Pocono Mountains Kick Into Gear
by Phil Anderson
(December 17, 1996)

Rich Angelo

Snowboarding season has started in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania! Big Boulder and Shawnee opened Thanksgiving weekend, and with the Friday the 13th opening of Jack Frost and ten inches of fresh snowfall, things were happening. Checking out Jack Frost on Sunday found the Demo Day carnival outside, and many happy boarders sampling tasty rides from Burton, Morrow, Ride, Nitro, and others on the slopes.

Early in the day, most of the early runs were in fresh snow, and work commenced on building a run and kicker at the top of Exhibition. This first hit set the tone for the day with a small and choppy landing area, but it held up throughout the afternoon. A tabletop was built further down the run, but the snow conditions between the two were not good enough to sustain both hits, as a path was cut between the two to a natural jump at the edge of Dematte's Demise. By afternoon, a definite swell was seen on this jump, and many riders were hitting big airs and taking long smooth landings as the afternoon light started to fade. Especially noteworthy were Dale Slolter of Hurlysville, who consistently went high and landed clean, and Rich Angelo of Hazleton, who was pulling front flips and sticking them time and time again.

The evening scene at Big Boulder yielded far better snow conditions and wide open runs, but fewer options for the freestyler. Merry Widow remained the slope to session, with two jumps and a few small hits scattered along the trail line. Upper Sitzmark, however, was popular for its exposed water pipe hits and naturally banked quarter pipe areas, but the landing areas were beat by nightfall. The gems of the evening came late, as the fog descended to a few feet above the lifts, the lights twinkled in the snow, and the entire left side of the mountain was deserted. Big Boulder and Midway were both clean, fast, and had plenty of hidden hits to explore. If good things come to those who wait, then the Poconos should be in for an exciting season. Both area will probably have their halfpipe areas open by January 1, Doe Mountain will probably come on line around Christmas, and competitions start in January at Big Boulder (sponsored by Philly's Threads and Sleds) and Doe Mountain (presented by Cool Runnings of Ardmore).