Conditions Report
Reports from Saturday, January 6, 2024
Thanks to Indy Pass – and a locals’ tip from some folks I met on a camping trip to Meacham Lake this summer with my youngest kiddo – I’ve recently learned about a family-owned and operated ski resort that after only two early season visits has made it near the top of my list of favorite places to snowboard in the northeast.
Titus Mountain Family Ski Center, more commonly known as simply ‘Titus,’ boasts 1,350 ft of vertical, and ten lifts – including two triples and six doubles – accessing over 380 acres of terrain, including 52 trails and glades, and three terrain parks. Night skiing is available here on Fridays and Saturdays until 9:00 p.m., and an ‘earn your turns’ uphill pass is $15 for the day. Area students learn to ski and ride for free via the 411 program, and Titus is also one of three mountains in the state that offer the Stride adaptive ski program.
Community and Inclusivity are top of mind at Titus. A welcoming vibe resonates throughout the resort. While new to this Canuck pow hound, Titus is a well-known entity in New York State. In 2019, Liftopia ranked Titus as its second-best overall resort in North America, the top resort for beginners, the second most family-friendly, and the third-best value. Believe the hype.
The ski and ride season in the northeast got off to a shaky start. An El Niño winter, coupled with the impacts of climate change, means that what might be snow in the forecast might also be rain. Parts of the region were blanketed in beautiful powder in early December, followed soon after by rain and flooding, then an unseasonably mild holiday week between Christmas and the New Year, and finally cooler temperatures and the return of winter late last week. Most resorts here received a generous helping of the good stuff between Saturday and Monday.
I waited until Friday night before deciding where to ride Saturday morning. Titus made an impression on my first time there, and – ultimately – it was an easy decision. I knew snow was in the forecast for Saturday, making Sunday the better day to head out snow-wise, but safe driving conditions, especially at night, are always my other consideration when planning day trips in January and early February. My plan came together as ‘out-of-town Saturday morning, and local powder (at Ski St. Bruno, a 20-minute drive from my front door, mainly on suburban streets) Sunday.’
Titus has accessibility in its favor for skiers and riders on both sides of the North American border. The resort, a little over an hour’s drive from Montreal, is located a few miles outside the historic town of Malone, New York, which was settled in the early 1800s when Canada and the United States were not friendly and has its own gothic and stories to tell (Google ‘Fenian Brotherhood’). About an hour south of Plattsburgh, it is less than two hours away from most destination points in northern New York and Vermont and southern Quebec and Ontario.
The drive to Titus from Montreal, past fields of windmills, along the Trout and Salmon Rivers, is breathtaking. The sun was shining when I headed out, but clouds soon set in, promising the snow that would fall early afternoon into Sunday. When I arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m., the resort was already buzzing with activity. I grabbed my pass from customer service, a hot coffee from the bar, and set out for my first run, with a bird’s eye view from the chairlift of a Monster Energy-sponsored USASA rail jam (one of two planned here this season) being set up below.
One of the coolest things about Titus is the ride up on the main chair lift. Near the top, it takes you through a narrow, wind-protected stretch of land with trees on either side. It’s super pretty and sets the tone for a good day. When I was here for opening weekend in mid-December, I rode the well-groomed trails, skiers right. This time out, after some fresh snow and a deeper base, I figured that I would venture towards some blue and black trails skiers left. I very quickly regretted my decision and lost track of where I was. After dodging some uneven terrain and ice, I decided that the few hours I had to enjoy this mountain were best spent on the well-groomed trails, with some fast runs down the face to mix things up a bit.
I took a hot beverage break around noon to catch some of the rail jam and take photos of the athletes. There were some amazing young skiers and riders competing, and one grom on a snowboard, number 12, was just killing it. After chatting with some of the parents of the competitors I headed back out to ride. The trails were expertly groomed, there were powder stashes to be found on the side hits, and I lapped one run after another with no lines at the chair, mostly staying on a trail called ‘Pine Run,’ which has a spectacular view of the surrounding valley and ranges.
I measure my happiness in moments. One of the highlights of this day was when I stopped to ask the lifty for some clear directions on how to get back to where I started after that first chatter-filled run. I told him that I was with SnowBrains and was there to explore the resort and write a condition report. He responded with: “Give us some love, ma’am.” Of course. In a line and a knowing nod, he summed up the point I hope to get across with this report: “This is a good mountain.” Word, my brother.
Titus currently has 22 of 53 runs open and three of eight lifts spinning. The primary and secondary surfaces are packed powder, and the base depth is last reported to be 10 to 14 inches. The resort has accumulated another thirteen inches of snow since Saturday, and it is puking snow as I write this, with more snow forecasted through to mid-week next week. It is easy to envision what this place is like with a bit more snow and all the terrain open – a veritable Adirondack playground.
I cannot wait to go back.
