Waterville Valley Alpine Area
During the President’s Day weekend I was skiing within a couple of different resorts situated within the White Mountains. I stayed with the bike club at the Applebrook B&B in Jefferson, NH. Jack of the bike club ran this trip for many years. A new leader emerged this year. Generally, everyone within the club skis using Nordic equipment. I also use Nordic equipment. Also, I did manage to work another ham on the Cannon, NH repeater. However, I was receiving poor feedback in regards to my microphone connection. I might require a new microphone in the vehicle.
I skiied twice at Waterville(See http://www.waterville.com/nordic/nordic-conditions.html) . I skied on Friday afternoon and on Monday. The snowfall was limited during the week. More fresh snow reached Massachusetts within the prior week than here. Local snowfall was limited during the month. In fact during the prior weeks Waterville closed portions of their trail system due to the absence of snow. Earlier within the month Bretton Woods also closed their trail system entirely due to the lack of sn
ow approximately two weeks earlier. Waterville is situated on the south side of the White Mountains Range. It is south of the Kank highway.
The snow was nice. It was not overly fast. The ambient temperature was high. I used my waxless skis. I started my ski along the Mad River. I departed from the Nordic center within Waterville Valley on both days. The Nordic center was nestled within a cluster of buildings which has been designed in part as an artifical town. There were a lot of of newer buildings within the immediate vicinity. Many of these buildings were residential condos. There were also some single family houses. The trail within the “village” was shared by hikers, etc. Rather quickly, I connected to the Swan’s Way trail. There was a sign, which stated that the trail is part of the groomed system. As I moved north the trail quality improved. Some of the snow was very soft. The further north the snow gained firmness.
I eventually connected to the trail known as Swan’s Way. This trail leaded to the north. From this trail I connected with the lower Osceala trail. These trails were within National Forest land. A trail to the west was known as the Pipeline trail. There is a strava segment on this. I did not set a fast time in the ascent. I believed that most of the records with Strava were based on skate skiing. The end of the Pipeline trail places you at the bottom of the alpine ski area. I skied this trail on Monday. It was enjoyable to descend. The Osceala connected the upper portion of the trail and several others. On Friday I skied directly towards the Livermore Trail.
Chair line on Mountain Snow
As stated I connected with the Livermore Trail. I was required to walk a couple hundred of feet along the road in order to achieve this connection. The Livermore Trail reached approximately 1800 feet in elevation. It climbed from the west to the east. Once I passed a bridge near the end of the trail. I turned slightly to the south and I reached a new set of trails. These trails were set in a set of loops. Livermore was a connector between the two areas. It allowed one an easy route to just ski as well.
On Friday I skied the Beanbender trail, which connected with the Swazeytown trail. The Beanbender started at the top of an older alpine ski area. This ski area was known as Mt. Snow(Approximately 2000 feet in elevation). The ski lift remained dormant but suggestive of a different era. Everyone in a xc ski resort is friendly. A skate skier explained the former operation to me. He also provided information in regards to the trail quality and the history of the conditions over the past month. On both days I skied the Cascade Brook Trail Loop. This trail was signed as a one-way only loop. The loop joined with the Upper Snows trail on both of its’ ends. The peak of the trail reached 2300 feet. It took approximately forty minutes to reach the summit. I raced to the bottom of the trail within 10 minutes on Monday. This trail was fun. On Monday I skied the entire Lower Snows Trail. It was also fun. I skied down several fast descents.
The two trails of Upper and Lower Snows trails were the backbone of the main loop. On Friday I followed the Lower Snows Trail down the mountain starting at the connection with the Swazeytown trail. I started at the top of Mt Snow via taking the Beanbender. This has connected to Swazeytown. I took the Lower Snows Trail southwest to reach the base of the Mt Snow Chairline. I skied via the golf course and returned to the Nordic Center.
I have not skied the supposedly exciting Criterion trails on the south side, yet. I also skiied at Bretton Woods and Bear Notch. I shall report on those centers as well.
N1EY