The Faithful were primed and ready for a perfect storm and it was delivered wall to wall. There was high pressure for the goods and who could blame anyone. With the Storm out of the North, the quality was all time, and, with the recent accumulations the past few days, the pack was prime for this addition. As the Storm kicked in, there were free refills as the wind and snow worked to keep the pack just right for such a day. Not too long ago, I was asked if it was going to snow like it used to, and I answered that it always snows like it used to, we just forget. I always refer back to the conversations I have had with The CHEF ,who keeps the records of the Promise Of The Wasatch, and he concurs, that it WILL come and we must have faith.

The snow has come and there is more on the way, so be sure you are stoked and ready. Tomorrow, look for another amazing day at The Bird with better visibility, areas yet to open, high pressure for the goods, but plenty to go around when it’s GO Time. Run silent, Run DEEP!!

There was a rapid accumulation due to the Lake Effect that moved into the front early in the morning. 5 or 6″ covered the hill for the opening bell and The Faithful were on hand to get after it first thing. It moved through fast, leaving some variable visibility, with some window of Sun and fog. Mineral Basin was socked in to start things out, and it was not readily obvious when the rope dropped. Those who happened to be on hand for that treat got smooth fresh lines top to bottom on the section that did open. Here is a shot that Wynonna sent of one of the Sun windows that broke out.

The hill is filling in quickly, and many of those areas you may have been avoiding are good to go. Tomorrow, look for and early frontal arrival for the day, which will bring some significant accumulation. Expect snow all day long, so dress for storm riding and cold temps. This storm is coming right out of the North, so the quality will be excellent. More snow on the way later in the week, so enjoy tomorrow, and get ready for the continued freshies. Keep it tight!!!

I was breezy, with some windows of blue sky out ahead of the front that was on it’s way. Here is a long shot looking South toward Sundance with a cloud deck obscuring the higher peaks.

The Front moved in swiftly with a vengeance, bringing hard driving snow in rapid accumulation. Here is a shot of one of the last patches of blue of the morning.

There was not a huge amount of accumulation, but enough to soften the ride and give you a sense of being out in the Storm. Today, Tram Rat returned to The Bird after a month of Gold in AZ. It was great to have him back on the hill.

Tomorrow, look for some additional accumulation over night and some Lake Effect snow well into the morning. Visibility will be variable, so stick with the trees for the best resolution. Looks like more storms are lines up for the next couple of days. See the Line, BE the Line!!

The Sun was trying to burn through the high cloud deck that was leading out ahead of another impulse that will add precipitation to the hill overnight and on into the morning. The high winds at the upper elevations kept the Tram Pending for most of the day. Most of the remote areas were opened with dense conditions that made you really work for it. The Groomers were offering the best quality, with smooth corduroy lines that let you dial in your inner Ligety!! Here is a shot of the Sunday Cliffs, where a significant release let you know the hazards are real.

Today was Groundhog’s Day and I guess there will be 6 more weeks of Winter. After a slow start, I am hoping for the rest of the season to be gangbusters. Here is a shot of one of the Dinos taking a peak out of The Cave to see his shadow.

Tomorrow, look for new snow on The Dance Floor. Expect the off trail to still be quite stiff and difficult. Visibility will be at a premium, and dressing for weather is advised. Pressure for the goods will be a given, so get there early for the jump on the scene. Remain Standing!!

It was the start of a new week after a significant dump on the hill. The last installment was very dense and the tracked out sections have set up stout rumble that is very hard to move through. The Road To Provo opened for first Tram and the group went out there to check out the quality. Most dove off the first section and missed the traverse, which was extremely wind worked. The pack was set up as well with only a few sections that were spared the wind work. I made a calculated descent and a bee line to the machine worked lines. The snowboard faction seemed to deal with the variations better than the skiers, and I watched for a while as they dialed in some surfy turns. I was kind of jealous.

The Groomers were the highlight of the day, offering smooth carpets of AHHHHH that could be counted on for consistent edge grip without those pesky slick areas we have been dodging recently. Out in Mineral Basin, the Groomers had been given a first till and needed to be taken lightly as the surface crust would punch through if you stuck the edge too hard. The Front of the hill has been worked a couple of times in the last few days and was holding up under high edge angles. Who Dunnit was a real treat with the terrain variations still in play, which offer some real roller coaster feeling transitions. Really Fun. Tomorrow, look for a partly cloudy day, with great Grooming on all sides of the hill. I will be looking for some of the new sections to be prepared this season, as they are feeling really good, and add a lot of options. See you there for the carve Fest!! IBBY!

