HP's Cross-Country Ski Blog

State of The Winter 2012

2012-02-02T19:26:21-05:00

The State of The Winter in Pennsylvania is bipolar. It is warm, it is cold, it's warm, it's cold, it's warm. Phil says six more weeks of winter and hopefully he is correct. After an October that produced two snowfalls, it appeared that PA was poised for a great winter. That bubble burst in November and early December. It was warm and very wet. It has been wet since August and the cold spells have not been able to stay for more than a few days. Usually, by Christmas Day, most lakes and ponds in the northern half of PA are frozen. Not this year, not even close. They did freeze in January. There was a little snow in December but it did not stay long. January had some short cold days and snow fell around mid-month. There was some good snow near Lake Erie and across the northern half of PA. It lasted about four days. This year the folks near Lake Erie had the most skiing so far, but it is really not close to a normal year. The bipolar nature of this winter is due to a lack of blocking in the North Atlantic and zonal flow off of the Pacific. In short the cold air is locked up across the Canadian border.

So February and March are our last hopes for redemptive snows this winter. The outlook is not that great. However, the pattern could change and there are fifty-eight days until April. Enough time for some snow to fall and make us all happy. In the mean time, there is roller skiing, hiking, running, and planning a vacation to Canada or to the high country out in the Rockies. A year like this makes one truly appreciate each flake that falls. So when the next snowfall arrives, pounce on it, it may be the best one of the winter. H. P.

Evidence that snow existed in PA January 2012 near Kylertown

On the ice at Black Moshannon State Park Sunday January, 29,2012

Late start to Cross-Country Ski Season

2012-01-11T19:54:13-05:00

I haven't blogged much lately as there hasn't been much to blog about. I think the last two seasons spoiled us a bit as we started in late November and skiing could be found throughout the winter. However, this year after two teaser storms in October, we went into a funny pattern of warm spells interrupted by short cold spells. It yielded a little skiing for some in the lake-effect and upslope snow areas but the rest of PA was left bare. Even the chances for some nordic skating were squashed by unseasonably warm temperatures in December and early January. Now there is some hope on the horizon as a pattern change looks likely. Could it be that a late start to the season will result in a late winter? The past two years have wrapped up fairly quickly in early March for most PA residents, although last year some folks skied into April. I am holding out for an extended later season which would balance the snow scales for this year.

Thankfully, someone invented roller skis and the weather has been good enough for some fine bicycling and paddling. We certainly have received moisture, just in the wrong form for this time of year, but the paddling has been very good. At least it helped me cope with the lack of snow. Hoping for a snowy late January, February, and March, and I wish everyone a happy 2012. HP

I'm dreaming of this from now into April

Highlands Mobile Find An Outdoor Escape In Southeastern PA

2011-10-26T20:39:23-04:00

We are at the threshold of a new ski season. Here is a resource that should help skiers in the southeastern part of PA find places to ski. There are plenty of recreational opportunities for all seasons as well. Check it out. HP
October 15, 2011
Downingtown, PA - The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) just launched “Highlands Mobile,” a free mobile website for getting outdoors in the Pennsylvania Highlands that features interactive trail maps with an activity locator for hiking, paddling, fishing, biking, and horseback riding. Designed for on-the-go trip planning, Highlands Mobile allows users with Smartphones or other web-enabled mobile devices to automatically find their current location, choose their preferred outdoor activity, and get directions to the nearest trailhead or boat launch.

Highlands Mobile currently features 22 parks and trails in the Pennsylvania Highlands and is available for free at http://highlandsmobile.outdoors.org.

The Pennsylvania Highlands span almost two-million acres and form an important statewide greenway, arching from South Mountain on the Maryland border across a band of mountainous country to the steep watershed lands along the Delaware River. This greenbelt is the backyard for almost every major city in southeastern Pennsylvania and provides critical public resources, including clean drinking water, outdoor recreation opportunities, and wildlife habitat.

