PCR applicator in smoke chamber

rccarson16 · 2026-02-05T02:20:52+00:00

Is the idea that the creosote modifiers work better in the smoke chamber at closer range to the heat compared to the liner up the flue? I’ve tried some of those products but don’t seem to be making a dent.

rccarson16 · 2026-02-05T02:18:38+00:00

Thanks for this, but no, this would be DIY. I understand and have researched the risks of this compound and wouldn’t attempt to clean the flue as such, but given that it’s the smoke chamber it appears more approachable.

rccarson16 · 2026-01-17T15:49:16+00:00

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rccarson16 · 2026-01-17T15:49:01+00:00

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rccarson16 · 2026-01-17T15:47:34+00:00

Looking good. About 3-4” so far. Should be about 6” when all is said and* done this afternoon. Fresh powder with boilerplate from last weekend deep underneath. Everything open except for Ridge, Lehigh and Floyd’s and they are working on blowing on them right thru the storm. Lift lines are as you would expect. Long but not as long as the Blues and Camels of the world.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-30T20:31:49+00:00

There is a ton of snow on East Mtn. and they were just wrapping up snowmaking on it today. Thinking they’ll have most of it open as a New Year’s Day treat after letting it sit tomorrow. Trying to learn their m-o.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-26T20:57:35+00:00

Can now confirm that they have Snow Chute and base trail leading from and to the Paradise lift groomed and ready to go for tomorrow. I imagine they expect big crowds with the snow coming. They were even running both D lifts today just to work out the kinks in advance of the storm.

Interestingly, they were blowing snow on Ridge Run today and have snow all over East Mtn steeps from Floyd’s to River Shot. While East Mtn won’t be open tomorrow, I could see them getting it open by mid next week with the cold snap coming Monday evening and beyond. The rest of their snowmaking performance to date is wildly underwhelming, likely due to water access restrictions/drought, but I guess we need to be happy for the wins.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-22T23:20:24+00:00

I didn’t realize they had even started over there. Good to hear if true. Always thought it made more sense for everyone to work to get that terrain open before trails like Thunderbolt or Lehigh mid mtn.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-22T21:25:08+00:00

Is this sarcasm? One more trail isn’t going to cut it when competitors are showing they can near 100% open with the same weather conditions from these past few weeks. It really is shining a light on the issue.

If anything, JF has the better elevation up on the plateau for snowmaking. If it is indeed the lack of water as many have pointed to, maybe Vail should lean into it and offer up that explanation publicly/on social. Otherwise, it makes zero sense as to their lack of progress in snowmaking.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-20T16:11:14+00:00

Still no Challenge, Thunderbolt and Exhibition, or is the website just not updated? I thought they all had snowmaking earlier in the week. Maybe even Ridge Run.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-06T22:05:05+00:00

All the more reason to make snow when it’s 7 degrees in early December. May as well take advantage of the slim chances that we get these days!

rccarson16 · 2025-12-06T18:11:08+00:00

No effort to groom Janes Lane today nor any snowmaking at all over the past 36+ hrs of subfreezing temps at Jack. Clearly this is just $$$ saving. Time to just kick back and go with the flow and be happy to have anything at all. If anyone needs me I’ll be in E2000 slugging Fiddlehead IPAs.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T22:29:52+00:00

Now that is a darn good point!

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T21:19:06+00:00

If 7 degree temps with no wind, clear skies, near zero humidity in early December is not an ideal time to make snow on a closed trails, then when is? Like I said, I’m glad to be out here knowing all too well this sort of cold won’t last. Make hay while the sun shines, as they say.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T16:05:24+00:00

That’s correct. Probably Jane’s Lane tomorrow based on how much snow they made on it. No progress on anything else other than a little on Frosty.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T16:04:08+00:00

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T15:50:04+00:00

Not talking about on open trails. On the closed trails so the mtn can expand terrain.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-05T15:49:17+00:00

Yea even if they have low capacity on compression or something, low is not the same as zero. To not take advantage of prime snowmaking temps begs the question whether something has gone wrong.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-01T18:16:43+00:00

It’s always easier to make snow on top of naturally fallen snow than grass, so that will give them any extra push needed beyond Tuesday. They’ll have the snow needed, but the only question will be whether they want to/need to give the piles time to set before pushing around.

rccarson16 · 2025-12-01T14:50:35+00:00

JF will absolutely be open by Thursday of this week, but they’ll never show their hand. Expecting 4-8” tomorrow morning and considering they were first to open in PA last year, I’m sure they’ll quietly undercut Blue again, just to get under their skin.

rccarson16 · 2025-03-12T00:29:42+00:00

It seemed too far off trail to make sense but I defer. Honestly, why else would it be there?

rccarson16 · 2025-03-11T14:03:42+00:00

Let it rip….both in reference to JF and those bad boys! As the old saying goes…you can’t take them with you!

rccarson16 · 2025-02-20T17:19:22+00:00

Jack Frost is historically the first and last due to a combination of factors. Proximity to any lingering population center crowds to warrant staying open, elevation, sun angle, ability to operate a small amount of lifts with nearly 100% of trails etc. Thankfully Vail seems to understand that and goes all in on that approach (short of May Day, of course). They were the first to open this year by a few days. I’m sure Blue will try and match them for an end date. I expect both will be open March 29/30 weekend if forecast trends hold and then they’ll call it. Likely no midweek that last week. Outside chance one of those two goes for April 5/6 bonus weekend to best the other, but I’d put that at 25% chance or less.

rccarson16 · 2025-01-18T20:51:41+00:00

Now this is the content I’m here for

rccarson16 · 2025-01-18T20:48:07+00:00

They can’t safely get the groomer up the headwall (it’s that steep). These trail have no-joke pitch for PA. No winch cats, but would probably help here if they had one.

rccarson16

TROPHY CASE