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View Full Version : Easier Intermediate Trails?



kevsul
03-06-2006, 10:20 AM
My family & I are heading to Whiteface on Mon. Mar. 12. We are are Beginnner-Intermediate skiers so were wondering what Intermediate trails are the easier ones & hence good candidates for us to consider trying later in the week. We are not looking to ski down runs that are out of our skill range! Thanks.

Tsavolion
03-06-2006, 10:50 AM
My family & I are heading to Whiteface on Mon. Mar. 12. We are are Beginnner-Intermediate skiers so were wondering what Intermediate trails are the easier ones & hence good candidates for us to consider trying later in the week. We are not looking to ski down runs that are out of our skill range! Thanks.

anything off of facelift, gondola to excelsior, summit chair to parons. normally if you are beginner i would say to stay away from excelsior because it gets very congested, but if you are up mid week it shouldnt be a problem.

Face4Me
03-06-2006, 11:37 AM
Just remember ... trail difficulty ratings are relative to the mountain they're at ... Paron's Run in particular would almost certainly be an expert trail at most smaller mountains.

kevsul
03-06-2006, 12:09 PM
Just remember ... trail difficulty ratings are relative to the mountain they're at ... Paron's Run in particular would almost certainly be an expert trail at most smaller mountains.

I understand that ... which is the reason I made my initial post. What I am looking to know is which of the Intermediate trails are closer to Green than they are to Black.

tjf67
03-06-2006, 12:23 PM
Just remember ... trail difficulty ratings are relative to the mountain they're at ... Paron's Run in particular would almost certainly be an expert trail at most smaller mountains.

I understand that ... which is the reason I made my initial post. What I am looking to know is which of the Intermediate trails are closer to Green than they are to Black.

Stick witht he facelift. Its fast and the terrain off of there will be long and well groomed.
When you get of the lift go right and loop around. You can't get in any trouble if you go that way.

Tsavolion
03-06-2006, 12:32 PM
Just remember ... trail difficulty ratings are relative to the mountain they're at ... Paron's Run in particular would almost certainly be an expert trail at most smaller mountains.

I understand that ... which is the reason I made my initial post. What I am looking to know is which of the Intermediate trails are closer to Green than they are to Black.

depends on your athletic ability as well. my sister is a beginner and was on parons her first day of sking ever, but she is also in good shape and she took a lesson. that being said, if you stick to facelift, anything on there is beginner and they are nice long trails. you cant beat the view on the summit though and on a monday when there are no people, if the snow is good and the weather is good and you are a little more adventurous and in decent shape, its worth it. put a helmet on and go for it. it will get your heart pumping.

highpeaksdrifter
03-06-2006, 01:24 PM
you cant beat the view on the summit though and on a monday when there are no people, if the snow is good and the weather is good and you are a little more adventurous and in decent shape, its worth it. put a helmet on and go for it. it will get your heart pumping.

I agree about the view, but disagree with the rest. Encouraging people to get in over there head can get them hurt. Even if they don't get hurt it can take them forever to get down while getting in other skiers way who belong there. I've had to help lots of people down who where scared, kids crying, etc just to have them down loaded on the first lift we came to. It ain't fun for anyone.

I believe you should keep stepping it up to challenge yourself, but beginers don't belong on the summit of Whiteface.

Face4Me
03-06-2006, 02:14 PM
you cant beat the view on the summit though and on a monday when there are no people, if the snow is good and the weather is good and you are a little more adventurous and in decent shape, its worth it. put a helmet on and go for it. it will get your heart pumping.

I agree about the view, but disagree with the rest. Encouraging people to get in over there head can get them hurt. Even if they don't get hurt it can take them forever to get down while getting in other skiers way who belong there. I've had to help lots of people down who where scared, kids crying, etc just to have them down loaded on the first lift we came to. It ain't fun for anyone.

I believe you should keep stepping it up to challenge yourself, but beginers don't belong on the summit of Whiteface.

Well said :!:

The trails from the Face Lift including Upper Valley, Broadway and Lower Valley should be the first intermediate trails you try. Once you can all handle of those without problems, then do the Excelsior trail from the gondola. The gondola should not be your first choice for intermediate terrain. If you do find that you're in over your heads from there, it's a LONG walk down.

Also, if you do go to the summit, try The Follies as a first run to get a feel for the terrain and conditions. When it merges with Parons Run, you'll be able to get a good view (looking up) at Parons Run to determine whether you think you and your family are ready for it.

