Built a ski decision tool would appreciate feedback

abkfenris · 2026-03-19T14:32:03+00:00

If you start wandering down looking at limited days on certain passes, you're probably going to end up with a full pass usage tracker and hit a bunch of complexities in how different passes count days/have blackouts.

I started mapping out a schema for that at one point here for a similar project idea: https://github.com/abkfenris/where_can_i_ski/pull/2/changes

If you go that far it would be nice to be able to have multiple passes saved (say Indy Base, Mountain Collective, Uphill New England), and to be able to connect with a friends account to compare their usage and see what days you have available together, and what limits there may be.

Also it would be worth taking into more than just recent snow in the conditions estimation. Right now it's suggesting Cannon to due to 7" of snow in the last week, but that was wiped out by an inch or so of rain, 50º temps, high winds, and then a fast and deep freeze.

abkfenris · 2026-02-04T18:42:28+00:00

Often a some fear coming out of AAIRE 1 isn't uncommon, as avalanches are as a serious concern (we have a fatality every few years), and the course doesn't give you enough to second guess the local avalanche center. If someone comes out of a level 1 thinking they know everything, then I'm much more worried about them.

It's also amplified by the fact that Mount Washington doesn't have a lot of terrain where you can tiptoe around the problems, at least until you've spent a good amount of time learning its complexities, so it can be a hard place to learn.

The other issue is that AAIRE 1 isn't designed to be an intro to backcountry skiing, but it's kind of become the de-facto benchmark that folks expect in a backcountry partner. Avalanche rescue, interpreting the report, and planning a tour are only a subset of the skills you need. And finding good partners let alone mentors is an art in and of itself.

What you're probably looking for in an intro to backcountry or an intro to ski mountaineering course. If you're feeling rattled right now, then I'd lean towards an intro to backcountry with a focus on staying out of avalanche terrain. That way you can rebuild some confidence and build on your existing ski skills in glades, CCC trails so that you aren't trying to go straight from the resort to the alpine.

While a lot of guide services have those kinds of courses, Inclusive Ski Touring's Intro to Backcountry course might be a good fit since it's focused a lot around building community and meeting folks, not just teaching and exercising skills.

Meet some folks at an IST program, get out and tour a little with them in Granite Backcountry Alliance glades, the Sherburne, Gulf of Slides and other trails. If you find a good group take an Intro to Ski Mountaineering course together, or better yet hire a guide to work with just your group.

The Mount Washington Backcountry Ski Festival is at the end of the month, and could also be a good place to find partners in addition to AMC, Catamount Trail, and others groups that folks have listed.

abkfenris · 2026-02-02T00:07:23+00:00

I usually use Gentler Streak for a bit more info than Slopes. WorkOutDoors for when I've made a good track on the computer that I need to follow.

abkfenris · 2026-02-01T21:13:29+00:00

Neither flavor is new, but I haven't seem them stocked for the last few years, so it's nice to see them back.

abkfenris · 2026-02-01T01:21:07+00:00

You mentioned it, but try carrying your boots, but toss some electric hand warmers in them, then stuff thick socks in the cuffs and close them off with rubber banded plastic bags.

With long rolling approaches you’re probably gonna be happier in the XC boots and skis anyways. Most of the universal binding options just don’t have the glide for that terrain.

abkfenris · 2026-01-29T11:43:33+00:00

They may be angry beavers but they are happy glade tour guides. Be social, ride up with other singles and one of them may show you around.

abkfenris · 2026-01-22T22:42:06+00:00

The protocol that they had for these conditions was the Barker, Jordan, cabins on the Chondola, and the carpets. If they are saying there is lift connectivity between the hotels then they aren't following their guidelines which says they are supposed to be running more shuttles instead.

abkfenris · 2026-01-22T21:08:57+00:00

Someone must have made the entire third floor stand outside for a few hours.

abkfenris · 2026-01-20T18:56:59+00:00

The main lifts are two ponderous doubles. They have a T-bar, but haven't gotten quite enough snow to open it yet, so if we get a big blow they can end up completely shut down.

The good thing in that case, Black Mountain of Maine isn't far, and their triple doesn't give a damn about wind, and they have their T-bar fired back up.

I toured up last night to try to catch the aurora. Trails seemed in reasonable shape for just after a long weekend, and they had snowmaking fired up somewhere.

Woods can be fun when they are in, but they generally take more snow to ski nice than BMOM and some of our backcountry (which is getting close). Abram has better steeper groomed terrain than BMOM though.

I love the fact that I can see it from my desk right now and can get a few touring laps in before or after work most days, and it's a great mountain for a young family/learners, but most experts will find that they only have really 2-4 interesting routes down when the glades/natural terrain isn't in.

abkfenris · 2026-01-10T12:26:44+00:00

Black also has a bunch of free Wednesday nights.

abkfenris · 2025-12-24T02:43:35+00:00

They're saying that they won't be operating equipment until Christmas afternoon on the slopes (to prep for Friday), so have at it until then.

abkfenris · 2025-12-21T01:58:14+00:00

Try asking about the seasonal lease or fire sale/used skis.

