditions at 15 degrees F. I got a free voucher for a mocha at the Hampton Lodge. I still bought my pass this year and am not complaining. I knew it was risky to keep riding the Lib that day but the snow was too good to stop. I'm just glad I didn't have to evac in those conditions.
Snowgirl, Thanks for the clarification. You are a voice of reason. Case closed. No lawyers, no voucher. Power outages and down lifts are something skiiers need to tolerate. Just like wind and rain and anything else that can upset a good ski day.
That is all. Hit the Powder Please!!
That is all. Hit the Powder Please!!
author=everestbill link=topic=11700.msg48666#msg48666 date=1230683674]
move this dialogue to some other place to make space for people skinning up stuff and skiing down powder.
Well spoken!! Let's get on with a Happy New Year and some powder skiing!!
author=SnowGirl link=topic=11700.msg48651#msg48651 date=1230671576]
Just to clear the air.... Your friends were stuck on the Northway lift because of a power outage. After 28 minutes we (yes I work for the mountain) were able to fire up the diesel engine, start the lift and get everyone off safely. I'm sure 28 minutes seemed like a lot longer when you're sitting in the cold. I am sorry this happened to your friends and it's unfortunate but,...
I think they were upset at feeling like they were left on the lift and realizing now that they were not,( I think the CSP sweeps that area with 3-4 patrollers with two of them riding up the hill all after closing gates, so that the chance of leaving someone on the chair is just about nill) 28 min on a chair in the cold is a long time, but it happens and not that often at crystal, over the last 13 years of skiing this hill I can count on one occasion I was stuck on a chair for more then 10 min. H...
Lisa - I think its great you raised the issue on TAY. Even the "clerified" experience is unacceptable.
S...
author=SnowGirl link=topic=11700.msg48651#msg48651 date=1230671576]
After 28 minutes we (yes I work for the mountain) were able to fire up the diesel engine... I'm not sure what, if anything, Guest Services will do since your friends already skied a full day and this mishap (thanks to PSE)
S...
My first ski day of the winter was also back in the TC. I skied at Willow River State park near Hudson, WI. I wish I could have been in the Cascades for the epic snow instead. Of course the day I get back it starts raining up in the mountains:( Skate skiing is a great way to get in shape for tele skiing.
author=SnowGirl link=topic=11700.msg48651#msg48651 date=1230671576]
I'm sure 28 minutes seemed like a lot longer when you're sitting in the cold.
Thanks Snowgirl for clearing the air....I suspect Sebastian felt the time was longer when speaking of the incident because as you said the cold can make time seem to pass so much slower.
I have been stuck on many a lift over 25 years of lift skiing and...
Just to clear the air.... Your friends were stuck on the Northway lift because of a power outage. After 28 minutes we (yes I work for the mountain) were able to fire up the diesel engine, start the lift and get everyone off safely. I'm sure 28 minutes seemed like a lot longer when you're sitting in the cold. I am sorry this happened to your friends and it's unfortunate but, I'm not sure what, if anything, Guest Services will do since your friends alrea...
author=jdclimber link=topic=11700.msg48641#msg48641 date=1230665616]
Yes, Crystal still takes the award in my book. Every time I go there I have been treated rudely by staff, I could go on, but yet, Crystal still wins. The lifts may fall and the bar may not be safe, but at least I will not get whacked with a bamboo pole by some liftie like at Crystal on Saturday.
An yes, notice I did not say sue 'em, I said well worded letter. It is amazing how much...
author=jdclimber link=topic=11700.msg48641#msg48641 date=1230665616]
...but at least I will not get whacked with a bamboo pole by some liftie like at Crystal on Saturday.
Are you expecting something different if you hit the resort on a weekend day ??? ???
FINALLY!!! At least, the pics are linked...
I'm really confused as to why it didn't work this time...and a little miffed. >:(
Oh well, if you're still interested in 5 day old pics...
I'm really confused as to why it didn't work this time...and a little miffed. >:(
Oh well, if you're still interested in 5 day old pics...
Yes, Crystal still takes the award in my book. Every time I go there I have been treated rudely by staff, I could go on, but yet, Crystal still wins. The lifts may fall and the bar may not be safe, but at least I will not get whacked with a bamboo pole by some liftie like at Crystal on Saturday.
An yes, notice I did not say sue 'em, I said well worded letter. It is amazing how much more polite and attentive people get when their superiority is called into question.
What is your O...
An yes, notice I did not say sue 'em, I said well worded letter. It is amazing how much more polite and attentive people get when their superiority is called into question.
What is your O...
author=jdclimber link=topic=11700.msg48609#msg48609 date=1230609579]I would think a well worded letter from a lawyer could achieve something besides the run-around.