Enjoy :!:

Faceplant
03-06-2006, 06:30 PM
I think the Follies are easier than Parons Run if you feel the need to get to the Summit for the view...again, that depends on the day. There have been days when you could take a beginner down Skyward and days when the bunny slopes were Black diamond. Ask a few locals.
Warm up off the facelift on Easy Street to Lower Valley (Normally I would say Boreen but right now it's double black for the snowboars and may not be back to normal on the 12th...after that it will be the trail de jour with all the snow. If you feel comfortable after a few on the facelift, then try Excelsior off the Gondola.....make sure you check the view from the overlook. Maybe second day check out Follies/Parons Run off the Summit Quad....but ask a local first.

Son of Drifter
03-07-2006, 10:35 AM
I think the Follies are easier than Parons Run

I think Parons is easier than the Follies. Follies is more narrow and Paron's always seems to be in better condition. Hit the Facelift and maybe get a lesson to sharpen your skills for the gondi and the summit. Mid-week you won't have to worry about too many people on Excelsior. The main point is to have fun and stay safe. :twisted:

Phineas
03-07-2006, 11:28 AM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

Son of Drifter
03-07-2006, 11:59 AM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

Exactly. A good beginner and an ok intermediate would have no problem on a GOOD snow conditon day hitting Parson's. F Follies. :twisted:

Tsavolion
03-07-2006, 12:53 PM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Son of Drifter
03-07-2006, 12:55 PM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Ouch! LOL Lighten up on the old boy. He just hates having to deal with getting someone off a slope that's completely out of there ability range and I can understand that. It's no fun at all. :twisted:

Phineas
03-07-2006, 12:56 PM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

hahahaha well if HPD was on the right sticks he'd be able to handle Parons no probs! hahahaha

freeheelwilly
03-07-2006, 12:59 PM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Ouch! LOL Lighten up on the old boy. He just hates having to deal with getting someone off a slope that's completely out of there ability range and I can understand that. It's no fun at all. :twisted:

Fair enough buddy. but ya' gotta admit - that was funny.

Son of Drifter
03-07-2006, 01:06 PM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Ouch! LOL Lighten up on the old boy. He just hates having to deal with getting someone off a slope that's completely out of there ability range and I can understand that. It's no fun at all. :twisted:

Fair enough buddy. but ya' gotta admit - that was funny.

Didn't say it wasn't. I wish I said it first. LOL :twisted:

highpeaksdrifter
03-07-2006, 01:28 PM
According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Telling a beginner to put on a helmet, go to the summit and "Go for it" is the responsible thing to do.

I always thought base jumping looked like fun. I think I'll get some sort of papachute. hike up Chapel Pond trail, put on a helmet and jump off the cliff. you know, "Go for it."

You can't beat the views.

freeheelwilly
03-07-2006, 01:32 PM
I always thought base jumping looked like fun. I think I'll get some sort of papachute. hike up Chapel Pond trail, put on a helmet and jump off the cliff. you know, "Go for it."

You can't beat the views.

hahahaha! HPD counterpunches! Now we're gettin' somewhere!

Tsavolion
03-07-2006, 01:52 PM
According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Telling a beginner to put on a helmet, go to the summit and "Go for it" is the responsible thing to do.

I always thought base jumping looked like fun. I think I'll get some sort of papachute. hike up Chapel Pond trail, put on a helmet and jump off the cliff. you know, "Go for it."

You can't beat the views.

i feel sorry for son of drifter, i suppose he couldnt eat a half hour before swimming or make a face because it would freeze that way

Son of Drifter
03-07-2006, 02:35 PM
According to HPD you need an beacon and avi gear to ski it.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Telling a beginner to put on a helmet, go to the summit and "Go for it" is the responsible thing to do.

I always thought base jumping looked like fun. I think I'll get some sort of papachute. hike up Chapel Pond trail, put on a helmet and jump off the cliff. you know, "Go for it."

You can't beat the views.

i feel sorry for son of drifter, i suppose he couldnt eat a half hour before swimming or make a face because it would freeze that way

HAHAHAHA LOL Now we are getting some where. :twisted:

P.S. This string of posts is way off topic. Where's the mod to intervine? Oh yeah, he's stoking the flame war. LOL :twisted:

SKIdds
03-07-2006, 03:04 PM
How's about this guys........just like Son Of could go in the water right after eating so long as he had his floaties on ;), so shall a relative beginner be able to challenge themselves on Paron's and Follies so long as they have their own assistance with them in the form of an expert who can scout the terrain before hand and help them down the run.

