Planning my first trip

[adh24]

Planning my first trip to Tuck's this spring. Was wondering really the best time to go. I know the site mentions beginning of April but I'm really trying to avoid any kind of crowd and get to ski some fresh tracks.

Also as far as equipment what are some eccentials that I'll need while out there. Are snow shoes a must??

Any help would be great maybe I'll see you out there

Thanks,

[Affix Snow]

Ummm....we are not even a week into FALL....but its good you are thinking ahead..... (chuckle).

Anyway, unless you can work magic, you will see a crowd in the spring on a nice weekend. If you really dont want a crowd go midweek or in winter.

Bring SHARP edges, crampons and an ice axe if you got em' and your balls....you'll need em.

But honestly, lets wait for the 1st snowfall of THIS season ;)

[Jolly J]

Planning my first trip to Tuck's this spring. Was wondering really the best time to go. I know the site mentions beginning of April but I'm really trying to avoid any kind of crowd and get to ski some fresh tracks.

Also as far as equipment what are some eccentials that I'll need while out there. Are snow shoes a must??

Any help would be great maybe I'll see you out there

Thanks,

I would recommend going in mid April, you can usually skin most of the way up and ski most of the way back to your car. For your first time in the bowl I wouldn't recommend going for "Fresh Tracks" Avalanches are real and dangerous and I would recommend getting to know the bowl a bit, and take an Avi Course before trying your luck at the Avi game. To avoid crowds go mid week.

[Justin]

Everything above and...

I wouldn't even think about stepping foot into the ravine in the winter months without a avy beacon and other such equipment along with a partner with the same.
Of course you have to know how to use such tools as well.

If not, the spring is a fairly safe time to go... :)

[NtrentT]

What everyone else said above.

Last weekend in March seems pretty nice, although there are people there, so thats somthing you will have to deal with.

If you go early enough you will be able to ski down to the car.

Plan for all conditions, Rain, Snow, Fog, Sleet, Ice, ect.....

If you are anxious take a trip up now, in the eary fall to the bowl and check it out, and see what the hike is like, and pack a heavy pack, so you can simulate the hike as best as you can.

Ull have an idea after that.

I use to be weary about crampons due to falls and what not but expierenced folk have provided sound advise which has changed my outlook on them, I might even get a pair this fall with an axe ! :eek:

Have fun, be safe, and plan for everying

Yes its early but have we ever considered planning early crazy. Nahh, for my first tux trip I planned for 6-8months, learning about the Mtn, the conditions, gear, what to bring, how to plan it ect, and I got most of my advice from this great forum so your on the right track.

[Jolly J]

For my first trip, I got an invite in the afternoon and left a few hours later. No planning, got a huge wake up call. Helped the ski patrol haul 2 people out. First guy we used a wheel under the litter from Hojo's down. The second guy we had to carry the litter out. Did I mention the black flies are bad in June.

[RR]

Best pow + most extreme-high avy days = February
Good Pow + most high-moderate avy days = March
Good snow + most top to botton runs = April
Great Snow + most bluebird days = May

Historicaly:
Ski back to PNVC from Feb through March. In April the snowline moves up the hill quickly. In May ski outs are rare and go to non-existant as the month wears on and the Sherby gets closed.

[PWDR8S]

Best pow + most extreme-high avy days = February
Good Pow + most high-moderate avy days = March
Good snow + most top to botton runs = April
Great Snow + most bluebird days = May

Historicaly:
Ski back to PNVC from Feb through March. In April the snowline moves up the hill quickly. In May ski outs are rare and go to non-existant as the month wears on and the Sherby gets closed. Great corn + great bluebird days + hike down to HoJo's and below + less than t-shirt weather + black flies! = June
Nice Corn + LAST TRACKS + bragging rights + hike down to Hojo's and lower = July

I've found that mid to late March was best for me to get fresh and little or no traffic but the avi danger is imminent and usually high...... the rest is fun fun fun.

Hiking up with a "full" pack (same weight as if with skis,etc.) is a very good idea.... the next time you go up won't seem to take forever to get there.

