COLD MORNING

4-14-26

It was a cold morning and the pack had frozen. The new accumulation of yesterday was worked into the machine worked lines, making the consistency on the upper two thirds of the hill so much better. Visibility in the AM was variable, but good enough to keep the details in view. The pack began to break around 11:30 AM, offering some very nice lines on the front side of the hill. The traffic was light, making the pace and feel relaxed and smooth. Sun broke out, but the cold air helped preserve the quality longer in the day.

Where’s Waldo!! Getting the goods!!

Tomorrow, look for more fun spring sliding. We’ll have to see what happens with the overnight temps, but I expect a similar break tomorrow. Look for those machine worked lines to have the consistency for those early morning laps, and the softening later in the AM. It was prime when it hit today, it will do it again. More weather upstream. Remain Standing!!!

LIGHT COATING

4-13-26

There was a light coating of cold dense Essence overnight that freshened the pack and offered another chance to get some untracked goodness. With only around four inches, the medium density gave a bit of cushion on top of the substrate that was fully in play. With the variations of last weeks softness and melt off, it was wise to take a very cautious approach to the lines. That old layer is mighty crispy and is quite weathered as well, making those off trail lines very interesting. The Sun was out, and the air was cold, which helped extend the surface quality. By Noon, the very lowest flat aspects were getting that sticky feel and the pack began to break. Traffic was light and back to back Trams were easy to get.

Clouds were hanging low down South. Prove peak looking misty and cold in the morning Sun.

Tomorrow, look for machine worked lines to be offering the smooth and best traction. The off trail will be quite variable after the Sun worked it later in the day. Traffic will be light, and the sliding should be fun and wide open. Stay Frosty!!!

CHANGING WEATHER

4-12-26

Just as I supposed, the month was going to be active. The sky was in motion and moved through fast. Sun and clouds making an added dimension, so you could focus on being smooth. The machine worked lines were the best place to be with consistent smoothness, however, there are spring time variations that need to be expected.

NOW is the time you want to be duck diving before you take this one on the head.

I love those windows when the snow gets that deep sugar consistency that provides that full platform engagement. Doesn’t last long these days but it sure has been great. Tomorrow, look for more unsettled weather and the energy is building and will be delivering some interesting conditions. Look for the machine worked lines for the smooth. BE ROUND!!

WILD WEATHER

4-11-26

It was a wild weather day as that Low pressure system moved over The Front overnight. The clouds were low and the freeze was light. With the visibility being marginal, staying with the prepared lines was the call. Mineral Basin was challenging to see during the day and thunder storms forced a couple of lightning holds on the hill. There were periods of heavy graupel falling that added a bit of variability to the pack.

Snow in 2 of its other forms and the pack is returning to one of these forms as we head into the next cycle. ” For every season, turn, turn, turn”.

Tomorrow, look for more weather to be the variable on the day. The pack is holding up, but certain sections are feeling the heat and getting thin, so keep a sharp eye you for some of the open melted off sections and avoid those dark spots under the snow that may indicate a very thin covering. Look for the tenderized lines on the hill that will give you some nice granular turns. We are heading into a fairly active period for the next while, so visualize the DEEP and see what we can pull out of the Morphogenic Field!!! Stay Frosty!!

MORE SUN

4-10-26

There was some overcast over the hill to start the day, the light was a bit flat, however, the high cloud deck burned off and the Sun began to shine on the hill. With the overnight overcast, the pack did not freeze as hard as in previous days. Mineral Basin had a head start and was good to go for the first hour and offered much better visibility. The Front of the hill was just breaking around 9:30AM, with the tenderizing efforts offering some sumptuous lines that felt great underfoot. The pack has been through enough freeze thaw cycles to now offer some wonderful corn goodness which holds it’s quality quite a bit longer before it hits the slurpie zone.

Sun cups off trail make for some interesting patterns and textures in the pack. Best to wait for a full thaw in the pack before working a section like this.

Tomorrow, look for some scattered showers as a low pressure is working through. There may still be some Sun windows, but I don’t think we’ll see a hard freeze with the clouds that have been moving in. I expect light traffic and some freshly tilled lines to offer some very nice early morning runs. There will be music and festivities on the Plaza to make this Spring season fun and the place to BE!! Remain Standing!!

MORNING MIST

4-09-26

Light rain and overcast skies started out the day, which made the visibility issues iffy as the day began. The Sun started peaking out just as the first Tram hit the cables, improving the vibe, visibility, and outlook for the day. The pack is still holding up nicely, and the super light traffic made the hill feel like a private resort. The prepared lines were offering the smooth consistency, however, caution was key to keep the ability to quickly adapt to sudden changes. The day warmed up and it was a perfect spring day start to finish.

The Forklift breakfast stop is always a highlight of the day and it is amusing to get the rear view panorama while contemplating the Quantum Foam!!! More Coffee!!!

