Wisp this weekend.
29 posts
12 users
4k+ views
kennedy
December 8, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
Alright so we have a fair contingent hitting Wisp this weekend. I guess the consensus is to meet at 12:30 Sunday at the bottom of the terrain park?

2 ways tuned to 4-11. For Saturday I'm up for meeting folks who are around same place and time as Sunday.

BTW checked out the whales on Squirrel Cage on the live cam and saw some folks hitting them, they look huge. Air time for all.
JimK - DCSki Columnist
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/14/2004 🔗
2,989 posts
Sounds good Kennedy for gathering @ WISP on 12/11.

Could be a lot of "gatherings" this weekend as good deals and cold weather have many of us very stoked.

As tommo suggested: "meet and greet" for 10-15 minutes at base of the Face, below the Park at 12:30, then we could do a full mountain tour, which will take a couple of hours....or whatever. Everything is pretty mellow at Wisp, so most abilities should be able to join us.

Who else is gonna try to make this?
gatkinso
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/25/2002 🔗
316 posts
Ah! I would like to, but I am going Saturday.

On another note... what is the base like? Should I bring my rock skis I wonder...?
kennedy
December 8, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
I'll be there on Saturday, if you have 2 way give me buzz around noon on 4-11
gatkinso
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/25/2002 🔗
316 posts
OK! I wear all black. I will probably be riding K2 Patriots unless someone tells me there is a decent base in which case I will be on Salomon xtra Hot Pilots.
kennedy
December 8, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
I don't know one ski from another. Look for a dark green jacket with a red strip and black oakley a frames or call the radio
JohnL
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/6/2000 🔗
3,563 posts
Been out sick today. Nothing like having to burn leave for a sick day.

I'll swing by the meeting place at 12:30 on both Saturday and Sunday, and I'll listen up on the channel (not sure if my "inherited" 2-way still works). All this could change if I don't shake this virus by the weekend.

I'm a two planker. Tall skinny guy.
tommo
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/16/2004 🔗
303 posts
I'll be there at 12:30 on Sunday for sure....Short fat guy on Volkl 5 Stars.
tommo
December 8, 2005
Member since 01/16/2004 🔗
303 posts
Gatkinso - I used brand new 5 stars 2 weeks ago and cover was great. It looks to me like they'll have at least a 2 foot base all around by Sunday, with more in places. Bring the Good Skis!!
Kris
December 8, 2005
Member since 03/15/2005 🔗
248 posts
A few of us will be there sunday and monday...

Handsome, muscular, younger fellow. lol

We all should pick a place on our jackets or bibs and tie a bright colored string or ribbon or something on it that would be easily recognized by other DCskiers...
YOu all could be standing right at the top of the lift with about 6 other groups at 12:30 sunday. Nobody would know who was who...
BUt if there was a bright red or blue ribbon tied around lets say...everybodys right wrist or right ankle or anything...that would help...
I know its too early to do something like that for this weekend, but maybe by late jan or feb we could have something like that...
himihon
December 9, 2005
Member since 12/28/2004 🔗
20 posts
Wisp might want to update their pic on weather.com. [url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/weather/tenday/301001] I wouldn't want to go there if I thought that is what it looks like. Some melting snow and grass.....mmmmmm sounds like fun.
JimK - DCSki Columnist
December 9, 2005
Member since 01/14/2004 🔗
2,989 posts
Quote:



We all should pick a place on our jackets or bibs and tie a bright colored string or ribbon or something on it that would be easily recognized by other DCskiers...
YOu all could be standing right at the top of the lift with about 6 other groups at 12:30 sunday. Nobody would know who was who...
BUt if there was a bright red or blue ribbon tied around lets say...everybodys right wrist or right ankle or anything...that would help...





Kris, how 'bout this: At 1230pm on Sunday I'll be standing there waving a red GO TERPS flag provided you volunteer to flash something similarly dorky with WV Mountaineers insignia? Remember, rendezvous at BOTTOM of The Face trail (and terrain park) about 75 feet from main door of the large Wisp day lodge.

Looks like Wisp has been working on getting Main Street area open today. I saw people already skiing North Camp on webcams.
kennedy
December 9, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
that works Jim. As I said too I'll be there Saturday, I'll swing by the meeting place saturday at 12:30. I'll stay there holding my board. It's a long dark blue board with a big green eye on it. I also use a red binding strap. I'll hang around for 10-15 minutes to see if anyone shows up radio @ 4-11.
bawalker
December 9, 2005
Member since 12/1/2003 🔗
1,547 posts
Count me in for being there tomorrow starting around 11 and being on channels 4-11 on the 2 way. I'll give my DCSki.com call handle, or just let everyone know the local IT geek is there.
Ullr
December 10, 2005
Member since 11/27/2004 🔗
532 posts
The wife and I will be there Sunday. She will be in a brown suade coat and I am in all black. Don't know may way around there but I will try to find the meeting place.
kennedy
December 11, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
Unfortunately I didn't get to meet anyone from the board at Wisp. Couldn't raise anyone on the radio and couldn't hang around on Saunday for the meeting, had to go mee the inlaws.

