6-26-13

A Guide to Big Mountain Skiing by Jackson
Hogen and Guru Dave Powers


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4-24-24

Though the break had begun in Mineral Basin, which was offering good corn lines early on, but there was a brisk cold breeze blowing which really slowed the break on the rest of the hill. The front of the hill was going to have to wait for softening to occur. When the front of the hill did break, the quality was sorbet perfect and the Cirque apron was deluxe followed by a great line on Anderson’s Hill. Lower Chips face was a nice transition on the bottom of the hill and kept me doing back to back laps till I ran out of gas.

Tomorrow, look for changing weather as a couple of Low Pressure systems begin to move into the front. The forecast is for some significant precipitation and snow fall on the hill. I will be checking out the sky in the AM and may just bail on the day if it is not going to SUN. The pack may break, but it will be slow. Stick with the prepared lines for the best sliding. Coverage is excellent with plenty of lines to keep you occupied, but use care. IBBY!!!

4-23-24

The temps were warmer this morning with a peak temp of 34 Degrees, which was not enough to put a hard freeze on the pack. It was sorbet perfect right out of the Chute, with the prepared lines offering full platform engagement and as silky feel that was just a delight. I worked laps in Mineral Basin to take advantage of the Sun softening and get it before it went away. The Front of the hill was offering similar consistency, with smooth prepared lines top to bottom and a few passes that had been retilled just prior to opening. Stunning quality and was, to me, just as good as powder in perfection. Yikes.

With the warmth, the break was fast and it did not take long for the pack to get very soft, so I bailed early. Tomorrow, I think we might get some more Sun in the AM. but I expect that weather to begin moving in for the next few days with snow in the forecast. I’ll be looking for those prepared lines for the back country smooth feel and experience. It is so much fun to be able to dial in some corn goodness. See the line, BE the line!!

4-22-24

It was still pretty cool this morning, with a breeze blowing keeping the break from going off too fast, but when the wind stopped the break happened very quickly. Mineral Basin was offering the softest quality from the word GO and there was a lot of stoke for the smooth lines that were fun to really get after. That due South aspect just above the the Mineral Basin Chair was back country delightful and let you dial in a round sweet feeling run top to bottom. A real treat to start out the day. On the front of the hill, it took a bit longer for the break to go off, but dialing in the tenderized lines offered the best traction and quality turns.

Tomorrow, look for the beginnings of changes in the weather for the rest of the week. We’ll have to see if there is cloud cover, but I am hopeful for another sunny morning for the continuation of the Spring quality.

Coverage remains excellent top to bottom with great lines on all sides of the hill. Mark Malu and Regulator are the last to break, so keep that in the back of your mind for timing of line choices. IBBY!!!

4-21-24

It was still cool this morning, making the break take a bit longer. There were nice freshly prepared lines off the Baldy Chair, which was the last day of operation this season. Claim Jumper was prepared and was offering corn goodness and I was able to get the very first line on that corduroy. I did a bunch of laps back there before the folks started getting there. Peruvian Gulch was breaking slowly and a good bit of tenterization efforts had been performed, which offered deep sugary consistency that offered full platform engagement. The Road to Provo and Regulator were the last to break, making for a nice break as you followed the Sun.

Great music was on tap on the Plaza and the Sun and temps were just right. Tomorrow, look for the beginnings of the effects of the next weather change. I expect another good break, but there may be some partly cloudy skis. We’ll have to see how that shakes out. Check the Bird site for any new closures and restrictions as we move forward. There is still plenty of cover and conditions are excellent. Keep it tight!!!

4-20-24

It was a beautiful morning with a bit warmer temps, which meant that the break was going to go off faster than the past couple of days. Mineral Basin was offering the best quality for softening lines and there were wide open runs and light traffic. When the Break went off, the sweet window was quite long before things began to get a bit too soft. That Sorbet window is just so delightful when you get that soft full platform engagement with each turn. Kind of feels like cheating. Follow the Sun!!

Tomorrow, look for more great Spring sliding, with plenty of cover, smooth prepared lines and a big window of great soft corn goodness when the break goes off. Tomorrow also is the last day of the Baldy Chair, so get your laps out there before it ends. Remember to stay for the great music and festivities on the Plaza Deck beginning around 2PM. See you there for the early lines in the back bowl. Straight Ahead!!

