Hunting for turns in West-Central PA

[Dying2Live]

Spent the morning hunting for some skiable terrain just outside of Clarion, PA. If you’re familiar with the area, you know it really is a hunt! Managed to find some some turns and certainly got my steps in. Didn’t wear my garmin, so I don’t have any data, but a fun morning of some proper bushwhacking.

[lilcliffy]

What's the ski season like in that area?
Gareth

[Dying2Live]

Hey Gareth, it really depends on the winter. Really strong lake affect years can be great, but those are becoming less and less reliable. There’s some really cool terrain, but the snowpack is just too inconsistent to wait around. You’ve gotta be ready to strike when the conditions are right.

[lilcliffy]

Cool. At least you are able to get out and tour locally-regionally.

I lived in coastal southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for almost a decade-
loads of winter precipitation- including lots of snowfall- but also frequent rain and ice and thaws-
I have many intense memories of desperately rushing out there to enjoy good snow and savoring memories of more stable cold winters and grip-kick wax!

At the moment my local climate in interior and mid-elevation NB produces a very long ski season and an extended cold mid-winter period.

[lilcliffy]

I regualry consider travelling north and to higher elevations- but, over the years the conditions are almost never better than they are in my local area.

[Dying2Live]

I’ve really grown to love knocking around the woods in my immediate area when conditions permit. I do live well within striking distance of some fun ski resorts, but I’ve just become so disenchanted with the whole song and dance of resort culture. Something very special about gliding across the land one is from, and I always feel blessed when I’m able to do it

[lilcliffy]

I’ve really grown to love knocking around the woods in my immediate area when conditions permit. I do live well within striking distance of some fun ski resorts, but I’ve just become so disenchanted with the whole song and dance of resort culture. Something very special about gliding across the land one is from, and I always feel blessed when I’m able to do it

This resonates with me greatly!

You must have spectacular hardwood forests in your area-
does the snow get deep enough to downhill ski hardwood glades?

[Dying2Live]

We do, and we don’t. There’s a lot of very thick underbrush, which we rarely have enough snow to cover, so the trick is finding a zone that isn’t littered with deadfall or completely tangled with brush and with enough pitch to ski. I’ve got some promising areas that I’ll be looking into on my next few outings. Hopefully this incoming warm spell doesn’t come with too much rain or sun haha!