It was a a storm riding day for sure, but the promised accumulation was delayed as the storm energy just did not seem to have the lift to get the job done early. Visibility was variable with blowing snow, clouds and lightly falling snow kept the details in the surface obscured. Staying with the smooth prepared lines was the best, as the Grooming Crew had done a great job making the mai runs consistent and trustworthy. Who Dunnit opened for the first time of the season, with fair cover, but caution was required down at the return stretch where an attentive and deliberate approach was recommended. The off trail is still holding some treasures if you go looking and the pockets are holding up from the light traffic.

Snow fall began to intensify as I left the hill at 1 PM after battling the visibility all morning. We’ll have to see how the energy of the storm shapes up the delivery overnight as the weather Dude is still predicting over night intensification.

Tomorrow, look for smooth lines on the prepared sections of the hill, still firm surfaces underneath the new product, and light dry accumulation to sample for the early risers. I keep sampling the off trail lines, but I prefer the smooth consistency of the prepared lines until more cushion is happening. See you there for the fresh lines in the AM. Dial it up, Dial it in!!

The temps were a tad warmer this morning, but it was snowin’ and blowin’ up on the hill, rendering the visibility a challenge once again. The Grooming Crew did a stellar job making the machine worked lines smooth, and that really helped maintain the flow line. Snow making efforts were in play on the Peruvian side of the hill, offering some very nice Gun Powder lines that felt good underfoot and added to the confidence factor.

I ventured off trail today, but the wind had stiffened up the pack and made some of the accumulated areas a bit punchy, so I headed back to the smooth and firm to keep the flow going.

After Noon, the temps rose up a bit and the visibility improved, which was a treat when you could see the details. Tomorrow, look for a full on storm day, as there is a front that will move in during the early morning hours and intensify all day, delivering, what we hope will be, the dump that pushes the hill into the wide open zone. I will be dressing for cold and wind and continued visibility issues. I will still be sticking with the known smooth for consistency and flow. The hill is getting better by the day, so we’ll see you there for a great day of storm riding. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The Trailer was coated with an Uber Light coating of Essence as I left for the hill dark and early this morning. It had snowed all night, leaving a few inches of perfection on the hill. The visibility had not improved as promised by the weather dude. I met Team Stoke on the shuttle bus, who were making their first visit of the season, and were ready to hit the fresh lines.

The Grooming Crew did a great job smoothing the pack, which was important in the continued variable visibility of the morning session. The Snow Making Crew was hard at work, with guns blazing, and building very large deposits of fresh Gun Powder for the morning offerings. It was such a treat to dial into those soft long tendrils of goodness. Thanks folks. Off trail was improving markedly, with the old layer beginning to be cushioned by the new product. Here is a shot of Flyin’ Brian Beck sampling the moisture content.

With fairly low traffic, there was plenty of terrain to explore and some of the quick off trail lines were shaping up nicely.

The visibility began to improve after Noon, but still had clouds moving in and out with continued flurries. Tomorrow, look for more great lines to be found with some looking and exploration. The Grooming and snow making efforts will provide very silky carpets of AHHHH that have been getting more consistent with each smoothing treatment. See you there, dark and early for another great day of early season goodness. IBBY!!!

More light Essence covered the hill overnight and snow fall continued throughout the day. Temps were a tad warmer, but the high humidity made it feel much colder than it was. Clouds, snow, fog, and blazing snow guns made for some difficult visibility top to bottom, with Regulator offering full Zero Zero visibility, which really pushed your inner vision to hold the fall line. The consistency was variable, with some of the old layer in play that made deliberate turns by the numbers the ticket to mitigate the variations. Those sections of Gun Powder were really sweet when you found the path of accumulation, which seemed to shift from aspect and elevation, but that made the search for the smooth very rewarding. Some of the gates reopened for today’s festivities, and the intrepid made their way in to the adventure zone. Here is a shot of Stuart taking his time getting into Rats Nest.

After breakfast I took another run to get a bit more perspective, but got vertigo when I worked the Regulator line. Here is a shot from yesterday, where Jake found the open gate that offered the goods.

Our lifetime friend Sully made his first day the day with the most snow. It was great to have him back on the hill for another season of Powder Frenzy.

Tomorrow, look for improving weather, refreshed groomers, which promise to be carvelicious, and low traffic. Visibility should be much improved, so you can dial your turns in without guess work. I will be looking off trail now that there is more snow and better off trail consistency. See you there for the festivities. Straight Ahead!!

The fresh foot of essence that was delivered yesterday was a wonderful addition to the pack. The density was not uber light, but was the perfect consistency to add some cushion to the ride and sweet softness to the machine worked lines. I went off trail slightly to get a taste of the feel and found it to be perfect and just what the doctor ordered. The storm clouds had moved off for the opening bell and the Valley was clear and vivid without the inversion layer.