The key is knowing the terrain and assessing the conditions and crowds. If it is icy and crowded there is no way a beginner belongs up there, even with assistance of their own. However, with good conditions and no crowds a run like Paron's is a cake walk for any brave beginner with a solid snowplow. That being said, I don't believe any beginners should venture up there alone....you just never know what you will find and the trail can be a bear under certain conditions.

Trust me, I'm sensitive to the 'thou shall not ski where thou does not belongeth' arguments. Recalling one particularly bad day at Hunter years ago, skiing Westway in the am after a warmup when someone who clearly didn't belong on the steep and icy terrain fell above and slid into my brother, knocking him into a fence, which broke his ski when it went through the slats (hey, argument against fences at Gore ;)), will never let me forget. Also, now that I have the kids skiing I get precious few runs to myself, and having to exit my zipper line to retrieve some idiots gear in the middle of a mogul field when I don't get to ski that many mogul fields really sucks. So I know what a drag it can be when people are out of place........but that doesn't mean it is never acceptable for people to challenge themselves and expand their horizons if done responsibly.

No doubt if we make it up to Whiteface this spring and the conditions are good I'll bring my beginner daughter up to ski Paron's. While she is only a solid beginner with an unshakeable wedge, she has skied comparable intermediate runs elsewhere. Sure as !@#$ she uses the whole trail, but she's entitled and as long as those who are skiing from above her know and respect the code there shouldn't be a problem. There is plenty of room on the moutain for all of us if we exercise some personal responsibility.

ski_newbie
03-09-2006, 10:53 AM
I was just at WF for the first time and would say I'm a solid intermediate. I agree with most of the postings so far. While I think WF's ratings are accurate (a blue is a blue, black is black) you have to remember that a lot of other mountains won't rate quite the same. Many of the blues I rode over the past few days would have been blacks at other places... not saying that's right, just how it is. So start off slow and if you're enjoying a trail then progress to something harder.

I'd suggest you take the Facelift Quad for your first few runs. Upper Valley and Broadway are both good starts. I preferred Broadway because there's more space (generally less people and no lift poles to crash into). If you do that you can shoot back over to Lower Gap and Lower Valley to finish off. Many of the greens (Easy Street, and Boreen especially if its normal) are a good beginning too. Just make sure you stay to the right so you don't end up in the kiddie camp.

If that's going well take the Gondola up and try Excelsior. The first section can be crowded but after that its a nice a run and there are plenty of places to get off to the side for a break if you (or your legs) need it. Once you get back to the middle finish up down Lower Gap and Valley (which you now know).

And if that's going well take the Summit up to the top. If conditions are good and you've enjoyed the previous runs, Follies and Parons are both manageable and have AMAZING views. Which one you take depends on your preference... Follies is skinnier at first but Parons is steeper. Usually I like a nice wide trail but I personally preferred Follies most of the time (later in the day it can get a little icey). You can take the Follies down from the top and take the first or second connector over to Parons to avoid most of the steepness at the top. Again, I think Parons is rated correctly as blue - that being said, it would be a black at some mountains.

In general - the snow on all trails is better the earlier in the day you hit it. WF is better than other mountains with their postings too... you won't end up in an area with only black trails if you're paying attention. And the people are friendly and informative so ask if you're unsure. Oh and take a lesson... I'd recommend Ed Hale if you can get him. Have fun!

mfi
03-09-2006, 10:46 PM
We where up there Sunday for the first time. We can ski anything but where with a beginner. As a last run we picked the Freeway chair because we though they had a blue up there. The exit of that chair has to be the steepest thing I have ever seen. Poor guy fell down it but survived. Once we saw the run, upper throughway we new he was going to have trouble. i decided to teach him to side slip. I feel this is a must in case you get in trouble. It got him down the run. Before that he was having trouble controlling his speed. Also taught him the quick turn. Snowplowing wasn't working too good for him that day. This is a tough mountain and beginners and intermediates should be careful on it. I had a tough time on lower skyward, it was much icier than upper which was great.

AdironRider
03-10-2006, 12:19 AM
Dude, Upper Northway is a black diamond for sure. I wouldnt take a shoddy skier on that at all. The pitch at the end is imposing for those not used to the steeps and those who cant control speed.

skigolfhunt
03-10-2006, 10:19 AM
Paron's is totally an intermediate run!

Not totally. Many days the summit is designated expert only. Usually during snowmaking &/or high winds when its bullet proof.

03-10-2006, 12:50 PM
If you are going to go the the mountain for an extended period of time I would recommend taking a family lesson. It sounds like it would help and the instructor would be happy to show you around the mountain if you ask. He would also be a good judge of what slopes you would be able to ski. If you don't want to spend the money try tracking down a Mountatin Host.
Have fun and be safe.