Anyway, we arrived Saturday morning at around 10:30 to sunny skys and plenty of fresh snow. Got our gear together, note to Wisp managment, do something about the changing facilities because changing in the bathroom is gross. Anyway got on the hill and first took the magic carpet (wanted to make sure my wife remembered the basics) then headed over to the new North Camp. Lift lines were not too bad and within 5 minutes we were making our way to the top. We stuck to the green trails at North camp because my wife isn't ready for blues yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer til she is. North camp trails were wide with plenty of opportunity to ride up walls and cut surf style top turns. The other thing I noticed is the ample opportunity to snake powder lines in the trees, but er I wouldn't know anything about that.

The North camp lift system works pretty well with a mid mountain lift to get you back to the central part of the mountain and a lift at the bottom to feed you to the top. Snow quality was excellent all the way, nice and powdery top layers over solid hardpack that was rarely icy. The only problem with northcamp that day was the main Northcamp lift that kept breaking down, often for 15-20 minutes at a time. They eventually had to close the trails thatserved it til they got it repaired.

Near 3 o'clock we made our way back to the front of the mountain where lift lines had grown and trails were far busier. Myself and a friend went for a fe last runs down muskrat and boulder while my wife headed for the bar. That was so much fun we had to do 2 or three more runs on it. It was fast, wide and powdery. Again plenty of opportunity to poach pow, especialy bobcat bowl which was completly covered from edge to edge so I don't know why it wasn't open, and also at the bottom at the half pipe and again I wouldn't know anything about it. Lets just say there was a distinct lack of patrol.

Sunday got busy around 11 am but condiditonswere the same as Saturday. This time the patrol was out in force. Saw one guy gat nicked for ducking the rope into the half pipe area. When we left at 11 there was a line of cars and a tour bus coming in. The line of cars stretched all the way from the entrance down to the intersection so glad to be out of that.

Overall an awesome trip. Other notes, Lakestar lodge is a handy motel 5 mins from the resort but it is very basic. went for steak at a restaurant beside the black bear, beautiful place but the steaks were not good which was dissapointing considering they were upwards of $20each.
gatkinso
December 11, 2005
Member since 01/25/2002 🔗
316 posts
I was there when they cut the rope for North camp - I made the very first *legal* tracks down Saw Mill? Whip Saw? What ever the blue is down the right of Chair 7 (I think it is chair 7 - the joys of unknown brand spanking new terrain!)

Anyway, while I was somewhat unimpressed with the terrain - it is "aquamarine" at its worse but the little black diamond trial was not open) it did make Wisp feel like a much bigger resort. Certainly if you like 7S over Wisp b/c of the size then North Camp just may sway your opinion.

I don't remember any North Camp Chair breaking down, but Chair 3 went down several times.

All in all, kudos to Wisp for the expansion. Let's face it - here in MASH we can't expect too much in the way of extreme terrain anyway - but the new terrain made the place feel much larger and it is really cool to hit something you have never seen before so it is worth a looksy.... and this coming from a guy who is not a Wisp fan!

Maybe I am just stoked from first turns this season!

Aside - I didn't know you could see Timberline and Canaan from the top of Chair 3 - but you can. There they were plain as day and you can see Mt Storm power plant as well. I am sure Wiap regulars will scoff at my naivete - but I have never been there on such a beautifully clear day berfore!

PS I called on the radio - channels 4 and 11 for "DCSkiers" but nore response - but I did here someone else call for DCski.
kennedy
December 11, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
May have been me. I was putting out calls every so often. The North Camp expansion is a much bigger deal for beginners I think because that is what it predominantly is, beginner terrain.

No to get my wife some more lessons for intermediate.

Oh as a side note. Willi's in Fairfax does a good tune. wifes skis excellent, my board excellent.
bawalker
December 11, 2005
Member since 12/1/2003 🔗
1,547 posts
What direction are you looking to see Timberline/Wisp from Chair #3? Can you see the slopes with the naked eye, or does it require hefty binoculars?
JohnL
December 11, 2005
Member since 01/6/2000 🔗
3,563 posts
I ended up bailing on Saturday since I was still recovering from a nasty virus. Made it to Wisp today for a day trip and met up with Tommo, JimK, and Jimmy at the 12:30 line-up. (Hope I'm not forgetting any other DC Ski posters, but I'm not used to getting up at 5:30 AM on a Sunday and am not thinking too well right now.)

We lost Jimmy half way through the afternoon. R U OK? Let us know ...

First time to Wisp for me. Had a blast in the trees between Devil's Drop and The Face, and on Devil's Drop (which I think was closed.)

Weather was overcast with a few inches of new snow in the PM.

I kinda liked the new North Camp Area - some pretty good cruisers though lacking somewhat in vert. Though my favorite section is the headwall overlooking the lodge. The Main Street section was still closed this afternoon. Wouldn't mind catching the view of the lake from there sometime.

Overall, real good snow today.