Key features of Highlands Mobile include:

Twenty-two featured parks and trails in the Pennsylvania Highlands, with plans to offer over 100 outdoor locations in 2012.
Activity locator to search parks and trails for specific outdoor activities, including hiking, paddling, fishing, biking, and horseback riding.
GPS-enabled directions to trailheads, parking areas, and visitor centers through Google Maps, which also allow users to search for parks and trails by proximity.
Interactive maps of trails include terrain and parking areas, with the ability to zoom-in on a specific trail, track progress using GPS coordinates, and find nearby historical points of interest, as well as shops, restaurants, and overnight accommodations.
Social media share buttons to update friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter with information about the selected location.
Downloadable trail and road maps are easily stored on the phone as a safety precaution, if mobile reception is lost.
Easy access to AMC’s “Hike the Highlands” blog as an additional recreation and conservation resource for the region, including news about AMC’s efforts in the Pennsylvania Highlands.

In addition to Highlands Mobile, AMC has unveiled its new “Pennsylvania Highlands Water and You Learning Center,” an animated, family-friendly online water resource guide to the region. Through interesting facts, helpful information, and photos, the learning center highlights the region’s water sources, everyday uses for water, and ways to help protect drinking water and habitat for fish and other wildlife. Visit the Water and You Learning Center on AMC’s enhanced “Hike the Highlands” blog, with its new easy-to-search archive of land and water recreation and conservation topics, at http://hikethehighlands.outdoors.org.

“Highlands Mobile makes it that much easier to enjoy the wealth of recreational opportunities in the Pennsylvania Highlands by serving up trail and map information on people’s mobile devices,” said Mark Zakutansky, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager for the Appalachian Mountain Club. “The Appalachian Mountain Club is excited to expand on its Highlands Mobile content in 2012, with more than 100 featured locations planned.”

AMC celebrated the launch of “Highlands Mobile” on Saturday at an event to recognize the efforts of local businesses, municipalities, Chester County, and partner organizations to protect the Brandywine-Struble Greenway. As part of this local initiative, AMC is raising awareness for the East Branch of the Brandywine River’s unique recreational potential as a future water trail for paddling and fishing that connects to walking trails in the green space along the river.

“The Brandywine-Struble Greenway, a regional planning initiative of the Brandywine Conservancy, is envisioned as a 30-mile long corridor of varying width from the Delaware state line to the Pennsylvania Highlands Greenway in northern Chester County,” said Sheila Fleming, Senior Planner, Brandywine Conservancy. “It will include an interconnected system of trails, parks, river access points, riparian buffers and pathways that link the Brandywine with Chester and Delaware County communities, rural areas, and natural areas. The Brandywine-Struble Greenway will be dedicated to conserving natural resources, helping people connect to the Brandywine, and building healthy and sustainable communities. The Conservancy applauds the efforts of the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Highlands region of the Brandywine-Struble Greenway.”

In the Pennsylvania Highlands and throughout the state, waterways and the green spaces along waterways can provide some of the most beautiful and locally-accessible outdoor recreation opportunities through the development of walking trails and river access locations. AMC supports these efforts by working to create the Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network, which will connect existing natural areas and trails throughout the two-million acre Pennsylvania Highlands landscape. AMC has also published the “Pennsylvania Highlands Regional Recreation Map and Guide.”

Highlands Mobile has optimal functionality on a touch screen Smartphone or Tablet computer. Desktop users can also access the guide for information about parks and trails in the region, in addition to having the mobile link sent directly to their phones.

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.

To learn more about AMC’s conservation and recreation projects in the Pennsylvania Highlands, visit
http://www.outdoors.org/pa_highlands.

Water Everywhere

2011-09-27T20:15:04-04:00

It has been a crazy September of flooding in Pennsylvania and several eastern states. Today more flash flooding took place, a soggy addition to storms Irene and Lee. What does this mean for cross-country skiers? There has been a lot of trail and park damage. As skiers prepare for a new cross-country ski season, one item that should be included on the checklist is trail maintaining. Checking now on favorite ski trails could prevent a wasted trip in winter. Bridges and roads have been damaged, trails washed out, and trees downed in a lot of locations, especially in the eastern half of the state. Consider becoming a trail volunteer with a local trail authority and make a difference by helping restore your favorite ski trails. Reporting damage to forestry officials and park superintendents will also help identify what needs to be repaired. If damage is severe and a repair cannot be accomplished any time soon please share it with crosscountskipa.com. The damaged trail, park, or road can be published on the site and save someone a trip this winter. Looking forward to a great new season of skiing in Pennsylvania. HP

