The pack is really firming up, but the North facing aspects are still holding the cold dry chalk, however, it is getting slicker by the day. The off trail sections are very stiff and gnarly, making smooth transitions very challenging. I was sticking with the prepared machine worked lines and paying close attention to the lines that have been prepared and those that were deleted for today’s offerings. It is good to check the trail report for grooming updates to avoid driving into a surprise. I found this out first hand….. DOH!!! Later in the day, the North aspects were still holding the cold, but the direct facing aspects slowly began to soften just smidge. Out of area touring opened off Gad 2, offering the last chance to get some untracked before the next cycle begins.

Olivia Kennedy out in the lower sections of Shady Acres after a descent down from the Birthday Chutes. There was a lot of variation from aspect to aspect and a real heads up approach was needed to keep in the soft zone.

Olivia working the apron under the Birthday Chutes today, showing the wide variations in quality and texture. This section is one of my all time favorite tour choices when I go out. Tomorrow, look for a bit more clouds to be in the mix as the next cycle begins to work it’s way toward The Front. The machine worked lines will still be the place to find the smooth lines, and the off trail will still be quite difficult as I don’t think there will be much in the way of softening. The early hours runs will provide the best quality of the day, even though the light is darker with the change in the time. Traffic will be moderate once again. Watch your SIX!!!

It was fast fun and sunny today, with the North aspects still holding the cold despite the warm day time temps. Regulator was not going to soften much at all, so keeping an eye on aspect was key. The Anderson’s Hill – Lower Primrose line was just killer, with a flannel consistency that felt luxurious with each turn shaving off the fuzz that felt great underfoot. Traffic was moderate, but looking around the hill would let you stay ahead of the crowd and get some of those peripheral sections all to yourself. The temps were warm again, but still cool enough to keep the product from morphing too much as the day warmed up.

Wynonna is back on the scene, taking the peak greeting shift for the Host Program. She brings such great energy to the peak and makes everyone feel so welcome. Tomorrow, look for more great machine worked lines. Still be aware of exposure for the best lines. Regulator should still be avoided in the early hours of the day. The Road to Provo was very nice with those North facing aspect feeling really fast and dialable. It sure was dark this morning with the change in time. It is going to take some time to work into the shift. Speed Safely!!

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, with warm temps. still soft snow, and lots of options to choose from. Mineral Basin was still closed, so the front of the hill had quite a bit of traffic, but the machine worked lines were offering fast sugary surfaces, that let you dial in your inner Ligety. Other options were available, and a bit of stoke would get you to some fun places.

Kyle West dropping into the Main Chute at Alta from the Snowbird side, along with The Jazz Man, Olivia, and Doug working the big ideas into the day and getting there first!!! The snow was skiing nicely as it stays in the shade. Tomorrow, look for more fun, wide open, lines that should still have some soft sugary quality. There will be some slick spots poking through the pack after all that high density Essence is beginning to set up. The off trail, is beginning to set up with the direct exposure to the Sun, so factor that into your line choice. Even though it was quite warm, I think the due North aspects will still be holding the cold. It should be another warm spring like day, but with the Sun coming up later now, it will take a bit longer for things to soften up. Traffic should be quite light, and a lot of vertical will be up for the taking. I’ll be looking for those big, long, steep, machine worked lines to kick start the day. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

That last cycle is finally clearing off, leaving great snow, lots of fresh lines, and bright Sun to light the dance floor. The machine worked lines were amazing with full platform engagement underfoot to let you really feel the nuance as the ski moved through the turn. Delightful. More areas opened, with full measure goodness top to bottom.

Mikey M finding light and fluffy goodness in the Exotic Trees. It is good to keep an eye on the openings for offerings such as this.

Mark Herath leaning into vortex getting ready for the kick.

Jim Schoenborn leaving trails of glory with maximum after burners engaged!! Tomorrow, look for more great snow all over the hill. There will still be soft lines to find with some looking and the machine worked lines will be offering sweet carving top to bottom. This last installment really delivered some great material for the Grooming Crew to prepare. See you there for the opening bell. Be Round!!

It was a prime time day today, with fresh Essence on top of other fresh Essence, and the hill is hitting it’s stride. Amazing cover on all sides of the hill is happening, and The Faithful were chompin’ at the bit with all the visualizing coming alive. Funny how that works!!

Peter Nicholson getting serious in Door #3!!! Maximum R&B!!

Peter, gettin’ it steep and deep!! Those shots really nail the conditions. Tomorrow, look for more great lines all over the hill. The hill is feeling much smoother over all and the soft lines are great. I’ll be looking for some of that untracked corduroy, it is going to be epic. Enjoy the day, it is going to be a great day to dial it in. Get after it!!!

