The morning temps are a bit warmer, with the afternoon temps becoming quite balmy. The Groomers were offering very nice, consistent, lines that were perfect for top to bottom laps to take advantage of the low turnout today. The Tram line was wide open and the morning session was back to back.

The grooming Crew did a great job of smoothing out the hill on both sides of the hill, but the Gad Valley was quite firm. however, it got softer as the day warmed up. The Peruvian Gulch was dry and chalky, with the lower elevations getting firmer with afternoon traffic. Steve and I stopped in to The Summit to enjoy the Sun streaming into the huge open area. What a place to dial in the vibrations.

Tomorrow, look for more smooth cruising on both sides of the hill. The Peruvian Gulch is still the best line for the early Trams, as the Gad Valley is very dark. The Peruvian Gulch has been getting some reflection back from Superior across the street to give the contrast a boost. See the Line, BE the Line!!

The traffic was quite light on the hill today, with walk on Trams for the first hour before there were to many spaces filled to make a back to back. The chairs were wide open and a brisk pace could be kept with no waiting. The Sun was a long time rising to illuminate Regulator as the days become increasingly short. The Peruvian Gulch was the call for the morning session, offering dry chalky machine worked runs that were smooth and had plenty of tooth to keep the pace in check. Regulator was still quite firm at Noon, when I got back to it, but it too had enough traction to move through the turns while keeping things real going into the bottom section.

The above has been a standing metaphor of the Morning crew that gives a wink and a nod to the importance of being here NOW!! Tomorrow, look for light traffic, clear skies, and continued firm conditions. The Groomers will still be providing ample traction to move through the turns, and the folks with sharp edges will feel right at home. These are the perfect training conditions for stamina development, as it is very difficult to simulate the rapid fire muscle action it requires to keep up with the terrain changes. It will be a tad warmer again as it was today, so you can dress a bit lighter. I dropped a few layers after breakfast. See you there for the morning shred fest. See the line, BE the line!!

Another cool clear morning greeted The Faithful this morning. The groomers were offering smooth lines on both sides of the hill, and, with the addition of the opening of Gad 2, a lot more terrain was available to branch out and explore. Regulator was still quite firm and dark for the opening bell, but the Peruvian Gulch was offering a much drier, chalky consistency that lets you dial in the turns while the Sun comes up and illuminates The Gad Valley.

Yesterday I took a bit of time to hang out on the peak in the sunshine and pleasant ambient temps. I was scoping out Mineral Basin and looking at the areas that were poking through the pack to get a handle on the areas that I want to steer clear of when things open back there. Tomorrow, look for more excellent early season sliding with both sides of the hill open now. I will be going over to Gad 2 to scope things out and make some laps there where some of the terrain features are really fun to flow down. See you there dark and early for the festivities. IBBY!!!

The temps were a bit warmer this morning, with no wind, bright Sun, and Peruvian Gulch opened with the first Tram of the day. It was great to get the new terrain to explore, and check out the pack, which had a lot of different qualities depending on where you went. The Snow Making Crews had produced huge amounts of cover on the high traffic areas and sections that needed filling on the main runs, which made the ride consistent and smooth, with a dry chalky feel that was a real treat. A big tip of the hat to both the Cat and Snowmakers making the opening so much fun. Even Great Scott opened from the Rat’s Nest gate. Mikey M sent this shot of him dialing in the first turns of the season.

With the Sun still low behind the ridge line, the Sun was presenting some great views of the upper section of the hill.

The Peruvian Chair opened as well, taking the traffic push away from the Tram, which was walk on open all day. Off trail was very variable, with breakable lines, some supportable areas, and some righteous quality if you looked around a bit. I was staying with the prepared lines and the one foray off trail showed me that the prepared lines were best this early. Tomorrow, look for more good conditions to be offered on both sides of the hill. The Peruvian Gulch has the softest feel, while the Gad side of the hill is firmer. Expect higher traffic, so use the Chairs for faster uphill access. Use care off trail on both sides of the hill. Speed Safely!!

The snow quality was quite a bit firmer this morning, as the Snow Guns were not working due to the higher temps. The Grooming Crew did a great job making the pack smooth wall to wall on the prepared lines, however, a cautious approach was needed to keep the pace from getting away from you. Here is a shot of the turn at the bottom of Regulator.

As the day progressed, the traffic began to dislodge the crystals from the pack and it made the feel and traction much better. After breakfast, Regulator had a much different feel. I took a minute and looked into Mineral Basin which is looking good, but fully offered anticipation for all of those lines to come as we get more snow.

It sure is great to be back on the hill and being able to look out over the hill and get that rare perspective.

It is so much fun to meet folks who are coming to The Bird for the first time. The stoke is high and you just can’t be disappointed with such sunny days and smooth conditions for the first days of opening. Tomorrow, look for more smooth training runs, with wide open lines, fast turnaround times that let you get maximum vertical. See you there for the morning session and snow sport highjinx!! Watch your Six!!

