ORDA Update: Lookout Mountain [Archive]

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Greg

08-14-2007, 07:17 PM

Lookout Mountain at Whiteface, a new development set to open for the 2008-09 winter season, is now underway. Whiteface staff captured the early stages of trail-cutting Monday from the bottom of the new intermediate trail above Kids Kampus. In addition, three expert runs will be included in the build-out. All tolled, approximately 6.5 miles of additional terrain will be added at Lookout Mountain bringing the Whiteface total to 24.5 miles. Whiteface is limited to 25 miles of skiing and riding.

Lookout Mountain is currently a construction zone. Therefore, hiking and biking the trails is prohibited for your safety.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/523/medium/101_0258.JPG
ORDA Photo

Some Lookout Mountain facts:

Chair Lift Elevation:
Base: 2,400 feet

Summit: 4,000 feet

Lift Stats:
Fixed Grip Triple Chair

Uphill capacity: 1,700 skiers per hour

Travels 500 feet per minute

Vertical Rise: 1,600 feet

Location:
Northeast of the Whiteface Summit or skier’s left of The Slides

Reclaiming the old Cloudsplitter Trail that was part of Whiteface in the 1950’s

4. Miles/Acreage:

**18 Current miles at Whiteface / Maximum allowable mileage is 25

3.73 additional miles / 32.3 acres will be added in the new Lookout Mountain development

63.5 Acres of Glades in the new Lookout Mountain development

6.45 miles of total trails (including Lookout Mountain) have been approved in the new Unit Management Plan

This project, when completed, will bring Whiteface to approximately 24.5 miles of trails.

5. Trails: New trails when complete

1 Intermediate trail -- 2.0 miles of newly cut trails + .5 existing trail = a total of 2.5 miles to the base

3 Expert Trails – 2.0 miles of new

takeahike46er

08-15-2007, 10:28 PM

Thanks for passing along the info Greg. I was going to post about the trail cutting but you beat me to it! There are a couple of photos posted on RSN too:

http://rsn.com/cams/placid/cam_welcome.html?bc=H^CI

Exciting times ahead...

mattchuck2

08-16-2007, 06:28 PM

That'll be a long hike next year (and probably a stealth hike), but it'll be worth it.

takeahike46er

08-17-2007, 05:57 PM

"The first look at the newest expert trail"

http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5106037_G.jpg

highpeaksdrifter

08-17-2007, 07:13 PM

Amazing how fast it's all getting done. Great pics.

takeahike46er

08-17-2007, 07:28 PM

Another shot from the website-- probably around the base of the intermediate trail.
http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/untitled.jpg

NPN

08-17-2007, 08:56 PM

It's more than a little embarrassing, having spent the better part of the last elevin winters up there, not to be able to get any bearing on what I'm looking at in these pictures.

takeahike46er

08-19-2007, 10:18 PM

http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5106027_G.jpg

A trail being referred to as "Cloudsplitter". I hope the entire run isn't this wide. Looks like it has good pitch.

highpeaksdrifter

08-22-2007, 07:04 PM

I went over to Kid's Campus yesterday. You can see a little of the Intermediate trail from there.

ComeBackMudPuddles

08-24-2007, 04:27 AM

These Lookout Mt. shots are fantastic! Please keep 'em coming....

highpeaksdrifter

08-30-2007, 05:22 PM

New pic from RSN. Intermediate trail.

http://www.rsn.com/image_display/5106846.jpg

NPN

08-30-2007, 09:56 PM

http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5106027_G.jpg

A trail being referred to as "Cloudsplitter". I hope the entire run isn't this wide. Looks like it has good pitch.

I've read this more than a few times, but today was the first time that this question ever surfaced in my Summer, heat baked cranium: why do you find a narrow ( for lack of appropriate term ) trail more enjoyable than a wider trail?

I break a trail down to options, and even Skyward, wide though it may be, is never skied the same way twice.

You may take that same left/right/center line on repeated runs, but it will never, ever ski exactly as it did the previous run, even on a wind blown powder day ( be still my heart ).

Is it the confine, adrenaline rush that says F-up, and kiss a tree, or, like the glade crowd, you just pefer the tight stuff as a consistant consequence?

Sincerely, I'm not busting chops ( although I think you are all nuts ), I'd just like to know.

takeahike46er

08-31-2007, 01:37 AM

why do you find a narrow ( for lack of appropriate term ) trail more enjoyable than a wider trail?

It's not that I necessarily prefer one over the other. I can have just as much fun skiing Upper Cloud as Empire or Upper Mac. I do think that narrower, wind protected slopes can provide a nice refuge on days when runs like Skyward are wind scoured. Those are the days when having sheltered runs can make all of the difference. Hopefully, Lookout will provide some insurance for when the wind howls.

