backside snow fields!

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Permalink Reply by John on March 19, 2009 at 10:17pm

Hey man, that does suck but you never know about the winds at the Loaf. Technically though Lizzy is right since the mountain is open 100%, winds and weather permitting of course. If the winds ceased I'm sure they would open them right up, depending on the surface conditions. Book a stay for the weekend, weather is looking awesome!

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harris on March 20, 2009 at 1:33pm

Flatlander,

where you hiking from, if timberline was closed you could have hiked up tote road, or better yet straight up to the top of narrow gauge (technically if the snowfields are open) they are OPEN, i have skied many times above a closed lift, just use your wits and DON'T go alone, sugarloaf has a policy on 100% boundary to boundary ( to my knowledge as told to me by staff anyways), basically means that if the trails are open you can ski them

hope that helps

I have only encountered patrol, maintenance crews above closed lifts once, they looked at me like i was nutso, but kept on trucking by on the snowmobile

Better luck next time, cant wait too hit the snowfields next week, I have been doing some spring skiing at SR, while they don't have the snowfields they DO have some EPIC natural terrain of their own to play with, and the lifts, lol don't get me started on how awesome and well setup their lifts are!

Hope you have fun next time!

flatlander said:

DAMN MOTHA NATURE! I booked a room and called in sick yesterday...mother nature decides shes going to blow 60+ mph winds at the summit...what a cruel jokester she is=backside CLOSED. Called the snowphone at 8 AM lizzy says the loaf is 100% open..she lied to me and broke my heart! Got busted trying to hike to the top too! Great conditions but very dissappointed

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Permalink Reply by Flatlander on March 20, 2009 at 5:45pm

Yup..patrol was dfoing there job and stopped us! We came off Spillway lift skied to the right then tried going srtaight over the top! Didnt get too far! The ski patrol guy was very nice.... and if there was patrol on top then maybe we couldve gone, but there wasnt...so he probably saved our lives...chock one up for the patrol that day! My fat ass in 60 +winds=a snowball of massive proportions rolling downhill! We have 1 more shot maybe next weekend but otherwise Raggae fest is my last hope!

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Permalink Reply by Matt on March 20, 2009 at 6:55pm

they sucked today. all the snowfields were complete crap. nitro opened around 10 but it was pretty ice but still fun.

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Permalink Reply by Flatlander on March 20, 2009 at 9:26pm

so does it look like that may be it for the season?

Matt said:

they sucked today. all the snowfields were complete crap. nitro opened around 10 but it was pretty ice but still fun.

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Permalink Reply by J Sanford on March 20, 2009 at 9:38pm

We need another blower (or 2) to re-fill the woods and the snowfields. Time for a snow dance.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harris on March 20, 2009 at 11:53pm

its true

without a good dump in the coming weeks, i would be VERY surprised if we even had the summit (let alone the snowfields) open in the time of reggaefest

Who knows

As for the "patrol" incident, yes they will stop you if you get caught, and they are always "nice" about it, but NEVER go up right in front of them, you should have skied over to tote road then made a dash for it

your ass flying down the hill in a huge snowball would create an enormous safety hazard for the people below, but what a story to tell, i have been on the summit during the 60+ winds, and it can be very abusive up there!

good luck next time!

flatlander said:

Yup..patrol was dfoing there job and stopped us! We came off Spillway lift skied to the right then tried going srtaight over the top! Didnt get too far! The ski patrol guy was very nice.... and if there was patrol on top then maybe we couldve gone, but there wasnt...so he probably saved our lives...chock one up for the patrol that day! My fat ass in 60 +winds=a snowball of massive proportions rolling downhill! We have 1 more shot maybe next weekend but otherwise Raggae fest is my last hope!

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Permalink Reply by SkiBumette on March 21, 2009 at 1:57am

Jason Harris said:

its true



As for the "patrol" incident, yes they will stop you if you get caught, and they are always "nice" about it, but NEVER go up right in front of them, you should have skied over to tote road then made a dash for it



flatlander said:

Yup..patrol was dfoing there job and stopped us! We came off Spillway lift skied to the right then tried going srtaight over the top! Didnt get too far! The ski patrol guy was very nice.... and if there was patrol on top then maybe we couldve gone, but there wasnt...so he probably saved our lives...chock one up for the patrol that day! My fat ass in 60 +winds=a snowball of massive proportions rolling downhill! We have 1 more shot maybe next weekend but otherwise Raggae fest is my last hope!

Jason,

The advice to avoid ski patrol is a bit irresponsible don't you think? Ski patrol opens/closes trail/areas as conditions allow.... We all know how fast the snow can melt...especially on these beautiful spring days we love so much. And we know how cold the mountain can get at night producing a hard freeze.

I am pretty sure the Ski Patrol is looking out for everyone's best interest when they close the backside!

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harris on March 21, 2009 at 5:11pm

I don't think i EVER (now or before) told ANYONE to go on closed trails, i would never give such advice, however that being said outright, NO ONE has EVER died from a wind in the face, its one thing to have a lift be closed so that people don't fall to their deaths if a lift goes down from high winds, that's fine and dandy.

It is a totally different thing when the TRAIL IS OPEN (backside being the "trail" in this example) however the lift is not, i have made that climb with friends in some HORRIBLE weather, yes it is cold, yes it is tiring, but it is not fatal. I appreciate the patrol for doing what they can to keep everyone safe, but be careful, stay smart, and ski for life.

There is NO place at that mountain i would be afraid to go, in ANY weather as long as i had my wits about me!

Stay safe everyone, if a lift is closed don't ride it, but if a trail is open, and you can walk to it, time to make your own LIFT!

ttyl

More then one way up to the top on a windy day at the Loaf'

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Permalink Reply by Original Sugarloafers on March 22, 2009 at 9:15am

Do not go alone to the backside. It is a great place to ski or ride ,but can be unforgiving when a wrong turn is made at bottom.. Also, make sure even if it is a warm day that you are dressed warmlytie an extra layer around your waist.
. It is possible to get lost. For first timers I would also suggest not going late in the day until you have learned your way around

AND TAKE A CAMERA!

Bruce

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harris on March 23, 2009 at 12:14am

excellent advice

see everyone wednesday, im taking a newbie to the loaf to learn the sport

lol

wont be going down the backside with her though!



Original Sugarloafers said:

Do not go alone to the backside. It is a great place to ski or ride ,but can be unforgiving when a wrong turn is made at bottom.. Also, make sure even if it is a warm day that you are dressed warmlytie an extra layer around your waist.
. It is possible to get lost. For first timers I would also suggest not going late in the day until you have learned your way around

AND TAKE A CAMERA!

Bruce

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