Crystal mountain has proven time and again, they have the best terrain and the worst management of any ski hill in north america (or at least the 50 or so I have skied in the last 3 years), yet another example.
Not this tired old tirade again.
In case...
author=T. Eastman link=topic=11660.msg48485#msg48485 date=1230345377]
and the poser on the shiny new AT gear skiing the mellow?
Exactly!
Hi Amar,
Yeah, the Kahtoolas were my Christmas present from my wife. They work really well on icy roads and trails. I wished I had them when the snow first fell in Seattle a week and a half ago. I took a nasty fall on one of our neighborhood streets.
I tossed them in my ski bag for the trip to Minneapolis and found them almost essential for the 1-mile walk from my in-laws' house to the golf course. I think they'd be excellent for all the things you mentioned. I w...
Yeah, the Kahtoolas were my Christmas present from my wife. They work really well on icy roads and trails. I wished I had them when the snow first fell in Seattle a week and a half ago. I took a nasty fall on one of our neighborhood streets.
I tossed them in my ski bag for the trip to Minneapolis and found them almost essential for the 1-mile walk from my in-laws' house to the golf course. I think they'd be excellent for all the things you mentioned. I w...
Sounds like a lift stoppage and not a lift shut down to me, unless I am missing something here. It is always no fun being stuck in any situation and time passes by when you are having fun and doesn't when you are not, but stopages happen for many reasons loss of power, etc.
Was there a liftie at the bottom when you got on the chair?
I am glad you are OK.
Was there a liftie at the bottom when you got on the chair?
I am glad you are OK.
I recall an incident in Upstate New York maybe 5+ years ago where a couple skiers spent the night on the chair. I believe there was a substantial settlement -- even though the skiers evaded a "closed" sign to ride the chair.
I know Crystal has been having a lot of issues with the power going out, but it sounds like that might not have been the issue.
I love TAY and am pretty stoked on Crystal's new ski patrol blog, but I decided to add a Google Group to the mix for any other Crystal warriors like myself.
http://groups.google.com/group/unofficial-crystal
I love TAY and am pretty stoked on Crystal's new ski patrol blog, but I decided to add a Google Group to the mix for any other Crystal warriors like myself.
http://groups.google.com/group/unofficial-crystal
author=fresh link=topic=11700.msg48616#msg48616 date=1230613129]
Now, full disclosure... I work at Crystal. There are actually a number of checks and balances in place (similar to those described by Bandit) to keep this sort of thing from happening. I wasn't working on Saturday but I talked to a patroller who got to enjoy the long, cold stoppage along with your friends. I'm pretty sure patrol and lift ops were aware of the stoppage and were working t...
I don't think he would go as far as to get a lawyer. Yes, he was disappointed but is waiting to see if indeed they get back to him and offer him a lift ticket indemnifying him.
He is not a TAY guy, so I took the liberty to share his experience.
Yes, accidents happen and if indeed this was a mistaken error, I hop...
He is not a TAY guy, so I took the liberty to share his experience.
author=Kyle Miller link=topic=11700.msg48608#msg48608 date=1230609399]
Ummmm Accidents happen ???
Yes, accidents happen and if indeed this was a mistaken error, I hop...
Sounds like no fun! Sorry your friends had such a poor experience. Hopefully they can work something out with guest services.
Now, full disclosure... I work at Crystal. There are actually a number of checks and balances in place (similar to those described by Bandit) to keep this sort of thing from happening. I wasn't working on Saturday but I talked to a patroller who got to enjoy the long, cold stoppage along with your friends. I'm pretty sure patrol and lift ops were awar...
Now, full disclosure... I work at Crystal. There are actually a number of checks and balances in place (similar to those described by Bandit) to keep this sort of thing from happening. I wasn't working on Saturday but I talked to a patroller who got to enjoy the long, cold stoppage along with your friends. I'm pretty sure patrol and lift ops were awar...
I would think a well worded letter from a lawyer could achieve something besides the run-around.
Crystal mountain has proven time and again, they have the best terrain and the worst management of any ski hill in north america (or at least the 50 or so I have skied in the last 3 years), yet another example.
Crystal mountain has proven time and again, they have the best terrain and the worst management of any ski hill in north america (or at least the 50 or so I have skied in the last 3 years), yet another example.
Ummmm Accidents happen ???
if you would have jumped off the chair ski patrol could have clipped your ticket
Im glad everything worked out.
if you would have jumped off the chair ski patrol could have clipped your ticket
Im glad everything worked out.
Not all lifties are pot smoking, red-eyed, Phish lovin' snowboarders who are too stuck in the clouds to know what's going on. Some of them actually work quite well under the influence of THC...
