Clearly, I’ve been bit by the skiing bug. I have to be in New Jersey by 4:30pm, so just for funsies, I glanced at the Indy map and noticed Catamount Mountain wasn’t too far off the pike. I went back and forth on whether or not I wanted to go, but the more I looked at the map and read reviews, the more I was sold. I reserved my pass, paid the $5 for the RFID card, and decided for an extra level of torture, I would also find something to hike for sunrise (more about that in another post). I made it to the mountain a bit before 9:00am (lifts started spinning at 8:30am), noticed there were a lot of cars, but no one on the lifts, and started my scavenger hunt. I decided the least stressful way for me to get set up was to leave all my gear in the car and just go for a walking tour to get my bearings. There are two main lodges, the older and smaller Berkshire lodge, and the pseudo-luxurious Catamount Lodge. There were no bag cubbies in sight, so I decided I would boot-up in the car. I found the ticket window, redeemed my Indy, found a paper map, and got everything set up in the parking lot. I had a small hobble to the ski area, and a slightly longer hobble to the Meadows Triple (it looked like maybe I could have ridden the magic carpet up, but the ski school was in FULL swing and I was not about to get in the middle of 30 speed-hungry nuggets).
Mountain Report
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 7:15am
The President's Week rolls on here at Catamount with another fun day on the mountain shaping up. Conditions are the best of the season right now, so come join us!
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Catamount will be open from 8:30am-8pm with up to 34 trails open and 6 lifts in operation. We'll start the day with the following lifts scheduled: The Ridge Quad, Catamount Quad, Meadows Triple, and all 3 Learning Area Carpets.
Thursday's forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies and a high around 40 degrees.
Snowmaking is currently on pause until temperature return on Friday night.
Run 1: Upper Promenade to Lower Promenade
0.66 miles, 2:45, 561 feet, 28.6 mph max, 14.4 mph avg.
I took the Meadows Triple, and then turned a wide left to get on the Upper Promenade, which started as a relatively flat trail, followed by a few steeper sections (I used steeper in comparison to flat, this trail really did not get very steep). I had some “wait do I actually know what I’m doing? have I ever skied before?” moments, but thankfully I made it down in one piece.
Run 2: Upper Promenade to Lower Promenade to Homeward Bound
0.81 miles, 5:03, 574 feet, 21.1 mph max, 13.0 mph avg.
Okay now I was going to actually focus on technique - going for wide turns, leading with the outside big toe and knees. Slower, but better! I was extremely grateful for the lack of crowds - getting up early has it perks! When I neared the bottom, I saw what could be described as a swarm of nuggets fighting their way into the lift line. I decided I was ready for the big lift, because I was not emotionally ready to deal with that many children (I am still on break for a few more days!).
Run 3: Ridge-Run to Upper Promenade to Lower Promenade to Homeward Bound
1.50 miles, 6:55, 984 feet, 30 mph max, 13 mph avg.
Up the Ridge Quad I go! I was lucky enough to be totally solo on my lift rides so far. Atop the summit area, I turned a wide left to follow the Ridge-Run, which was a lovely, relatively flat with a few dips, trail that offered some nice views when double-black trails would veer off on the left. This trail opens up at the top of the Meadows Triple, and then I followed the Promenades back down.
Run 4: Ridge-Run to Walter’s Way to Esplanade
1.20 miles, 5:04, 981 feet, 30.1 mph max, 14.3 mph avg.
Okay, I was feeling good with my green runs and was feeling ready to tackle a blue. I decided to repeat most of my last run, but instead of following the Promenades, I would turn onto Walter’s Way, which was a nice step up. I shared the Ridge Quad for my first and only time with a really friendly library/business teacher who was also on break. Walter’s Way was definitely steeper, but short. My biggest challenge on this trail was fighting the wind that was trying to blow me over! The Esplanade was a more mellow connection back to the Meadows Triple.
Run 5: Mountain View to Colonel’s Caper to Homeward Bound
0.69 miles, 3:21, 581 feet, 28.8 mph max, 12.3 mph avg.
I enjoyed Walter’s Way, so I decided I would take the Meadows Triple up again and go down the other side this time. Unfortunately, on my way into the lift line, I knocked a fence over and couldn’t get it back up for the lift of me. I apologized profusely - humiliating! Walter’s Run and Mountain View were basically mirror-images of each other. Once I turned onto Colonel’s Caper, I slowed down to re-engage my turns. After this run, I tightened my calf buckle and strap, which helped keep my feet where they were supposed to be.
Run 6: Upper Sidewinder to Lower Sidewinder
1.13 miles, 4:26, 997 feet, 30.5 mph max, 15.3 mph avg.
Time for a longer blue! The Sidewinders were a definitely step up from Walter’s Way and Mountain view, but thankfully I’ve gotten better at slowing down and taking my time. It’s clear why they named this trail Sidewinder, there are MANY turns, and many of them are sharp, and all are after/during a steep section. Overall, I think I handled it well. The very end was tough - a steep leads into the flat loading area, but the snow down there was just slush, which made breaking… interesting.
Run 7: Upper Sidewinder to Lower Sidewinder
1.14 miles, 4:40, 991 feet, 32.0 mph max, 14.6 mph avg.
Okay, now I knew what the trail entailed, so I allowed myself to move a bit more continuously. I also bucked my feet straps an extra click on here (it helped) - I found myself relaxing into my heels which is a no-no. I went a little faster than planned on one of the steeps, let out a small-but-mighty “woo,” pretended like the women skinning up didn’t hear me (she did, she giggled), and continued on my merry way. I passed a few people on this run, which is also just good practice.
Run 8: Upper Sidewinder to Shawenon
0.88 miles, 3:45, 1,001 feet, 35.9 mph max, 14.0 mph avg.
AH. What a finale. I knew I wanted to do something different this time, and I let the kid in front of my decide which I would be. He turned onto The Chute, so Shawenon it was for me! Turns out, Shawenon is the steepest trail I’ve ever been on. It was equally exhilarating and terrifying. I definitely hit a new speed record, for better or for worse! I wanted to slow down at one point, but I knew if I tried I would absolutely fall, so I let my skis do their job and waited to start turning when it mellowed out. I truly think I handled it well. I also yelled, a lot, loudly, but that’s okay! When I got back to the lift I saw lines were increasing, plus I had just hit the 2-hour mark, so I decided it was time for lunch and apres.
Now I’m sitting here with a delicious, cheesy, greasy, double cheeseburger and a Berkshire Lavender Lemonade Hard Seltzer, typing away with all of the lodge moms. I’m really happy I’ve been pushing myself out of my comfort zone recently.
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