These are some seriously warm days out of season as long as I can remember. Very strange indeed. Traffic was light today, with the draw of sunshine pulling most of the traffic to Mineral Basin to get the most out of the pack before the softening got too thick. Those aspects that hold the cold the longest were still holding the cold, but broke earlier than yesterday when that short window of sorbet quality opened. Hitting those breaks like that is, to me, as good as a powder line though just a different kind of perfect. Despite the heat, the pack is holding up nicely with only a couple of spots beginning to show some signs of the melt off.

Tomorrow, look for slightly cooler temps as this dry cold front moves through overnight. There may be some clouds in the morning and more moisture in the afternoon to create more clouds as the day heats up. I’ll be looking for the early residual freeze in the pack to stiffen up the surfaces on the North facing lines, but I expect very rapid softening on the lowest elevations. Expect continued moderate traffic, and lots of great Spring excitement for the day, with fun, music, and festivities on the Plaza Deck after Noon. Remain Standing!!!

This was a day of chasin’ the break as it was going off fast depending on aspect. Even though there is significant warmth, the pack is still holding the cold on a number of aspects that take a long time to hit. Of course, the lowest elevations go quickly as well as Mineral Basin, which is cookin’ from sunrise and breaks right away. I was sticking with the High North aspects and staying in the shade to take advantage of the firmer prepared surfaces that offer the corduroy that feels so good underfoot on those first runs. I was right on time for the Regulator and Big Emma breaks which offered that short moment of sorbet goodness as the pack becomes just right!!

Tomorrow will be another day of chasing the break around the hill. I expect a similar sequence that we had today, but don’t be surprised if the pack goes off a bit earlier. The prepared lines will be offering the smooth for those early runs, but the off trail will be challenging before softening occurs. I was out and around checking spots for drill and was glad I had options. There is quite a festive spirit happening on the Tram Deck with music, food, and lots of good vibes, so enjoy the Spring feel while it lasts. It ain’t over yet. Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

It was in the low 40’s all night on the peak and 45 degrees in the parking lot this morning to start the day. The pack was going to break fast, with Mineral Basin already soft and happening, which drew the traffic as the day got started. Regulator was very firm even with the warm temps and The Peruvian Gulch was offering some dry chalky lines down to the middle elevations where the break was beginning on the lowest lines. Staying ahead of the break was key, but staying ahead of the traffic was important as well, with some vacant lines in the shade. The machine prepared lines were consistent, however, a cautious approach was wise to deal with the subtle Spring morning variations. By 11AM the break was on and you could find some very nice surfaces that were feeling like mid Spring corn. At 12:30 PM Big Emma was offering some sweet sorbet turns that made each arcing motion a rare treat.

Tomorrow, look for another very fast break as the temps are going to remain warm. Still, the usual aspects will freeze up from the residual cold in the pack, but it won’t take long at all for the pack to come alive. Mineral Basin will be offering the Sun and softest start to the day. The High North aspects back there are beginning to look mighty tempting as the pack softens. The front of the hill will be offering various levels of morph with elevation changes. Be aware of some of the variations that hide in the shadows early in the AM. IBBY!!

The pack froze overnight, but Mineral Basin had a head start on the break, where the Sun was working the pack giving it the first soft lines. The front of the hill was offering much firmer lines, however, the machine worked lines had plenty of traction that made the turning fast and fun. Traffic was quite light, making back to back Trams easy to make. Getting those first tracks on the fresh corduroy was such a treat. The wind had backed off, and it was not going to be long till the entire mountain was feeling the heat and breaking the pack. Around Noon was the time when the softness hit its stride, not too firm, not too soft….. just right.

The unusually warm temps really hit the pack, so I don’t think that there will be such a hard freeze overnight, so an earlier start will offer softer lines shortly after opening. I still expect some dry chalk on the High North aspects, but by the middle of the hill the effects of the warmth may be felt, and the lower elevations should break even faster than today. Coverage remains excellent, and the machine worked lines are consistent and trustworthy for top to bottom charging. See you there dark and early for the Spring extavaganza!! Remain Standing!!!

The temps were cool this morning, with brisk winds on the peak that made it feel like mid Winter, and the pack had a hard freeze top to bottom. Mineral Basin was calling with the Sun shining, pulling the majority of seekers back there to find the smooth lines that were happening on those Northern aspects that the wind had buffed. The machine worked lines were crispy, but the Sun was going to be working on the pack quickly. The Peruvian Gulch was offering nicely prepared lines that had a firm but tactile feel that let you dial in the turns that matter where they mattered. The lowest elevations were very firm and were going to wait until 11AM before any hint of a break in the mat appeared. By 1PM the lower elevation lines were breaking, which offered some very nice corn feeling turns as the pack began to morph.

