Well, let's just say that the weekend of the 27-28 was far from the best conditions. It rained pretty much all day Friday and Saturday. The rain didn't hinder our efforts however. Saturday the 27 found us beginning at the drop park, very nice btw. We then headed down into Trail B. Slick as snot on a glass doorknob! The wooden berms were wild and the structures looked to be solid, but it was just a little too wet.
We then decided to head over to the DH side and shuttle the rest of the day. We hit the sport DH, Ball n Jack, Sweet Dreams, Powerline, the Pro DH, and a couple of offshoot trails that I don't remember names for. We all loved the trails and were just begging to be able to ride them in good conditions. The pro course dry must be one hell of a good time. Rock drops all over the place...a lot fun even wet. We stayed on this side all day Sunday as well.
I say to all you Snowshoe workers and riders, you have a great place. I wish we didn't have to drive 7 hours to enjoy it.
I do have a couple of question/suggestions/critiques. Now before I say anything else, let me state this: I am not flaming! This is a forum so I hope everyone won't mind a few ideas being shared.
Second, I am not a great rider. I love riding and have been doing for about 4 years, but I am mediocre. I have ridden Wintergreen, Diablo, and Whistler, but no move I have ever done would make anyone think I was the next in line to win Monster Park.
Here are my thoughts, only my opinion based on one experience and only given in a desire to help the trails:
1. Signage/Trail Maps are a little rough. Specifically the freeride side of the trail map...unreadable. Also, the signage at the bottom of the DH side is horrible. If there are not regulars there or if you haven't been there before you don't know where to go. Now, maybe I am an idiot and no one else has had this problem, but for the idiots a few simple large print signs showing where to go to meet the shuttle would be great. Or put that info on the trail map. Or maybe the shop staff could volunteer that info. I know that as a rider I could have asked for more info, but come on I was ready to ride.
2. Powerline trail...I know this has been discussed on this forum before so I won't make this long, but I was really disappointed. I learned how to do tables only this summer at Whistler and was looking forward to more practice. This trail appears to be several seasons old and it has just been built. There is no real flow or rythym to it. The best section has three tables in a row, however, the third table is oddly built. The landing tranny is humped. I don't understand that. The design is dangerous...why not just extend the same tranny all the way down? It would work for both lips on the take off. This should be addressed.
3. This is a question. Why weren't the freeride trails built on the DH side? I'm sure there is an answer I am not aware of, I was just curious. It would seem then that you could use the Western Express lift to reach all of the trails. I ask this also because the runs on the Ballhooter side are so short.
4. I have a comment for the rental staff and shop. My friend bent a handlebar and the shop wanted him to spend $70 on a replacement. The bar was a Kona DH and the replacement bar was a Hussefelt. 70 bucks? I know you are in retail but come on...Both of those bars are easily found for $35. 100% markup seems a little steep even for a bike shop.
Even with sucky weather we had a blast. I stand ready now to be bludgeoned for giving my opinion.
We then decided to head over to the DH side and shuttle the rest of the day. We hit the sport DH, Ball n Jack, Sweet Dreams, Powerline, the Pro DH, and a couple of offshoot trails that I don't remember names for. We all loved the trails and were just begging to be able to ride them in good conditions. The pro course dry must be one hell of a good time. Rock drops all over the place...a lot fun even wet. We stayed on this side all day Sunday as well.
I say to all you Snowshoe workers and riders, you have a great place. I wish we didn't have to drive 7 hours to enjoy it.
I do have a couple of question/suggestions/critiques. Now before I say anything else, let me state this: I am not flaming! This is a forum so I hope everyone won't mind a few ideas being shared.
Second, I am not a great rider. I love riding and have been doing for about 4 years, but I am mediocre. I have ridden Wintergreen, Diablo, and Whistler, but no move I have ever done would make anyone think I was the next in line to win Monster Park.
Here are my thoughts, only my opinion based on one experience and only given in a desire to help the trails:
1. Signage/Trail Maps are a little rough. Specifically the freeride side of the trail map...unreadable. Also, the signage at the bottom of the DH side is horrible. If there are not regulars there or if you haven't been there before you don't know where to go. Now, maybe I am an idiot and no one else has had this problem, but for the idiots a few simple large print signs showing where to go to meet the shuttle would be great. Or put that info on the trail map. Or maybe the shop staff could volunteer that info. I know that as a rider I could have asked for more info, but come on I was ready to ride.
2. Powerline trail...I know this has been discussed on this forum before so I won't make this long, but I was really disappointed. I learned how to do tables only this summer at Whistler and was looking forward to more practice. This trail appears to be several seasons old and it has just been built. There is no real flow or rythym to it. The best section has three tables in a row, however, the third table is oddly built. The landing tranny is humped. I don't understand that. The design is dangerous...why not just extend the same tranny all the way down? It would work for both lips on the take off. This should be addressed.
3. This is a question. Why weren't the freeride trails built on the DH side? I'm sure there is an answer I am not aware of, I was just curious. It would seem then that you could use the Western Express lift to reach all of the trails. I ask this also because the runs on the Ballhooter side are so short.
4. I have a comment for the rental staff and shop. My friend bent a handlebar and the shop wanted him to spend $70 on a replacement. The bar was a Kona DH and the replacement bar was a Hussefelt. 70 bucks? I know you are in retail but come on...Both of those bars are easily found for $35. 100% markup seems a little steep even for a bike shop.
Even with sucky weather we had a blast. I stand ready now to be bludgeoned for giving my opinion.