The pack had frozen firmly overnight, with Mineral Basin offering smooth lines, but only a very light break on the Sun facing aspects. Lewis and Clark was quite firm as well, however, there was plenty of traction to be had making it fast and fun. On the front of the hill, the pack was really bullet proof, though tenderizing efforts had been made on the easier lines down the hill. Here is a shot of the developing corn goodness out on Ski Patrol Gully.

The pack on the front of the hill began to break around 11:30AM, but still it depended on aspect and pitch. Clouds moved in later in the afternoon ahead of a front that is now rocking The Trailer with wind and rain. That will translate as snow up on the hill. Tomorrow, look for some overnight accumulation as this fast moving front delivers some product to the hill. Expect very firm conditions with the off trail being especially difficult and frozen solid. The Groomers will offer the smoothest lines, but they also will be very firm though consistent. Visibility will be an issue as well, and the temps will be markedly lower, so dress for cold. IBBY!!!

It was very warm this Easter day, with temps on the peak at 40 Degrees and the base at 41 Degrees to start out the day. Mineral Basin was the place to be, with the South and East aspects already soft and wonderful, featuring White Diamonds and Silver Dipper offering steep, smooth, freshly prepared lines for the early risers. The Lewis and Clark area had frozen and was crispy indeed, however, the smooth grooming made it fast and fun. On the front side of the hill, the warm temps did not overcome the deep freeze in the pack and the North, West, and lower aspects were really firm and needed until Noon to break. Here is a shot of me and the morning crew at the bottom of Lower Primrose Path after dealing with the firmness.

Coverage remains excellent top to bottom. The off trail is extremely challenging and should be avoided. Tomorrow, look for Mineral Basin to, again, be offering the the best start to the day. The residual cold in the North facing aspects will freeze the pack despite warm temps, so give it time, or plan a later start. Look for the Sun lines to soften first, but expect some variation as the pitch changes. See you there for the morning laps. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The temps were very warm today, with a temp of almost 89 here at The Trailer. Still, the morning pack was fairly crispy, which did not begin to break till 10AM. Mineral Basin was first to break, but it took a while, as it will, on the front of the hill. Great prepared lines were on tap on all sides of the hill, but following the Sun was key in getting the best quality from the word GO.

Tomorrow, look for warm temps to continue. With the cloud cover that has moved in and out all day, I expect the pack to not freeze up quite as firmly as last night, but still follow the Sun for the best quality. I will be looking for those steep prepared lines for the morning session, as they are so rare and really keep you paying attention top to bottom. Again, a later start will get you there just as the pack is breaking. See you there for the smooth tasty lines in the AM. IBBY!!!

It was a balmy morning, but the pack had frozen up and was quite crisp, especially on the West and North facing aspects. Mineral Basin was offering a fresh till on Upper Silver Dipper, which had plenty of traction, and, with the smooth surface, made that a amazing piece of big mountain smooth top to bottom. The Lewis and Clark lines were very nice as well with wide open vacant lines making it a get away place while the Faithful worked the main bowl. It was not till much later in the day that the North facing aspects began to break and Regulator and Big Emma were very slow to soften. Here is a shot of the Spring feel on The Plaza around Noon.

Tomorrow, look for still crisp lines in for the morning session, but Mineral Basin will be offering the earliest softening if you get there early. Choosing a later start time for you day will keep you from dealing with the firm conditions, but follow the Sun for the earliest softening. The groomers are offering very good traction despite the firmness and I had a lot of fun shaving the nap off the corduroy and getting first tracks on those vacant lines. You can dress down for these days and I was able to drive with the top down after Noon with no problem. Enjoy these Spring temps and dial in some of that softening snow that feels like corn goodness. See the Line, BE the Line!!!

There was smooth cruisin’ on tap for today’s festivities, with a fresh top to bottom treatment of Silver Dipper that let you dial in the wide open turns and work the aspects down the entire pitch. Lewis and Clark was offering the vacant lines with few takers that felt like a private resort. The Big Smooth, Upper Middle and Lower Primrose path, was offering amazing turns, with the upper section featuring dry chalk that felt delightful underfoot. Here is a long shot of Mark Malu which also was offering vacant smooth lines top to bottom.

