It was 47 Degrees in the parking lot this morning with a spritzing rain, and some very strong gusts blowing through the Canyon. The Tram was on wind hold, and with the way the trees were bowing down in the gusts, I retired to the Forklift to assess the options. Word from the early Seven Summits runs spoke of soft granular surfaces that got progressively softer lower down on the hill. There was a fair turnout of The Faithful who were working the lower sections on the prepared lines.

Tomorrow, look for similar conditions as today with a still warm flow moving through. Hopefully the wind will back off a touch to let us do some more early season training laps. I think, with colder overnight temps up high, the pack could be a tad crispy in the AM. I’ll be there dark and early to suit up and charge the day. Straight Ahead!!

Three or four inches was added to the pack overnight, giving a bit of cushion and extra traction to the pack. Visibility was still offering flat light with the clouds of the current flow still moving through briskly. The old surface was still fully in play, and staying with the known smooth lines was key to keeping a consistent contact and flow. Traffic was moderate, and it took a modest pace to keep all boxes checked for closing traffic.

Tomorrow, look for, perhaps, a bit more accumulation as the moist flow continues out of the West. I expect moderate traffic and I am looking forward to having that fresh accumulation tilled into the mat, offering a softer feel and a bit more traction underfoot. Temps are still moderate with this pattern, but dress for variations. Remain Standing!!!

It was very warm this morning with temps at 60 Degrees as I left The Trailer and 46 Degrees when I got to the Bird. The wind was thumping again that had The Tram on a wind hold. I dropped by The Forklift to assess the options and spoke with the Seven Summits gang who had taken the 7:45AM Tram. They reported similar conditions up high as we saw yesterday, with much softer pack on the lower mountain. Light was super flat and dark with the low lying clouds, but visibility was still good and there was still no precipitation falling. Time would tell.

The next front is poised to move into The Front today sometime, so we’ll have to keep our eye to the sky. The Gad Zoom lift was running and reports from the hill were reporting much softer pack . When the snow finally begins to fall, it will be able to stick firmly to the old layer as it will come in wet to start. The storm track is moving South and we will be right in the sights of the weather flow for some time to come. Tomorrow, look for snow on the hill, check the road report for access in the AM. I will be taking the day off to recover from the days of training this week. I am worked. Speed Safely!!!

It was clear and cold this morning, with a coating of very dense accumulation that felt very granular underfoot. It really stuck to the old layer and made for some very nice feeling turns. Extensive reworking of the main lines and snow making going off top to bottom offered much improved turns that let you dial in and smooth out the approach. It didn’t feel like I was clawing and scratching to get a grip on the line. What fun to let loose and glide through the turns.

Traffic was moderate, but the trails remains fairly wide open and smooth. The light went flat now and again, but did rebound as clearing sections moved through. Tomorrow, look for more excellent training runs top to bottom. Coverage remains good and, with continued snow making efforts the quality should be very fun for the first runs of the day. Keep the deep visualizations going. Remain Standing!!

The wind was knocking the heck out of the Star Cruiser this morning as I entered the Canyon. Wind in the parking lot was brisk and First Tram left on time with light traffic. The wind on the peak was gusting to 60 MPH and a heavy gust stopped me cold as I was just dropping into Regulator. The wind was moving what loose snow was available to places where it would stick to the mat, but other sections were stripped down to the very firm layer. With the wind and the very flat light, it was very difficult to discern variations in the slope, so I was using my inner averaging senses to make turns without regard to any visible indications. Nice touch for a training morning. By the time I got back down the Tram was down due to wind, so I retired to the Forklift Restaurant to assess the options.

Snow started falling around 9:30 AM with little accumulation as the wind blew the fresh cover to spaces unknown. Still, with the warm temps before the front, the new product will be sticking to the dance floor as this storm works the hill. Tomorrow, look for a small accumulation, still firm conditions on the hill, and a bit more traction underfoot. We’ll have to see how the visibility shakes out so keep your options open. See you there for another training day on the hill. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

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!!!