Archive for April, 2026

MORNING MIST

4-09-26

Light rain and overcast skies started out the day, which made the visibility issues iffy as the day began. The Sun started peaking out just as the first Tram hit the cables, improving the vibe, visibility, and outlook for the day. The pack is still holding up nicely, and the super light traffic made the hill feel like a private resort. The prepared lines were offering the smooth consistency, however, caution was key to keep the ability to quickly adapt to sudden changes. The day warmed up and it was a perfect spring day start to finish.

The Forklift breakfast stop is always a highlight of the day and it is amusing to get the rear view panorama while contemplating the Quantum Foam!!! More Coffee!!!

Tomorrow, expect clouds to be in the forecast as the next low pressure moves in, bringing with it some variable precip. for the next while. More snow is in the forecast as the next system is predicted to be much colder, but that won’t hit till the weekend and into next week. While there is significant melt off that is apparent, the coverage is quite good, but keep an eye out for thin spots and keep a slow pace on the cat tracks to avoid some loose rock that gets kicked up. I have a good feeling about this next stretch of weather. Glad I didn’t drop my snow tires yet. Head on a swivel!!!

SURPRISE SUN

4-08-26

The Sun was up and shining despite the weather dude’s prediction of clouds for the day. The break cycle was running just like it has been happening all week. That slow break really lets you get the most out of all sides of the hill as it clocks around, hitting the aspects on after another. The front side of the hill was very smooth, though it was quite crispy and firm, with some luxurious tenderizing passes that let you dial in the full platform engagement that the granular consistency makes possible. Bliss!!

The warm temps and sunshine maker for perfect conditions to enjoy the deck at The Nest. It is such a great addition to the mid mountain space that is perfect for meeting folks and chilling out.

Tomorrow, look for another day of Spring sliding, with plenty of coverage despite the warm days. The slow break is keeping the pack holding up well. I think those clouds will materialize tomorrow, but we may get the morning with some Sun. I’ll be there early to get a jump on the day. I love the casual pace of these Spring days on the hill. Speed Safely!!

SLOW BREAK

4-07-26

The pack had solidified overnight, even though the overnight temps did not drop below freezing. Excellent machine worked lines were on tap as the Grooming Crews had much better material to work with as the consistency became more granular. Mineral Basin was offering the early break, with Lewis and Clark area facing the Sun and getting the goods early. The front of the hill was a vacant space all morning long, where the pack was very firm, however, the grooming was so consistent and smooth it made keeping the pace well within the realm of reason. An errant tip catch could end badly. The break began going off around 11:30 AM where the soft feel began to happen. The West facing aspects on The Gad side of the hill was waiting for after Noon to break, and some nice lines had been prepared out on the Road to Provo that were very nice when the sorbet stage kicked in.

The Bookends Traverse is looking fat with some smooth lines that have been setting up in its turn. Still lots of great lines to find off trail when the break goes off.

Tomorrow, look for similar early morning conditions with softening later, though there is some cloud cover in the forecast that could put a damper on the visibility that we have been enjoying. Mineral will still offer the first break, but the other aspects may need extra time. We’ll have to see how that shakes out. Traffic is quite light and back to back hot laps are easy and fun to keep the stoke high. See you there dark and early for the continuation of Spring Sizzling!! Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

WONDERFUL SUN

4-06-26

The sky was clear and the wind was light, with the Sun shining on all sides of the hill as it gets higher in the sky. Mineral Basin was offering very nice prepared lines and light traffic to get the momentum going for the day. It was a day of chasing the break in the snow that was a bit slow to go off. The North facing aspects were offering dry chalky lines up high and becoming a tad firmer in the middle elevations. Some tenderizing efforts made those crispy lines on the bottom elevation much more approachable. I kept charging those untracked corduroy lines that were being neglected and was making back to back Trams with no problem. Coverage remains very good as this last cycle really had some substance that is standing up to the machine work.

The Tree Amigos, Dave, Dave, and Dave…..and Dave’s NOT HERE!!!
I think we are all BOZOS on this bus!!! Skip, from Iowa bringing the flair to the Spring festivities today. He reads these posts daily and he’s going WWW!!!

Tomorrow, look for more good turning, with a similar break pattern as we had today. The basic break has been happening around 11:30 AM and hitting Regulator around 1 PM. Watch for traffic as the smooth lines get worked and more cluttered as the day progresses. Those early morning hours are gold when the hill is vacant. Stay Frosty!!!

SMOOTH SLIDING

4-05-26

There was smooth sliding today along with bright Sun and very light traffic. The machine worked lines on all sides of the hill provided some amazing carpets. The upper elevations held the cold dry chalk on those North aspects, and even the middle elevations had a combination that was very predictable. It was not until the last 400′ that the early pack had frozen up. I could not help but keep lapping the front side as all the traffic was drawn to Mineral Basin, leaving the runs totally vacant. Such a treat to have back country smooth after such a large melt off. The hill is back.

