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The Official Michigan Winter Thread

490K views 8K replies 153 participants last post by  sabatoa 
#1 ·
Alright everyone since Summer is over, fall has just begun and we've already had our first rail jam of the year, it's time to start a new thread for the 10/11 winter.

Last year we had the "Southeast" michigan thread, but I think we should do all of Michigan. Sure, most of population lives in S/E michigan but we all ride the same resorts in the LP and even the UP if we get a chance, so we should have one thread to bring everyone together.

Cheers everyone we're probably only like 70 days from open resorts!
 
#7,317 ·
It's bad alright.

At least here, it looks like we're going back below freezing tonight, and most of the extended forecast is below-32 overnight. Mild daytime temps in the 30s, 40 degrees, but that's manageable and if they know what they're doing, as long as the rain stays (mostly) away after today, and temps don't go back up to 60 degrees, should be able to eek out a few more weeks even without another snowstorm.

But, pray for another snowstorm anyways, because this point in the season every little bit helps!
 
#7,318 ·
Yeah, next week @ Highlands looks ridable. But it's faaaaar from what I hoped or expected for end of Feb. :mad:

I've got two 4 day weekends scheduled after that in March. Can only pray for a big late season storm or three!
 
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#7,319 ·
Looks like I'm only going to get one day on snow (Schuss) to break in the new boots before I head out to Tahoe. Was expecting a couple days this week at Holly. Not going to happen.


I'm fully expecting to return in Mid March to a few feet of snow on the ground and all lower michigan resorts open 100%. :grin: think snow!
 
#7,320 ·
Arrived at Cabby around 11a, with quite a few vehicles and buses in lot, snow conditions were better than expected, chair attendant said they made snow last night and will again tonight, but looks like alittle more rain possible fri.

South Peak had sets of gates running down both sides and started running races around 1p, so I only sniffed a few early runs and stayed mostly on the newer Vista lift. Overall, place was in way better shape than, I expected it would be, after the amount of rain it got the past few days. No side areas, just groomers. Should be open another month, I'd hope. :smile:
 
#7,322 ·
This is freakin' insane!!! TWC forecast is for SE MI is mid-upper 50°'s all week next week! This will almost certainly shut down any local riding. :gaah:

Two plus weeks of late spring in February? This just blows goats balls!!
 
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#7,323 · (Edited)
The weather this week was/is super depressing. I'm headed up to Caberfae tonight though, so it's good to hear conditions are decent.

This season feels like a bust for me, but I feel more motivated than ever. I'm gonna end up with < 10 days out. I need to get some kind of pass so I have more justification and less excuses to just get out there.
 
#7,324 · (Edited)
I'm heading up to Boyne tomorrow for the week. The weather looks to be marginally better up there. Maybe some rain today/tomorrow but it Still looks to be warm(ish) days, mid & upper 30's with below freezing temps @ night. So,... :dunno: while not ideal conditions for great snow, at least it's Not this 40's & 50's pissing rain crap. :mad:
(...I'll prolly cross the valley to check out Nubs while Im there. See if their grooming crew really is so much better & consistent at maintaining their snow!) :D

-side note-
I couldn't help but notice how awesome it's been in CO. since I left 3 weeks ago! :blink: You're welcome @snowklinger, @Mojomaestro, @Aztrailerhawk, et al! :rolleyes: :facepalm2: :laugh:
 
#7,326 · (Edited)
As promised from Trace,.... :facepalm3:

What a f#%*'ing mess of a vacation start yesterday. I woke up feeling ill. Same kinda thing that had me miss out on two days in Bend OR @ Bachelor last season. I was stuck in the shitter for hours.

My insides felt & sounded like I had two chipmunks chasing ea. other around my colon. :blink: (...please hold all Richard Gere references until the end please!) ;) :laugh:

2-3 hours & Half a large bottle of Pepto later, I finally get to start packing up the car. So instead of getting up to Highlands by 10:30-11:00,... I'm just now leaving by this time. (Latest start to date!!)

Then, this is the picture that greets me along I-75 as I get closer to Gaylord....


Not a wisp of snow.

Well,... I finally roll into Petoskey around 2:30-3 and it's apparent that Boyne & Highlands still has some snow. Some.... but Im still feeling pretty "punk" from the mornings illness coupled with the long drive. So I lie down for a few minutes only to wake up
With about two hours left before last chair.

So I rush to get changed & drive the 25-30 min to Highlands and I find I've ridden better snow in mid April!!! :rolleyes:

I'm not even sure it can be called corn. It's just crushed ice on top of boilerplate. And the bulletproof underneath...? In places it's polished smooth as silk and slick as Snot!!!

I did three runs,... nearly fell twice! ....standing at the lift waiting on the chair. NOT the offload,... waiting to sit on the chair for the ride up FFS!!!

The Ice was so slick, my sb boot kept trying to squirt out from under me just standing still. :blink:

I gave up after my third run down. Figured I'd hit the fresh corduroy early this am with the Arbor & see how new bindings & full camber manage frozen groomers. Lol.





....still beats working! :D Just not by the HUGE margins it usually does! ;) :laugh:



-edit-
Welp,... so much for early frozen courd..... FML,.. it's 6:50 am & it's pissing rain!
 

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#7,327 ·
Lol... sounds like things can only get better at this point. This weather has got to be depressing for a lot of folks who depend on the snow for sport and income, I'm sure snowmobilers are scratching their heads and thinking wtf?

