Paoli Peaks Diary 2009/2010

[lonbordin]

Back at the Peaks tonight, w00t!

It had been above freezing during the day and it was below freezing when we left. The shaded runs like Jurassic were as hard as a rock and the exposed runs were choppy with small ice boulders everywhere. Typical southern Indiana conditions. They did groom Walnut Alley which was really nice and we spent the bulk of our runs there. Oh and there wasn't 100 people on the hill. I love mid-week Paoli Peaks.

Due to the icy conditions I was very unhappy with the control I had on the 180 Grocer with 50F 3 Toe rise, 45R 3 Heel rise and 1 degree outward cant.

So I went to completely flat and 33F, 30R no cant. Oh, so much better... I was actually able to do a few carves and we had a lot of fun. The Grocer isn't a good ice board... missing my Tanker already.

Low point of the night was while I was adjusting my bindings my son took a run and came upon a bad wipeout. While he did not see the crash he did get to witness the grown man screaming in pain until he passed out. He seemed to take it in stride but this is about the fifth time we've witnessed something like this in the last two seasons. I always worry it will scar his sunny disposition. But again typical southern Indiana conditions.

Looking forward to many more late afternoon\evening runs to the Peaks.

[Pat Donnelly]

Here's a link to photos from the article http://www.skinet.com/skiing/resorts...-peaks-indiana

[lonbordin]

Here's a link to photos from the article http://www.skinet.com/skiing/resorts...-peaks-indiana

While I agree with some of the sentiment of the article I find it off base. For the record I do not like living in Southern Indiana and I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid. That said some of the things said in the article need addressing.

First the proverb that addresses books and covers is quite applicable at Paoli Peaks. One of the better skiers I've ever met regularly wears Carharts or Camo on the slopes and he regularly beats the NASTAR pacesetters. The weekday and night sessions can be nearly empty and provide that open run one is always looking for...

The pictures come from the spring "carnival" and are really completely out of context for most of the year. An interesting year round sight is the Amish kids skiing... quite something.

BTW- Thanks for the link OP!

I think I'll go tomorrow.

[lonbordin]

Temps ~40 F (~4.5 C) with a light mist that turned to snow in the later afternoon. Snow was soft but not too soft. Very light crowd for a weekend (official opening day), w00t! All trails open... that was a first for us and opening day.

I turned up the stance angles for today... 48 Front 1 toe lift | 45 Rear 1 heel lift 1 cant. These are the minimum angles I can run on the 180 Lib Tech Grocer without overhang. Yes I have big feet (30). I was happy with this setup... played around with boot tightness today as well.

The harder I carved the more the snow gave way but we had a lot of fun. Looks to be the last day until after the holidays for us...
Going to NC but can't convince the spouse to bring the snow equipment... ah, well.

Happy carving!

[lonbordin]

I've setup the Wild Duck 161 Limited!


Hoping for SL carving capability!

This will my first solo trip to the hill in sometime and I'm really looking forward to working on technique!

[lonbordin]

Thin cover over yellow ice + new board + inexperienced hardbooter = so so night. I enjoyed the Wild Duck 161... the shortest board I've had ever. I even did a couple of jump turns. Had to run greater than 60 on it's 19 cm waist and that was REALLY different.

I need more runs. Went from 5 to 10PM tonight... must go back soon!