Tomorrow, expect clouds to be in the forecast as the next low pressure moves in, bringing with it some variable precip. for the next while. More snow is in the forecast as the next system is predicted to be much colder, but that won’t hit till the weekend and into next week. While there is significant melt off that is apparent, the coverage is quite good, but keep an eye out for thin spots and keep a slow pace on the cat tracks to avoid some loose rock that gets kicked up. I have a good feeling about this next stretch of weather. Glad I didn’t drop my snow tires yet. Head on a swivel!!!

SURPRISE SUN

4-08-26

The Sun was up and shining despite the weather dude’s prediction of clouds for the day. The break cycle was running just like it has been happening all week. That slow break really lets you get the most out of all sides of the hill as it clocks around, hitting the aspects on after another. The front side of the hill was very smooth, though it was quite crispy and firm, with some luxurious tenderizing passes that let you dial in the full platform engagement that the granular consistency makes possible. Bliss!!

The warm temps and sunshine maker for perfect conditions to enjoy the deck at The Nest. It is such a great addition to the mid mountain space that is perfect for meeting folks and chilling out.

Tomorrow, look for another day of Spring sliding, with plenty of coverage despite the warm days. The slow break is keeping the pack holding up well. I think those clouds will materialize tomorrow, but we may get the morning with some Sun. I’ll be there early to get a jump on the day. I love the casual pace of these Spring days on the hill. Speed Safely!!

SLOW BREAK

4-07-26

The pack had solidified overnight, even though the overnight temps did not drop below freezing. Excellent machine worked lines were on tap as the Grooming Crews had much better material to work with as the consistency became more granular. Mineral Basin was offering the early break, with Lewis and Clark area facing the Sun and getting the goods early. The front of the hill was a vacant space all morning long, where the pack was very firm, however, the grooming was so consistent and smooth it made keeping the pace well within the realm of reason. An errant tip catch could end badly. The break began going off around 11:30 AM where the soft feel began to happen. The West facing aspects on The Gad side of the hill was waiting for after Noon to break, and some nice lines had been prepared out on the Road to Provo that were very nice when the sorbet stage kicked in.

The Bookends Traverse is looking fat with some smooth lines that have been setting up in its turn. Still lots of great lines to find off trail when the break goes off.

Tomorrow, look for similar early morning conditions with softening later, though there is some cloud cover in the forecast that could put a damper on the visibility that we have been enjoying. Mineral will still offer the first break, but the other aspects may need extra time. We’ll have to see how that shakes out. Traffic is quite light and back to back hot laps are easy and fun to keep the stoke high. See you there dark and early for the continuation of Spring Sizzling!! Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

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WONDERFUL SUN

4-06-26

The sky was clear and the wind was light, with the Sun shining on all sides of the hill as it gets higher in the sky. Mineral Basin was offering very nice prepared lines and light traffic to get the momentum going for the day. It was a day of chasing the break in the snow that was a bit slow to go off. The North facing aspects were offering dry chalky lines up high and becoming a tad firmer in the middle elevations. Some tenderizing efforts made those crispy lines on the bottom elevation much more approachable. I kept charging those untracked corduroy lines that were being neglected and was making back to back Trams with no problem. Coverage remains very good as this last cycle really had some substance that is standing up to the machine work.

The Tree Amigos, Dave, Dave, and Dave…..and Dave’s NOT HERE!!!
I think we are all BOZOS on this bus!!! Skip, from Iowa bringing the flair to the Spring festivities today. He reads these posts daily and he’s going WWW!!!

Tomorrow, look for more good turning, with a similar break pattern as we had today. The basic break has been happening around 11:30 AM and hitting Regulator around 1 PM. Watch for traffic as the smooth lines get worked and more cluttered as the day progresses. Those early morning hours are gold when the hill is vacant. Stay Frosty!!!

SMOOTH SLIDING

4-05-26

There was smooth sliding today along with bright Sun and very light traffic. The machine worked lines on all sides of the hill provided some amazing carpets. The upper elevations held the cold dry chalk on those North aspects, and even the middle elevations had a combination that was very predictable. It was not until the last 400′ that the early pack had frozen up. I could not help but keep lapping the front side as all the traffic was drawn to Mineral Basin, leaving the runs totally vacant. Such a treat to have back country smooth after such a large melt off. The hill is back.

Mike and Libby Biittner on Hidden Peak on this Easter Sunday bathing in the beautiful Sunshine!!

The festivities were amazing on the Plaza as it came alive with music and the feeling of Spring. Tomorrow, look for much lighter traffic, some nicely reworked lines and plenty of traction for the opening bell. The coverage remains excellent as we move into this next week. I see some more precip in the forecast. Looking good. Don’t Stop Believing!!!