Twins opened for touring this morning, which was tempting, but there was so much great big mountain smooth inbounds, it was well worth working the hill for the big vertical. I do, however, miss that big tour off the backside. With the Sun warming things up fast, the pack thawed the aspects that saw the full rays. Tomorrow, look for even more warming as the Sun works the pack on the back side, though I think the early runs will still be crispy, but will have good traction. Follow the Sun for the best quality as the pack breaks. The Front side will be taking longer to break and Regulator will be very firm till after Noon. Cover is excellent all over the hill and lines are moderate and fast moving. Stay Frosty!!

Today was warmer than yesterday, but it was still quite cold and very fast on the hill. Mineral Basin was offering the bright Sun, but it did little to soften the pack until much later in the day. Nice grooming efforts had been prepared for the day on all sides of the hill, with White Diamonds offering smooth, crisp lines that had plenty of tooth to get an edge. Silver Dipper off the Cat Track was left over from yesterday, but was still fairly smooth. I love that super steep section that transitions into the multi aspect gully that keeps you working the aspects. Lewis and Clark was vacant and smooth, and the Morning Crew worked that section with no traffic and lots of options.

The Front of the hill was offering much more traction on the North facing aspects, with Middle and Lower Primrose offering wide open Groomers that let you dial in the top to bottom pace. Sooo much fun. The pack did begin to soften after Noon, and maintained the smooth consistency all day. Tomorrow, look for another cool morning with smooth Groomers offering the best lines, but look to the High North for some still smooth dry chalky lines on some on the less traveled sections. Check the Grooming list for the fresh tilled sections, but the left over lines should still be offering good sliding. Straight Ahead!!!

The pack was crispy and cold this morning making the pack firm on all sides of the hill. The Groomers had been worked and did offer some good traction on the North facing aspects, but the conditions were firm and fast. The Sun was shining, but the cold temps held off the softening all day.

Tomorrow, look for another cool day with the temps not getting above freezing. I’ll be looking for the those North facing lines again and will be staying with the Sun from the opening bell. Mineral Basin will be offering the Sun and wide open lines in the AM. I am looking forward to those steep prepared lines to keep the pace fast and fun. It is Spring time and conditions are crispy, but the cover is amazing and there are few features to worry about. Keep it tight!!

That predicted cold front made an early arrival, moving in shortly before the opening bell, dropping the temps really fast. With no time for softening, the pack was crispy and firm on all sides of the hill. Light precip began and the visibility went south as the front moved through. Off trail was not offering much in the way of relief, as the warmth of preceding days had morphed even the High North aspects.

Tomorrow, look for a still cold morning, with partly cloudy skies, which will really slow any softening of the pack. The Groomers will be the place to be with the fresh till offering the best surface to get traction. The North facing aspects will offer the best quality, but lower on the hill expect very crispy surfaces. Look to Mineral to offer the earliest softening possibilities with what morning Sun may be happening. Dress for cold as temps will be quite nippy. IBBY!!

Great grooming was the highlight today, with the big smooth sections getting the machine work on the front of the hill. A fun feature was the smoothing treatment to Lower Lower Chips Face which is a real steep treat, keeping you working the steeps right to the very last turn. It is so much fun to keep the turn party going off the lower cat track, and you don’t want to let it get away with from you. The warm temps made it a Spring feeling day and working the Sun was key for the morning session. Here is a shot that Mikey M sent me from yesterday out on Figure 8 Bowl.

Tomorrow, look for more great Grooming lines on all sides of the hill and look for those special drops they did for today to still be happening. With the warmth on the bottom of the hill and the Sun work up higher, there will be some crispy surfaces, so stay with the Sun for the best softening possibilities. There is a cold front moving in later in the day, so get the best of the visibility and quality before it moves in after Noon. We’ll see you there early for the fast laps in the Mineral Basin Sunshine. Straight Ahead!!

The Sun was shining this morning with cold air after the storm moved off and left the hill wide open. As anticipated the Groomers were soft and dialable on all sides of the hill and the High North was still holding the soft smooth that has been keeping the ride direct and fun. Most of the closed areas opened up and were excellent around the dial. The Sun was a factor as the day progressed. Here is a shot of signs of spring despite the Winter feel.

Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering the best of the smooth, but the High North will be offering the cold soft snow that has not been hit by the Sun. Watch those East, West and South faces as they will have been affected by the rays. It should be another bright and sunny day, but I expect cool temps to start. See you there for the early explorations for the smooth and soft. Remain Standing!