Paddling a school playground in State College, PA

Summer Solstice Starts Trek Toward Winter

2011-06-21T12:02:53-04:00

It's the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere but southern hemisphere skiers are just getting started in on a new ski season. The daylight will gradually begin to shorten here until we cool down for more snow again in five or so months. I did check the snow cover maps and there is still plenty of coverage in the Rocky Mountains. They got more snow than usual late in the season. I had some time to look back through my outdoor log and I was able to tabulate the season's cross-country ski trips for 2010-2011. December 11 cross-country ski trips and 2 nordic skating trips. January 25 trips, February 21. March 7. And April 1. Total cross-country ski trips 67 plus two nordic skating outings. (I did not bother with the roller ski tabulation in winter.) November was a big zero for me (all roller skiing) and March was fairly sketchy. I'll take all the trips I can get in and am thankful for all the great conditions we had last season. Now the countdown is on for 2011-2012. I'll enjoy the bicycling, canoeing, running, roller skiing, and hiking but the snow will be most welcome later this year. Have fun this summer. HP

A Beautiful Winter

2011-03-23T19:18:30-04:00

It is officially spring but winter is hanging on in Pennsylvania. Unlike the past two winters that ended abruptly in early March, this one is hanging in there. The snowfall in the northern half of PA was substantial last night and more snow is in the forecast. The striking aspect of this winter was its beauty. I found it to be one of the most beautiful in the last five years or so. Below are some of the photos from trips in the central part of the state, January through March in the Moshannon State Forest. I wanted to celebrate a beautiful winter. So enjoy. HP

State Of The Winter 2011

2011-02-02T14:33:12-05:00

Phil the groundhog did not see his shadow today. Early spring? This is only the sixteenth time that the forecast has been for an early spring. Possibly, Phil did not see his shadow because he was preoccupied with his new sweetheart Phyllis. The past two winters there has been an abrupt end to the snow and he may be on to something. Although, he's correct only 40 percent of the time. The state of cross-country skiing in Pennsylvania is quite strong. There are record numbers of skiers out there this year. The parking areas have been packed with cars on the weekends and I've even seen folks in the grocery store wearing cross-country ski boots. The widespread snow cover has given the entire population of the state the opportunity to ski. I do have to admit that only a small fraction of the 12 million residents have ventured out on cross-country skis this year. Wake up Pennsylvania you don't know what you are missing.

The season began in earnest around December 4 when cold air swept into the state and remained more or less for two months plus. Most of the snow that fell was fluffy and great for skiing. The Laurel Mountains and northwestern parts of Pennsylvania had the early snowfalls. Then the eastern third of the state started to pile up the snow. Finally, the huge hole in the snow cover, from mid-December through the first week of January in the central part of the state finally closed, and now PA is pretty much snow covered. Yesterday and today we had a heavy soaking and that will require some winter rehabilitation. Many places have a glaze of ice and the falling temps will create hard frozen conditions. This will be tough on the ski tourists, the ones who create their own tracks, until some fresh snow falls. The grooming operations should be able to handle the temporary setback with ease. Fresh snow, 2-6 inches, is predicted for the weekend. Hopefully that will happen and all will be right in the Pennsylvania cross-country ski world again.

February and March should be good months for skiing as there is a substantial amount of snow right now. Get out and enjoy as much of it as you can. Invite someone who may new to the sport and encourage young people to go too. It is time to capitalize on the great winter we are having. I cannot think of a healthier way to enjoy winter. Several days this season cross-country skiing has been like a magic carpet ride through the forest, a quiet yet thrilling glide though the natural landscape encased with snow and ice. Warmth from the exercise offsetting the cold and plenty of fresh air, a good ski has a rejuvenating effect on the body. I think there will be plenty of ski days left this season. I wish everyone a long and happy winter and the best of cross-country ski experiences. HP