4-19-24

A cloud deck moved over the range this morning, filtering the Sun and slowing the softening of the pack. Mineral Basin was offering some very nice lines for the opening bell, which were smooth, silky and fun. The Baldy Chair offered a Lewis and Clark extravaganza with low traffic, good visibility and great carving. The Gad side of the hill was going to take a while to break and the Peruvian Gulch offered some good traction and wide open lines with no traffic.

Tomorrow, look for more great Spring conditions, a bit warmer temps to start and good cover top to bottom. I expect traffic to remain low, and lots of sorbet lines when the break hits its max point. Today offered some sweet sorbet consistency when the break went off. Just delightful. I’ll be taking the day off, so dial in the high edge angles for me. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

4-18-24

The morning temps were very cold, and the pack had frozen hard leaving super glaze on the prepared lines that had not seen any Sun. Mineral Basin was offering barely breaking prepared lines that were smooth and edgeable, but it was going to take a long time for the break to go off. Sections broke depending on the aspect and after a Lewis and Clark tour I retired to The Forklift to let softening occur. At 11:30 AM the front of the hill began to break but it wasn’t till 1PM that Regulator and the lower aspects of Little Cloud began to offers sweet sorbet that was a real treat once it got that Sun working.

With that kind of cold in the pack, the break was slow and lasted a long time and only got sticky on the lower elevations at 2PM. Traffic was light and the Tram was running a 15 minute cycle.

Tomorrow, look for another late start as I think the freeze will persist again in the AM. Stay ahead of the break and enjoy some really nice spring turning as the day develops. Stay Frosty!!

4-17-24

A slow moving cold front dropped down out of the North and brought some overcast and flurries to the hill and light showers to the Valley to start the day. The light was flat, however the visibility was not to bad. Around Noon, clearing began to open things up with Sun shining and lighting up the dance floor. Sticking with the machine worked lines was the key to smooth sliding, as the off trail has stiffened up and was challenging. The spring time change has really morphed the pack all over the hill and needs to be worked with care.

Tomorrow, look for Sun and warming temps with some Northerly winds and bright Sunshine to soften the pack. The machine worked lines will be offering the best feel and I will be taking extra runs on the Baldy Chair as this is it’s last week of operation. There is still plenty of cover, and with that small accumulation the other day the hill still looks fat and good to go. I expect some very crispy consistency on the front of the hill to start, so Mineral Basin will be the call for the opening bell. See you there for the Spring time fun. IBBY!!

4-16-24

Clouds were hanging on the peak as first Tram arrived, but clearing was on the way as the clouds were moving off. With the lack of traffic this past weekend, the pack had smoothed out quite a bit and the addition of 6 or7″ of fresh frosting was icing on the cake. As the Sun was out, there was a very short window before the freshness was affected by the rays and would go South quickly. Mineral Basin was full of options and the quick were going to get the best of the day.

On the front of the hill, there were great lines on the Upper Cirque that were smooth and creamy and felt really good until it began to be worked over, at which time the harbor chop really began to rise up and get stiff. That was when the window began to close, so it was quite short.

Tomorrow, look for some interesting texture and perhaps some overcast as a front moves through. I will be looking for the prepared lines to offer the smooth factor, which is important when the Spring consistency gets funky. There should be plenty of traction on the machine worked lines as that new product will get tilled into the mat. I expect a short window once again as the pack gets thicker and sticky as the day warms up. It will take a bit for a corn cycle to develop. Stay Frosty!!!

4-15-24

Yesterday’s warming of the pack set the stage for today’s substrate that obtained just an inch of fresh cover for today’s festivities. There were few takers for today’s spring storm, and conditions were difficult and variable. Off trail was no place to venture with the present crust that is happening there. The prepared lines were the place to find the smooth mat that would make safe descent manageable. There was rime ice making visibility difficult as well on top of all of that, but that is spring time in the Rockies.

Tomorrow, look for more unsettled weather with improving visibility. The new accumulation will be tilled into the prepared lines and those will provide the best quality and smoothness for the existing firm conditions. Be very careful in any off trail sojourns, as it will be difficult and extremely variable. Temps will still be cooler than the recent warming trend, so I do not expect any softening of the overall pack. Traffic will be light once again, so that will make for fast turnarounds, but take your time and tread lightly. Remember to check out the Bird site for updates on all the changes that are now in effect. Straight Ahead!!!