I got an early start on the day in anticipation of a great day of top to bottom training laps. The Sun was getting an early start as well, just kissing the top of Hellgate when The Star Cruiser pulled into the lot.

With very light attendance, getting fast laps was easy and fun to begin working on the top to bottom stamina that will come in handy when the hill is ready for prime time. The Gun Powder was perfect as it stretched way down the hill in the still air.

The cover keeps getting better and better with the product of the guns making the pack dryer and softer. The Grooming Crew is doing a stellar job of making the carpets consistent and predictable, especially in the early morning shadow.

There are rumors of the Peruvian Gulch opening soon, but I have not heard anything definitive about when. The Grooming Crew has been preparing lines on the main runs, which look very well covered, but the off trail seem so be still in need of more snow. We’ll see how that shakes out. Tomorrow, look for cool morning temps., beautifully prepared lines on the Gad side of the hill, and light traffic to keep the Training Laps wide open for maximum vertical. Be careful of the Black Ice in lower Canyon in the AM. Straight Ahead!!

Traffic was a bit lighter this morning, and with the increasingly shorted days, it was significantly darker for the start. The Snow Guns were blazing and cranking out some wonderful Gun Powder down Regulator, which felt sweet, smooth, and dry, letting you feel the entire ski throughout the turn.

While the pack was a bit firmer today with the colder temps, the consistency remained smooth and there was plenty of tooth to the pack even with my very dull edges, which made turns easy to lock and load when needed. I have been using these first days to lay back and let my legs get accustomed to the top to bottom pace.

Tomorrow, look for similar conditions to prevail, with continued cold temps, smooth prepared lines top to bottom and light traffic on the hill. I will be looking for more of that sweet Gun Powder first thing to get that first taste of untracked goodness. See you there dark and early to get the party started. IBBY!!

It was a joyous beginning to a New Season, as The Faithful were in line early waiting for the first Tram of the Season to lift them to the Summit. There was high energy and expectation as the Tram hit the dock on the peak, and the folks were not disappointed with the sunshine, cool but still air and great cover top to bottom. The snow making crew and cat crew did an amazing job preparing the pack, with dry chalky cover and a very smooth, seamless carpet to make it easy for my very out of shape legs. Off trail was still looking thin and dicey, but the prepared lines were well covered and no rocks or gnar was to be found top to bottom. Even the return roads were well covered and smooth. I met some folks who were new to the hill and those who were coming out to dial in the goods from The Wasatch Back.

It was really fun to share the stoke with new friends and making easy, consistent turns, without the need for evasive action. Tomorrow, look for similar conditions to be offered, but we’ll have to see if that front that is coming from the North bring any clouds. Stay with the prepared lines for the best conditions, and enjoy the light traffic on the hill. Be aware that there is possible and likely Black Ice in the lower Canyon, so take it easy. The Star Cruiser broke down two miles from The Trailer, and is now in the shop. Dang!! See you in the AM. for more Sizzling laps. Stay Frosty!!

Drove the Star Cruiser up the Canyon the other day to have lunch at the Forklift, and get a look at the hill after that significant dump we had a week ago. Snow making efforts are in full effect, getting a head start on the base and making those high traffic areas ready for the expectations of The Faithful. Here is a shot of the Peruvian Gulch I took from the base of Superior.

The High Pressure pattern has returned, though some accumulation is possible over the holiday coming up. Keep your visualizations going for a super dumper and a solid Low Pressure return.

Up the street at Alta, the hill has been visited in large numbers and shots on FB are looking good, but still the hill needs more cover, however, it is a good start.

I am excited for the season and am looking forward to reconnecting with friends who I haven’t seen all Summer. Nothing like sharing the experience with friends. Hope to see you soon as we start another season of Essential Dancing. IBBY!!!

I have returned from my Summer in the High Desert, and set The Trailer up next to corral, where Snoopy and Prickly Pete were happy to have me back for company. Here is a shot of the Sun filtered through the Western fire smoke that was drifting through the High Camp.

I stopped by to visit with The Chef, who has completely recovered from his second knee replacement. He was diligently working in his garden, where he had an abundant harvest. He gave me some of his garlic that I will use for cooking at The Trailer.

I also stopped by and paid a visit to Tramrat, who had logged a huge number of golf rounds this Summer, and spent a lot of time tending the flowers. He is ready for the season and stoked to see the weather pattern change for the opener.

The weather pattern changed recently from a standing High Pressure over the West, which gave us an extended Indian Summer, to a solid Low Pressure trough that has set up and will be delivering a line of storms to The Front for the next while. The Bird has reported almost 2 feet at the base so far, and it continues to snow as I write this. I am looking forward to a stellar opening.

Wynonna sent this sign of wonderful things to come as we count down to the opening bell. Keep your visualizations clear and vivid, to manifest the season that may break records. All the signs are there. Straight Ahead!!!