Archive for the ‘Snow Reports’ Category

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!!

STORM WARNINGS

3-31-26

After a long dry spell and huge melt off of the pack, storm warnings are in the forecast, promising to bring some significant accumulation to the hill in the next few days. Today was overcast and coolish, but the pack did not freeze hard at all. Mineral Basin was offering some soft lines on the prepared areas, but leaving the main lines was tricky as the static was crispy indeed. The Peruvian Gulch was offering consistent lines top to bottom, with plenty of traction to keep the roll real. Visibility was marginal with the flat light keeping the details obscured, and some light precipitation later in the morning added to the issue. Regulator and the Gad side of the hill broke early, with some nice lines to build the stoke.

I was gifted this Bobble head of me by my friend Keith, who fashioned the skis and foam wings I used to fly on the hill. It was a wonderful treat.

Tomorrow, look for a weather day on the hill, so dress for the occasion. I won’t be driving with the top down like I did all last week with the warm temps. Visibility will be an issue and staying with the prepared lines will provide the best consistency top to bottom. With the drop in temps, expect very crispy lines on the hill. Be sure to avoid those very steep, long aspects that will be very difficult with a hard freeze. The next few days will prove to be a turning point of the season as we move forward. Keep the visualizations working to keep the storm flow flowing through the Front. Keep on Chuglin’!!!

NICE BREAK

3-30-26

The temps were right, the Sun was shining bright, and the pack was set up to break in a relaxed manner. The Grooming crew had much better snow quality to work with overnight and that showed up as much more consistent and dialable lines as they began to break. Even the early North facing aspects, which were quite firm, had enough surface granularity to provide some very nice turning traction. Still, caution was a good thing to keep in mind with the consequences of catching an edge at high speed. DOH!!! The sorbet stage hit the pack in stages and keeping in mind the recent pattern helped put you in the right place at the right time.

The North East facing aspects looking fairly smooth and inviting today. Still plenty of snow on the hill and more accumulation coming up this week.

Tomorrow, look for cloud cover as the series of storms moves in for the week, bringing new accumulation and a refresh to the hill. I have been using my deep visualizations to juice up the Quantum Foam in anticipation of the energy moving in. Can’t hurt!!! If the temps remain warm the pack may not freeze at all like last week, so we’ll have to see how that shakes out. Wild times in the Wasatch!!!