3-07-26

It was a blue bird day, with fresh snow on the hill, amazing machine worked lines that were perfect and deep Essence still waiting in the wings. The Faithful did not have to wait long, and the goods were let loose with overhead powder on tap. There was so much to choose from as things opened, one was pulled in many optional directions. What to do, what to do….. so you just go and let the dust cloud billow behind you. That’s the ticket.

It was great to have Panavision clarity for visibility today to make the very most of the total experience. It made some of those sketchy days fade in the memory bank. Every time folks say it’s over, the Promise Of The Wasatch comes pounding back, and BAM!…. back in gear. Tomorrow, look for more Sun and a bit warmer temps. There is still plenty of cold powder pockets left to find and the machine worked lines will be dialable top to bottom on all sides of the hill. The hill is wide open and there is plenty to choose from, with some of the very best conditions of the season…. thus far. Just waitin’ for the next BAM!!!

3-06-26

With an amazing accumulation this past week, last nights installment of Essence made for some Deep Runnings for The Faithful this morning. Everyone was stoked and on deck early for the festivities. Visibility was difficult with the heavy snowfall and clouds moving through, but having this kind of quality made it feel like floating in the clouds. A real IFR experience. There were face shots aplenty and the patience of waiting for the day paid off nicely.

Tomorrow, look for cold temps as the skies begin to clear off. Visibility should be much better and the snow will still be fresh and cold. The machine worked lines will be epic and let you dial it in like Ligety top to bottom and you won’t feel the old substrate. More areas of the hill are waiting in the wings for mitigation to be completed, so keep your eyes and ears open for the signs. Traffic will be brisk so use the chair option to stay ahead of the crowd. More coming in later in the week. IBBY!!!

3-05-26

Fresh medium density Essence fell overnight and continued all day adding to the pack. Visibility was at a premium, with very dense fog that made navigating difficult and using the inner vision was key to keeping the line consistent. The substrate was in full effect as the cold dry accumulation did very little to cushion the feel of the frozen crust after yesterday’s warm before the storm. I was using my slow, round, by the numbers approach to keep the pace consistent. Going long and finding the smooth lines was the key to getting the best sections on the hill and the recon from yesterday served well in knowing where the smooth lines were living.

Snow impulses continued all day adding to the pack and keeping the snow fresh, but still did not cushion the old layer. The traffic was quite light, with walk on Trams and lifts all day long. Mineral Basin was offering good lines, but the visibility back there was difficult as well. Tomorrow, look for significant additional accumulation that should be much lighter as the temps are dropping quickly. I expect the additional accumulation to make the consistency improve markedly. Visibility issues will continue, so keep those tree lines in mind for reference with some wind adding to the pockets along the margins. Dress for much colder temps in the AM. Dial it up, Dial it in!!

3-04-26

After yesterday’s difficult conditions, today offered a total turnaround quality on many parts of the hill. The Grooming Crew did a great job of retilling the pack, which turned the lines into deluxe carpets of AHHHH. Regulator, and The Peruvain Gulch were holding the cold dry chalk that made each turn feel so good. Visibility was great with some brisk winds moving the surface snow around and depositing it on the open lines that were getting deeper as the day progressed. Warm temps softened the lower elevations aspects and made them even more tasty. It was nice surprise and added to the stoke.

Tomorrow, look for some in coming weather for the next couple of days. Visibility may be variable, but as the front moves through conditions will be changing rapidly. Stay with the know smooth lines to avoid getting bounced by the still widespread rumble and static that still lives off trail. The machine worked lines will still be offering very consistent quality as today’s temps remained cool on the shaded aspects of the hill. I am excited to get some fresh cold Essence on the hill to soften the ride and let us kick it up a few notches. Stay Frosty!!!

3-03-26

With new snow on the report, The Faithful were on deck and ready for more fresh snow on the hill. With the warm temps of yesterday, and the drop in temperature, the substrate froze up underneath the new accumulation, which was scratchy, variable, and difficult. Visibility was at a premium as thick clouds hung on the mountain rendering any details nearly impossible to see. Staying with the tree lines was the best option for navigating the pack, and staying with the known prepared lines was offering the smoothest feel. There had been some wind, which built up some wind waves that were tough to negotiate with the lack of visibility. Still, there was high excitement and full on push for every square inch of the untracked in very short order.

Tomorrow, look for better visibility as this impulse moves off. Mineral Basin will be interesting with those smooth lines from previous days offering consistency that had not been worked over. Look for the machine worked lines to offer the most consistent over all feel top to bottom, with the off trail still variable as the pack built up some serious harbor chop as the traffic worked it over. That texture will be quite challenging for sure. It is nice to be building the base, and I hope we see some wind to begin to fill in the variations before the next impulse in the middle of the week. Remain Standing!!