ComeBackMudPuddles

08-31-2007, 03:36 AM

why do you find a narrow ( for lack of appropriate term ) trail more enjoyable than a wider trail?

I prefer narrow trails because I feel more connected to the mountain and the surrounding forest. It's more of an intimate experience. I feel like narrow trails have more character and inevitably follow the mountain's contours better. A wide trail is a wide trail is a wide trail, and, when one is making their turns on a super wide express trail, I think it's harder to tell if one is skiing Whiteface, Killington, Hunter, Bromley, or wherever.

It's like walking around a big city. I prefer exploring the narrow streets with smaller buildings to the wide and grand avenues, which feel less personal. Another way to explain is driving cross country. I don't think I've ever heard anyone wax nostalgic about an 80 mph dash via the interstate system. Cross country road trips are all about the side roads and the people you meet along the way.

highpeaksdrifter

08-31-2007, 05:39 AM

Upper Cloudspin is my favorite trail. It sure isn't narrow, but with so many interesting lines it always skis different.

NPN

08-31-2007, 03:16 PM

why do you find a narrow ( for lack of appropriate term ) trail more enjoyable than a wider trail?

I do think that narrower, wind protected slopes can provide a nice refuge on days when runs like Skyward are wind scoured. Those are the days when having sheltered runs can make all of the difference. Hopefully, Lookout will provide some insurance for when the wind howls.

That's right, I forgot all about that aspect of Lookout. Thanks for reminding me!

takeahike46er

08-31-2007, 09:36 PM

Check out this sweet photo of the new expert trail as viewed from Lower Excelsior. (compliments of RSN)

http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5106846_G_001.jpg

ComeBackMudPuddles

09-03-2007, 08:52 AM

ComeBackMudPuddles

09-03-2007, 09:05 AM

The first one shows a pretty straight shot down for one of the expert trails.

I went and checked out the WF 2006 unit master plan (http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/wf_ump.pdf) and found the page with the rough trail layout. FWIW, the two expert trails are basically parallel and appear to be straight shots down. I uploaded a portion of the page below. I'd guess the trail in the RSN shot in my prior post is the one on skier's right.

I think from a previous post in a different thread someone noted that the gladed area has been moved down and basically extends from about 1/2 way down the intermediate run to Kids Kampus.

http://upload2.postimage.org/593269/Traildesign.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/593269/photo_hosting.html)

takeahike46er

09-03-2007, 06:00 PM

Yeah, both runs are pretty much straight down the fall line (unless the plans have changed). The middle sections turn slightly so there should be a double fall line in that section of the trail. Hopefully they will let these runs bump up!

SKIdds

09-05-2007, 02:14 PM

"Whiteface' and 'let runs bump up'. How frequently have those two been used in the same sentence?

Here's to hoping..........It's exciting to see the progress on Lookout.

takeahike46er

09-05-2007, 03:13 PM

"Whiteface' and 'let runs bump up'. How frequently have those two been used in the same sentence?

I think it comes up once every three years or so on these boards. :shock:

highpeaksdrifter

09-16-2007, 06:15 PM

A couple more exciting RSN shots!

The first one shows a pretty straight shot down for one of the expert trails. I hope the other one has a little more "life" to it. But, still pretty cool to see.

The second one shows some higher elevation work being done. Looks like the trails will be fully cut this season!

http://upload2.postimage.org/593089/Straightshot.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/593089/photo_hosting.html)

I was at the mountain today. You can see one of the trails from the base, at least the end of it. I was happily supprised at how unstraight it was. I could see 2 good turns in the trail and another lesser one. I had also heard that some people thought the trails might be too wide. The trail I saw isn't Empire narrow, but not Mt. Run wide either. It appeared to be about as wide as say Upper Mac. It looked to have a nice sustained pitch to it too.

I think I'll do a little hiking up there this Saturday.

ComeBackMudPuddles

09-17-2007, 04:01 AM

I was at the mountain today. You can see one of the trails from the base, at least the end of it. I was happily supprised at how unstraight it was. I could see 2 good turns in the trail and another lesser one. I had also heard that some people thought the trails might be too wide. The trail I saw isn't Empire narrow, but not Mt. Run wide either. It appeared to be about as wide as say Upper Mac. It looked to have a nice sustained pitch to it too.

I think I'll do a little hiking up there this Saturday.

Interesting! Thanks for the first-hand testimonial. Definitely would be cool if you could post some pix from your hike.

The new trails are long, and if they're more Upper Mac and less Mt. Run, they'll be pretty amazing. I'm psyched.

takeahike46er

09-17-2007, 01:46 PM

I was at the mountain today. You can see one of the trails from the base, at least the end of it. I was happily supprised at how unstraight it was. I could see 2 good turns in the trail and another lesser one. I had also heard that some people thought the trails might be too wide. The trail I saw isn't Empire narrow, but not Mt. Run wide either. It appeared to be about as wide as say Upper Mac. It looked to have a nice sustained pitch to it too.

