Today was an epic power day with all the elements that come together to deserve the word epic. The Canyon was closed overnight and The Faithful were ready to get after the goods when they got the go sign. The mountain opened in order as it does in such cases, which provided deep sumptuous Essence that made all the anticipation worthwhile.

I’ll just let these two images do the talking about the day. Tomorrow, look for more accumulation overnight as the wind changes and we get the wrap around flow out of the North. There is still plenty of totally fresh lines still waiting in the wings, so if you missed today, you haven’t missed it yet. It is going to get quite a big colder with the flow change, so dress for the continued stormy conditions. Check the Bird site for all updates and access to road conditions. Stay Frosty!!!

It was a mighty windy day out ahead of a series of impulses which are beginning to unleash as I write this. Presently, there is rain here at The Trailer, but I expect a change over to snow before too long. The Tram was delayed this morning and opened a bit before Noon to very light traffic and variable visibility. I took the day off as the wind was rocking The Trailer all night, so I knew it was going to be an iffy day. Still, the wind and bluster was getting the hill ready to accept this installment, which promises big things to come, if the shots of Tahoe are any indication.

Tomorrow, look for a slow start as the Canyon is going to be closed overnight. We’ll have to see how things shake out from there, but you have to know it is going to be amazing when things get rolling. The hill is in amazing shape for this time of the season, with all the entrances and traverses good to go. YABAGANZA!!!!

High overcast and some filtered Sun made for some variable visibility today, however, the details were easy to see without the fog. The Groomers were offering the best lines on the hill, and the select aspects where the wind had worked the pack were offering quality lines as well. The weather is lining up to deliver some serious accumulation during the next few days.

Tomorrow, look for continued overcast skies as the next series of impulses begins to move in, with the first of the snow to arrive early tomorrow evening. I am expecting a windy day tomorrow, so check the reports in the AM for current conditions. The hill is in amazing shape for this installment, and this is exciting to be getting all this base built up before the holidays begin. I am stoked for the possibilities. It’s Gonna Be BIG!!!

The visibility was marginal by all measure today, with low lying clouds, stout winds, and blowing snow in the mix. Mineral Basin opened with the opening Tram, but, with the visibility issues, I chose to stay with the smooth and trustworthy machine worked lines, that were holding that blowing dust to make for some excellent feeling turns. Anderson’ Hill was beautifully prepared and had a wonderful layer of wind transported product that let you dial in some sumptuous turns. There was an early push for the Tram, but the chairs were wide open with no waiting. Reports from Mineral Basin were indicating some cakie consistency, with the visibility issue straining the difficulty factor significantly.

Tomorrow, look for continued cloudy conditions, with blowing snow and visibility issues. Look for the Groomers to provide the smooth, dry, chalky lines that will let you dial in your mojo. I expect an early push, but the crowd should spread out quickly. Look for wind blown and filled aspects that will hold some promise. The hill is in great shape and has really filled in nicely. Speed Safely!!

A fresh coating of Essence greeted the Faithful this morning as a little impulse passed in the overnight hours. There was 4″ at The Trailer and not much more up on the hill, but the quality was totally blower and felt lovely underfoot. Those smooth off trail lines were offering very nice turns that remained soft and fluffy all day long with the cold temps. The Groomers were really amazing with some areas of Gun Powder where the fans were really kicking it out and providing silky smooth accumulated buff.

Traffic was light, and back to back Trams were easy to get. There were still lines of untracked to be found today if you had your eyes on, but the smooth offerings close by kept me working for stamina.

Tomorrow, look for more great corduroy carpets. There are still plenty of soft lines about if you work your aspects. Snow making efforts continue, so look to those areas for some amazing turns during the morning opener. Looks like more snow lining up for next week. Watch Your SIX!!

