Still a Surprising Amount of Snow at Cranmore!

After this weekend's rain event, I returned to the mountain today with some trepidation. My walk in from the parking lot was not encouraging. The snow banks are shrinking, and mud and grass are showing. In fact, the grass outside my office is actually turning green. Yikes!

I decided I needed to get up on the mountain personally to confirm what other staff members were telling me - that conditions are still remarkably good!

I went up the lift with sales manager Krissy Fraser for some "product testing." It is unreal how much snow is still up there, especially on the summit and those trails facing north, like Skimeister and Arlberg. We started out on these trails and were astounded at the snow. Even snow in the woods, and on natural skiing trails like Jughandle which have no snowmaking on them.  The top photo here shows some of our visiting ESSC students on Jughandle. Shot below is me on Skimeister. Dig those crazy blue skies and views to Mount Washington!

Next up, we hit the Pipeline Glade. The glades, again, all natural skiing with no snowmaking, are holding a surprising amount of snow. Being protected by the trees from the sun makes glades a great choice especially late in the day.  By 2:30pm, they were nicely softened up and made for a great tree run! Below is Krissy coming through Pipeline. Weee!

Our final run was down the legendary Ledges trail. They say when the snow gets soft to head for the steep stuff. I would say they are right - the steep incline made my skis cut right through the mounds of soft snow. Sweet!

We did pass by Koessler on the way to Ledges. I wanted to do it but Krissy wimped out when she saw the bumps. Kidding. Unfortunately we ran out of time and didn't have time to make it down our signature bump run. As you can see here, there is a ton of snow on the trail in the form of nice large moguls. Cranmore hosts an employee mogul competition on our closing weekend and it should be in great shape for our finest skiers and riders to rip it up!

So if you were thinking of putting away your skis and take out your bikes or golf clubs this weekend, I urge you to reconsider. Conditions remain awesome. And if you buy your season pass for 2010-2011, we'll throw in free skiing for the rest of THIS winter, too! Stop by the Ticket Haus for details. See you this weekend!

Hannes Schneider Meister Cup

We couldn't have asked for better weather for the annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race on March 6th!  Bluebird skies and warm temps left us with beautiful spring conditions.  We had a great turnout, and a fabulous day that included ski racing, ice carving, a vintage skiwear contest and live music from Dennis and Davey and fireworks to finish off the evening.  It really was the perfect weekend.  Thanks to Bill Lee for these great photos!

Incredible Spring Conditions Continue at Cranmore

I just went out for a few runs this morning and wanted to share with you how sweet the snow is right now. I know, it looks ugly around the parking lot with mud and receding snow banks. But trust me, once you get up on the hill, you are in for a treat.

I started out on a run down the East Slope right at 9am (first chair!). Groomed courdoroy greeted me and my friends as we zoomed down the trail to the little red chair at the bottom of the East. A quick ride back up to the summit and we tested out the fabled north side and the Skimeister trail. It did not disappoint, with more edge-to-edge coverage and nice soft turning corn snow.

Cut across on Bandit and down to the Quad and back up to a run down Ledges. Ledges is a steep beauty with views to the Moats and Cathedral Ledge. And with a nice deep base of snow, the conditions were soft and edgeable all the way down (soft, but not too soft!).

Final run down Kandahar showed similar surfaces with nary a brown spot to be found. Don't let rain to the south or no snow in your backyard fool you. Conditions are holding up nicely. We received over two feet of snow at the summit just a few weeks ago. That and our 80 new snow guns have ensured a strong finish to the season, currently slated for March 28th.

February Snow Storm!

It has been snowing like crazy all day- What a wonderful way to wrap up a busy vacation week- and a reminder that there is plenty of winter left! At the end of the day we could see accumulation up to 10 inches. Bring it on!

First Person Snow Report - Cranmore Feb. 21, 2010

February vacation week is a time that most ski area employees hunker down and get down to business during what is usually the very busiest time of year. This week was no different at Cranmore. We enjoyed a fabulous week with blue skies and sweet snow conditions, entertaining thousands of families over the last 7 days. By the looks of it, our fans love the the warmer temps and bluebird days that this February has brought to us.