It was a Sunny Sunday and The Faithful got a very early start, with tailgate breakfasts well underway up and down the parking lot. The air was clear and the mountain was poised to provide another day of uber deep Powder. Personally, I decided to take a Powder Check and wait for another day and avoid the push. Here is a shot of Gage#KUHL over on Superior demonstrating the super steep and super deep.

I think it is safe to say that the conditions are Utah Prime all around the hill. It is a clean slate and the options have opened and the game is on. I will be back on the hill in the AM. Tomorrow, look for great conditions wall to wall, with just about any aspect you choose good to go. I will be looking around to get a fresh look at the hill after all this snow. See you there for the continued Powder Dance. Speed Safely!!

The Cycle finally delivered a heapin’ healpin’ of Essence that was sooo deep that all the vids I saw from today were the real deal. It seems that the old layer was forgotten for the time being. The Faithful were in full force for today’s offerings and were ready for the opening bell. This is what we all have been waiting for and those deep face shot visualizations I have been doing materialized just as I had imagined. Here are a couple of shots Mikey M sent of Lone Pine delivering the goods.

News from Mineral Basin spoke of chest deep accumulation and an epic day back there. The pack is really shaping up in a hurry. Tomorrow, look for improving weather with good visibility, more soft snow to find around the hill, and fair pressure for the residual offerings. The Groomers will be offering amazing dial o matic carpets where you can experience your own inner Ligety. I don’t think you’ll be feeling those old slick spots at all. It should be a bit warmer, which will be a welcome feature. Dial it up, Dial it IN!!

While there was no new snow for the morning session, the real snow came after Noon, when a serious accumulation moved in later in the day. Mineral Basin opened after mitigation efforts were completed, and the wind had really worked the pack into a very difficult quality, which sent me packing for the smooth groomed lines. Even the kids, with the really wide skis, were having trouble and the snowboards as well, though they had a much easier time dialing in a surfy style that let them charge the fall line. The Road To Provo opened as well and, as well, was very difficult . Here is a couple of shots on the Peak after getting off first Tram.

I left after breakfast, I bailed to start my day off tomorrow early, but the storm clouds moved in and the impulse let loose. Here is a shot of Mikey M getting some more realistic turns in out on the Bookends.

Tomorrow, look for a storm day, with some over night accumulation to get things started. I expect a fair push from the Faithful, so be there early to get out ahead of the crowd. The conditions are poised to really open up the quality wall to wall with significant accumulation. Rock the walls for me. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

High Density accumulation graced the hill this morning, which was the ticket for building a base and getting the hill in prime time shape. There was a big push for the goods. When the lifts began to open, The Faithful were offered 8″ of frosting which felt great underfoot, but was still far from cushioning the underlying substrate. Here is a couple of shots Mikey M sent from his persistent search for the goods.

The hill opened up more terrain around 11AM. with the Middle Cirque Traverse, which pulled the seekers to get going on the job at hand. Tomorrow, look for more snow in the forecast, cold temps. and continued fun to be had. The basic rumble is still a feature, but is being helped by the addition of the higher density product. Look for more openings if mitigation allows.

Peter Fallon rough and ready as the Peruvian Chair came on line.

We had a great meeting of the Morning Crew at the Forklift as we waited for things to get rolling. There were lots of stories from the past, with Peter Fallon being one of the original members of Team Sizzle back in ’76. Chef Colleen came out and visited with the Crew and got a personal order for the Chairman of the Board.

I keep finding more features of the publishing page, hence the bold font on Pete’s photo, but he deserves big shout out. We miss him when he is not here. See you there for whatever the morning brings. Ready or not, here it comes!!

I got to the hill this morning with overcast skies and no one around. I found out right away that The Tram was down, so I decided to take an extra day to heal my back, which is coming along with the massage machines and Asprin. It looked very dark and cold as I looked up the hill, but I am guessing the Groomers were good to go on all sides of the hill. The Morning corduroy has been exceptional every day, and it is a treat to get the first tracks on the fresh nap.

Tomorrow, look for some light accumulation and continued cold temps. The Groomers will be offering amazing lines of perfect smooth for the opening bell, and that is well worth the effort to get there for the opening bell. Off trail still has widespread interference patterns and lots of rumble. I had hoped to do some recon work today, but will have to wait till tomorrow’s festivities. More snow showers are expected all day, so dress for cold and weather. See you there for the morning explorations. Straight Ahead!!!