With the inversion well established in the Valley, The Bird was above the clouds and awash in Sunshine. It was a treat to ascend out of the clouds into the bright morning clarity. The Groomers were reworked and had an extra special feel, with some delightful washes of Gun Powder that was being pumped out on the hill as the cold air conditions were perfect for kicking out some serious goodness. Super light traffic made for back to back laps that kept the stoke high. It was good to get some smooth sliding to keep the pace consistent. The Road to Provo opened again and offered some fresh lines to find if you took the initiative.

The day warmed up a bit as the Sun got higher in the sky, but the snow stayed dry, cold, and fast.

Tomorrow, look for another great day of wide open, hard drivin’ fun. The Groomers will be providing amazing carpets of AHHHH, and I expect continued light traffic. Coverage remains excellent, with most features well covered by the past few storms. The off trail still has some soft aspects, but the stiff consistency in areas require a full power approach to blast through. I will be dressing for a cold morning, but things will warm up as the day progresses. Straight Ahead!!!

The visibility was super 3D this morning, with cold air, bright Sun, and beautifully prepared industrial smoothing on all sides of the hill. The corduroy was epic and let you feel that full platform engagement, however, there were some spots that were punchable, so care needed to be taken so as not to get bogged down at the apex. Off trail was still soft, but had stiffened up quite a bit, which made driving the fall line a must.

Traffic was fairly light and there were only a couple of times where there was a wait for The Tram. The Chairs were wide open and perfect for hot laps. Those areas waiting in the wings are still closed, but there is plenty of terrain to explore and, with the present coverage, lots of great sliding all over the hill.

Tomorrow, look for more top to bottom groomer laps to help with the training program. I expect light traffic in the AM as well. It is great to get up on the hill early when the energy is electric and the stoke is high. The hill is getting nicely filled out where ever you look. What an opener. Keep it tight!!!

There was 8″ of fresh frosting delivered in this overnight installment. The inch at The Trailer was dripping wet, so I knew the new product up on the hill was going to be a bit more dense than previous days. The consistency was best when untracked, which felt floaty and smooth, but as the medium got worked over, it required much more power to blast through. The Peruvian Gulch opened after mitigation efforts had been completed, which offered fresh lines to get after The Gad Valley had seen all the traffic.

As the day progressed the harbor chop began to rise as the faithful worked the lines. I was slowing the roll and took a round approach to each turn. Tomorrow, expect a bit of Sun and much better visibility. The Groomers should be epic, but the off trail will be becoming stiffer with traffic. Look for more to open that has been waiting in the wings. The coverage is getting better by the day, but there are some steep, high traffic areas that may present some variable features as they get worked. It should be warming up a tad. IBBY!!!

It was a wild and windy morning with light persistent snow falling, however, it was not accumulating much at all. The wind was transporting any loose product out of the South and depositing it on the the adjacent slopes, which made for some good wind slab and soft accumulations here and there. The off trail, where it had been worked over, still had some stiff static that would need a bit more accumulation to mitigate. The Groomers were very nice with the blown dust making for some silky smooth turns and excellent traction on the still firm lines. There were some fresh lines that could be found for those looking for the goods.

The wind really picked up at 11AM, shutting the Tram down, but the chairs were still fast and uncrowded for the seekers of the goods that were there to be had. Tomorrow, look for more Essence to be added to the pack overnight, and the wind to have smoothed and filled many of the North facing aspects. Expect some wind packed turns as the consistency today was becoming a tad grabby. Still, there will be some real fun for the day, as more snow is expected. I will be looking for those wind filled lines and scoping out the possibilities on the ride up the Tram. YABAGANZA!!!

The light was very flat today, but the snow was still really fun, with The Road To Provo opening for the first time of the season. The Groomers were offering amazingly consistent corduroy after the machines had a chance to rework the mat yet again.

The hill is in amazing shape with the addition of all this new snow and the features are really getting filled up. Still, it is wise to treat the hill with caution as it is early season. I expect continued flat light with some flurries, so visibility will be an issue and staying with the trees will be key for reference. I’ll be looking for some wind transported lines for the first runs, and the Groomers will provide consistent lines with plenty of traction. Speed Safely!!