Official '08-'09 Midwest Chatter Thread

[emtnate]

They changed my wife's work schedule, we're heading up to Caberfae Monday evening and staying through Wednesday. I might hit up Swiss Valley on Saturday and try out some demos.

I'm jealous that you guys are getting up there right after this storm. Forecast looks good for next week, and the stashes seem to stick around.

[uglymoney]

Coming from Ames, IA.

Lutsen looks good on the interweb, but that is starting to rival Colorado for driving times - 7hrs 45min according to google.

Is Welch worth a 3hr 45min drive?

Lutsen is worth it if you need a good excuse to get to the North Shore/Duluth during the winter. I used to go to Duluth once a week for work and I never managed to tire of the views and strange working class vibe of that town.

Welch is not worth the drive imo. I could barely make myself make the drive across the city to ski there when I lived in Minneapolis. Chestnut from Ames is a long way as well. That being said I've had a pass to the Nut the last several years and pretty much always come home satisfied. With Welch and Chestnut being about the same distance I'd take Chestnut ever time.

That's one of the things that sucks about Ames. When I called that city my home I could never get used to the flatness of central Iowa and lack of decent skiing nearby.

[kkerley33]

They changed my wife's work schedule, we're heading up to Caberfae Monday evening and staying through Wednesday. I might hit up Swiss Valley on Saturday and try out some demos.

I'm jealous that you guys are getting up there right after this storm. Forecast looks good for next week, and the stashes seem to stick around.

Didn't know they were demo'ing at Swiss this weekend? You still doing the race league there on Wednesday nights? Is it a "have to go every week" league or can I pick and choose when work allows?

[emtnate]

Swiss is demoing Saturday and Sunday. Not sure if it's a passholder only thing or not. Yeah, I signed up for the race league. You don't have to go every week. I might have a few days I can't with work. PM INDY_GS if you have any questions about it. This is my first year in it, so I'm not sure how serious most people take it.

[kkerley33]

Let me know how the coverage is at Swiss. Got a couple of free passes their and bittersweet I need to use sometime this year.

[flatNshallow]

Its all my fault... I had to go and ask if this last storm was "wet"... now the forecast for Sunday is rain.

[baseWeldr]

cutted and pasted from confidential club correspondence...

Tuesday, Dec. 9th, mid-afternoon.
We've had some snow at Caberfae, maybe about 8-9" since yesterday. I'm looking out the side window of my living room at the roof of my shed, and there's about 24-26" of 'standing' snow there! I don't remember that roof with so much snow on it at any time last season. Forecast is for snow.
Any and all skiing is great. ... I've heard there's going to be more snow.
Caberfae is open mid-week now. This week 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Next week probably closer to full-time operation. With this much snow, I'll start a rumor that we may ski South Peak before Christmas.
It just doesn't get any better. But I've been saying that for the past week, and every day is better.
See you here, soon

[velcrosheepmitten]

If you're looking to go back in time, say to the 60's, give Whitecap a try. It's on par with most UP hills but with zero crowd. Plus with the ex-con lifties and a wine hut held up by cables, how can you go wrong?

[INDY GS]

They changed my wife's work schedule, we're heading up to Caberfae Monday evening and staying through Wednesday. I might hit up Swiss Valley on Saturday and try out some demos.

I'm jealous that you guys are getting up there right after this storm. Forecast looks good for next week, and the stashes seem to stick around.

Hey y'all midwesterners. I have not been around these parts for some time. I actually figured out that if I spend more time "working" and less time wishing I wasn't working, business goes a lot better.

I'm going to be at Swiss with my son and my dad on Saturday. Yes there is a VIP demo, reps weekend going on. Today is opening day. The conditions are looking good despite the bit of rain yesterday. The snowmaking went great, and the rain turned to snow last night around 8:45 and was snowing very heavy. Should be a nice opening day. but the next week or so is up and down on temps. For terrain park skiers, This is the first time Swiss has ever had their terrain park open on day one.

Any questions about race league....email me at:

raceATskiswissvalleyDOTcom

[Roxtar]

I've always done Crystal for a 5 hr drive-to.
Main thing I love about Crystal is that bowl to the skier's far right.
Five seconds of forgetting I'm in the MW. (eight if you traverse left to the trees)
It's the only (somewhat) local place I've found with actual ungroomed powder other than Bohemia, and that's pushing the term, "local".

Never skied Caberfae. How does it compare?

[Gnu]

I've always done Crystal for a 5 hr drive-to.
Main thing I love about Crystal is that bowl to the skier's far right.
Five seconds of forgetting I'm in the MW. (eight if you traverse left to the trees)
It's the only (somewhat) local place I've found with actual ungroomed powder other than Bohemia, and that's pushing the term, "local".

Never skied Caberfae. How does it compare?

