Alton Bay Winter Carnival/Ice Airport

[dbahn]

I know it's early to even be thinking about this, but as one of the many pilots that flew in last year (and previous years) we have a group that's already planning to meet there sometime this year. Some are planning to come from as far away as the Midwest and are already asking when.

So is that something that typically is scheduled far in advance or does it get decided in January or so? We'd love to know so we can start making plans.

Thanks for any input.

[Slickcraft]

Last winter it was Feb 14th
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...inter+carnival

You could contact the Alton Parks and Rec dept and ask them for an estimate of the 2011 date.

http://alton.nh.gov/ParksRec.asp

The ice airport is open as soon as the ice is safe for operation, date managed by Mother Nature but often by mid Jan. Looks like last winter it was ready Jan 8th.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...=alton+airport

[upthesaukee]

Alton's Winter Carnival is normally scheduled for President's Day Weekend, on the Sunday. That gives the attendees the opportunity to come up on Saturday and go home on Monday.

An email to Alton P & R should confirm the date.

I assume that Paul and the guys will be doing the airport thing this year again, and the byword here is for the water to get cold quick, and let's get some good ice for the runway, and ice fishing. Look forward to the NOTAMs.

Thanks for all you and your friends do to promote our town and its activities.

[RLW]

I second UPTHESAUKEE "Thanks for all you and your friends do to promote our town and its activities."

[trfour]

One of the greatest Lake Winnipesaukee Traditions, and enjoyed around the world thanks to so many, and the Alton Bay WebCam! It is truly looked Upon, with anticipated cooperation each year!

Never too early dbahn, to remind Mother Nature that we need her help to get this wonderful winter odd-icy off the ground!... My hope is that the ice will be safe for another Awesome Winter Carnival/Ice Airport there in Alton Bay again this winter. My thanks to you for making last winter so enjoyable.

I've been known to have the snow dance down pat for many years now, for snowmobiling purposes, however I'm working on a safe ice dance to initiate ice in (Before) using the snow dance... Get my drift? When the Lake ice is safe, we all have more area to cover in a shorter period. ( No Pics Or Videos Yet )



Terry
_______________________________________

[dbahn]

Thanks, everyone. I shot off an email to Parks and Recreation to see if they know.

I think it's a tribute to the unique nature of this event and the iceport that someone came all the way from Kansas last year and is excited about coming again this year, probably attracting others from places like Texas and North Carolina in the process.

As always, many thanks to Paul and his crew for their efforts in maintaining the iceport!!

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by trfour

... Get my drift?

We hope to -- come December/January

[Rattle Isle Windy Side]

Any news on dates???

[upthesaukee]

Nothing showing on either the Alton Parks and Rec calendar, the town of Alton calendar, or the Alton Business Association website.

[Iceguy]

Hi everyone, Happy New Year!!! I think the winter carnival is being planed for feb. 20 this year. More info will be coming in the coming weeks.As for the airport call my # 603-875-3498 and notams for up dates.Pray for colder weather. Take care Paul!

[Slickcraft]

Well I did not notice any bob houses in the bay yet, a sure indication of very thin ice. We will need a good stretch of cold weather combined with little or no snow pack to get to where the ice is good to go for trucks and planes.

[RLW]

There were several groups out on the lake in the Bay on Saturday and one portable bob house, but they were gone on Sunday.

[Argie's Wife]

Three things I look forward to in the winter: Pinewood derby, the youngest Arglet's b-day (2/14!), and the Winter Carnival! Glad to hear it's still on...

[TexASH Pilot]

Originally Posted by Iceguy

Hi everyone, Happy New Year!!! I think the winter carnival is being planed for feb. 20 this year. More info will be coming in the coming weeks.As for the airport call my # 603-875-3498 and notams for up dates.Pray for colder weather. Take care Paul!

That's great news, Paul!

Our group has been looking forward to flying into Alton Bay since May.

[playinghooky]

Here's a link to the Alton website showing the festival is set for 2/20/11.

http://www.alton.nh.gov/CalendarDetail.asp?ID=2685


2/20/2011 - Parks & Recreation - Winter Carnival:

Join in the fun at the Alton Bay Winter Carnival.

Please note the public boat ramp access to the lake/ice will be closed to motorized vehicles from 10:00am-4:00pm, please find an alternate route.

The Alton Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the following free events for all ages:
1:00pm-3:00pm- DJ Music at the Bandstand;
1:30pm- Family Scavenger Hunt- prizes awarded;
3:00pm- Parade of Beds;
Followed by the Great Alton Bay Bed Race- Sponsored by Meredith Village Savings Bank, Prizes Awarded. All pre-registered teams receive a prize.


