Mt.
Washington Ski Conditions
Ski Conditions Send in Updated Conditions
Listed below are the latest conditions we have for some of the more popular ski runs on Mount Washington. Skiing on Mount Washington can be an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience. But, perhaps even more so than climbing, skiing here safely is very dependent upon conditions. Timing is everything and factors such as weather, time of year, time of day, snow cover, and avalanche conditions must all be considered when deciding which route to ski. It's possible for a run to change from easy and safe to difficult and dangerous in a matter of minutes.
Traditionally,
the ski season on Mount Washington really begins towards the end of
March or beginning of April when the snow in the steep gullies and slopes
undergo a melt-freeze cycle which produces the corn snow skiers love
to ski. Skied at the right time of the day this snow provides pretty
forgiving conditions in which to ski. Also, the avalanche hazard associated
with this type of snow is somewhat more predictable. But, more and more
skiers are also venturing out onto the mountain's slopes earlier in
the winter, perhaps hoping to score big with a great run in some powder
which hasn't been affected yet by the mountain's notorious weather.
The purpose of this page is not to provide daily conditions like those you might see at a ski area, but to just give a general idea as to what may or may not be possible. None of the runs on the mountain are groomed. For instance, if the Gulf of Slides ski trail is described as having good snow cover, that may only mean that there aren't many rocks or bare spots in the snow. One day the skiing could be great corn and the next it could be a frozen nightmare. Skiing conditions change even more rapidly than ice climbing conditions. If planning a ski tour into avalanche terrain check the posted avalanche conditions and be properly equipped, trained, and prepared to travel there. Ski safe, use your own judgment and have fun!
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Help us get the word out. Send in your Updated Conditions and photos. |
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Updated-
Mar. 30, 2006 |
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We are heading out of the area on a couple of different trips, so this will be the last update for this season. We are now firmly in the corn season with excellent conditions when things soften up. Keep the shade times listed below in mind as you ski later in the day. The conditions on Mt. Washington remain somewhat thin. The ski season is going to end quickly at this rate. All the normal runs in Tuckerman Ravine are doable but watch out for thin spots in The Lip area. The Little Headwall is in rough shape. The Sherburne is very icy and going out fast. Walking is required lower down. It is forecast to be warm through this weekend and the base on the trails is very thin. We expect that by this weekend the trails will be in much worse shape than last weekend. Rain is also in the forecast for Saturday. In the Gulf of Slides, some runs are OK and some are pretty brushy. The bottom of the South Snowfields are a thrash. Gully Number 1 is now in pretty good shape. The bottom of Gully Number 2 is brushy. Gully Number 3 is in great shape Gullies to the north are in good shape up high but pretty thick with brush at the bottom. The GOS Ski Trail never really got going this year and is doable now, but with a lot of rocks showing already. Many skiers and riders would not enjoy this trail in the shape it is now in. Ski Conditions Photo Archive Latest Photos: Mar. 27, 2006 Slide Shows of Some Typical Tours Mt.
Washington Summit Ski Tour |
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Location/Trail
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Comments
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| Sherburne Ski Trail map |
heading out fast
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| Gulf of Slides Ski Trail map |
passable,
lots of rocks
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| Tuckerman Ravine map |
good
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Gulf
of Slides map
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brushy,
some good runs
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Tuckerman
Shade Times Don't get caught trying to make your run down one of Tuckerman's steep runs after it has gone into the shade and the day's corn has turned back into ice. Even in late spring the snow can set up very quickly and this can lead to a long, bad slide should you fall. If the snow can refreeze, plan your day to hit your chosen run before it goes into the shade. Below is a list of some of Tuck's more popular routes and the times they go into the shade as of mid April. Many thanks to Jeff Lane, one of the AMC's Hermit Lake caretakers, for gathering these times for us. |
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Ski
Run
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Shade
Time
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| The Chute | 2:30 |
| Left Gully | 2:45 |
| Hillman's Highway | 2:45 |
| Lower Snowfields | 3:00 |
| The Lip | 3:50 |
| The Sluice | 4:05 |
| Right Gully | 4:30 |
| Right Right Gully | 4:30 |
Tuckerman Ravine
(not current)
© Chauvin Guides International, P.O. Box 2151, North Conway, NH 03860 Voice: 603-356-8919