The heat is in the forecast, but those early morning turns are going to be firm once again. Making a later start on the day is a great option while softening occurs on the hill. This Spring feel will demand a Spring like approach to the hill. Follow the Sun for the earliest break, but don’t forget the High North will still be resisting much of the softening and holding the dry chalk. Count on the lower elevations to be a lot longer in the softening department. Coverage remains excellent, with the lower elevations breaking well after Noon. See you there dark and early for the morning’s explorations. IBBY!!

The wind was still working the hill, with a delayed opening of the Tram, Mineral Basin closed, and deposited snow on some of the aspects. Visibility was fair, though the light was quite flat, however, the wind had blown some tree debris on the pack that added definition to the mat that really helped focus. The Peruvian side of the hill was favored today, with some sugary lines that let you stretch out a bit with the edge angles, but the slick substrate was still fully in play. Threading the difference between the two variations was key to keeping the flow line consistent. Traffic was fairly light and lift access was fast and easy.

Tomorrow, look for much better visibility as the clouds have moved off the peaks. I expect wind to still be in the mix, but I’ll be looking for some smooth lines that were not accessible today, but should be good to go with some good wind deposited lines. The Grooming Crew has been doing and amazing job of keeping the big lines buffed and smooth, which is a huge plus on these marginal visibility days. Temps may still be colder, but warming is in the forecast and big warming coming as the week unfolds. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

It was a sunny and cold morning after a wild night of high winds as the front moved off. Yesterday’s flurries had delivered enough of a skiff to freshen the pack with some smooth lines that were great for the morning session. On the front of the hill, there too the machine worked lines had been refreshed and the new snow had been tilled into the mat, offering some delightful turning top to bottom. Lower Primrose Path was a real treat. With the cold temps, the pack was not going to budge much at all. Mineral Basin was the big draw, leaving the Tram wide open, making hot laps fast and fun.

Tomorrow, look for fun cruisin’ on all sides of the hill, with machine prepared lines that will make the turning consistent and dialable. Mineral Basin will be offering the Sun for the morning session, and laps back there will be wide open for some hot laps. Coverage remains excellent top to bottom, and hopefully the days warm up a bit as the temps are predicted to bump up into record levels later in the week. Stay Frosty.

It was cold this morning with a high cloud deck that shrouded the Sun and kept the pack from breaking on all aspects. The light was flat, but visibility was good before the flurries began. The machine worked lines were the call for the morning session, offering consistent lines that required a cautious approach due to the vague variations. Traffic was surprisingly light for a Saturday and there were walk on Trams later in the day,.

Tomorrow, look for high winds to be in the mix with the approach of the next cold front. The pack will be very firm to be sure, so use caution on the off trail lines which will be fairly crispy on most aspects. The machine worked lines will be the best option for smoothness and consistency. Expect to add layers, especially for the morning session. This coming week looks like some unusually warm days ahead. Watch Your SIX!!!

It felt a bit warmer this morning and the wind had backed down just a touch, but the pack had a hard freeze on all sides of the hill top to bottom. While Mineral Basin was offering the bright Sun, the crisp consistency of the pack was going to take a bit to break. The front of the hill was in the same situation, but the North aspects were still holding the cold up high and there was some nice transported dust settled on the mat that made the turns more tasty. Keeping the speed level under control was key to avoid getting the speed wabbles when the consistency would get wonky here and there. By Noon, the break was beginning to happen and much more traction was available as the pack softened.

Tomorrow, look for another overnight freeze, some clouds moving in ahead of a cold front and some visibility issues. Look for the machine worked lines to be offering the smoothest rides, with the High North aspects still holding the cold dry chalky feel. Coverage remains excellent, and you will find lots of options for fun if you look around a bit. More Cowbell!!!

It seemed pretty calm in the parking lot this morning, but up on the hill the wind was nuking on the peak. The wind report from Hidden Peak showed wind speed topping 70MPH, so the Tram was on wind hold for the morning session. The chairs were turning, so access to the upper mountain was happening and getting over to Mineral Basin was key to hitting those wind buffed lines that were building on aspects over there. The front of the hill was offering some wind transported dust that was filling in the low areas and piling up along some of the tree lines with consistency that was just what the doctor ordered. Traffic was fairly light and turnaround times were super fast. Temps were warm, but the wind had the chill factor going down, so adding layers and staying tight inside the shell was key.

Tomorrow, look for continuing windy conditions. We’ll have to see how it shakes out in the AM. Look for overnight transport of some of the loose snow to the collector aspects on the hill, which will offer continued smooth turning. The machine prepared lines will be offering the smoothest surfaces for the morning session. Be sure to dress for the wind with an eye to shedding layers as the day warms up. Visibility will be optimum and full detail on the mat will be great. Stay Frosty!!