Skiing Superstorm Sandy

Halloween started out dark and rainy at 6 a.m. for three of us from Pittsburgh: Kevin Chartier, Jessie Twichell and Greg Buzulencia.  With backcountry gear in tow and a full tank of gas we had no idea what we were in for.  The last webcam image from Whitegrass XC before their power went out on midday Tuesday said 30” of fresh snow. It only took us an hour to find snow, and there was a lot of it as we crossed the Laurel Ridge.  

Soon we came upon the first of many hazards blocking the road: downed power lines completely crossing the span of the MD Route 42.  It was like the car was a boxer getting into the ring, which probably wasn’t a bad analogy for more reasons than one.  After we slowly crept over one power line and ducked under the other by inches we were regularly slaloming through downed trees on the road.  We were so stoked about the snow (feeling a little guilty about going skiing when people were stuck without power and without a way to get out of their driveways) we hardly considered the hazards of driving under these canopies of trees.  That was until one fell about 100 feet in front of our car as we were driving.  

It was eye-opening to see a major US Route down to one lane for miles and hardly passable other than by a small 4WD vehicle (thanks Subaru!).

About 9:30 a.m. we finally rolled into Whitegrass to find the owner of the joint (aptly named Chipper) and a group of four Vermonters looking to get first tracks.  Chipper was jumping about in and outside of the stove heated lodge, spewing random ski catch phrases and so excited to show off how fun the place could be with 36” of snow on the ground.  If you’ve never been to Whitegrass, let me sum it up for you:  It's a free-heel  & free-spirited xc and tele trail system with about 1100’ of vertical, all above 3300’ in elevation.  AKA, heaven in West Virginia!

After getting some beta on where some steep glades could be found, we skinned up the main slope 15 minutes after the Vermonters for a warm up run.   Man alive, this was some deep pow!  Thick, slightly lighter on top, but fun.   During a quick stop back in the lodge to swap out skins, we came across some of the locals who were finally rolling in with Halloween costumes, personalities and all.  Next we ventured up to the top of Bald Knob and got after some glades.  Best glade skiing I’ve ever experienced south of VT.  Just tight enough to be interesting, but well maintained.  As we schralped through some deep stashes we came across a fence, quickly hopped over and kept it moving.  The rest of the way down was total bliss as we grabbed some air in the trees, hootin’ and hollerin’ the whole way down.

Next up was the mile long Pipeline trail which goes from the top, all the way to the road, and opens up into a meadow ¾ of the way down.  It’s not maintained as a ski trail, but with 3 feet of snow everything had great coverage.  The top Pipeline headwall was a solid pitch in the 30s and was 300’ of the best untouched snow all day.  We could even pick up some speed in the meadow and lay it over for a couple turns.  

During one more run in the trees, we ran into Chipper showing the VT boys around and decided to chase.  The goods were hot but we decided to call it a day with a couple beers in the lodge, while Chipper pawned off his moonshine to everyone in sight. 

A few of us offered Chipper some dough for all the hard work clearing the road and driveway, not to mention trail maintenance, but he would have none of it.  He was happy as pie to have folks from all over check out the best skiing on Halloween. There were other places within a stone’s throw we could have skied, but I’m sure as hell happy we ended up at Whitegrass.  Every time it dumps, and trust me it does dump here, we’ll be back.