I've got passes at both Crystal & the 'Fae -- Caberfae has less polish than Crystal, but better terrain, longer runs and better access to sidecountry. Grooming and snowmaking aren't on par with Crystal, but really -- who freakin' cares. Less than half the crowd at the 'Fae and cheaper too.

They even have avalanches occasionally.

[flatNshallow]

cutted and pasted from confidential club correspondence...

good chance this shot ends up on the CaberFKNA website later today... Bus. Mgr. snapped this on his way into work this morning... he was heade out for some pow turns so expect to see some good action shots ofdeep early december pow later today...

[kkerley33]

I gotta stop planning ahead for these trips to Caberfae. Every time I do, it rains on Sunday. Yes, you can all blame me. At least Saturday is looking good...here is hoping for a minor shift in the front so keep the temps down. Gonna be down right balmy for those of you skiing at Swiss on Sunday.

[Aussie_ripper]

Well, since Bridger is now open, I guess it's time to be forced back to WI for a few weeks (leave in 10 days). So any Mags out at Grand Geneva, look out.

Actually don't, I'll prolly just sit at home and watch the Bozeman weather report.

[Jer]

Plus with the ex-con lifties

They paid their debt to society - why can't you let them move on??

[emtnate]

Indy_GS - Do you know if anyone has the video around from the daytime practice in March when I gimped up my shoulder? I still want to see it.

Also - I won't be at Swiss on Saturday. Had to pick up another clinical shift for class. It'll be the first time in several years I haven't made it to Swiss on opening week. I'm a little disappointed, but the season is early.

[velcrosheepmitten]

They paid their debt

Indeed they did. But it just adds to the whole vibe. Most lifties in the area are young, Brazilian or both.

[WhiteHunter]

Indeed they did. But it just adds to the whole vibe. Most lifties in the area are young, Brazilian or both.

Last time I was up there the liftie manning the south face dbl chair was wearing jeans, tennis shoes and no gloves. It was about 10 degrees out.

After my third lap he didn't bother getting out of the hut. Self Service lane baby!

[Jer]

Last time I was up there the liftie manning the south face dbl chair was wearing jeans, tennis shoes and no gloves. It was about 10 degrees out.

After my third lap he didn't bother getting out of the hut. Self Service lane baby!

One word: Jaggermeister.

When I used to ski at Whitecap there was a liftie on the frontside lift (top) who we called "Elephant Man". He wore coveralls and what looked like a potato sack with two eye holes cut out over his head. There was a rumor going around that he was a super-genius Professor at some university who freaked out and became a liftie. The guy manning the south side chair (bottom) was named Mike and called "Toothless Mike". Really rad guy. Whitecap was a place that (during the safe-skiing mania early 90's) actually encouraged dangerous behavior.

[flatNshallow]

Confirmed - Cab Sat. Anyone else?

[Nohillsnearby]

Confirmed - Cab Sat. Anyone else?

Need to get Thing 2 new boots. He's gotten into a bad habit of outgrowing his boots every year....Thinking of taking a run up to Swiss on Sat.

[yooper]

I was just at Nubs yesterday for the Nastar regional pacesetter trials.

That place is in FANTASTIC shape! Any southerners who are up for a drive... it's worth it.

[dentedvw]

Confirmed - Cab Sat. Anyone else?

Raincheck perhaps. In Utah this week.

When I left lansing, all of our snow was being wiped out by a pretty stiff rain. Glad to hear that there is still some snow at cab.

[uglymoney]

I was at Chestnut today. The crowds as expected were pretty terrible but wife and kid were dying to go and it had to be today for them. Those $13 tickets really pull people in. Hate this promotion and can't wait till its over. Anyway, snow was great, six year old stepson made a huge breakthrough today. After lunch and about four runs he decided to let em run... and that was that. I guess all the preaching about speed being his friend and fear his worst enemy paid off! Or maybe not I think it was just the kick he got out of flying. Dude was on a high the rest of the day. So awesome. Never fails that he is passed out by the time we turn out of the parking lot and head down the big hill. My tele legs are shot. Sickbirds kill it on the groomers, turn fast. Fun skis but they have a smallish sweetspot that takes some getting used to. Nice thing is compared to my old K2 Stynx they don't run away from me if I get on the tails. Wish I had pics from today but forgot my camera. Currently drinking beer. Love skiing.

Edit to add: One of the best things about today with the crowds was just seeing all the people that are stoked on skiing. The Apache quad was probably 75/25 skiers/snowboarders, mostly adults. Everything from straight ski owners who can only afford to ski on cheap pass days to the usual contingent of Polish skiers out of Chicago with bright clothes and the latest race gear to the misplaced pow hunters like myself on wide skis. A few people learning to tele. I hate crowds but I guess that at least I was hanging with the right crowd.

[kkerley33]

Sending some Props to FlatNShallow. It was a good Saturday at Caberfkna. The slackcountry was hardly touched and Flat took the lead and broke the trail setting a nice boot pack for the rest of the season.