The pack froze overnight, leaving a very firm feel for this morning’s offerings. The Mineral Chair was having issues today, and the crowd was focused on the front of the hill, which had noticeable traffic compared to earlier days this week. There was still plenty of traction on the machine worked lines, but taking it easy and dialing in some of the soft sections that had collected made the turns feel smooth underfoot.

A shot of upper Think Young looking smooth and dialable top to bottom, just setting up the next section going into Anderson’s Hill. Because of a glitch in the Peruvian Chair, I was able to descend Peruvian Gulch top to bottom without encountering one other slider. That was a very weird, Twilight Zone type feeling. Who Dunnit was offering amazing turns on those first laps. Tomorrow, look for more firm conditions to be on tap as the day really warmed up, and those direct lines and lower aspects on the hill will be frozen in the AM. Look to Mineral Basin to be offering the first possibilities of softening, however, the front side of the hill will still be offering the smooth machine worked lines that were very fun today. Warming will be occurring, so a more leisurely approach to the day may be the call. The smooth has been holding up nicely. IBBY!!!

The Sun was warm this morning, with still air on the peak, and nicely prepared lines on all sides of the hill. After yesterday’s warmth, the pack was crispy, however, those direct aspects in Mineral Basin were softening first with White Diamonds and Lower Silver Dipper offering wide open jamming top to bottom. On the front of the hill, those direct fall line aspects were firm, but held enough traction to let you dial in the turns you wanted to make. Traffic was light, and back to back Trams were easy to make, letting you pile up vertical as quick as you could turn it around. Off trail is consolidating and morphing with the traffic as it will, but with directed attention the turns come off with plenty of articulation.

This large expanse of glacial moraine is an amazing ski line with wide open area, lots of terrain features, and smooth arcing drops to let you put together a smokin’ line with ultimate flow. It is fun to stop and just soak up the vista and the afterglow of a ground pounding line. Tomorrow, look for more great lines to be had on all sides of the hill. I expect light traffic again, and still crispy early morning turns, but the traction that has been on tap will still be holding up, though there are some glazed sections peaking through, so keep that in mind. Traverses and entrances are getting spicy again, so take care and be strategic. Remain Standing!!!

With light traffic, bright Sun, and lots of machine worked lines prepared for today’s festivities there was sunny fun to blast you right through the day. Mineral Basin was offering the first softening of the day after all those sun affected aspects were mighty crispy and needed some time to get good. On the front of the hill, the residual cold of the North facing aspects still held the dry chalk, but the firmer feel was very noticeable, however, there was plenty of traction to be had when needed. It was very fast in the AM. letting you dial in those back to back Trams as fast as you could keep the pace alive.

I went back out to Mark Malu again around Noon to look at the pack and enjoy those big glacial moraine features. I got another great look up at Pipeline Bowl with some signs of wind slab and good cover. Tomorrow, look for more top to bottom high octane laps with light traffic and good visibility holding on, though there is some changes coming up during the weekend, so I expect some wind and pre change temps changes. The machine worked lines will still be offering early morning fun ripping laps. It is nice to get those big vertical drops with no one around. See the line, BE the line!!!

A quick cold front blew thru during the pre opening hours, leaving a withering wind in it’s wake and clearing skies to go with it. Great machine worked lines were on tap on all sides of the hill that had a much firmer feel, however, there was plenty of traction to keep you dialing in the carpet feeling turns top to bottom. Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose path were vacant for the first couple of laps, with Mineral Basin calling the crowd to the bright sunny bowls. Those direct facing aspect did certainly get worked by the rays and were crispy, with the off trail tricky and inconsistent. The North facing aspects were still holding the cold dry chalk out on the traverse, though the interference patterns have been building in. I will be looking for some wind smoothing on some aspects that have promise, so keep your eye out in the AM for some silky smooth sections possible.