Mike and Libby Biittner on Hidden Peak on this Easter Sunday bathing in the beautiful Sunshine!!

The festivities were amazing on the Plaza as it came alive with music and the feeling of Spring. Tomorrow, look for much lighter traffic, some nicely reworked lines and plenty of traction for the opening bell. The coverage remains excellent as we move into this next week. I see some more precip in the forecast. Looking good. Don’t Stop Believing!!!

CLEAR BLUE

4-04-26

The sky was clear blue with clean air and bright Sun to make this day special indeed. The new fresh “just in time” installment was a huge boost for this time of the season. The traffic was quite moderate with a fast moving Tram line that was only a one Tram wait at 9:30 AM as most folks were drawn to the offerings in Mineral Basin, which were available on many of the prime exposures. The North facing aspects were offering the best quality and the machine prepared lines were dry and chalky for the morning session. On the front of the hill, more extensive industrial smoothing was possible with the addition of the new snow, making those lines I have been working the most recently much more dialable.

Perfect fresh corduroy waiting for a first tracks run. Another kind of perfect for the seeker of the perfect lines. Perfect is perfect where you find it.

There where festivities happening on the Plaza deck with music, food and fun, making for a great return to Winter feeling. Tomorrow, look for those High North aspects to still be holding the cold, very good refreshed machine worked lines and a some unfinished pockets of soft sections if you keep your eyes open. It is so great to have this reprieve to the season just when we needed it. Dial it up, Dial it in!!

POWDER SHINE

4-03-26

The storm cycle moved out with some residual clouds that moved out quickly leaving fresh powder shine for The Faithful who were on deck and ready to partake in this Spring refresh of the dance floor. Some of the areas that had been closed opened with some bottomless goodness that really got the party started going into a holiday weekend. The the higher density of the earlier accumulation really set the stage for some very nice cushion over the old substrate we had been working. The machine prepared lines were offering that dry chalky feel that let you carve with intent and confidence. A nice change from the days of clawing and scratching for traction on those frozen mornings.

Fresh accumulation, some wind and Sun conspire to arrange some amazing shapes of moving water.

Tomorrow, look for more sunshine, great prepared lines on all sides of the hill and nicely refreshed pack for the holiday weekend. Look for some pockets and areas yet waiting in the wings, and enjoy the vibrations of the hill. The morning will probably start out cold so add a layer but be ready for the day to heat up. Speed Safely!!!

STORM SLIDING

4-02-26

That fast moving front came through like a freight train, with intense graupel falling ahead of the leading edge. On the hill, the wind was stiff and the higher elevations were offering some silky smooth Essence that felt deluxe underfoot. The consistency felt like frosting a cake with a paper knife. However, the consistency changed with elevation, with the lower aspects offering that full platform engagement that lets you dial in stoke factor. The frontal passage brought super hard driving snow with lightning that brought a hold on the lifts. It was great to have soft snow underfoot again after that long stretch of hard drivin’ spring conditions.

Mikey M floating the Essence on a Baldy line on first tram this morning
Mikey M getting all of the juice out of each turn in the luxurious accumulation.

Heavy snow fall continued as everyone waited for the hold to lift, giving the accumulation a chance to build up for a free refill and second helping of the goods. I chose to take the window to bail down canyon before the road got too dicey. Tomorrow, look for more Spring powder to enjoy, more of the mountain to open, and some lake effect snow to top it all off as this storm cycle moves out. Expect strong attendance, so plan accordingly. This addition to the pack is a real welcome event and will make this holiday weekend a special one. Use caution as there are variables that need to be taken into account. Remain Standing!!!

APRIL ARRIVES

4-01-26

April arrives with a much needed gift of Essence to refresh the pack and give the hill a much needed shot as we head into Spring. After yesterday’s primer coat, this storm delivered 10″ of medium density product that was perfect by providing a nice cushion on top of the pack we have been working for days. Traffic was quite light, and walk on Trams were going off, giving the day a feel of a private resort. It was great to have the free refills to keep the energy going. The old layer was still in play, but the higher density made a big difference in the consistency.

Curtis and I got to meet two good friends of Bunker during this morning. Sam Strouse and Luc Violette, who is on the US Olympic Curling Team were stoked to be here for the festivities and enjoyed the locker room tradition.

Tomorrow, look for round 2 of the one two punch this cycle is delivering. Expect a storm day with heavy accumulation, which will set the hill up with yet another dollop of goodness before the Sun breaks out for the weekend. Be wary of the previously melted off areas and stick closer to the fat lines we have been working all week. What a great April Fools storm to improve the pack, add water to the pack, and great turning for The Faithful. Stay Frosty!!