Enjoying a powder day on Rock Run Trails Moshannon State Forest Jan 2011

Quehanna Wild Area

2011-01-24T21:32:22-05:00

I've been skiing in the Quehanna Wild Area for about 25 years. On January 22 I think I had my best cross-country ski experience ever in that location. The morning was cold and below zero but the temperature warmed into the low teens by mid-afternoon. The atmosphere was very clear and the snow conditions were ideal. The wild area is located near the Clearfield, Cameron, and Elk County borders. It has a high elevation and receives ample snow. This particular Saturday the snow was eight inches of powder on a firm base. Breaking a trail was nearly effortless and the scenery was stunning. The topography and of the wild area is varied and the high wetlands, hardwoods, and evergreen forests offer a changeable landscape. Stumps from logging years ago stand stubbornly upright through the snow. It is a feast for a tourist on skis. My skiing partner and I decided to do an out and back route to an overlook of Mosquito Creek. We were rewarded with a spectacular view and a stillness that is rare on a winter day. Our only companions on this journey were a woodpecker and some song birds, we saw no other people. It was a perfect day. I would encourage anyone into ski touring or back country skiing to try this location. There are plenty of trails to explore and the opportunity for winter camping.

Winter has really come on strong for most of Pennsylvania in the past two weeks of January. It looks promising for skiers the next several weeks. Get out there and explore the Pennsylvania winter landscape. HP

Feast and Famine Winter

2011-01-12T21:16:32-05:00

My favorite season is winter. I think each winter is unique and this is what makes it interesting. Sometimes it is a feast of snow with regular dumpings that pile up and change the landscape into a wonderland. Other times it can be cold, harsh, windy, and barren with only the frozen lake to remind you of the season. This year we kind of have both. It has been a while since a winter like this. Feast so close to famine when it comes to snow cover. All of Pennsylvania has experienced colder than normal temperatures, however, the snow cover has varied dramatically across the regions of Pennsylvania. I expect the lake region and Laurel Highlands to have the most snow. And I know an individual storm track can hit or miss. However, for a large doughnut hole in lack of snow cover to appear across the central portion of the state for such a long period of time (almost two months) seems strange. My friend in South Carolina had more snow twice within a two week period. Finally the snow has filled in the hole a little bit. So things are looking up at the moment. It is a bit fluffy and thin but better than no snow at all.

The quality of the snow has been different this year too. It has been very fluffy and we still have not had our traditional slop storm. I can't remember using my rock skis for so long into a season. One good advantage of a slop storm is a protective cover on the rocks, especially when the slop freezes. I like powdery snow but without a base it is hard on the ski bottoms. I'm waiting to see if the personality of this winter changes. Until then I keep traveling to the abundant snow cover and using my rock skis close to home. With two and a half months remaining in the season we'll see if the personality of this winter remains the same or if it morphs into something different. Be sure to come back to the blog on February 2 (Ground Hog Day) when the State of The Winter Address will be posted. Enjoy the long weekend coming up, it should be a fantastic cross-country ski weekend in Pennsylvania. HP

Enjoying pixie dust powder near Kylertown, PA 1/9/11

Unique Start to Winter

2010-12-20T19:06:26-05:00

Cold air is firmly entrenched in Pennsylvania but only half of the state is seeing skiable snows. There was an abrupt change from the warmer weather in November to the cold air we have now. A unique start to the ski season as lake effect and upslope snows have dominated the storms. The result has been pockets of really great skiing and marginal skiing to no snow for at least half of Pennsylvania. Most residents will need to travel to the northwestern parts of Pennsylvania or the Laurel Highlands for a cross-country ski experience. Laurel Ridge State Park looks very good today and also Wilderness Lodge. I'm not complaining as I live outside the snow belt, and to this point I've managed six ski trips on thin snow. If only a wide spread snow had graced the state prior to the cool down. I think it would've been an incredible December for everyone in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, I mow paths at a farm in Clearfield County and skiing on the grassy surfaces has been better than expected. I was also able to do some drills on the farm pond as the ice had snow on top. It was a short track but it enabled me to work on technique.

I have some concerns about the winter. Some climate forecasters are hinting at a warm up in January and especially February over a large portion of the country. I do believe that we trend toward average for temperature and snowfall. There may be some truth to the forecast as we are below average now in temperature and nation-wide snow cover is larger than average. The other concern I have, there has not been much higher water content snows to create a solid base. Warmer temps will take away these lake effect and upslope snows rather quickly. If we see a day or two in the forties, the areas we can ski on now will shrink rapidly. There are some benefits to our usual slop storm that freezes into a rock hard winter armor. We haven't had this type of storm yet.