However, I've been hearing stories of the lifties becoming more neglegent as the years pass. In fact, this year, a lift op was sent home because they left the top of chair 8 completely unattended.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Crystal, chair 8 is Discovery...
However, I've been hearing stories of the lifties becoming more neglegent as the years pass. In fact, this year, a lift op was sent home because they left the top of chair 8 completely unattended.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Crystal, chair 8 is Discovery...
This incident should be reported to the Forest Service since they issue the operating permit for the area!
I worked as a lift op a couple of years ago. Normal procedure when I was working was that a ski patrol would be the last one on the lift. A call would come down from your fellow upper liftie to say that the patroler was off and all was clear. IE: NO ONE LEFT ON LIFT. Another check was to put an orange cone on a chair and let it cycle at least once before shutting down.
That could have been a tragic accident. The lifties should be talked too about safety on shut down and those skiiers...
That could have been a tragic accident. The lifties should be talked too about safety on shut down and those skiiers...
author=Lisa link=topic=11700.msg48592#msg48592 date=1230596056]
Initially they were told by one woman that she was sorry for their experience but there was nothing she could do.
Doesn't surprise me. :( I'm glad they made it off though!
You stuck the landing, very nice.
Tony on skinny skis?? Now you can say you have had the experience but we all know you ski best on steeps!! ;)
It's a good thing they were able to unload the chair that afternoon. Crystal likely would have charged their estate for a lift ticket if they were to be found on the chair the next day!
Wow, I can't believe Guest Relations didn't bend over backwards and give them both unlimited season passes for the negligence they endured.
Hi Lowell, noticed your Kahtoola Microspikes in the first photo. How do you like them? Have you used them on trails? On slick icy rocks?
I was considering getting those for early season (Oct-Nov) icy-trail approaches like Heliotrope Ridge, especially the sometimes very icy glacier-polished rocks above the Hogsback moraine. Even the trail from Paradise to Pebble Creek was really icy one of the times I went earlier this fall.
Also seems like they would have been perfect fo...
I was considering getting those for early season (Oct-Nov) icy-trail approaches like Heliotrope Ridge, especially the sometimes very icy glacier-polished rocks above the Hogsback moraine. Even the trail from Paradise to Pebble Creek was really icy one of the times I went earlier this fall.
Also seems like they would have been perfect fo...
I learned to cross-country ski at Apple Valley Senior High. Grew up skiing Buck Hill ( was on the freestyle ski team there for a couple seasons. ) Those were the years I got 75+ days skiing bumps.
Looks like Lebannon hills in the pics to me. Am I correct? I was there over Christmas visiting my family who moved to Minnesota a few years back and also enjoyed a day perusing the rolling hills at Lebannon Hills park. The snow was fantastic and I only wished there was a mountain larger than the trash heap they call Buck Hill. Alas, I settled for dreaming of powder turns and upon arrival to the PNW I was blessed with a powder day at Stevens (yesterday). Seems good things come to those who wait....
Marcus, you are absolutely right. Apparently I'm really bad at Pacific Coast internet too - this is so frustrating! I promise I will get those photos up if it's the last thing I do...er, today sometime.
As for using my time for another TR Holly - I got in late on the night/morning of the 27th/28th. So I used yesterday as a recoup day from all that flat land and went and ripped Crystal. ;D No tr. But I'm not only determined to get these darned p...
As for using my time for another TR Holly - I got in late on the night/morning of the 27th/28th. So I used yesterday as a recoup day from all that flat land and went and ripped Crystal. ;D No tr. But I'm not only determined to get these darned p...
The OTHER land of the Norse...;) Thanks for the pics! And, for the sake of MN integrity - Giant's Ridge Ski Resort in northern MN has more vf drop than Snoqualmie Pass!
Video: http://www.climbwashington.com/media/mccaTour.wmv
Warning: Pathetic kickers in the sandtraps
Warning: Pathetic kickers in the sandtraps
Glad you are ok. Mike and I headed up on Friday (I responded to your post) but now I see why you weren't interested in skiing on Friday too. The AVI I course is such a good thing to do. Once you take that course you will have many tools, but you have to practice them to get better and learn the snowpack. Has everyone dug a pit to check out the layers and practiced with their beacons? WILL
Similar experience at Paradise on the 24th. Doom and gloom from park staff. Snow certainly was unstable ( slabby, cracks, a whumpf or two ) but it wouldn't slide, even on steep slopes, no matter how hard I tried ( and I tried pretty hard ). Guess this is because the ingredients for instability aren't quite the same as the ingredients for avalanches.