The Official Michigan Winter Thread

[david_z]

Originally Posted by Gdog42

I know he just reads off his info that's given to him, but man, it irritates me when he says "warm, beautiful sunshine today in December! Oh how nice!"

It ain't the warmth, nor the sunshine that bothers me. Nothing wrong with either of those and in limited quantities the resorts can manage.

The problem is that warm temps in December/January are almost always accompanied by rain.

People get all down on winter because it's dreary and nasty out, but that's not really the case when it's snowing, it's only true when it's puking rain and everything is brown and dead and muddy. I don't blame people for hating winter when that's the weather we get.

But anyone who would trade for instance, 2 days of nice crisp winter (25F perhaps) with snow-covered lawns, for one day like today followed by another day like Sunday when it's 40F and pouring rain all day long, deserves to suck on the business end of a shotgun.

[Gdog42]

Originally Posted by david_z

It ain't the warmth, nor the sunshine that bothers me. Nothing wrong with either of those and in limited quantities the resorts can manage.

The problem is that warm temps in December/January are almost always accompanied by rain.

People get all down on winter because it's dreary and nasty out, but that's not really the case when it's snowing, it's only true when it's puking rain and everything is brown and dead and muddy. I don't blame people for hating winter when that's the weather we get.

But anyone who would trade for instance, 2 days of nice crisp winter (25F perhaps) with snow-covered lawns, for one day like today followed by another day like Sunday when it's 40F and pouring rain all day long, deserves to suck on the business end of a shotgun.

Everything you just said = Absolute truth.
I agree, the rain ruins everything!

[david_z]

Originally Posted by Gdog42

Everything you just said = Absolute truth.
I agree, the rain ruins everything!

back to snowmaking temps next week as long as this forecast holds.

[chomps1211]

Well, I was, of course considering postponing the trip. Still am. But I called Boyne Mountain, and the woman tells me they're making snow right now! Boyne Mountain is closed Thursday, but Boyne Highlands is open! Still neither is open for any night riding so the days done at 4:30 until sometime late in December. (... wonder if Nubs will have the lights on?)

At any rate, the real point is that if I do end up canceling. I won't get do any riding this week or for the foreseeable future!

[david_z]

Vail Resorts is buying Mt. Brighton.

Not sure what to make of this...

[turbospartan]

Originally Posted by david_z

Vail Resorts is buying Mt. Brighton.

Not sure what to make of this...

Gives you a reason to buy a $650 Epic Pass next year. Brighton's lift tickets are about $34-45 depending on what day and how long you ride for.

Ride there 10x and then a trip to either Colorado for a few days or Tahoe for a few days... and the pass pays for itself.

[sabatoa]

I'll share here what I wrote on FB;

I think it can only be an improvement. Brighton needed to improve as it wasn't doing much, if anything to compete with the other guys and I've never recommended that anyone ride there.

Outside of snow machines and lifts I'm not sure that we'll see any changes to the hill itself (park excluded).

The base area is in desperate need of upgrades from what I saw. Rental boards are old with step in bindings. Time capsule indeed.

I'm not overly concerned with what they'll do with price. If its not worth it, I won't go. Just like now. There's too many options down here for them to get too crazy.

Maybe years down the road cburg will have a park contender to battle. I think that's the direction Brighton has to go since the hill itself is limited.

[boardaddicktd]

dont feel so bad about the weather in MI. the season here in CO is shaping up to be as dry as last year.

[chomps1211]

Shit was even worse @ Boyne than it looked in the pics. Deer Run closed. Victor was it!!!! I Got a dozen or so runs @ Highlands yesterday even tho it was raining & drizzling. They were open & Boyne wasnt. They Do have more open. Boynes web site made it seem they had more open. I bailed!

I like stayin at the Grand Mnt there but decided to go nrth & stay @ the harbor spring BW for half the price. At least I can salvage sumpthin' outta this shitty weekend.

[sabatoa]

Originally Posted by chomps1211

Shit was even worse @ Boyne than it looked in the pics. Deer Run closed. Victor was it!!!! I Got a dozen or so runs @ Highlands yesterday even tho it was raining & drizzling. They were open & Boyne wasnt. They Do have more open. Boynes web site made it seem they had more open. I bailed!

I like stayin at the Grand Mnt there but decided to go nrth & stay @ the harbor spring BW for half the price. At least I can salvage sumpthin' outta this shitty weekend.

I'm glad you went north, the pic you posted earlier was atrocious.

Maybe you can split the rest of the weekend between Highlands and Nubs.