3-02-26

The low clouds were gathering this morning ahead of the incoming impulse. There was some fairly good visibility on the front of the hill, but Mineral Basin was socked in and vis back there was rough. Nicely prepared machine worked lines offered some very nice turning on the upper third of the hill, with the middle sections still consistent but feeling the freeze underfoot. The lower mountain was soft and not frozen, with corduroy perfection that was like frosting a cake with a paper knife. I stuck with the line I was working for the morning session, as the soft consistency was degrading in the smoothness department with each run. One of those lower sections had a two pass wide line that had totally been missed by everyone, and I took advantage of that oversite, slowed down and dialed in some deep feeling Gs, which felt so good it was like deep powder.

By Noon, the Wall Of Voodoo moved up the Canyon and rain at the base elevation began to fall. There were indications that it was turning to snow, but I took that as sign that it was time to bail for the day. Tomorrow, look for some overnight accumulation on the hill with the dropping temps after the frontal passage. I think the accumulation will be medium density, which will provide some very nice turning on all sides of the hill. It should stick to the substrate and begin to provide good cushion to the turns. The coverage remains excellent despite the temps and the next impulses up stream will be icing on the cake. THINK DEEP THOUGHTS!!!

3-01-26

There was bonus visibility today as the cloud deck that is preceding this next impulse in the stream did not thicken and produce any precipitation. It was great to have some detail on the hill. The machine worked lines were providing good traction, and with the warm temps softening the pack, which was a nice touch. The off trail is still quite variable with some breakable crust, but those wind slab sections are holding up and are worth the time to get out to the sections that are holding the cold.

Tomorrow, look for storm conditions to be happening as the next impulse begins to stream through for a couple of days. Keep in mind your lines that have served well over the past few days, and trust the flow line. The hill is in good shape for the next installment, and will only get better as the pack gets filled in, the slick areas get a bit more cover to make the turns more dynamic, and the traverses have more cushion. March is here now and anything can happen, and probably will. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

2-28-26

It was warmer than usual, with a thin cloud cover filtering the Sunshine, but burned through pretty well for the morning session. The Faithful were in full attendance once again for today’s festivities. The Free Ride comp was on, with good cover and some interesting snow to challenge the contestants. Mineral Basin was the draw with the Sun making the details sharp and the wind buffed lines calling with smooth dust covered consistency. With the warm temps, the lower elevations softened later in the day, offering good traction to dial in some arcing turns.

Tomorrow, look for weather as the storm moves in. It is a warm storm and forecast is for rain up to 9000′, so dress accordingly and expect some very interesting conditions. Visibility will be at a premium, so I will be staying close to the trees and keeping the machine worked lines underfoot to deal with what variations may come. I am hoping that the snow level is much lower to deliver the Essence we need on the hill, but we’ll have to see how it shakes out. Wild times in the Rockies. Stay Frosty!!

2-27-26

The pack was firm and fast this morning, with a dusting of wind transported snow that filled in and smoothed many lines on the hill. All sides of the hill benefited from the wind work, and delightful lines of wind buffed smooth were on tap.

The pack was very firm, however, there was a wonderful coating of dust that held up to traffic and remained smooth. It was nice to find lines I had not given much attention offering a smooth blastable consistency that kept me coming back for more. Lower on the hill, that fast and firm feel was helped by that dust layer as well. It was important to keep that speed level under wraps to avoid some of those slick sections that can catch one off guard. Tomorrow, look for more still firm conditions, with plenty of wind buffed lines still holding up to the traffic. Clouds may be in the mix as another cycle is shaping up for the coming week.

I am expecting this next cycle to deliver more pack building accumulation. Keep an eye on the Bird’s site for up to the minute details as the energy builds. That Free Ride competition is being held on the Peruvian side of the hill, so expect higher traffic on that side and watch for some amazing runs from competitors. IBBY!!!

2-26-26

The very high moisture snow, as well as rain, that fell created a much different feel on the hill. The higher elevations were offering some soft dry chalk on top of a supportable surface that was consistent and fun underfoot. Both front sides of the hill had some good turns, however, the solid feel was evident yet workable. The middle section of the hill was a bit more variable with some cookies here and there from the high moisture content. That last thousand feet had a glaze that was topped with some wind transported dust that let you keep things real and moving in the right direction. Off trail was interesting, with very variable footing, which kept me getting back to the pavement pronto.

Tomorrow, look for refreshed machine worked lines, which will offer the best consistency. Mineral Basin will be offering some nice lines out on the traverses. Great visibility will be on tap, so get a good look at the details and options that will be happening as the hill gets worked. Be careful with the sudden firmness, it has a habit of catching one unaware. Stay Frosty!!!