For any airport information please contact 603-875-3498.

Please stay clear of all airport operating areas.

Please use caution on the ice, it is slippery. Ice walkers and dressing in warm layers is recommended.

Get outside and join in the fun!!

[dbahn]

Thanks for the official update.

Our group of pilots has already scheduled a number or rooms nearby and are planning to come in on Saturday. We're all psyched about it, hoping for good weather.

[Jonas Pilot]

I shot these last year at the Alton Bay ice airport a week or two before the carnival.



http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo....php?cat=15173

[Ropetow]

Originally Posted by playinghooky

Here's a link to the Alton website showing the festival is set for 2/20/11.

http://www.alton.nh.gov/CalendarDetail.asp?ID=2685


2/20/2011 - Parks & Recreation - Winter Carnival:

Join in the fun at the Alton Bay Winter Carnival.

Please note the public boat ramp access to the lake/ice will be closed to motorized vehicles from 10:00am-4:00pm, please find an alternate route....

Is there a viable alternate route?

[upthesaukee]

So, I guess you get out on the ice before 10 and plan to stay until after 4.

[riverat]

After several setbacks it looks like they are going to try and plow the runway at Alton Bay. The ramp has been a huige obstacle and now storm after storm piling up and some slush makes for a rough go of it.
Good Luck Guys

Watch their progress here.
http://www.spencerhughes.com/altoncam/?justshowme=true

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by riverat

After several setbacks it looks like they are going to try and plow the runway at Alton Bay. The ramp has been a huige obstacle and now storm after storm piling up and some slush makes for a rough go of it.
Good Luck Guys

Watch their progress here.
http://www.spencerhughes.com/altoncam/?justshowme=true

I haven't been able to get the Spencer Hughes Cam to work for the past few days. Anyone else?

BT

[Ropetow]

I've also had no luck.

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I haven't been able to get the Spencer Hughes Cam to work for the past few days. Anyone else?

BT

It must be frozen.

[robmac]

Looks like the winter may have taken a toll on the cam,still down this morning. Any reports on the airport?

[upthesaukee]

I have a feeling that the reports I have heard about there being ice, with snow over the top, then slush from the rain and then snow on top of the slush. They spent the better part of a day plowing the parking area, but wanted to get a larger truck to do the lead plowing on the runway.

I know that there was a problem with the boat ramp not frozen well due to the circulators by the swimming area.

Bottom line, the runway still is not plowed.

[robmac]

Thanks for the update,most important is Paul and crew are safe when they begin building the runway. Once again I want to thank them for all of their efforts and look forward to seeing them on the ice.

[Iceguy]

Well we made another attempt to plow the runway. No luck. just to much slush and water. it gets to heavy to push . You would think it would freeze up with the cold temps we have had. The snow layer on top is insulating it.Tomorrow we will try again we may try something different.At least the parking area and ramp are ok!We will keep trying.I hope we don't get to mutch more snow on wed.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by Iceguy

Well we made another attempt to plow the runway. No luck. just to much slush and water. it gets to heavy to push . You would think it would freeze up with the cold temps we have had. The snow layer on top is insulating it.Tomorrow we will try again we may try something different.At least the parking area and ramp are ok!We will keep trying.I hope we don't get to mutch more snow on wed.

On the airport runway section, it was easy to see the problem that you were having... The Cam has been inaccessible since.
The ice was doing so well that I started my snowdance, however, I will cut it back to let you catch up! By All Means, the airport runway comes first!!
Best of luck and to another Great Year there at the Alton bay Fly-In!

Thanks for your hard work, Iceguy!!

Terry
_____________________________________

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Alton friends of ours are looking for a bed to enter into the race. Does anyone have one they are looking to get rid of?
Thanks!
RG

[nhd]

Our camera is down due to computer issues. Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

[Iceguy]

Yesterday, we tried to plow again, with a V plow, regular plows...still too much slush and water. Discovered that the ice thickness is very uneven between the Bandstand and Sandy Pt. The ice thickness in one area, near the center, was only 10 1/2" thick. The other areas are over 12". Water was bubbling up through the cracks making the conditions very unsafe for our trucks. For now, it does not look good for the runway this year. To all our pilots, we appologize. If we can get some snoblowers on tractors. we may have a chance to clear the snow, slush and water so it can freeze. We will keep you posted.

