Snowshoe Powder Question- need help
11 posts
8 users
3k+ views
8 users
3k+ views
Ok, let's say it's a midweek day. You've just arrived at Snowshoe and eight inches of snow has fallen the night before. Where's the best place to hit the pow that morning- Western Territory, Snowshoe Basin, or Silver Creek? Thought I'd heard on this board that Silver Creek was the place to be, but just want to check. Any opinions on this? Quick responses would be greatly appreciated!
Hmmm tough question, kind of like asking which supermodel would you date?
Since Western Territory doesn't open till 10 or so, I'd ski the basin, namely: widowmaker, grabhook, and maybe one or two more runs and then race over the Western Territory. Leave Silver Creek alone. I only go there at night.
Since Western Territory doesn't open till 10 or so, I'd ski the basin, namely: widowmaker, grabhook, and maybe one or two more runs and then race over the Western Territory. Leave Silver Creek alone. I only go there at night.
When I was an instructor there we woulod head to the creek. Fewer people means more fresh. 
Generally any powder on the basin side becomes cut up crud in very short order, especially after ski school's 8:30 line up. And they tend to groom a lot of it out before the paying public gets out.
Western Territory usually opens at 9 am with the rest of the resort unless its windy or temps gave them a late start grooming the previous night. Definitely hit Cupp and Shay first. Especially since all the terrible wedges will be out scraping it off by 11 or 12 you gotta get it there when you can. Remember, if you're good enough to stay near the trees confidently on Cupp you'll be in powder heaven for most of the day since all the bad skiers/boarders stay in the middle. I was there one mid week powder day with about 8 - 10 inches and boarded the powder on the side almost all day. It seemed like it only got better as the day went on as people would scrape more freshies from the center over to my stash. Really nice of them. 
The Flying Eagle chair is closed mid week now so don't bother over there. Terrible really since Bear Claw and Eagle are AWESOME in powder. If you ever get a chance to hit them on powder days DO IT. Weave around to the outside of the patches of trees in the middle of Eagle and you'll find powder stashes for days.
The basin isn't that bad really. When I've been there during powder Skip Jack, Grabhammer, Knott Bumper (my favorite), Choker, and any moguls on the side of Ballhooter will be untracked for a good while. Also, Widowmaker is wide enough that you can usually take to the side and find powder for a good while. Try J-Hook too, not many people try it so its typically untracked.
The Flying Eagle chair is closed mid week now so don't bother over there. Terrible really since Bear Claw and Eagle are AWESOME in powder. If you ever get a chance to hit them on powder days DO IT. Weave around to the outside of the patches of trees in the middle of Eagle and you'll find powder stashes for days.
The basin isn't that bad really. When I've been there during powder Skip Jack, Grabhammer, Knott Bumper (my favorite), Choker, and any moguls on the side of Ballhooter will be untracked for a good while. Also, Widowmaker is wide enough that you can usually take to the side and find powder for a good while. Try J-Hook too, not many people try it so its typically untracked.
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Quick responses would be greatly appreciated!
Hypothetical question or last-second plan?
Quote:
Hypothetical question or last-second plan?
Around here, EVERY ski trip is a last-second plan.
Duck the ropes with Patrol and "open" the Western Territory.
Connections are good.
Connections are good.
OOoohhh canaanman you crafty dog. Snakeing the fresh with the patrol you evil genius. Man my back is still killing me from my bail on cupp last weekend, I guess it's time to visit the quack.
If it is truly midweek (like a Wed) you can probably get freshies for a few runs on the basin side before the Western Territory opens. Ski several runs there, and then head to Silvercreek, where you still might get first tracks, though I believe the best run (Bear Claw) is closed mid-week.
I think they open Bear Claw if there's fresh to be skied.