On the positive side all this cold air has made it easy for downhill ski areas to create tons of snow. Telemark skiers will benefit from this. The ice cover on many ponds and lakes has been better than average. Nordic skating is a fun option when the snow is sparse and the temperatures are low. Make sure the ice is safe for this activity. Black Moshannon State Park had some great skating on the weekend. (See the two photos below) We still have three months of winter. We can only take it a day at a time so get out there and travel to the snow. Make a special trip to a place where the snow fell generously this month. Who knows, maybe it won't thaw out until April and we'll have the best cross-country ski season in years. HP

Ice at Black Moshannon State Park December 18, 2010

Nordic Skates Require Nordic Skate Boots

Growing The Sport of Cross-Country Skiing in PA

2010-11-13T09:58:55-05:00

One of the best kept secrets in the cross-country ski world is Pennsylvania. There is a lot of skiing going on in our state and we are an unknown entity in most cross-country ski guidebooks. We have a few touring centers and a plethora of ski touring (make your own track) trails. The variety of terrain and types of trails is enormous. There are some benefits to being an unknown as most ski destinations in PA are not that crowded and solitude is easy to find. The down side of this is that Pennsylvania skiers run the risk of slowly dwindling numbers. The PA cross-country ski community is loosely organized and lacks clout when it comes to preserving and promoting places to ski. There are only a few youth oriented cross-country ski programs. Casual observation of who is out on the trails reveals mostly the folks in their middle ages. I encourage everyone this year to invite somebody new to the sport to go cross-country skiing in 2010-2011. Cross-country skiing is gaining popularity in Pennsylvania and building the momentum is easy. Getting youth together from a school or church group to go skiing is not that difficult. Join in and make it a goal to spread the word about the wonderful cross-country skiing opportunities we have in the Keystone State.

Finally, the warmth we've been experiencing in November is about to come to an end. There is some hope for cold air to arrive around Thanksgiving. I think some places in our state will have skiing by the end of the month. We'll see? Be careful out there during deer season and wear blaze orange. Looking forward to a great winter in PA. HP

School students enjoying an outing 2010 Moshannon State Forest

Thinking About Safety Issues

2010-09-01T20:29:54-04:00

I took a wilderness first aid and survival course back in August. The course was offered by Centre LifeLink EMS in State College, PA. During the course participants were challenged to think about how to prepare for emergencies while engaging in outdoor experiences. The discussions were lively and informative. Several questions were posed and we hashed over the range of answers with ideas of how to handle situations that might come up. Winter outdoor emergencies have the added dimensions of freezing temperatures and limited daylight. As I thought about cross-country skiing, I think these questions are ones skiers should consider to ensure a safe ski experience. Do you carry a cell phone on your ski outings? Do you have emergency contact numbers? Will the cell phone have service? Are you prepared to build a fire in a quick efficient manner? Do you ski alone? Do you have any medical conditions that might cause a problem to crop up? Does somebody know your location and time to be back home? Does this person know what to do if you do not show up? Do you have a map and know an emergency evacuation route from the trail you are skiing on? Do you carry a light? Do you have a first aid kit appropriate for a cross-country skier? Do you have an emergency plan? Do you have the means to construct an emergency shelter? Do you have food and water? Could you survive a night in the woods with what you have with you? Do you know how to recognize and prevent hypothermia?

Naturally, there are more questions to ask, but hopefully these will get the point across that pre-planning and being prepared are keys for safety. I encourage you to think about how prepared you are for an emergency on a cross-country ski outing. Take a first aid course, read up on the subject of wilderness survival, and develop an emergency plan for your ski trips. Prevention and preparedness will go a long way in increasing your chances of survival in a real emergency. Now is the time to do that while you have time to think and prepare. When the excitement of a snowfall arrives, you will be less likely to rush out the door without the essential first aid and survival items. HP

Believe It or Not the Days Are Getting Shorter

2010-06-30T14:50:46-04:00

The summer solstice is behind us and the days are getting shorter. If it snows as early as it did last year, we are only three and a half months away from cross-country skiing. That is an optimistic outlook. I've been thinking about how the sport of cross-country skiing is driven by the sun and the amount of solar energy we receive. I get pumped up on dates like the summer solstice (June 21 7:28 AM EDT this year) or the autumnal equinox (September 22 11:09 PM EDT) as these are benchmarks for sunlight and how the days are getting shorter as the seasons slowly head toward winter. I found some websites dealing with how the sun angle changes in the sky. From the Stanford Solar Center Viewing and Understanding the Annalemma and from Analemma.com are several pages of information about earth-sun relationships.

