Visibility was quite good this morning, but the light was flat with very little in the way of details on the mat. Sticking with the tree lines was key in getting any reflected light working the surfaces. Traffic was very light with walk on back to back Trams going off, and plenty of room on each car. There had not been a full freeze, leaving some very nice soft lines down lower on the hill, with tenderizing effort having been employed. The effect of that offered amazing full platform engagement turns that felt sooo sweet. Lower Primrose Path was epic, with smooth transitions that let you dial it in, despite the light issues.

Gwen was beaming bright Sunlight up in The Summit, making a overcast day so much brighter. It is always a treat to see her energy and stoke. Tomorrow, look for a storm day, with precipitation, continued visibility issues, and the pack set to offer some great fresh snow sliding top to bottom. We’ll have to see how the day shakes out, but the hill is in great shape to take on this next cycle. The hill over all has been smoothing out with this lower traffic, so the off trail will be good to go. I expect a bit more traffic, but I think it will be moderate. Remain Standing!!!

It was sunny early, however, clouds were working their way up out of the South. Mineral Basin was the big draw, offering freshly tilled lines and bright sunshine and the best chance of softening after a cold night. There was a couple of inches of fresh Essence covering the off trail areas that felt good, but you had to deal with the direct texture of the substrate. Some places were smooth and it was ok, but other areas of static and rumble were a bit more challenging to deal with. I chose to work the Peruvian Gulch lines that had fresh machine worked pitches that make you turn turn turn to keep from the pace getting away. The fresh corduroy was feeling good and though it was firm, there was plenty of traction to keep things real.

Mineral Basin has such great terrain, and it draws the bulk of the early traffic. Those clouds moved in and the light went very flat, though the Sun did begin to burn through the cloud deck reestablishing the details that had fallen off. Tomorrow, look for another overnight freeze, perhaps some early Sun on the hill, and more great ground pounding fun on all sides of the hill. Weather is predicted to move in later in the day. I’ll be looking to get the smooth driving lines in early before any precip. begins. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

The next low pressure moves in today, lowering the temps, the visibility and the expectations on the day. Traffic was super light, with walk on trams going off with no waiting. The hill is still in great shape, but the firmness factor still is holding tough with no Sun to soften the pack. The machine worked lines still are offering consistent surfaces, that let you work the corduroy for those opening runs, and they hold up all day long.

There was a hard freeze overnight, creating a seriously firm situation on the hill. Mineral Basin was offering the earliest exposure to the Sun’s rays, but, still, it was going to take some time to break. Machine worked lines were the place to stay to keep things under control, but a cautious approach was wise. There was a high cloud deck from the opening bell, but the Sun did filter through, giving much needed detail to the pack. Later, as the temps rose, the break in the pack began and it was a matter of working with the aspects for best results.

Mikey M sent this shot of his view from the top of Main Chute yesterday. It is in great shape and not too skied out. Tomorrow, expect the weather to have moved in with this next low pressure that is on the door step. Expect continued very firm conditions on all sides of the hill, which will persist until some accumulation builds in to cushion the ride. I am still staying with the smooth lines to facilitate knee longevity. There is quite a bit more weather upstream going well into next week, so I think we can expect much improved conditions as we move along. Maintain deep visualizations, I am doing my best. Deep, deeper, deepest!!!

The South winds were howling this morning, with bright Sun shining, wide open lines in Mineral Basin with just the right amount over overnight freeze to make the surfaces smooth for the opening bell. The front side of the hill was offering machine worked lines that offered that frozen corduroy, which kept me turning to keep things real. A high cloud deck began to intrude ahead of the front that will be moving through tomorrow. The pack broke early with the high temps and began to get sticky in places down on the lower elevations.

Chucky was rippin’ it up with the Chuckettes, with high stoke, soft snow and lots of laughs all day long. Tomorrow, look for a much different situation with the front on the door step, wind picking up and precipitation beginning later in the day. Visibility will be interesting, but, perhaps, a vestige of Sun may shine to get things started. We can hope. I am excited about this next series of storms and accumulation to get that winter feel back on the hill. There is plenty of season to work the Spring feel, let it snow. Keep it tight!

The temps were very warm this morning with light wind, bright sun, and lots of machine worked lines to find on all sides of the hill. I chose to go with the top down and used just my Maui Jims to keep the glare off, and I was comfortable right from the beginning. The untracked corduroy was delightful first thing in the AM, and fast laps were great to get the most out of the smooth and fast before the temps made the pack too soft. It was also a day to get out of the area and get adventurous. Pipeline opened again for a short window, and quite a few seekers made the trek to get that rare opening.