[upthesaukee]

We appreciate all you do, but you certainly can not put your equipment and more importantly your self in harms way.

Thanks for your efforts, and those of your crew.

[RLW]

If we get a bunch of these and about 15 28" of these and as many of these that the ice will hold and we will have a runway, right ice guy???

[Senter Cove Guy]

Originally Posted by nhd

Our camera is down due to computer issues. Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

The Wolfecam has been down for more than 6 months. Any hope of getting that one fixed as well?

[TexASH Pilot]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

We appreciate all you do, but you certainly can not put your equipment and more importantly your self in harms way.

Thanks for your efforts, and those of your crew.

Absolutely!

Paul, if you guys can get it plowed and open, that would be great. But if you can't, our group will come up to AB for the carnival weekend anyway and we'll still have a great time. One couple is coming all the way from from Long Beach, CA.

[nhd]

Both Alton and Wolfeboro are being worked on and hopefully both will be up soon.

[Iceguy]

I would like to say we could open but thats not the case. We still have the same problem slush and water under the snow.But for those pilots with snow skis on their planes, You can still land even if we are closed. If you land north and east of the bandstand on the snow, and taxi into the parking area. Helicopters can also land at the south end of the snow plowed area. still use the standard procedures for all air craft.

[dbahn]

Paul, does it look HOPELESS for 3 weeks from now? Does the Carnival take place in the absence of an active runway?

We have a 2 week cancellation policy status at the Wolfeboro Inn, where quite a few of our group made reservations, including someone from California and someone from Kansas. There's a move afoot to come anyway, even without the airport, but it's not certain yet.

I used to keep our pond plowed for a skating rink, and just when things seemed hopeless sometimes a quick change completely reversed the situtation. Can you tell I'm an optimist?

[Iceguy]

Hi Dave'

The carnival will still go on without the runway. As for the runway their may be a chance hard to tell it's still bad for the trucks.But we will keep trying!!!

[RLW]

Originally Posted by Iceguy

Hi Dave'

The carnival will still go on without the runway. As for the runway their may be a chance hard to tell it's still bad for the trucks.But we will keep trying!!!

Well a few days have past, has there been any change in the ice regarding traffic. Fingers are all crossed.(Dam, I didn't notice that picture is the Black Velvet)

[robmac]

Was that a plow I just saw on the Downing gas pump cam?

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by robmac

Was that a plow I just saw on the Downing gas pump cam?

We were in Alton today and I took this picture and others posted in photo area. Certainly looks like they are plowing.

[robmac]

Anyone have updates on the ice airport?

[nhd]

Keith fixed it and it is now working! Be sure to watch the activity on the Bay! Wolfeboro cam is in the process of being fixed and should up and running soon....

[upthesaukee]

and per him, they hope to get a large snowblower out on the ice in an attempt to blow the snow off the runway area. It will be hooked up to a tractor and this will probably be a last ditch effort.

We can keep a good thought.

[robmac]

Great to see the cam back up and operating. Now just hope the weather gods cooperate and we can enjoy another season watching those skilled pilots take off and land on our beloved lake.

[trfour]

It is awesome to see that the Alton Bay Cam is back up and running. Folks from all over the world depend on this WebCam, as in, Winnipesaukee.com for daily viewing, year around if I can attest!

"Keep It Up"!



Terry
____________________________________________

[Senter Cove Guy]

We saw a couple of airplanes on the ice today.

[Iceguy]

No! The airport is not open those planes had skis thay landed on the snow and taxied to the plowed area.

[rdant]

With word that the Carnival is in jeopardy, I presume that the runway is unlikely, too. Still holding a sliver of hope. A strange winter indeed.

"Build it and they will come"

[Senter Cove Guy]

Originally Posted by nhd

Keith fixed it and it is now working! Be sure to watch the activity on the Bay! Wolfeboro cam is in the process of being fixed and should up and running soon....

Is there any progress to report?

[nhd]

Looks like a new camera is needed.... not sure when it will happen but will inquire this week and see what the progress is on it.

Yesterday in front of the Alton office there was lots of water on the ice......

[Chubbs]

I have been getting the Wolfecam all along. Is there another one I don't know about?


http://wolfecam.com/wolfecam.php

[RLW]

This is the one that people are talking about that is not working. It is the Spencer Hughes web cam in Wolfeboro. http://www.spencerhughes.com/wolfecam/

[Chubbs]

Thank you.... Where is that cam located and what direction does it point?

[RLW]

Here is a view from the camera. It appears to be right above the other cam that we all look from.