There were some high thin leticular clouds hanging over the high peaks this morning, heralding the arrival of a change in the weather. Those clouds made the light very flat, however, reworked lines had been prepared, which offered smooth turns with enough traction to let you keep the intended trajectory at least in the ball park. Those with sharp edges were getting some nice arcs in the turn, and it was no problem dialing up some impressive steam. I am still working on my over all stamina before I begin getting serious about locking and loading any turn. Traffic was very light for the morning session and back to back Trams were fun and fast.

Coverage remains very good, with some loose rocks showing up only in very rare areas and they are easy to get around. Tomorrow, look for the beginning of a change in the weather. I expect visibility to be an issue, but I know we can trust that the lines available will be smooth and consistent albeit firm top to bottom. Keep the deep visualizations going, and think deep Spackle to kick off the pack, we’ll need it. Head on a swivel!!!

This morning was colder, and the snow guns were blazing for the first hour. There was a fine gun powder dusting on the prepared lines that added a silky feel on the very firm surfaces that have been polished in the last few days. Visibility was quite good, but those first couple of laps offered mighty flat light till the Sun began to rise up over the ridge. The Sun on the peak was really blasting in that low angle position in the sky, illuminating the features on the peak with high contrast.

As the Sun got higher in the sky, the temps rose up and the pack got a touch softer, though the firm overall feel held up all day. Great training lines keep the focus dialed, and the firmness demanding quite an expenditure of energy to keep the pace under control and moving in the right direction. Tomorrow, look for more good conditions with some weather moving in as the week progresses. Visibility and wide open runs will be on tap for the morning session when the traffic is lowest. See you there dark and early for the opening laps. The DEEP is coming!!

There were very nice temps this morning, though the pack was firm, it had plenty of traction due to the extensive grooming efforts overnight. Traffic was not bad for a weekend, and there were a lot of very good sliders working the hill. It was fun to stand at the bottom of Regulator and watch the faithful dial in the fall line. The training conditions still prevail though the coverage is holding up nicely despite the warmer temps. Seeing friends show up for the season is a treat, and getting the low down of folk’s adventures is always fun. More adventures on the hill are right at hand.

Here is a shot of the breakfast club at The Forklift from like 1980. The tradition remains and it is amazing how many stories and times have played out from the great days we have all shared. Tomorrow, look for more training runs, with a return to low traffic and hot laps as we get back into shape. Temps will remain warming, but still expect firm conditions in the first half of the day. The pattern is predicted to begin changing this week, and I am working the full visualizations for DEEP SNOW!! Stay Frosty!!

As the high persists, the days have been warming up, letting the pack get a bit softer than it has been in the last few days. Still, the coverage remains good top to bottom on the prepared lines, which make for good back to back laps as we get ourselves back into the pace. I have been feeling the strain of the early season work outs on the hill, but I am being patient and deliberate in my approach to getting back up to speed. It sure is nice to have the Sun keep the visibility crystal clear for these days after so many flat light days last week.

Tomorrow, look for more good training lines on the hill, the limited terrain makes us focus on the line without the distraction of what other line am I missing out on. BE HERE NOW!! I expect even warmer temps tomorrow, and I might even break out my shades and drive with the top down. We’ll see. Remain Standing!!!

Temps were colder overnight, letting the snow crew work some magic on the hill. A fresh till, prepped the lines nicely with plenty of traction and plenty of room to move. Traffic was fairly light and back to back Trams were easy to make. Coverage remains quite good, though some spots are getting icy in the usual areas so use care. These are the perfect training days, with good variation exercises setting the stage for the solid and soft conditions ahead.

Tomorrow, look for more attendance, but the hill is in great shape and really a lot of fun. Access back to the Tram from the Gad side is excellent and well covered. See you there for the smooth lines in the AM. Dial it up, dial it in!!!

There was a bit more traffic this morning, and the sky had cleared off nicely, leaving excellent detail on the dance floor. Stoke was high and the freshly tilled lines off the peak let the folks that were charging throw down some excellent turns. There is a high concentration of very good skiers on the hill and it is fun to watch the focus to the fall line.

