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’!!

The mountain crew has been working feverishly getting ready for the opening. They are making snow, moving snow around from stashes to add to the bottom elevation, and with the addition of 6” of fresh recently, the hill is shaping up for an opening. There is a solid storm incoming, which promises to bring a significant installment to bolster all the efforts of the team. That precipitation is predicted to begin later tonight and extend through Saturday. It will be the shot in the arm that is needed to get the season rolling. The Yellow Jackets were really getting after it from very early in the Summer, which has often been a sign of a heavy weather winter. Still, I am doing my best inner visualizations of deep face shots, with the associated feeling of the snow wrapping around my body as I move through the medium. I feel good about the prospects for a great season ahead.

The hints I have been getting is of an opening Saturday. Stay tuned to the Bird site for official additional information. Think Deep Thoughts.