I've found the ultimate in summer training. Take a look at this youtube video. Can it be true that nordic skiing is about to become a sport for any time of the year? Skiing on Neveplast Finally, I am finding time to update this site. Coming will be a page on ski touring in Pennsylvania and a page promoting the latest grooming. Last year several state parks decided to groom. This grooming page will focus on where the grooming is taking place and hopefully details about the trails. I enjoyed the groomed trails at Parker Dam State Park several times last year and kudos to the staff there for providing a wonderful surface for cross-country skiing. Until next time enjoy the summer activities and stay in shape. Winter is not far away. HP

Walking the ski trails near Kylertown, PA June 2010

Abrupt Warm Up Ends Season

2010-04-17T11:38:14-04:00

Two years in a row now the spring warm up has ended the ski season with a sudden end to the snow. The anticipated melt and freeze conditions conducive to skate skiing on the wide open fields did not materialize. I heard it was not that great for maple sugaring in mid to late March because the temperatures failed to go below freezing much at night. The 10- 25 degree above normal temperatures melted the snowpack efficiently. So it was a quick end to skiing in most places, except in the southwestern parts of the state and pockets in the northeastern parts of the state, where record amounts of snow fell in February and March. Skiers in the northwestern part of the state had a slightly below average season as the storms seemed to bypass them and the lake effect machine did not pump the usual amount of snow into these counties in the late season. Overall though the ski season was very good if you were willing to travel to the snow. The snow started falling in mid-October and lasted through the end of March, although a warm November and early December and the January thaw, disrupted snow cover. Southern tier county skiers made out quite well and there were a lot of folks in the Philadelphia area who had more snow than most years. Now it is time to enjoy the off-season with your favorite stay in shape activities. Roller skiing is a good way to stay fit, along with running, bicycling, hiking, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. Whatever you do to stay in shape make it fun. It is also a good time to clean up your favorite trails. It was a great ski season and it is time to start preparing for next winter. Don't forget to clean the bases of your waxable skis and put on a layer of storage wax. It won't be long before the flakes start flying again. H.P.

Students enjoying a fine day for cross-country skiing at Black Moshannon State Park
March 2010

Spring Fever on Cross-Country Skis

2010-03-06T11:47:10-05:00

It's March and the days are growing much longer. Winter took off like a jet after Ground Hog Day and blessed Pennsylvania with ample snow cover state wide. This will be one of the best months for spring skiing in years. Maximizing spring skiing takes a little planning and patience. The valleys will lose snow quickly and skiers need to head for the mountains to find the best snow. High elevations with northern exposures are the best bet for good conditions. Also, this is the time of year when open fields can become skate skiing playgrounds. The trick here is to time the morning or evening freeze to find snow that is firm enough to skate but not so icy as to be too slick. When the timing is right, huge areas become skate skiing paradises. Another tactic is to visit the groomed cross-country ski centers. Grooming creates a firm base and can take more abuse than simple skied in tracks. Grooming preserves the snow and skate skiing is usually good throughout the day. When the conditions really warm up klister wax for classical skiing and waxless skis may be the best solution to deal with wet mushy snow. Spring skiing allows one to ski in comfortable temperatures, enjoy a longer day, see changes in the landscape first hand, and experience more wildlife. Don't put those skis away, get out there and play until it is all gone. Winter is never the same from year to year. When the snow is here make good use of it. There will be a couple more snow events somewhere in PA. Be ready to pounce on that snow. Have a great time skiing this month. HP

March 5, 2010 Moshannon State Forest

The State of the Winter Address

2010-02-02T16:52:35-05:00

It's Groundhog Day. Time for The State of the Winter Address. How should one describe it? It started quite early with a snowfall in October that brought down trees and power lines. Then November came and it was quite warm. In December the flakes started to fly and conditions were getting good. By the time January arrived it was very good and there was promise of a fantastic nordic season ahead. Then suddenly there was a crash. The photo below sums up how the rains came January 17 and then again on January 24. Only the highest elevations and lake region held on to skiable snow. The snow cover maps showed the damage and the cross-country skiers had to get creative to find skiable snow. In spite of the rain and shrinking snow cover some remained and the last two weeks have shown signs of improvement. Personally, my longest road trip has only been about 55 miles to ski. However, for some PA residents the traveling to get to snow has been much longer. I think that is about to change as prospects this week look good right now for some snow in much of the state. I am staying positive and hopeful for snow in February and March. Another encouraging item this winter is the number of state parks setting classical tracks. This is good news and I hope skiers are appreciating this trend. I am happy to say, even with the heavy rains, that the state of winter in PA is upbeat. Phil saw his shadow today. There will be more opportunities for great cross-country skiing this winter. Get out there and enjoy it. H. P.