Olivia Kennedy working the upper section of the Twins approach, this is where the pack gets funky and breakable.

Mikey M gaining the spine where you set your sights on the peak. Don’t look down.

The Jazz Man, on his last day before he returns to NYC, finding rare access to this East Greeley hide away. We’ll miss The Jazz Man on the hill. The break came quickly and the pack began to get soft and sticky in places. Tomorrow, look for more crisp early morning machine worked lines, and enjoy shaving the frozen nap off the corduroy top to bottom. Coverage remains excellent, and enjoy these warm days as weather is in the forecast. Stay Frosty!!!

The Sun was bright, the temps were warm, and the pack had firmed up in a big way. It was wise to follow the Sun and work those machine worked lines that saw the sun first. Mineral Basin had some really fun lines on tap, and the Lewis and Clark area was offering great lines that were fast and fun. On the front of the hill, the machine worked lines let you shave the nap off the corduroy top to bottom. The front was quite firm and it was going to take a while for aspects to soften. The Twins opened today, making Pipeline and points beyond in play.

Mikey M, Dave M, Mike B and Olivia gained the peak on their tour off the Twins.

Alex taking his first turn down Pipeline today, the snow looked mighty sweet. A rare sight here.

Olivia, glowing after an amazing line down Long John Silver. That loop is an amazing adventure every time you go. Tomorrow, look for another warm start to the day, with fairly firm pack till the day warms up. Mineral Basin will offer the early break and the Sun is always great to make every detail stand out. The front of the hill will be taking a long time as well, but the machine worked lines have been offering enough traction to make them workable to start. See you there for the morning shred fest. IBBY!!

The wind was cookin’ first thing this morning, which was transporting some snow and depositing on the prepared surfaces, that had like a soft flannel consistency. Out in Mineral Basin, the traverse opened out to the cliffs, which looked beautiful in the dapples sun that was going off out there.

Jake sent this shot looking East, with those smooth lines offering good carving top to bottom. On the front of the hill, those big drops were offering back country smooth for the entire morning. Temps rose up and the pack got soft enough for that full platform engagement feel to kick in. Tomorrow, look for continued springlike conditions. The machine worked lines will be feeling great and the Sun will be doing it’s thing in Mineral Basin. I’ll be looking for White Diamonds to get the treatment for the morning’s festivities. See you there for the explorations. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The Faithful were in full attendance today, anticipating the opening of Mineral Basin and they were not disappointed, though there was a short delay of the opening. Folks were waiting at the gate, just dreaming of all the lines that lay beyond. When the rope dropped, it was on!! After all that time out in the elements, the quality was very variable from aspect to aspect, with some serious breakable crust in many places. It was great to get that area back. With all the attention in the back bowl, the front of the hill was very quiet, leaving all those smooth machine worked lines wide open for full top to bottom drive.

A look to the South at the Bookends and points beyond still waiting in the wings. Temps were quite warm and the pack began to get a tad manky with the warming, requiring a round approach to slice through the areas that had piled up.

Rori, on the left and Bodi, on the right, were sooo stoked to be going out on the hill this morning. It is so fun to suit up with so much stoke for the day. It was infectious. Tomorrow, look for the machine worked lines to be providing the best ride, however, Mineral Basin will be offering more lines that have been waiting, so keep an eye out for openings. It is predicted to be even warmer as the week is set to get balmy.

The locker room is a great place to compare notes on what’s up for the day. Here, Chuck , on the right, is filling me in on the possible Mineral Opening. Chuck is my doppelganger, and NOT DAVE!! He gets more days than I do by a lot. See you there for the morning shred fest. IBBY!!!

It was cool and breezy on the hill today, with overcast skies and a bit of fresh Essence to start the day. That extra cover really was a plus on the machine worked lines and helped cushioned the off trail a bit, but the rumple still reflected through the pack. Traffic was was moderate and playing the chair option paid dividends, which got you around the hill quickly.

Shredzilla taking a look around as we have made the turn from Winter to Spring, he is never really sure if it is really going to happen. With the forecast looking like a strong warm up and Sun fest, he can rest easy till the next cycle moves in and sends him back to an extended nap. Tomorrow, look for more great machine worked lines on both sides of the hill. The off trail will still be feeling the vibration with rumble and static, which is wide spread, and the interference patterns are building in fast with the traffic the hill has seen. With the overcast today, the Sun did not really get a chance to bake the direct aspects, so we can expect more consistency from aspect to aspect. See you there for the ground pounding fun. Keep it tight!!!