A low-key visit to Jay Peak - March 2025

It is no secret that Canadians are a little pissed at the US of A right now. That said, last weekend I took a chance, headed for the border and landed in Vermont for the weekend. It could be the 11th province, dontcha know. Easiest border crossing ever - do they really care?

Conditions were fine at Jay Peak on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Sun, spring snow and good company were available in abundance, although Sunday was a little cloudy. Friday was a bluebird day with nice snow and moderate crowds, while Saturday offered a ridiculous crowd, with the tram on wind hold (second busiest day of the season, according to Steve Wright, the GM) but everyone was in a good mood. Sunday was surprisingly quiet and the clouds kept the snow in good condition

 We skied all over the place. The glades were a bit sketchy overall, though the Green Beret did have a good run in Timbuktu. The usual groomer runs were fine and natural snow runs like Upper and Lower Milk Run, the Derrick Hot Shot and others were in good form. My personal favourite of the weekend were JFK, the Derrick, Haynes and Ullr's, with with Lower Powerline (aka Mickey) coming in a close second.

 Twas a fine weekend of family bonding, wine drinking and great skiing. Let's hope that this kind of cross-border shopping will continue.

 

 

 

JJ goes off-piste

 The second installment, as promised:

Bluebird day at Jay today with sunshine and temps above zero. Hit Beaver Pond this morning as promised and it was bumps in the trees with the moguls having a scrapey downside and powder on the other. Another challenge! Andre's was better and managed a few proper turns in a bit of powder from time to time. Ullr's was pretty good except for the pitch which was a cluster---- of people who weren't too familiar with HARD surface skiing. Met up with S again who reported good conditions on Village Chair and again her favourite Deer Run, and then I went to Stateside. 

 

Timbuktu into Corona thinking there might be more snow. Pretty good but again skied-out overall and you had to be on your guard for the occasional icy patch. Derrick after that which was slick and fun. Montrealer to home. It is Presidents Week with half the state of Massachussetts here because the schools have the week off.

 

Going to live it up and have a drink at the Black Lantern!

JJ & S

A real snow report from Johnny Jay!

 This just in, from those on the ground:

Well, just to provide the real Jay Peak snow report: No three feet of snow in the village but I guess the mountain might have gotten that except that it was on top of a pretty meagre base. It was snowing today and cold. The freshie still on the sides (8-10") was very light and fluffy but the groomers were showing some slick spots. After a few runs with S, who reported some nice turns on Deer Run (better than Interstate or Queens Hwy), I was feeling adventurous so went up the Flyer. After my buddy on the lift reported that Beaver Pond was skied-out, I decided on the old standby of River Kwai or Powerline. On my way towards the top of the Bonnie I figured Powerline -- oops 601 to Mickey -- was a better bet. Packed snow with lots of rock and scrapey moguls. Hard work but in the end the masochist in me enjoyed it. But I am glad I was alone because there were many breaks! Mickey was a 5 out of 10. Anyhoo, it was nice to see the mountain finally 99.9% open (mid Northwest passage closed). 

 Tomorrow I will venture off-piste and provide a glade report.

- Johnny  Jay

In case anyone feels like they're missing out...

 Happy New Year! SBR here, and while I'm not in Vermont, some other members of the JJSC are, and dutifully taking one for the team during the Christmas Week excitement. Throckmorton checked in with a brief report on his outing yesterday with Jonny Jay (click on an image to enlarge):

 

The real JP snow report...

Picture of the people doesn't really do it justice but that's the only route available from the Bonnie.

 

When we left the hill it was snowing so, may get some dust on boiler plate tomorrow!

 

Not much coverage at The Clubhouse!

Don't go there!

JJ broke out the classic Salomon Screams for the occasion.

Looks nice in the picture!

 

:

Hello! We've been quiet but there is some news.

Well, that pesky pandemic precluded visits to Jay Peak but we are gearing up for a return in the 23/24 season, Meanwhile, there is some big news:

Skilinda and Doogski are selling their beloved house in Montgomery village, VT. Cool and funky house, 15-ish minute drive from Stateside parking at Jay Peak, 30 second walk from trout stream, sleeps many, could be great full-time residence or seasonal house:  

https://s.paragonrels.com/goto/F74mo5

Powder day at Jay!

 Jonny Jay sent this report earlier today:

You can still see untracked snow on the Haynes and Jet. About 10" of new snow on top of a fortunately packed dump from yesterday with still some hard crust exposing itself in windswept areas -- like the famous Goat. Skiing was great where I was but the tracked powder gets tougher as we get older! Lots of snow in the glades.

 

 

Talk about "Raised Jay"

While your humble editor is stuck here in Ontario (where it is not so bad, really), other members of the JJSC  are enjoying some pretty nice conditions. Here's my oldest sister Sklinda, who just turned 80, skiing with her son Pudd and his wife CB. In terms of Jay peak skiing experience, I'd guesstimate somewhere in the 120+ year range with those three.