With all this additional Essence during this cycle, the hill is filling in nicely, with much more of the hill accessible. Every addition adds to the cushion. Those machine worked lines have that silky, flannel feel, which I love.

On the inside, lookin’ for the outside!!! Straight Ahead!! The flow is still active, so expect some fresh accumulation, and more great sliding on all sides of the hill. It is really go time now, with most everything well worked in. I’ll be dressing for weather in the AM, and still cool temps. It’s going to be a nice soft ride. Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!!

We were treated to a bright morning, with light wind and lots of options on the day. The machine worked lines were offering the driving carpets that let you dial in your inner Ligety!! With Mineral Basin still off line, the traffic was concentrated on the front of the hill, which made keeping a sharp eye and slower pace key. Off trail was set up after the moisture content of the last installment was high. It was great to have the sunshine to help with the details, but as high clouds moved in ahead of the next system, the lights really went out in a big way.

On first Tram, I took this shot of Mineral Basin looking soooo tasty with all that fresh Essence covering the dance floor. I am excited to get back there again soon. Tomorrow, look for overnight accumulation as it is raining here at The Trailer, a full on storm day which will bring a great addition to the pack and smooth out that old substrate. Check the road report for access in the AM. I am excited about this cycle. It’s gonna be big. Straight Ahead!!

This storm impulse was a great addition, with higher density which will add to the pack. The new product was upside down, as the lighter lacy snow from yesterday was covered by the new higher density that felt a bit grabby, but with juice applied to the line was sweet, soft and blastable. Openings happened as mitigation efforts were completed and there was plenty of room to play, though it was wise to take care on the traverses and entrances.

Mark Herath taking advantage of the full platform engagement provided by the higher density product and maxing out the high edge angles.

The key was driving the fall line to keep the power fully engaged. Here, Carolina Branch drops a gear and punches it.

Mikey M getting all of it on his birthday and making the most of this untracked Baldy line. Tomorrow, look for more great conditions, with freshly machine worked lines that will offer soft carpet like quality. There are still lines waiting in the wings and there is more storm energy waiting to come in for the rest of the week. As the hill gets worked that substrate will begin to fade, and the traverses and entrances will improve once again. Traffic was fairly brisk today, and I expect continued pressure for the goods. This is going to be a great week, pace yourself. IBBY!!!

When I got to the hill this morning, it looked like only the lightest skiff of snow had fallen overnight, but as first Tram left the dock fresh Essence was falling and intensifying rapidly. The flakes were super light and lacy, which really started to accumulate, and by 10 AM, 4″ of goodness was on the hill. Visibility was marginal, but staying with the trees kept the details well defined. The new product began to pile up and the scraped off sections began to morph into the Tiles and Piles consistency, which is quite difficult to negotiate in tough visibility. I was using my long turn, averaging technique to keep the flow going while floating the scraped sections. Traffic was quite brisk for a Monday, and folks were anticipating the goods and they were being delivered.

With the crowd building up and the fresh snow building in, I took the opportunity to stop at The Forklift Restaurant to assess the options on the day. By the time the crew had wrapped up the recon meeting, there was nearly 4 or 5″ on the outdoor tables, and it was snowing with intent. Snow kept falling all day long and the conditions were improving quickly. This is the beginning of a week of weather, which will really help get the hill back to a softer feel and will get us back to the Winter again. Tomorrow, look for more accumulation and the machine worked lines to be offering a more consistent feel after a fresh till on the pack. Fresh Essence always works into the mat nicely. It is exciting to get a good cycle going again. Stay Frosty!!!

It was a warm morning, but the Spring feel window is closing as a week of storm action is moving in to The Front to add to the pack and renew the soft quality. Very crispy surfaces were happening on all sides of the hill, with the exception of Mineral Basin, which is still experiencing mechanical issues. The machine worked lines were offering that consistent smooth feel that lets you let it all hang out or dial in a more back country pace to get more out of each turn.

I am re visiting this shot of myself- on the left- and my good friend Chuck on the right, who gets mistaken for me almost daily. I did not delineate this on my last post. He and I have been friends for 49 years and have lived large here at the Bird. Tomorrow, look for weather and colder temps, with overcast skies and precipitation in the forecast. This pattern will be continuing for most of the week, so hold some visualizations for significant accumulation. The hill is very worked over and it will take quite a bit of cover to mitigate some of the abrupt variations on the lines. The machine worked lines will still be offering consistent surfaces in the marginal visibility. I expect traffic to be much lighter as well. See you there for the start of a great cycle. Keep it tight!!