Late February combines the reality of late winter and the promise of early spring, with firm, fast conditions in the morning, softening up to almost-but-not-quite spring conditions by early afternoon (especially on our famous southern and east facing slopes). 

Today was no exception as I tested three of my favorite runs: Schneider, East Slope and North Conway.

Schneider was a short fast run down to the East Chair with nice steeps at the top and a dusting of powder on top of edge-to-edge snow pack. A leisurely ride up New England's oldest continously operating double chair, then I was back at it on the East Slope, which was already showing signs of sugaring up, especially towards the bottom. You can always tell how late in the season it is judging by the tans on the faces of the East Chair's lift attendents. Clearly, spring is on its way.

After a quick hot cocoa break at the Meister Hut (I know, I have a tough job), I chatted with a fellow skier and Cranmore condo owner also taking a break. He recommended Hurricane and North Conway trails as having the best snow conditions. Not to take his word for it, I made North Conway my final run. He was right! Easily the best snow on the mountain today, unexpected for this more north-westerly facing slope. I stayed on skiers right, avoiding the nascent bumps forming on the left.

The coming week brings the promise of a more stormy weather pattern. The last month has been uncommonly calm, clear and dry. Judging by business levels, this is what brings out famlies in droves. But those of us who know that March skiing at Cranmore is really the best time of all, we're crossing fingers and toes that the month-long dry spell is about to end with snow in the forecast finally for late this week.

Stay on top of the forecast thanks to our friends at the Mount Washington Observatory's weather forecast for the Valley here: http://www.cranmore.com/info/winter/weather.asp

And enjoy these photos taken this weekend by our friend photographer Bill Lee.

Top of the Darkside Terrain Park, looking up at Ledges. The Pink Ribbon Jibbin' event last night raised close to $2,000 for Boarding for Breast Cancer!

Sweet riding conditions!

Top of Schneider - love that gnarly tree at the summit! Note the depth of the snowpack.

Save During Vacation Week at Cranmore!

February school vacation week is in full swing here at Cranmore and there is snow in the forecast for tonight into tomorrow, which means conditions will be getting even better! Who doesn't love a little fresh pow? Make Cranmore your place to ski and ride this week and take advantage of these special insider tips and savings for getting the most out your ski getaway right here in North Conway.

Some children's camps are selling out this week. Don't be disappointed. Reserve Penguin Camps, Adventure Camps and Day Care online in advance for your spot.

Did you know when you buy your Fun Zone ticket online in advance you get $2 off? Regular price is $12, you pay only $10 for North Conway's largest indoor activity center. Watch this video to see what it's all about and then buy online and pay less.

To save on skiing, you can purchase a 3-Pak, only $135 for any 3 days of skiing and riding for one individual. That's only $45 a day and it's valid every day with no vacation week blackout dates. Best of all, even if you are just skiing with us 1 or 2 days this week, you can come back later in the season and use remaining days. Some resorts charge more for holiday periods but not Cranmore!

Our best value of all is our Super Slider ticket. It's valid every Sat. night plus this Wed. 2/17. You get 6 hours of skiing and riding from 2-8pm, 2 hours of snow tubing plus a Fun Zone admission, all for only $49 for all ages. Buy it here.

NH's most popular tubing park has extended hours for February and NH school vacation week- check out the schedule here, then buy your tickets online in advance for added convenience. 

Laugh it up at Cranmore's next Comedy Night coming up Friday, Feb. 26. This ages 21+ show features 3 Boston and Portland area stand up comics and host Mike Viselli. You pay $2 less when you buy online in advance. Seats are limited so reserve your seats now.

Leanne Smith Day a Huge Hit at Cranmore

WOW! Hundreds of people showed up to help send off Leanne Smith to the Olympics. Cranmore hosted a fundraiser for Smith and her family on Fri. Feb. 5th and the turnout was spectacular. Together the community raised over $15,000! Here are some pictures of the event. Thanks to everyone who donated their time, money and auction items and showed up to help celebrate!

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