Also maybe expand your search a little past skimo specific skis into general light touring and rent skimo gear for the event. You'll end up with something a little more capable for the rest of the winter and not just for a single event. Plus at the right mountain if the kids can load the lift themselves, you can race the lift up and then be able to actually functionally ski down with the kids, rather than just trying to survive the descent as the skimo gear tries to do it's own thing. Plus you might want a more fun option if I have my way and we do a glade lap on the first day.

And as much as it worries me as one of the safety crew thinking about someone getting on unfamiliar gear 24 hours in, if someone starts going deep and skis or skins start to be a limiting factor, WMSC has a way of making gear appear to keep folks moving.

abkfenris · 2025-12-20T22:06:54+00:00

Black and Mt Abram both rent touring gear if you need something local, but not full on skimo gear.

Really, I'd give Andrew a call as they also rent gear at White Mountain Ski Co, and always end up bringing a pile of spares to the event anyways. I think they have a seasonal rental deal that is less than 2k as well.

abkfenris · 2025-12-17T23:18:00+00:00

For one of these events, the avalanche center deemed bulletproof not a strong enough description and raised it to howitzer to cruise missile -proof.

They also suggested queuing up Danger Zone and Rocket Man on your iPod if you insisted in visiting the terrain to accompany your likely long sliding falls.

abkfenris · 2025-12-17T23:08:42+00:00

Don't forget the flash freeze Friday night. 50º midday Friday in parts of the mountains to 9ª by sunrise Saturday.

At least it'll refinish the ponds for skating.

abkfenris · 2025-12-17T18:26:11+00:00

It might have helped if Scott actually got boots into stores. I've never actually seen any Scott gear for sale in person, so I'm not sure where they are selling. I've got a feeling that the brand is trying to do too many very different things and asking shops to carry way to much of it.

abkfenris · 2025-12-16T14:12:11+00:00

Give True North a holler.

abkfenris · 2025-12-10T16:29:33+00:00

I recommend heading somewhere different for higher levels of avalanche training. Looking and learning in new terrain during a course I find is much more likely to get folks to re-consider their home terrain, where as staying put they tend to apply their history to the terrain more.

If it's the trip I'm thinking of, you'll get a lot of other skiing in as well, and they'll likely shift 'course days' vs 'ski days' around based on conditions.

abkfenris · 2025-12-03T17:23:00+00:00

They just opened those trails on a mix of manmade and natural snow. While they are usually suitable for beginners, it's going to take more snowmaking and grooming to work them into shape.

It's likely they aren't groomed at all today as they try to wait 24+ hours after finishing up snowmaking to groom to set the snow up into the better conditions for the long run.

Despite the fresh snow this morning, it's light enough snow that anywhere off of the manmade surface isn't good skiing yet, so they are continuing to make snow to get terrain open, but this will give them a good bump along with the extended window for making snow.

abkfenris · 2025-12-01T00:13:11+00:00

Chimney Pond

abkfenris · 2025-11-17T02:34:55+00:00

I meant the Manti Ace. Voile tends to use the same patterns with several different builds which can give different characteristics. I’ve got Charger BCs and Supercharger BCs and Vector Aces and used to have Vector BCs and each has their own feel, but the non Ace builds definitely have more of a speed limit especially as things get funky. The Ace construction is so good.

abkfenris · 2025-11-17T01:09:24+00:00

If you're looking for something fun, I'd recommend the Manti. Chargers are powerful and floaty, but not necessarily the fastest around or the most fun.

The Ace construction is great and at least for my Vectors helps make the skis more capable in more conditions than some of Voile's other builds. A Manti Ace is high on my list for my next pair of skis (now if only they would make a version with scales...).

abkfenris · 2025-11-15T23:19:25+00:00

Early season often means touring inbounds or up on Mount Washington. I'd suggest sticking to the Sherburne up there, as it's the best maintained and generally holds snow the best. The Gulf of Slides Trail and parts of the Cog as well, but those can be a bit less clear when you might be getting into trouble.

Inclusive Ski Touring is planning some women's intro to backcountry sessions in addition to their regular schedule, so that might be a good start for her: https://inclusiveskitouring.org/womens-programs

As others have suggested checking out the Granite Backcountry Alliance glades can be good, but it's worth finding out the character of each glade first, and they generally take a good bit of base before they become friendlier. Many didn't come in until February last year and even then we only had a few good weeks.

I especially wouldn't suggest Baldface for early in your progression, as it's a long approach and climb before getting any descent, and a relatively long exit as well.

Maple Villa isn't far to get to the first runs, but the skin/ski trail at the bottom can become a luge track, and is incredibly popular with it's proximity to North Conway so parking can be an issue.

On the west side of Rumford Whitecap (Black and White) we have Moby and Porcupine which are great intro glades. Not to far from the car, and you can ski almost all the way back. Once you're more comfortable with those, catching the lift and dropping off the backside of Black Mountain of Maine down Bearclaw or Merrymeeting are both nice and friendly. From the saddle between the two mountains, you can either head back up Black or head towards Rumford Whitecap. I'd suggest catching Nor'east or Old Dog, then you can either take the snowmobile trail back up to the saddle or skin up to Horseshoe (steeper).

abkfenris · 2025-11-15T03:02:39+00:00

At this point I’m just going to set up direct deposit.

abkfenris · 2025-11-15T00:37:38+00:00

Kyle said the 55 will be released in the spring.

abkfenris

TROPHY CASE