Today was a day of gettin’ ready for the next cycle, which is poised to move into The Front for the next few days with a large installment of Essence. We had quite a break in the action and all the elements are lining up to get the hill back in the deep zone. Today’s snow was very cold, dry, and dense, making for some excellent feel underfoot, but the rime icing was a real problem as it just froze over your goggles in very short order. I got a case of vertigo trying to maintain some visual cues through the glaze, but had to stop to scrape the lenses very frequently.

Tomorrow, expect the beginning reverberations of the incoming weather, with wind, falling temps. and continued variable visibility. I went out looking around and found wide spread interference patterns in my travels, which will be covered by the new product. With enough accumulation, those patterns will become lost in the depths. The hill is in great shape and this is going to be a very exciting time to be on the hill. It was good to get a good look at the hill before the storm hits. Get ready for deepness. Stay Frosty!!!

There was a fresh dusting of Essence overnight, making for a bit of velvet for today’s festivities. The impulse was fast moving, but the clouds held on to the peaks for the morning session, making the visibility variable at times. The clouds moved off later and the Sun illuminated the dance floor for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow, look for the new product to have been worked into the mat, providing velvet softness to the prepared lines. I’ll be looking for those fresh, smooth, carpets of AHHHHH to get the party started and stay out ahead of the crowd. I’ll still be dressing for cold for the morning session, but I think the temps will moderate as the Sun gets higher in the sky. See you there for the ground pounding fun. IBBY!!!

There was Sun and fun all over the hill for today, with delightful machine worked lines on all sides of the hill to provide that smooth cruisin’ pace. Traffic was moderate and the uphill capacity dealt handily with the flow. Off trail is still holding up good cover and there are many aspects that are holding up the smooth and dry chalky feel. The High North is holding the cold the best, but, with the Sun shining higher in the sky now, those exposed aspects are absorbing the rays and are feeling the heat. Expect some crunchy conditions in the AM on aspects that have seen direct Sun exposure.

Hopefully, you have been looking at the present lines as you work the hill, spotting the over all consistency before it begins to snow, which is expected tonight. Tomorrow, look for some accumulation to have been delivered, with more accumulation expected during the day. Dress for cold and storm condition, and remember the best lines from today’s hill studies to apply for the morning’s run plans. The next few days should prove to be very productive in the snow department. Stay Frosty!!!

It was a day for throwing down fast laps all day long, with smooth prepared lines, good visibility, and light traffic. Many of the big lines had been given the smoothing treatment and were offering top to bottom leg burning lines that got you back to the boat in time to reload the boat that let you out. Mineral Basin was offering some great lines, as well as some wind deposited sections that were delightful and easily accessed.

Traffic remained light all day long and the smooth lines held up without deteriorating much at all. With the warming of the day, the pack began to get a bit more soft and velvety as some of the early morning crunch backed off. Tomorrow, look for more great lines to be available on all sides of the hill. I expect traffic to be significantly increased as the weekend kicks into gear. The off trail is still offering some good lines with some looking around. Be sure to get a close look at the hill for intel as the storm cycle begins in a couple of days and lines get filled in. Remain Standing!!

It was a day of rippin’ lines, cold temps., and top to bottom laps to make the stoke factor peg the meter. Super rare lines had been prepared on all sides of the hill that were surprising, and all time perfect. The Big Smooth was in full effect drawing me to lap that line to get the most out of the dry chalky quality. Hoopie’s was buffed and the off trail had some good wind transported slab to dial into the line.

The day warmed up slowly, but never really got warm, and the quality remained great all day. Off trail was good, but challenging with lots of various underlying textures.

Tomorrow, look for more ground pounding fun on the newly prepared lines, which will be stellar on all sides of the hill. I expect traffic to pick up with the beginning of the holiday weekend. I will be dressing for cold once again. See the Line, BE the Line!!!

The Trailer was rockin’ in the early morning hours, signaling extreme conditions up on the hill. There had been a light dusting overnight, and the wind was transporting the loose snow around the hill. The wind chill was well below Zero and the Tram was on a wind hold with good reason. The snow was very cold, with a very squeeky sound under foot and the feel was sticky and variable. There did not seem to be any consistency to the feel, and that kept you on your toes to keep the flow going.

Tomorrow, look for improved visibility as the storm impulse has move on. I will be looking for the machine worked lines to provide the most consistent lines on all sides of the hill. I will be looking for the wind deposited lines that were building all day long. I expect the cold to continue, so dress for cold, but the wind should have abated for the morning’s festivities. See you there dark and early to see what’s happening with the wind buff. Keep it tight!!!

5″ of fresh product was delivered overnight, with some associated wind that moved the dept level around on certain aspects of the hill. As anticipated the old layer was crispy, with the new snow filling in the low areas, but the bottom was fully in play, requiring extra special attention to the line. The known smooth lines were feeling best, with some fresh lines that had been prepared after the snow fell, which felt amazing and were silky smooth and delightful. Mineral basin was offering very nice lines, with the low angle lines feeling very consistent and smooth.

Visibility was marginal to start out the day, but the clouds seemed to break with some Sun, and better detail began to occur around Noon. Tomorrow, look for the fresh installment to have been tilled into the mat as this medium density product will be excellent material to work. Temps, will still be cold as the Northerly flow continues. There will be a lot of lines left to find with some looking, but be cautious of the West facing aspects that have seen the most Sun and are difficult. Straight Ahead!!

With the warming temps of the past few days, the pack has begun to absorb some of the heat of the day and is becoming a tad crispy in the mornings. The Groomers were good and smooth, but there was a distinct Spring feel to that pack, with the off trail feeling quite crispy as well. Light traffic made the hot laps fun and fast.

A light wind began to blow after Noon, signaling the beginning of a change in the weather. There is a fast moving front staged to move in and deliver a few inches of light snow overnight, with accumulation extending into the morning hours of the rush hour. The hill is very firm over all, with quite a bit of a crusty feel, that will be in play with a coating of light Essence.

Keep in mind the smooth lines from today for the best consistency in the AM. Visibility will be an issue, so stay with the trees to have some reference. Traffic should be light once again. It will be good to get some fresh product on the hill, to begin the next cycle. Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

It was a smooth driving day, with moderate temps., deluxe machine worked lines, and great visibility to add a shine to the experience. Traffic was moderate and the crowd got spread out by Noon, leaving plenty of room for top to bottom nonstop runs.

Tomorrow, look for more great lines to be on tap, with the North facing aspects offering the still dry chalky feel. The Groomers will be, once again, offering amazing carpets to dial in your inner Ligety. I expect traffic to be light, which is always a treat when keeping a intent pace. See you there for the morning smooth driving runs. Keep it tight!!

It was a flat light day with a high cloud deck shrouding the Sun all day, with just a bit of illumination late in the day. The Groomers were still great on all sides of the hill, but the pack is becoming more consolidated as the days pass.

Tomorrow, look for the Sun to return and better visibility. I will be looking for more ground pounding fun on the prepared lines and will be looking for those rare treatments that have been newly established to be refreshed. Steep, smooth, relentless vertical awaits on those pitches and they are well worth dialing in with full intent!! Thanks so much to the Grooming Crew for bringing all those sections into play for the season. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!