I think I'll do a little hiking up there this Saturday.

Thanks for the info! Good to hear. I am assuming the trail you saw was the intermediate trail that feeds into lower mountain-- yes? Should be a fun run down after a couple of laps on the triple.

From RSN:
http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5107669_G.jpg
"Trail crews are working up from the bottom and down from the top hoping to meet in the middle sometime this week and have the first new trail completed"

NPN

09-17-2007, 02:16 PM

I was at the mountain today. You can see one of the trails from the base, at least the end of it. I was happily supprised at how unstraight it was. I could see 2 good turns in the trail and another lesser one. I had also heard that some people thought the trails might be too wide. The trail I saw isn't Empire narrow, but not Mt. Run wide either. It appeared to be about as wide as say Upper Mac. It looked to have a nice sustained pitch to it too.

I think I'll do a little hiking up there this Saturday.

Thanks for the info! Good to hear. I am assuming the trail you saw was the intermediate trail that feeds into lower mountain-- yes? Should be a fun run down after a couple of laps on the triple.

From RSN:
http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5107669_G.jpg
"Trail crews are working up from the bottom and down from the top hoping to meet in the middle sometime this week and have the first new trail completed"

I wonder how Jay, and Bruce feel about being called "Trail crew"?

takeahike46er

09-18-2007, 08:38 PM

First trail almost done.

http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5107664_G.jpg

takeahike46er

09-19-2007, 10:44 PM

RSN:
http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5107659_G.jpg

ComeBackMudPuddles

09-20-2007, 03:49 AM

Nice pic from RSN. Looks like a good pitch.

http://www.rsn.com/image_display/5107654.jpg

NPN

09-20-2007, 02:09 PM

RSN:
http://forums.skiadk.com/albums/album33/5107659_G.jpg

Sweet!

BTW, does anybody know what they do with all of the wood from the cutting?

takeahike46er

09-20-2007, 11:43 PM

Based on what I read, the trees are turned into mulch on-site. None of the lumber is allowed to be shipped elsewhere (probably due to park regulations).

NPN

09-21-2007, 07:21 PM

NPN

09-21-2007, 07:35 PM

Based on what I read, the trees are turned into mulch on-site. None of the lumber is allowed to be shipped elsewhere (probably due to park regulations).

http://goremountain.com/mountain/photos.cfm

Okay, so that's what's all over the ground in this shot from Burnt Ridge?

I still don't know how they got that trail so stump free; it looks like a parking lot.

http://rsn.com/cams/placid/full_size_image.html?image_asset_id=5107656&party_id=1533&segment_type=mtn&siteSection=RESORT

Compared to say this shot from LM I just saw on RSN.

Maybe I'm missing something, but, with any amount of skiiable base, are a couple of inches of stump really going to make any difference, or is this just a step before this trail looks like that shot from Gore?

Greg

09-24-2007, 07:06 PM

Got this from ORDA today:

Work crews at Whiteface are making great progress with the new expert trail on Lookout Mountain. This expert run, dropping 1,600 vertical feet, begins below the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway and terminates on Easy Street at the base of a new triple chair. A second trail, for intermediates, is also being cut and will measure two miles and 2,200 vertical feet. Both are slated to open December 2008.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/523/lookout.jpg

NPN

09-24-2007, 08:42 PM

Tasty.

takeahike46er

09-24-2007, 09:54 PM

That shot really puts the trail in perspective. It looks like one mean rollercoaster. Couldn't be happier.

Thanks Greg.

ComeBackMudPuddles

09-25-2007, 10:17 AM

Thanks Greg! Looks great. I guess the second and third expert runs will be cut next year?

highpeaksdrifter

09-25-2007, 11:09 AM

Thanks Greg! Looks great. I guess the second and third expert runs will be cut next year?

The last I heard they where going to keep working on trails as long as the weather allows.

ComeBackMudPuddles

10-15-2007, 03:37 AM

From a recent WF press release:

"Looking beyond 2007-08, Whiteface is currently moving into its next frontier, that being Lookout Mountain. Located to the northeast of The Slides, Lookout Mountain will open in December 2008 with a 1,600 vertical foot expert run, a 2,200 vertical foot intermediate trail, a new triple chair starting just below the first pitch on Easy Street, snowmaking and another 55 acres of glades. This will increase the skiable terrain from 18 miles to 21.7 miles. The state-mandated ceiling at Whiteface is 25 miles."

I wonder why the two other trails won't be up and running for the '08-'09 season. Something to do with the Bicknell Thrush? Spreading the joy of the expansion over two seasons? Maybe since they weren't able, for some reason, to cut all of the trails this year, they will cut the others next summer and the new trails will then need about a year of prep time before they can be skied?