A young skier takes a tumble January 18, 2010

Lake Effect Envy

2010-01-05T18:33:14-05:00

It is a snow lovers disappointment living southeast of the Allegheny Front. The lake snows usually quit as the air descends off the Allegheny Plateau. Even though it is snowing hard eight or ten miles away and there are a few flakes in the air, it just doesn’t want to accumulate in my backyard. During the holiday break I was able to travel to the snow. Now after work, with no time to travel before dark, I am left with a windswept school playground. All of the fluff we had on December 31 has been blown off the fields and piled up along a tree line. My workout tonight was a 200 meter stretch of snowdrift, where I worked on kick drills. Back and forth, back and forth, and only eight or so miles away there is a powder paradise. I should suck it up and get a head lamp and drive there for my workout. It has been really cold and dry for much of the eastern half of Pennsylvania and we need a storm to recharge the snow. Fortunately, for me it is a short drive, to the snow. For folks living in Philadelphia and Harrisburg it is a much longer drive.

I can’t complain though, I skied everyday during the holiday break. Only the day after Christmas was a challenge as the water-soaked snow turned icy. Other than that it has been an awesome time for cross-country skiing. This weekend should be really good and I plan to travel to the snow on Saturday and Sunday. If we get lucky, we may have some widespread snow for the state on Thursday or Friday. Head to Laurel Ridge State Park, western parts of Clearfield County, Wilderness Lodge near Lake Erie, or the Quehanna Wild Area, if you want huge amounts of snow. Moshannon State Forest locations have ample coverage. Finally the Pennsylvania State Parks Winter Report pages are proving to be valuable as most parks are updating the information on a regular basis. Happy skiing. HP

XC Ski Trail (near Grassflat, PA) January 3, 2010

Good Start Despite Rain Today

2009-12-26T08:22:04-05:00

Despite the rain that is pelting down today, December has been a good month for cross-country skiing. The lake effect snows have been a little subdued so far this year. However, a couple of widespread snow events in the southern half of the state have produced skiable snows. Last week was a great week for skiing. Many past winters in Pennsylvania did not start until after the New Year. Judging by the large number of skiers in SGL 176, I know State College skiers enjoyed the bonus. Changes are being made to the crosscountryskipa.com website. You will find an improved layout. Look for a change in the home page and trails section soon. Work on the site should make it easier for visitors to get the information needed to plan trips. I hope you are finding the site useful and easy to use. HP

Winter Knocking On The Door

2009-12-09T16:37:38-05:00

December is turning out to be a good month for snow so far. Colder temperatures are what we need now. Looks like that will happen and there will be better conditions for cross-country skiing soon. Laurel Ridge and Crystal Lake cross-country ski centers have snow right now. Wilderness Lodge will surely get some snow soon. Visit their websites to get an idea of the conditions and to see when they are open. Links can be found on the Trails and Events Page. It is still deer season so be careful on state land and wear blaze orange if planning to ski in a hunting area. Could there be skiing the rest of the month? Looks like there is a chance for that to happen for a few places in our great state. HP

Will There Be Enough To Ski On?

2009-12-05T09:20:04-05:00

There is snow falling in PA today. Will it be enough to ski on and will it stick around? Last weekend we had a teaser in the southwestern part of the state and some skiers in the Laurel Highlands were able to get a day or two of skiing. It did not last long as warm wet weather moved in and wiped out the snow. Today it's snowing in the eastern half of Pennsylvania. If the storm slows down, there may be enough to get out on in this region. Check out the Got Snow? page resources to pinpoint the highest accumulations.

