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.

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!!!

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.

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!!

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.

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!!!

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.

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 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.

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!!

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.

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’!!!

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.

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!!!

It was warm again this morning, with a tight freeze in the pack despite the temps. As usual, Mineral Basin was offering the earliest break in the pack, but the Peruvian Gulch offered some very nice early corn feeling surfaces that let you turn with some level of feel and control. Those steep North facing aspects were going to hold the freeze till Noon, when they began to break. The Forklift was a perfect place to let softening to occur and let the pack do its thing. Each day the melt off becomes much more evident with the sections that see the Sun early melting down to the shrub level. Now is the time to get a very good look at what, where, and how the hill is presenting as some weather later in the week may very well cover those sections that would be very attractive covered with a fresh layer. That could be problematic if you get my meaning.

Tomorrow, look for the last of the sunny days that will be following the same pattern as last week. I will be staying with the standby lines I have been using all week to enjoy those wide open empty lines while the sun draws the crowds. Do take the time to scope things out, it will pay off down the line. Snow is in the forecast, so use your best visualization efforts to manifest a wild LCC miracle that we all know can, and will happen. Watch your SIX!!

It was another Spring feeling day, with warm temps, a slow break, and good cover that is still holding up nicely despite the early spring melt off. The overnight freeze kept the front side very stiff and variable, with Mineral Basin drawing the most interest for the early risers. It was wise to keep the roll on the down low on the front side of the hill to mitigate some of the very firm sections that required a lot of care to keep things well under control before dealing with the vagaries of the flats. The break began around 11 AM with some of the lower elevations offering some sorbet feeling lines that were worth a couple of laps while waiting for other aspects to soften.

Tomorrow, look for another Spring conditions day on the hill. Again, warming is holding off till 11 AM at the earliest in recent days, so a delayed arrival will not be problematic. For the early risers, look to Mineral Basin for the first break and best visibility. Traffic should be light once again with walk on Trams available for hot laps. Coverage remains very good, but keep an eye out for some thin areas where the melt has worked the pack and a few shrubberies are poking though. Remain Standing!!!

With much lower overnight temps., the pack was extra primo firm for the morning’s offerings. Mineral was mighty crispy for the opening bell, with the front of the hill fully firm and hiding in the shade. The machine worked lines were in much better shape with some better grooming material under the tillers, but the surfaces were super slick and really demanded serious respect as the consequences were significant if you let the roll get away from you. It was wise to use an abundance of caution when entering any pitch you can’t fully see the extent of exposure. The break finally began around 11AM on selected aspects and other aspects held on to the cold until much later.

Tomorrow, look for another spring like day on the hill. Though the hill is opening earlier, it is not really going to buy you much as the freeze will, once again, be a bit slow to break. I expect more Sun and moderate temps, which makes it very nice driving around with the top down. Use extreme caution during those early morning explorations. There will be plenty of time to throw down when the pack breaks. Follow the Sun and let softening occur as it will. Watch for some errant loose rock here and there as the pack melts off. Syrup Won’t Top ‘EM!!!