Pipeline Bowl looking huge from the bottom of Mark Malu. You can see the build up of traffic patterns that are wide spread and are becoming increasingly higher in amplitude. Also, note the subtle orb making an appearance. Tomorrow, look for another warming day, with even firmer prepared lines, though I think the dry cold snow will respond to the tillers in fine shape for the morning laps. Nothing like smooth wide open lines with no one around. Traffic was quite light today, and tomorrow will likly be similar. See you there for the early morning smooth driving laps. Keep it tight!!

The temps have been warming up, and as we come to the end of February, it is time to start paying attention to aspect, especially with these warmer temps. The skin on my nose is still peeling from that last sub zero freeze period, where it got stung by the cold, but it will come back nicely with some time. Mineral Basin was calling this morning, offering great lines back there that were velvet smooth and rippable. On the front side of the hill, Think Young, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path were as good as it gets, and I slowed down to extract as much juice from each turn as I could, as there was no one around and I got the lines all to myself. Traffic was much lighter, and turnaround time was fast and easy.

Timp. was looking large and in charge in the clear sunny skies. What a piece of real estate that mountain is. The off trail areas are beginning to show the effect of the last busy traffic stretch that worked up a lot of static and rumble, which can be a bit stiff with the warming temps, so keep that in mind as you make the transitions.

Tram Rat sent this amazing shot from his place in Tuscon AZ, where he is letting the busy season pass with Golf and other activities. He’ll be back soon and will be joining the Breakfast recon meetings before long. Tomorrow, look for more great machine worked lines on all sides of the hill, with those sleeper lines remaining vacant while other aspect call for attention. Choices, choices, choices!!! It would be nice to get some sustained wind working the pack, as wind blown buffed lines are just deluxe. Keep an eye out, you never know what the morning brings. Stay Frosty!!

The Faithful were in full attendance again this morning, ready to get after another great day on the hill with the morning Sun shining brightly out ahead of a brush by storm going North of The Front. Mineral Basin was the draw, offering smooth prepared lines and some new additions to the mix. White Diamonds and Lower Lone Star was deluxe with dry chalky turns top to bottom. Such a treat. On the front of the hill, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path were just incredible, however, with the cloud deck moving in fast, the lights were going out and the details became sparse.

Beautiful Sunshine illuminating the dance floor, with great cover and smooth carpets of AHHHHHH kept me lapping the goods till the line began to build up. There were still some lines to be had if you had the juice to work for it.

Olivia Kennedy worked hard to get these sweet turns in Scottie’s Bowl this morning. She is an intrepid skier, willing to follow her heart to the goods and getting it.

Here is a shot of Olivia on her path to her piece of heaven with the lower Canyon framing the scene. I’m so glad she got what she dreamed of. Tomorrow, look for some clouds and warmer temps, so the visibility will be dodgy, but the machine worked lines will be great on all sides of the hill. After all that morning Sun today, watch those direct aspects as they will be crusty and variable. Coverage is excellent, and I think traffic should be lighter.

This morning I met Bode, who was super stoked to be in the locker room early and ready for a big day on the hill. I thank my Mom and Dad every day for giving me the gift of skiing when I was his age and encouraged my path. I know Bode will thank his Mom and Dad for the gift as he is destined to become a shredder on the hill. All the dreams come true. See you there in the AM for more ground pounding fun. Don’t stop believing!!

The Sun was bright and the air was cold, but not as chilly as last week’s deep freeze, which kept the product nicely refrigerated. There were fresh lines to be had in the peripheral areas that were still holding the cold and the fluffy Essence.

The Jazz Man sent this shot of his foray to the Exotic Trees this morning where he found fresh cold turns that were sublime. Mineral Basin was the big draw this morning with beautiful lines still to be had and smooth machine worked lines that begged for deep arcing slices. The front side of the hill was also offering great lines though most of the sections had been worked over from yesterday.