I checked Mt Hollys website and the base went from 36" last wk to 24", as of today. At this rate, when you pass it on your way home, it will be barren and brown.:crying:
 
#7,329 ·
Yeah,... they are, aren't they! Well, if it's any consolation? I decided to stick it out a little longer despite those 2-3 first crappy runs,... I was seriously ready to say "Fuckit" and quit for the day.

I'm glad I didn't!!! The snow didn't improve, but my riding on it definitely did. :grin:

The bad viz is still holding me back some but I started to trust my Arbors camber and ride a little more aggressively with the new binders & boots and I started to have a little fun anyway. :lol:

I traded it out for the Jones for my last 6-8 runs or so. That milder cambered board, with the early rise in the nose rode a little smoother in the conditions. A little more forgiving in its heel/toe transitions while on bulletproof, frozen solid corduroy!!! :D.

I'm not exaggerating either. It was hard AF just to chop tiny ledges in it in order to strap in without skiding away. (...I may be Old & fat, and have titanium rods in my back. I may have to reach over two bellies and flash butt crack,.. :blink: but I REFUSE to sit down in the snow like a NooB to strap in!!) :lol: ;) >:)
 
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#7,330 ·
Oh.my.god. chomps. Oh my God. What a Fn disaster!!!!! We cancelled Friday night but we are hitting it up for night boarding tonight. The wind is insane though. But my crew is pissy right now so wish me luck.

I hope you got a refund in your Friday night ticket!!!!

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
 
#7,331 ·
.....We cancelled Friday night but we are hitting it up for night boarding tonight. The wind is insane though. But my crew is pissy right now so wish me luck.

I hope you got a refund in your Friday night ticket!!!!

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Glad you're gonna give it a go. Just dress warm for the wind. It will cut right thru most outerwear. Layer up well!!

Second,... watchit,... the wind can & will push you around. Mid transition, getting off the lift, tryingvto stop,... whatever. So stay loose & alert.

Asfor the crew being "pissy?" "F" 'em!!! Don't let their wet blankets extinguish your stoke.

And Lastly,... If it really is bad or sketchy beyond your comfort & abilities? Head for the lodge & a warm toddy! :laugh:

No point in getting slammed & laid up for really shitty snow! Lol ;)

Have fun! :thumbsup:
 
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#7,333 · (Edited)
Yeah,... that's probably what H had before the sun went down yesterday too. But it stayed warm(ish) all night. By 6 am it was still well above freezing & raining in Petoskey. Then the cold wind started..... :blink:

Lifty claimed they groomed this morning. After 6-7am. Claimed that anyway. But by 10 am that corduroy was rock freakin hard.

Still,.. Im glad I stuck it out. I discovered today, that I dont have to avoid riding if it's icy.

I would still be more comfortable riding that aggressively if the visibility had been better! (...Im not great,.. on anything when I can't really tell how the terrain is dropping away in front of me!) :dunno:

But I still had way more fun than I Ever expected to in such shitty conditions. :grin: :dunno:
 
#7,335 ·
That's a pretty good deal but too far of a drive for me to get much use out of it especially since I wouldn't really be able to use it between 3/23 and 4/9, still need to get a few more days out of my Caberfae pass (I've more than broken even on it, but hate to pay more when I already have a pass).

Then again, I might go up for a day this weekend, and if I do that, it seems stupid not to buy it because I'm sure I'd be able to swing ONE more day on it to break even.

Longer-term outlook looks like colder temps are returning next week. Highs in the low 30s, overnight lows in the teens. While it might be too little, too late, for the SE/SW Michigan hills, I think that'll be enough to keep the up north places rolling a bit longer.
 
#7,342 ·
Yeah,... can't say Im happy about this either. But remember folks, Highlands always closes early.

Boyne Mountain will still be open and they tend to stay open as long as they can. It's just not my favorite place to ride. :shrug:
 
#7,341 ·
March 18th? Wow, so early:crying:

I'm hitting Cabby Weds, before this next rain, I'll just give a conditions report right now, snowcones anyone? :|

I'm pretty sure MH hasn't been open yet this week. Website claims base is "TBD", I guess that depends on what time of the day your asking about it.
 
#7,346 ·
Well,.. it is a weather forecast! So we all know how reliable they are,.. but they're calling for less than an inch accumulation here @ Highlands. :mad:

(...was raining early this morning so Im in no rush to make it out for 1st chair today.) :shrug:
 
#7,349 ·
In case any of you were waiting on definitive word from Boyne rearding the IKON pass:

"Boyne Highlands Resort will not be a member of the IKON pass. As you may or may not know, that the MAX Pass is no longer (the investors/owners moved to create the new IKON pass). However, we will be rolling out season pass benefits like 50% off of window rates for other Boyne resorts. Our BOYNE Gold pass will also include the add-on option for the Mountain Collective pass."
 
#7,350 ·
I called last week to ask about playground pass for my daughter and I also asked questions about the season passes. They mentioned 50% off Big Sky, no more family pass (bummer, that's what I was interested), and $550 for the premium pass and that passes would be available on March 9th. I hope there's some early bird deal going on.
 
#7,356 ·
If early bird stays at $400 max, I might get it, since my daughter can get the playground pass for $30. I'd hope my son can get junior pass for around $200-250.

Question. Is there any reason people on this thread don't go to Blue Mountain more often? It's a bit further than Boyne, but much cheaper (Canadian prices) and a bit better than even Highlands. Since it's included in the Ikon pass, I'm also considering that.
 
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