[JayTux]

No crowd=Midweek or late march (usually)
Fresh tracks=hard to find without avi danger, but probably march, whenever there is fresh snow.

Listen to what the others have said.

Bring crampons and ice axe and plenty of layers.

Or CLICK HERE (http://timefortuckerman.com/tuckerman1.html)

:)

[larry1977]

We did this past easter weekend and it was one of the best weekends up there. Not to crowded great snow, bluebird skys.

Planning to go around the same time this year as well!

[skitux]

After the avalanches and before the ice melt. April or early May depending on the weather.
Dress accordingly to the temp that day, there is no real way to predict for all weather conditions.
Bring WATER skis/unless you are a snow boarder. People question the use of crampons and an ax some say they are necessary others do not. I think they are definitely a help but consider the weight of your pack when packing it.
BIG BALLS HELP :skifemcool:

[JayTux]

Bring WATER skis:


I thought for a second you said bring water skis, instead of snow skis....

:)

[skitux]

I thought for a second you said bring water skis, instead of snow skis....

:)


I know I meant water,skis
The punctuation really changes the way it looks. :doh: I only looked at it after i posted. Im sure someone will try water-skis or has. Any way drink plenty of water........lol

[Justin]

Actually, 'water skis' ain't a bad idea for ~some~ spots...

[M@]

In response to "avoid any kind of crowd" - that's not really what tux is about to me. There's other places to go if you want to avoid a crowd. The crowd has always been part of the expierence for me... some nut job nails a flip off the ice fall and you hear a thousand people cheer... awsome!

Actually - Tux is like the only place you really get a crowd of people watching other people ski... the crowds at resorts aren't there to watch, they are they to get in your way... not at tux.

The crowd is part of the show.

M@

[Justin]

In response to "avoid any kind of crowd" - that's not really what tux is about to me. There's other places to go if you want to avoid a crowd. The crowd has always been part of the expierence for me... some nut job nails a flip off the ice fall and you hear a thousand people cheer... awsome!

Actually - Tux is like the only place you really get a crowd of people watching other people ski... the crowds at resorts aren't there to watch, they are they to get in your way... not at tux.

The crowd is part of the show.

M@


YES, I agree... see here http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=***2&highlight=inferno+madness

[BladeGirl]

After the avalanches and before the ice melt. April or early May depending on the weather.
Dress accordingly to the temp that day, there is no real way to predict for all weather conditions.
...
BIG BALLS HELP :skifemcool:

Yes, plan on going that magical time, maybe the window is only a few days, after the avalanche season ends, while there is still top-to-bottom skiing, when its sunny and the birds are singing to attract their mates. It could be any day, so have your car packed and ready to go. Leave work, family and all responsibilities behind and GO MAN GO! The mountain is calling to you!
:D
-BG
ps: or, as a more definite alternative, listen to what everyone else says above. ;)

[RR]

....It could be any day, so have your car packed and ready to go. Leave work, family and all responsibilities behind and GO MAN GO! The mountain is calling to you!....This why we avoid getting sick in the summer and get the pow-flu or the corn-flu during the cooler months :D

[Ispoiler]

Dec 5th last year, I saw one other person in the bowl. I would wait until late april, its not about untracked lines at tucks, its about getting down.

[skitux]

In response to "avoid any kind of crowd" - that's not really what tux is about to me. There's other places to go if you want to avoid a crowd. The crowd has always been part of the expierence for me... some nut job nails a flip off the ice fall and you hear a thousand people cheer... awsome!

Actually - Tux is like the only place you really get a crowd of people watching other people ski... the crowds at resorts aren't there to watch, they are they to get in your way... not at tux.

The crowd is part of the show.

M@

Good point, the feel of tux is more like an extreme family then it is a mob seine. Everyone is on the same page. Although it may be a different page then most other people scribe to.I guess having someone "watch" you go head over foot can cause embarrassment :skierembarrassed: , but even then everyone cheers. :)