Snowing January 09

Cold and Snow

2009-11-22T12:54:44-05:00

When will it snow? I think we are going into a period after Thanksgiving where the chances increase for some winter weather. Some of the weather blog authors are discussing a change in our current pattern. The message is be ready. Traditionally, the northwestern part of Pennsylvania will start getting lake enhanced snows in December. It is also deer season the first two weeks of December. If we have snow and you're planning to ski in a hunting area, wear blaze orange. HP

December 2005 (near Kylertown, PA)

Positive Responses and Update

2009-10-31T09:52:15-04:00

Thanks to all the visitors to the CROSSCOUNTRYSKIPA.COM website. The comments and suggestions have been encouraging. I am trying to update your suggestions by adding the links and information Pennsylvania cross-country skiers want and need. I've added club links and a few more events. Please keep the suggestions coming.
I had the opportunity last Tuesday to do trail maintenance with a group of eighth graders from Park Forest Middle School in State College, PA. The group was able to accomplish an amazing amount of work in three hours. With nine people, many of the downed trees you would need to cut through with a saw, were simply lifted off of the trail. This sped up the process considerably and made short work of most downfalls. My life as a trail maintainer has always been a solo or duo operation. I am sold on the concept of group effort after my experience with the students. We used only loppers and two small pack saws. I can see the benefits of club outings to do this kind of work. I encourage all cross-country ski clubs in PA to organize a group trail maintaining event.
Finally, there are rumors of flakes for the first week of November. Weather World hinted at the possibility of some snow flakes possible for the northwestern part of the state later next week. We are getting closer to the ski season. Get your gear and equipment ready and keep roller skiing. HP

October Snowstorm 2009

2009-10-18T12:16:49-04:00

The rumors of snowflakes (see my last entry) turned into a snowstorm that began on Thursday, October 15 and continued through Saturday, October 17. For those of us living in Central Pennsylvania the snowfall brought down trees and power lines. My own home was without power for about 40 hours. Trees with leaves still on them was the main problem. However, I managed to get out on the skis Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and I hope to squeeze out one more ski day. There is a warm up on the way and a clean up too! I think the two photos below capture the joy and pain of an early storm like this. On the one hand there is the excitement of getting out on the skis on unexpected snow, and on the other hand, there is the damage that early snow causes. I embraced both as I skied and lived through being without power. The cleanup took several hours of dragging limbs to the curb for the chipper. The job was made easier by a neighbor who stopped by with a chain saw. Will this turn out to be a stormy and snowy winter? Who knows, but I'm hopeful. HP

The storm split trees and downed power lines.

Enjoying an early ski outing.

Rumors of Flakes and Roller Ski Tumble

2009-10-04T08:35:14-04:00

If you watched Weather World (see the Got Snow? page for a link) last week the s... word was mentioned. One of the long range model forecasts hinted at the possibility of snowflakes for northwestern Pennsylvania. Models rarely get it right though when predicting 12 days out, but the mere mention of the word snow was comforting. Last year the first ski of the season for me was October 29 at Black Moshannon State Park. So we are getting closer to the time when it can snow. In the meantime, the roller skiing continues on the bike paths. On my last roller skiing adventure, I experienced a nasty fall when a walnut got caught in my left front wheel. Of course this happened right in front of a pedestrian. When I roller ski around folks in Pennsylvania, most are curious about what I'm doing. It is not a familiar sport in PA and I feel a little like an alien and people usually take a long look at you. Now in a heap on the side of the path, I was a crumpled alien. The pedestrian was kind and offered a hand up. I asked if the video cam was rolling and the person chuckled. If you are roller skiing this time of year be careful. There is more debris on the path from falling leaves. Wet leaves can really be slick . And watch out for walnuts! HP

Coming Soon! We hope. (Photo sent in by a North Central Pa. Skier)

Equinox Signals Change

2009-09-26T17:17:19-04:00

The autumnal equinox always creates some excitement for cross-country skiers in the northern hemisphere. The days really begin to get shorter and less energy from the sun translates into a cool down favorable for creating winter weather. Of course this is a month or two off, but the Rockies had some snow last week! The signs of cooler weather are evident and winter is surely on its way. It is time to check the cross-country ski gear, get into ski shape, and volunteer to clear a trail. It is fun to take a long hike or trail run on your favorite ski trails. While you are out there getting into shape, take time to remove limbs and large rocks. Another sign winter is on the way was the first sighting of an ad for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics during a football game last Sunday. Looking forward to a great winter! It is time to get ready to cross-country ski in PA. HP