Eastern pennsylvania xcd spots?

[magoldbe]

I've recently moved back from San Francisco to my hometown of Philadelphia. While out in CA, I picked up this nasty skiing habit, mostly day and overnight trips on low angle terrain around the Tahoe area, using a light backcountry telemark set-up.

I understand PA is no CA, but the 8" snow we got this week has me all inspired. Does anyone know of state parks or other recreational areas in eastern PA that get decent snow and interesting, rolling terrain?

I'm also looking for a buddy to ski with!

I still have my Madshus Epochs, scarpa t4's and voile 3 pin cable bindings. I'd love to put them to use.

[lowangle al]

Hi magoldbe, there are lots of great places to ski when there is snow due to the amount of old logging roads, powerlines and pipelines. I live two hours north of Philly near the Pinchot State Forest at over 2000' and get skiable snow more often then the surrounding area. I mostly ski logging roads in the state forest and state game lands near my house, they are grass covered and don't need a lot of snow cover to ski.

There are closer places for you, Hickory Run state Park for one is good. You need to be able to get out when conditions are good, if you have to wait for the weekend it may be too late. Feel free to PM me for info or conditions and if things work out maybe we can get out together.

[lowangle al]

Here are a few shots from this week.

[fisheater]

I found this link which may be helpful:
https://crosscountryskipa.com/

Al, I have seen photos of the ski your wife is skiing. What ski is that? Just curious.
I’m glad you have snow, it looks like you found places to make some turns. Looks like fun terrain. Here not quite enough, even on mostly grass with rock skis. Enough to make me pay attention on cobbled up hiking trails!

[lowangle al]

Those skis of my wife's are Vectors Bob. I had been using my new to me Voile Charger BCs that were a blast but when the waxing is good the Insanes are great too. The Insanes, besides having better glide when well waxed track much better. t They take more thought and technique for the downhill though especially in the tight trees.

[magoldbe]

Wow, thank you for the tips lowangle!
2 hrs still beasts the 3-4hr drives I used to have to make.

It looks like you and your wife have a beautiful day out there

[lowangle al]

It will be good today, but heavy rain is predicted for tomorrow that may change to snow by the end of the storm. Check back with me later in the week if you want an update.

[lowangle al]

Correction, heavy rain is for Thursday, tomorrow should be good.

[magoldbe]

Dang it, I'm on call this week so no fun for me. Hoping for good conditions next week when I'm off

[lowangle al]

From what I can see out my window this morning it looks like all the snow is gone I had a good run though, 42 miles with about 4300' of vertical. The first few days were on my new to me Voile Charger BCs breaking trail for almost 20 miles going from one patch of skiable trees to the next. The next couple days I switched to voile Insanes with kick wax doing more of the same, but taking advantage of the trails I already put in. The last couple days I stepped down to Vectors, one in the trees and one on the local snowmachine trails. After all of that slogging through the woods it was good to get some top end in on the snowmobile trails where I did almost 12 miles in a little over 3 hours with a almost 1000' of vert.

Hopefully we'll get more snow. I'll be leaving town for Ak. in the middle of January and give an update on conditions until then.