It was a real treat to be able to increase the edge articulation and get more snap crackle and pop from the turns, but there were slick spots that were still turning up here and there that kept me honest, but I did get a good taste of full traction and that was a real stoke factor.

Tomorrow, look for a storm day on the hill as the next installment is poised to move in the the early morning hours. I will be getting and extra early start, and will be excited to be

working the luxurious lines that will be on tap. It might well be a free refills kind of day. I will be venturing off trail tomorrow, as I think navigating the guts of the sections should be good to go. I will be watching out for the high points and spines. See the Line, BE the Line!!!

Finally, after a patient wait for the goods, a coating of Fresh Essence was delivered by a long awaited front that pushed in and held on to the peak for most of the day. Temps were cold, and the new product was very light density, leaving that firm layer in play. Still, it was a welcome addition and The Faithful were on hand to enjoy the delivery. Here is a shot of Flyin’ Brian Beck sampling the goodness.

The precipitation backed off in the afternoon, but clouds hung on the peaks all day, preserving the quality. The Grooming Crew and Snow Makers will be able to work this additional accumulation into the pack, and tomorrow promises a much softer feel. I will be looking forward to dialing in a bit more articulation into each turn. Dress for cold as the temps are plummeting right now. I’ll see you there dark and early for the opening bell. Stay Frosty!!!

The fast moving front had dropped down on the Peak as the morning began, with snowing and blowing conditions top to bottom. With the return of cold temps, the snow making program was fully engaged on both sides of the hill, providing sections of Gun Powder that were a treat when you encountered each installation. The pack was very firm indeed, and was being blown clean by the wind, making for some interesting variations in the very limited visibility. Traffic was light once again, and back to back Trams were easy to make. It was great to see some fresh natural snow on the hill, and it will be even better as these next impulses come through in the next few days. I spent some time checking out the off trail to take note of the features that will be covered by new accumulation. I was paying close attention to the fat areas to note the limits of cover in those spots for further reference.

Tomorrow, look for another storm to have moved in, which is promising some significant accumulation. This pattern is forecast to last for some days, so we can look forward to much improved conditions of the pack. The temps have dropped significantly, and I had to return to the locker after the first run to dress up. I got too used to the balmy temps of late. Be sure to dress for the cold, as it is here for real now.

It is so much fun to reconnect with friends who I haven’t seen since last March, back again and ready to begin a new season. The Forklift daily visit is the highlight of the day. Stay Frosty!!

High clouds were still on tap for the morning session, but the Sun was shining through, making the visibility much more detailed, especially with the reflected light coming from Superior. Temps were cool and snow making efforts were in place on both sides of the mountain, providing sections of Gun Powder that were sensational when you encountered them. Those soft, silky, smooth, and dreamy sections of vertical made each run a treat. The Grooming was really good with smooth consistent surfaces, which let you trust the line when the flat light made the details go away.

While tooling around the hill, we encountered amazing corduroy sections that were a real treat and made for some interesting perspectives of those perfect carpets.

Traffic was very light again today, and back to back Trams were easy to make with a consistent pace. Thicker clouds moved in around Noon, making the light go flat, flat, flat, and I bailed for the day. Tomorrow, look for prefrontal conditions as the pattern is about to change, which promises to bring significant accumulation for the next while. The forecast looks good and it is coming none too soon. Traffic should be light, but the visibility may be difficult. IBBY!!!

There were high clouds and a bit of wind as the Tram docked on the peak this morning. Still, the Sun was burning through the high overcast and there was very good visibility, though the morning flat light was still in effect. The Grooming Crew performed extensive tenderizing techniques on the machine worked runs, making them feel softer with a lot more traction. It was nice to dial in the turns with a bit more confidence in holding the line. Once again, traffic was light and back to back Trams were easy to make if you kept up the pace.

After breakfast, I was able to dispense with the had and goggles and drive with the top down and Maui Jim sunglasses for that wind in your hair feel. Tomorrow, look for some more wind as the approaching front is not far off. More clouds may be in the mix as well. I expect continued light traffic, with the Groomers offering wide, smooth, and dialable lines top to bottom. It’s great to be back on the hill and get those grand vistas off the peak. Speed Safely!!

The morning temps where quite balmy on the peak, with no wind, bright Sun, and smooth tracts of corduroy to ply. Light traffic on the hill made it a total vertical party, as back to back Trams were on tap, the chairs were walk on fast, and the firm lines remained smooth all day. The Peruvian Gulch still has the driest, cold feel, and it is so much fun to work the carpets with unmitigated audacity. Off trail lines seem to have consolidated, and staying with the gut should be good to go. I am still working the smooth till we get a bit more accumulation.

I dropped my hat and Goggles and drove with the top down for the rest of the day. What a treat this early in the season. Tomorrow, look for continued smooth wide machine worked lines to be key for the day.

I made a couple of afternoon lines on Regulator in the Sun later, and it had a touch more traction than the earlier session, plan ahead.

I’ll see you there dark and early for more smooth slidin’. Straight Ahead!!