Coverage on the prepared lines is still excellent, with plenty of loose snow to keep the speed real and directional accuracy under control. I wish my body would keep up with my mind and spirit. The spirit is willing but the body is still getting around to waking up.

Tomorrow, look for an even brisker attendance as we move into the weekend days. Coverage will remain good, with firm prepared lines and still marginal coverage off the prepared sections. Tread with caution. Temps are warming up later in the day, so you can dress a bit lighter. Stay Frosty!!

Traffic was very light this morning filling The Tram only about a third full. The light was flat with a high overcast that seemed to be breaking way out in the distance. The main line off the peak had been re worked and was offering much more traction and consistency than we experienced yesterday. That was a very nice surprise, and kept the stoke high for these early season training runs. Getting the cobwebs out of my legs and back is going to take some time, but I am going to ease into the process slowly and with dogged determination. The Nest at Mid Gad opened today with a ribbon cutting and lots of excitement. I will stop in tomorrow to get some shots of the interior, and share my first impressions.

That clearing began to move in, making the visibility improve later in the day. Tomorrow, look for more good coverage top to bottom, though the pack was taking some heat as the day warmed up quickly with the High Pressure. I expect continued light traffic for the morning session and more excellent training days ahead. I am visualizing the strong shift in the pattern. Hold Your Visions High!!!

It was quite cool this morning, with a light turn out for the first Tram of the day. Stoke was high, and the usual suspects were the first group in line for the festivities. The sky was quite overcast, with very flat light and high winds working the peak. The main face had been worked with industrial smoothing efforts, but some variations in moisture content coming from the snow guns had cause a super slick section of vertical to start the pitch. Everyone was working left to circumvent the section, where the snow was much more dialable on the steep sections. There were some good turns to be had, however, the marginal flat light visibility made a deliberate approach a wise choice. It was great to be back on the peak, and I absorbed as much of that energy as possible.

I also took some time to sit in the silence and tranquility of The Summit watching the wind drive plumes of driven snow past the windows.

Tomorrow, look for still challenging conditions off the peak. Take your time and feel out the pack when hitting the vertical pitch and plan a more left hand traverse to get around that slick upper section. Coverage on the prepared lines is still quite good, and very consistent grooming efforts make the lines smooth and dialable. See you there for the morning session. It is very good training for when the deep arrives. Stay Focused!!

Traffic on the hill was quite light this morning, which made for walk on chairs right off the bat. There were overcast skies, with some open spots that let the Sun shine through now and again. The pack held up nicely from yesterday’s opening traffic, and the retilled mat was offering a very carvey and consistent feel under foot. Laps were fast and, with a lot fewer folks, let you keep your focus on your turns and feel. With the overcast, the light was very flat, making any surface details hard to see, but the smooth prepared lines took all the guess work out of the equation.

Tomorrow, look for another light traffic day, I think the overcast will have moved out, making the visibility much better. The pack has held up well, with very good coverage on the prepared lines. The off trail is looking very sketchy, but has been very worked over revealing much of the features that had been covered. Tread carefully. Temps are warming up for the next few day, which will make those early morning laps not quite so brisk. Keep a sharp eye out!!!

The Faithful were in full attendance this morning to usher in the opening day of the 25/26 season. High energy was electric with full on stoke about the fresh installment that had been delivered. That last dump made all the difference in the quality, as it had enough moisture content to create a nice cushion over the earlier layer. Extensive snow making effort added a generous footing, making for a rock free main run. Coverage was surprising good on the prepared sections and made turning a breeze with plenty of traction top to bottom. Off the prepared lines was not recommended, but was being strongly explored. This is a good time to take a look around for the features that will be good to keep in mind as the pack builds.

Tomorrow, look for lighter traffic, smooth reworked lines down the open run, and very dry and chalky snow quality, with no icy spot at all. Be most cautious off to the sides. It is great to have the hill open again as reconnect with friends after a long Summer. I’ll see you there dark and early for the smooth carpets. KEEP ON CHUGLIN’!!