A Serious Challenge

[spert101]

I skiied tuck's today for the first time, after years of listening to the lore from friends and relatives. I skiied the headwall and one of the chutes from the top. It was enjoyable.

I have read several posts on this board, however, claiming that Tucks is the best skiing anywhere in the world, from people who have supposedly skiied everything out west and the Alps. I will accept that Tucks may offer the most challenging skiing in the East, but I implore someone to explain to me how it is any better in terrain or challenge than the bowls at Jackson Hole or Whistler.

<small>[ May 09, 2003, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: skicdave ]</small>

[Skilasnow]

I think that you are looking at it from a narrow point of view - not to mention that you have skied Tucks in only one condition. Tucks isn't just about the best tracks you can find. At whistler you take a ride and search out the best trail you can find, just as at Zermatt, Chamonix, Las Lenas, Portillo, Jackson Hole, Snowmass, et al. At Tucks you earn every run, everyone one there has worked very hard to get that run or two. It is as much a philosophy as it is a ski run, "Be Tucks" not "Ski Tucks".

I will not argue that the skiing alone is the best or most challenging - albeit awfully good and seriously challenging. I would also argue that you fell victim to the age old problem of 'expectation'. When I saw the movie Fargo I liked it, but it didn't live up to all the hype I had heard. It is just like that. Now I have seen Fargo again and have much more appreciation for it.

In closing, try Tucks in February, bring all the avy gear you can, prepare for the most heinous weather imaginable, hope for blue skies, bring your best powder skis, and enjoy.

Cheers

[DMC]

Tucks is NOT the best skiing in the world...

But when all the lines are open it's certainly as challanging as the bowls in Jackson or W/B...

Whats your favorite lines in Jackson..?

[skicdave]

I think you are referring to the post Tuckerman Makes Top 10 Resorts for Spring Skiing (http://timefortuckerman.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000475) . This was a survey done by World Leisure listing the 10 ten places their readers/members liked to spring ski at. Tucks was not #1, it was #9. I am sure the survey pertained to North America not the world so no European areas were included. The top 7 listed are western resorts.

My take on the survey is that it just means lots of skiers and riders consider Tucks as one of their favorite places to spring ski at period. No more claim than that... oh and the lift ticket prices are pretty cheap :skismile:

[DMC]

To understand the reason why we love this place - you have to think past the skiing and riding...

That's only one of many - many levels of Tucks..

You can enjoy it just for the skiing but there's so much more to it.. You can't even describe it to people.

[RR]

Comparing Tucks to Squaw Valley, or Alta, the only big mountain ski areas outside of New England and Quebec that I have skied would be silly...first, I don't have to tip the bartender; second, being able to ski in Tucks is a very clear indication that I am having a lucky day, and unlike a trip to Lake Tahoe, my pockets aren't getting thinned.

I offer May 3rd as an example of pure luck..at least for me and nearly everone else in the ravine..the tuber that tried to bulldoze a huge block of fallen ice with his head clearly had rotten luck..here we were all worried about the weather and it was a cobalt/bluebird day!

We all got to sit in the worlds best amphitheater of sport and watch the truly gifted and the truly absurd (what was up with that ironing board?), drink, cheer and (oh yeah), get a couple of stellar runs on some of the sweetest snow....match that at LaPlagne, or even Chamonix...all the joy and none of the attitude!

[M@]

Tux is incomparable, it is unique.

Comparisons of specific runs at tuckerman are made to various resorts to give someone an idea of the steepness, but the trails/runs are a small part of it.

I hesitate to say it, but, "It's a Tuckerman thing, you wouldn't get it" because I think it's silly the way this is plastered on jeeps, i.e. "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't get it." I mean, what don't I get? You're putting big lights and a shiney roll-bar on a jeep becuase you think it's cool. What's not to get? Same with tuckerman, I'm carrying my skiis for 2 hours for a couple of short ski runs. It's hard work and the weather is usually bad. I think it's cool. What's not to get?

Also: No-one has that "you wouldn't get it" attitude about tuckerman. Everyone is very willing to explain it, and help other's get there, encouraging and honost about everything.

I think Tuckerman is more like the Matrix, in that, ".... Unfortunately, no one can be told what Tuckerman is, you have to see it for yourself."

I took the red pill...
M@

[SkiStooge]

M@: Good Matrix analogy. Expect it to be stolen and used at will. I take it you do most of your posting from work or something? You always seem to be on about this time. My excuse is that I am just getting up from having worked overnight. Anyways, question to all or any: Saw a reference to Barnes field for camping...I've heard of it but I can't think where it is and I just about live up in the Presidentials weekends during the summer as well. (Yes, dear friends, I am an avid Spring, Summer, Fall backpacker as well...lol) How far is it? Free?(MY price!!! That's why I crap out in my car) LET ME KNOW!!! I'm also going to dig a bit and will probably have found it by then but I appreciate any replies. It would be nice to find a free, legal place to camp so that my legs won't feel permanently folded upon awakening. Resonding by e-mail is OK as well on this issue. Thanks, All Have fun, be safe. Al :confused:

[pjmanchester]

barnes field/dolly copp is loacted about 5 miles from pinkham towards gorham up route 16.
it will be on the left going towards gorham.
the price is 10 dollars per night per car, first come first serve and the payment is a do it your self honor system.

[SkiStooge]

PJ: Thanks. I know Dolly Copp. Barnes is right there, too. I had forgotten that. How crowded was it last week? Plenty of space still? I may try that instead. Sleeping in my Celebrity sucks at the very best. Have fun, be safe. Al :cool:

[pjmanchester]

yeah i actually think they changed the name from dolly copp to hayes copp or something like that but it is right there.

yeah you take the turn off of route 16 and then keep going stright and that dumps you right into the camp area for barnes.

it was pretty crowded last weekend but if you get there on friday night there should be space and if it is just you, people are usually pretty happy to let you stay at their site. that is what i had to do last sat. night, some of the sites are pretty big so there is plenty of room for everyone!

Have fun and enjoy.

PS watch out for the huge spiders in the bathroom!!!!

[SkiStooge]

Hmmm, get a few beers into the crowd up there and maybe try to get a spider eating contest going!!! Have fun, be safe. Al

[VTrider]

pjmanchester:
PS watch out for the huge spiders in the bathroom!!!! Spiders? Ahh I can deal w/spiders. Just as long as their not lifting dumbells or anything like that!
:D


(skistooge: get there early!)

[pjmanchester]

Yeah those ones are mean vtrider
although you wouldnt know due to the cushy matress you slept on!! ;)

[SkiStooge]

Not polite to use what most of my friends call me in conversation in a post: that being "dumbell" lol Have fun, be safe, watch out for crawly things. Al