Diamond Dave sent this shot from yesterday with the clouds still hanging low in the valley. Thanks for sharing this shot Dave, it is a gem!! Tomorrow, look for warmer temps., amazing machine worked lines on all sides of the hill, still soft snow in the shaded areas, but as the temps rise I think the Sun is going to start morphing the snow as it gets exposure. The hill is in great shape and a great day is on tap. See you there dark and early for the ground pounding fun!!! As Joe Man The Snowman says, ” Don’t skimp on the groove sauce”!!!

Clouds were hanging low in the Valley this morning, but up on the hill the Sun was out and lighting the dance floor in a big way. More overnight accumulation added to the pack, making for some sensational powder blasting on all sides of the hill. With the visibility of recent days being so difficult, it offered the chance for the terrain to smooth out, leaving some really nice lines on all aspects. Mineral Basin was prime and called The Faithful just with one look, however that built up the line back there. However, if you worked the early laps and bailed for the front side, staying ahead of the crowd was the pay off.

Mikey M catching a sweet line on Baldy Shoulder with the fresh Essence blowing up around him. With such a great base underfoot, it is great to be able to fully charge the line.

Bill Foreman getting his line working on Baldy Shoulder, dialing in the goodness in the Sun and lovin’ it. Once again, the machine worked lines were epic as well, offering that dry chalky feel that feels like velvet underfoot. Tomorrow, look for more great lines on the hill, with some pockets of fresh still to be found with some exploration. The off trail lines will still be offering cold fresh feeling snow and those early morning machine worked lines will be exquisite as well. We are still in the time of season where the Sun does not work the pack yet, but still, look for the aspects that avoid it’s rays for best results. Expect nice sunny conditions, and great sliding. Remain Standing!!

It was a full day of storm sliding today, with a nice overnight accumulation to prime the dance floor, solid snowfall all day long, and fairly good turnaround time as The Faithful got spread out on the hill. With the full storm going on, the visibility was difficult and staying close to the trees was key, but taking those known lines on the inner map offered dividends of a deep nature to reward the intrepid slider.

Here, Mark Snyderman was getting some insane turns out on Baldy which had refilled nicely from the previous traffic. Having those trees for reference really helps with full on charge mode.

Carolina Branch working the untracked Essence with full commitment to the fall line and perfect balance in the transitions. A big thanks to Mikey M for sharing these shots!! Tomorrow, look for improving weather, lots of lines waiting in the wings, and guaranteed face shots if you go long and get the jump on the day. I think the temps will be a tad warmer as a high pressure begins to move in as this storm moves out tonight. The hill is in fantastic shape now that we have passed the 100 inch threshold, which is always the benchmark for a solid base. As I always mention, and fully take advantage of is the stellar industrial smoothing that comes with fresh snow and early morning corduroy. Perfect is perfect no matter the surface. Got to love those carpets of AHHHHH!!!! Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!!

The Sun was filtered by a high thing cloud deck that left the shadows in a serious flat light state. Mineral Basin was brightly lit and offered lots of fresh lines to get on first Tram. The soft snow felt great and those wide open lines had plenty of laps left in them. On the front of the hill, as anticipated, the Machine worked lines offered perfect carpets of AHHHHHH top to bottom, which kept me doing hot laps as the Tram line went away pretty quickly, leaving the smooth sections to a very few folks.

This shot off the Peak on first Tram shows the filtered lighting effect, which gave everything a mystical look, being sharp, but still fuzzy all at the same time. The Freeride Comp moved to Baldy which was prime for a contest with plenty of explosive product to make it all that more exciting.

This is a shot of The Jazz Man from the first opening of Baldy the other day. Tomorrow, look for a storm day as another impulse is on the doorstep. This snow event is slated to begin during the very early hours of the morning and will cause some interesting road conditions for the commute, so check the road conditions. The hill is prime for this next installment, and it will add another level of quality for the comp that is going on. Conditions are really good right now and all of the traverses and entrances have really improved. See you there for the storm riding fun. Remain Standing!!!