Last day of vacation! Gen and I enjoyed our hotel waffles, and headed over to Black Mountain of Maine, landing just before lifts started spinning at 8:45am. We lucked out that it was vacation week - apparently they aren't usually open mid-week! We suited up, and were on the lifts around 9:10am.
Mountain Report
February 20, 2024 6:00am
School vacation is in full swing & the mountain is in excellent condition. We've gotten 3" of fresh snow over the past week & we're skiing & riding on 29 trails with packed powder & variable conditions. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the high 20's with sunny skies today. Note: ungroomed trails have some accumulated snow on top of a firm layer of crust.
Run 1: Lower Sunday - The Bean
[0.25 miles, 1:19, 184 feet, 19.9 mph max, 11.8 mph avg]
First run of the day was just to get the feet wet. Our bodies definitely knew that we had been skiing for the past four days, so it was nice to start nice and easy.
Run 2: Lower Sunday - Aroostook - Ellis
[0.29 miles, 2:11, 171 feet, 14.2 mph max, 7.9 mph avg]
Second run off the Novice Lift was geared toward practicing my turns, just getting re-used to using the right (or at least, what I perceive to be right) muscles. Nice and easy!
Run 3: Magalloway (Downhill Entrance)
[0.27 miles, 1:06, 177 feet, 24.5 mph max, 14.7 mph avg]
The third and final run was meant to get a bit of confidence on the steeps and moving quickly. There's two entrances to Magalloway - one slightly uphill from the lift (turn left after you get off the chair), and one off the right and downhill, under the lift, that has a short, steeper pitch, that gains speed. It's fun!
Run 4: Upper Allagash - Saint John - Allagash - Sandy - Lower Rapid
[1.09 miles, 6:36, 1,142 feet, 29.3 mph max, 9.9 mph avg]
After a short break inside where Gen adjusted her boots and put on her knee braces, we hit the Summit Triple for the first time! There were lovely views from up top. I got our plan from the Indy Passholders Facebook group. From the top, we we straight and left to the Upper Allagash, which was mostly closed (but the top part was open). After a short headwall, Upper Allagash hit the closed section and the Saint John trail turns left. We followed Saint John until it merged with Allagash, being careful to stay on the right trail and not accicentally hit a black run (everything was well-signed). We stopped at each junction and before/after steeper sections to check-in - it was fun! The last stop was at the Allagash/Sandy junciton, which either was not clearly signed or we missed it, but thankfully both routes down were blue. Lower Allagash had a thin cover sign, so we went the Sandy - Lower Rapid route, which was fun! Nice to end on a wide open trail. The key is to get enought speed to make it back to the lift without skating.
Run 5: Upper Allagash - Saint John - Allagash - Sandy - Lower Rapid
[0.94 miles, 4:07, 1,125 feet, 32.3 mph max, 13.6 mph avg]
Okay, now that we had the first big run down, time to do it again! I went a bit faster this time, focusing on technique, specifically going from moving quickly to stopping, and having fun! I really enjoyed this route - it felt like a good, logical step-up from the America-Hudson Highway-The Pass-Lower Tight Line route from Saddleback, but shorter. The steeps were more frequent and longer, but I always felt in control. I also hit a new speed record - 32.3 mph, on the last little bit. Terrifying, but fun!
Run 6: Upper Androscoggin - Androscoggin - Upper Sunday - Lower Sunday - The Bean
[1.08 miles, 5:41, 1,152 feet, 31.3 mph max, 11.4 mph avg]
Two more, skip the last! Our last run was the other suggested route from the Facebook group. We turned right from the top of the lift and followed signs for Upper Androscroggin. The overall trail layout here was similar to the other, with a good balance of steeps and shallows. Androscoggin was pretty consistent, which would have been nice to practice on for longer - it wasn't ever too steep, but there also weren't any good stopping spots. Upper Sunday was fun - a nice headwall into a bowl area that led into the flat before the Novice Chair area. Once on Lower Sunday I was in familiar territory - followed that to The Bean, and got as close to the lodge as possible. Afterwards, it was time for our final apres. The Last Run Pub was much nicer when it wasn't packed, and we sat in a old lift chair, enjoyed our drinks and free popcorn, right at the window to watch the lack of crowds.
Stats for the Day
6 Runs, 3.92 miles, 3,950 feet, 32.3 mph max, 0:21:01 moving, 1:59:47 total
Stats for the Trip
33 Runs, 26.83 miles, 19,918 feet, 2:39:11 moving, 9:48:35 total
A quick reflection.
I am feeling really proud of myself at the end of this trip! I went in really liking skiing, and I'm coming out feeling almost addicted. Makes me feel much better about dropping all the cash on all of the clothing, gear, and the Indy Pass! I feel like my technique has gotten better, and moreso my confidence has grown exponentially. I'm just really happy with the trip and proud of myself! Yay!
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