The Forum

Denis recounts his annual Mt. Hood adventure, combining challenging spring skiing, a Silcox Hut stay, and a successful group summit with detailed reflections on the mountain’s hazards and terrain.

GGNagy announces Seven Springs’ rare April reopening, prompting excitement, media coverage, photos, and reports from skiers who enjoyed the brief spring skiing and festivities.

Kwillg6 shares news of Wintergreen’s financial troubles, prompting discussion of resort debt, real estate, poor weather, and the broader challenges facing Mid-Atlantic ski areas.

The Colonel asks for updates and photos on construction at Canaan Valley, while chaga reports related improvements underway at nearby Blackwater Falls State Park.

Bob notes that Arapahoe Basin is closing unusually early after a warm, snowless winter left Colorado’s snowpack at record-low levels.

Scootertig seeks beginner-friendly mountain-biking trails near Leesburg, prompting suggestions including Laurel Hill, the Cross County Trail, and Third Battle of Winchester Battlefield.

fishnski revisits predictions that the Arctic would be ice-free in 2012, while acknowledging that the summer melt season had not yet arrived.

Fishnski tracks a late-April snowstorm’s changing forecasts and limited accumulation, while Denis reports finding enough natural snow in Canaan Valley for a final ski outing.

Fishnski and other weather watchers track two late-season cold shots, with mountain snow developing across West Virginia and New York’s Tug Hill.

Laurel Hill Crazie discusses preparing for the April 28 hike, warning that the Rachel Carson Challenge’s repeated climbs make it a difficult endurance outing.

Denis asks about possible late-season skinning conditions at Timberline and Canaan, prompting reports of sparse snow, spring ski outings, and memories of the latest turns at area resorts.

Denis reports unusually dry, brick-hard trails during an early-April mountain bike ride, prompting discussion of the region’s drought and worsening ground conditions.