Trails to avoid . . .

[SKIdds]

Ah, you guys are just spoiled . The most crowded holiday weekend at Whiteface is less crowded than most non holiday weekends at any other major resort.

We were at Okemo for President's day weekend.......talk about amateur hours. My 7 yo daughter got knocked down a couple of times, even with me running interference. Even accomplished skiers there seemed to have no knowledge of the Code .

That being said, Excelsior and Upper/Lower Valley are the trails to avoid when it gets "crowded". Of course I'm not sure who is to blame for that. The mountain is what the mountain is, so more trails aren't an option, and you can't really blame the gapers and noobs for being there. Intermediates, and beginners who should legitimately be challenging their skills on the easier intermediate trails, really don't have that many places to go. The only reason Parons isn't worse is because a lot of those intermediate/soon to be intermediate skiers don't want to brave the Summit Quad.

[Phineas]

any one loaded w/ U yellow jacket types!

[freeheelwilly]

You've got 'em: Excelsior, upper and lower valleys. Throw in broadway and lower northway and that's where 80% of the cluster can be found.

Hey! That's not what I posted! Censorship! HPD, I gots to be me!

[Son of Drifter]

You've got 'em: Excelsior, upper and lower valleys. Throw in broadway and lower northway and that's where 80% of the cluster can be found.

Hey! That's not what I posted! Censorship! HPD, I gots to be me!

Another example of the man keeping you down.

[FCBHOLESHOT13]

I hear you guys, Excelsior, Boreen, and upper and lower valley can be a slowly moving obstacle course on fri/sat/sun... but isnt that half the fun?! Dont get me wrong I get sketched when the little ones are traversing back and fourth across the entire trail, but riding in traffic can be a great learning experience. Ive been racing boardercross for about 5 years now, and I contribute a lot of my racing skills to just surviving high speed groomers packed with people.
Tips for riding in crowds:
1. Keep your head up and on a swivel... Beginners tend to take up the whole trail with each turn, so be prepared to predict which way they are gonna go next in front of you.
2. Make your presence felt... If youre coming up on a newbie or a slower skiier, let em know youre there. I usually use the "ON YOUR RIGHT!" "ON YOUR LEFT!" If they know youre there they at least they are expecting you.
3. Give the little ones a WIDE birth... Most of the time the little guys have no concept of other skiiers/riders being on the hill with them. You never know where they're planning on going, so leave yourself some space for a quick pass out of danger.
4. Be extremely cautious on headwalls and blind drops... A lot of beginners will stop to rest under the crest of some sections... always assume that there is someone beyond that drop... Its a blast to catch some air off those drop-outs, but make sure you arent gonna plaster someone whose stopped underneath.
If anyone has any other crowd safety tips post em up! Im no expert on safety... just trying to pass on the knowledge ive aquired riding at Whiteface for the past 10 years.

[highpeaksdrifter]

Ive been racing boardercross for about 5 years now, and I contribute a lot of my racing skills to just surviving high speed groomers packed with people.

Where have you competed, at what level, and how have your results been? I liked watching the tour last year and look forward to it next weekend.

[FCBHOLESHOT13]

Mostly USASA races.... and wherever they stage single races im there. I finished 3rd in the Buffalo Boards series in western ny.... 5th overall last season in western ny usasa's, 12th overall in southern vt usasa's. I have 5 wins under my belt so far. This season hasnt been much of a race season due to the snow woes.... no snow, no race courses... hopefully after the buzz from the olympic BX mtns around here will start to host more boardercross events. Dont miss out on the US snowboard cup races being held at Whitey next weekend!

[Denison]

I disagree with coining likes of Excelsior, Upper Valley, Boreen as "high speed". I try to avoid them at any time of day, partly because there are a lot of people who do not have other choice. I ski those trails a lot slower then I'd ski steeper trails and absolutely agree with enforcing 'no speeding' policy on those trails.
When I feel like speeding I'd just go staright down Skyward, where it's wide and you can see far ahead.

[FCBHOLESHOT13]

Monday morning, 10 deg, freshly groomed hard-packed corduroy... in my opinion excelsior cant be beat for blastin... all those turns.... so much fun! I can go flat out as fast as I can on Excelsior and still be in control and "safe". When i blast down Skyward I gotta be so conscious of how fast I am going and whats coming up on me... maybe its because ive just ridden excelsior to death and i know each and every bump and turn. I guess im not as hardcore as you skiiers... If anyone wants to blast top to bottom for a beer let me know, Ill bet you'll be buyin!

[mattchuck2]

You on a snowboard and me on 215 DH boards? Hmmm . . . I might be up for that challenge.