Nearly 100 percent open before December 15th, 7 bucks for a lift ticket, and new snow falling, hey not bad.
jimmy
December 11, 2005
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
2,650 posts
I just got out of that long liftline . I dunno what happened i thought i was in the middle of the pack there on boulder, JimK & dave behind, didn't see which way you and tommo went......lost again. Guess i missed the frontside tour.
kennedy
December 12, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
Real sorry I missed you guy's I was hoping to tear it up a little. I can't understand why some of the terrain wasn't open because it sure wasn't for lack of coverage, but it was all the sweeter for cutting illicit lines. By 11 am on Sunday I was getting tired of dodging traffic. I was coming down boulder at one point and perched on top of the curve was a group of at least 1 tots on skis paused like little exocet missiles ready to launch. I tucked in carved hard around the turn and took off before they could ensnare me.
Kris
December 12, 2005
Member since 03/15/2005 🔗
248 posts
You all didnt think it was windy at wisp sunday?
Sometime it felt like you were getting sand blasted the wind was blowin so hard....especially in the new area...

It was a great time though...I missed everybody sunday...kinda got a late start...I looked for dcski pins, but never saw one...
SCWVA
December 12, 2005
Member since 07/13/2004 🔗
1,052 posts
Quote:

Had a blast in the trees between Devil's Drop and The Face, and on Devil's Drop (which I think was closed.)




You should have skied the trees and DD on Friday after the dump. Lots of untracked powder till probably 1pm.

Did the orange rope/tape mean it was closed?
jimboc
December 12, 2005
Member since 03/30/2004 🔗
260 posts
North Camp - wisp is a short mountain to begin with and boy those runs over there are short!! At least they spread out the mountain nicely. The expert run over there is about 400 feet vert max. Agree that beginers and itermediates will love it over there....
tommo
December 12, 2005
Member since 01/16/2004 🔗
303 posts
Quote:

North Camp - wisp is a short mountain to begin with and boy those runs over there are short!!




Hi JimK and Jimmy and JohnL and anyone I missed - It was great fun to meet in person and ski a few runs... But, did I call it, or what: Somebody would find fault new trails, new lifts and $7 lift tickets

As to the the above comment, I'd just have to ask, "Compared to what?" It's 700' vert. Same as 7Springs, most of CV, Basin side of Snowshoe, Liberty, Roundtop, etc.... I, for one, think it's a great improvement to what's available in the mid-atlantic and believe the new terrain compares favorably with most slopes in our area. That said, I hope the masses all stay away and go elsewhere, esp. on the weekends
JohnL
December 12, 2005
Member since 01/6/2000 🔗
3,563 posts
Quote:

I just got out of that long liftline . I dunno what happened i thought i was in the middle of the pack there on boulder, JimK & dave behind, didn't see which way you and tommo went......lost again. Guess i missed the frontside tour.





We ended up stopping at the very last section of Boulder under the lift line. Had to check out to see whether the lift line would be skiable in mid-winter. Man, that lower section of Boulder was a cluster. Dodge ball on skis and boards. Someone said you skied ahead, but I think we skied to a different lift than you. Remember, you weren't hanging out with a bunch of rocket scientists on skis.

Tommo, I agree. I thought the lower section of North Camp had some real nice blue cruisers. Slopes weren't crowded, so I was able to arc GS turns from one edge of the trail to another. Try doing that at Seven Springs or Whitetail on a Sunday.

I think we both agreed that they F'ed up the lower section of the black diamond with the grading of the "entrance ramp" onto the traverse. However, they had to do that to make that merge safe. I remember looking at the photos of the North Camp trails (pre-grading) and thought it looked like a possibly dangerous merge to have an expert trail intersect a traverse at a right angle. And that traverse gets a lot of traffic.

With a foot more of snow, the liftline at North Camp will be sweet. That rock has my name on it.
jimmy
December 13, 2005
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
2,650 posts
Quote:

With a foot more of snow, the liftline at North Camp will be sweet. That rock has my name on it.




On my last ride up i watched a couple of boarders working on a small stump in front of johnL's rock. Wonder how long it will be til they station a ticket clipper there?

Great to meet & greet, ski n P, with you guys. I'm still batting 1000 with the people i've met through dcski. Will see you all again!
Ullr
December 13, 2005
Member since 11/27/2004 🔗
532 posts
The wife and I got there at 5pm on Sat, had dinner at the Black Bear and were at the mountain at 9am on Sunday. It was windy, but livable. Was hoping that the bowl and some of the other blacks on the front would be open, oh well, you still could not beat it for $7! The new area was nice, and by having 2 sides to the mountain, it did feel very big. The crowds were no where near what I thought they would be, but we did stay away from chairs 2 & 3. Went downstairs for toe warmers for my wife at lunch. Is the rental line always that long? It looked insane!

Overall, I thought it was a nice place, very clean, and well maintained. We would like to go back when all the terrain is open.

Ski and Tell

Speak truth to powder.

Join the conversation by logging in.

Don't have an account? Create one here.

0.15 seconds