The Summer and Fall season passed like a runaway freight train, and it is just a few days till the next Season begins. After a smattering of a few storms during the past weeks, this last installment brought a bit more depth to add to the pack and more is on the way up stream. The hill is looking good, and snow making efforts are ongoing with every window of cold temps. The snow guns have produced some significant accumulations which will be pushed around and spread out for the opening.

The morning crew will be dedicating this season to The Chairman of The Board, who passed this fall after a lifetime of skiing the Bird. He was a mainstay at the breakfast table, and an early riser who made suiting up and talking about the coming day a joy. He will be greatly missed.

I am sure Walter will be doing some great recon work for the rest of us in the Cosmic Powder fields in the great Beyond. I’ll be posting more often now up to the opening and then daily as we get the party started. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

After a week of pounding storms and high winds, we finally got a Sunny Vision of the effects of this last cycle. The Faithful were on deck dark and early anticipating the day. As mitigation efforts were completed, sections of the hill began to open, which revealed the effects the wind had on the hill. There were sections that had blown clean down to the old layer and other sections that had been filled by the transported snow. However, all aspects had been affected in one way or another, making for some challenging turns. The best turns were in the trees on the lower aspects that saw less wind, and the deep trees higher up that had been protected. The prepared sections were in prime shape, with the new product, after being tilled into the mat, were soft and dialable.

The morning was cold, and The Faithful were already fully ready, when I showed up at the pre opening time, so I checked in at The Forklift to assess the options on the day.

Tomorrow, look for a storm day as the next impulse moving out of the West will begin to deliver the next installment in the wee hours of the morning and continue throughout the day. Dress for storm riding, with wind, heavy snowfall and building accumulation. Be careful in the canyon as there are some slick spots here and there that can creep up on you.

See you there dark and early for the continuing accumulation of goodness. Speed safely!!!

The BEACH

There was precious little accumulation overnight which had been preceded by some very wet precipitation that had set up on the lower mountain as a hard glaze.  The upper mountain was offering some sumptuous high density velvet that stuck to the snow pack and covered everything.   What was smooth was smooth, what was lumpy stayed lumpy with the addition of the new, so it paid to remember the smooth.  The High North was smooth and wind buffed and the West facing also had smoothed out for the most part.  I did get one run in the Sun, but that was a gift that I paid close attention too.  Light snow continued all day, but the lower elevations were getting a bit lumpy and sticky.  The grooming crew did a nice job of tenderizing the main lines, but the hard pack on the bottom was tricky until warming turned it into a corn like consistency on the lower part of the hill.  It was snowing briskly when I left and continued unsettled weather may add to the snow pack and every bit makes a big difference.   The conditions have improved markedly with each additional increment of dust, so get there early for the best of the day.  This pattern will continue for the next few days, with fresh additions possible at any time of the day.  The visibility was so iffy today that I did not get a shot off, so here is another shot of the beach back in the day.   I could not resist.   Peace Out!!

THE BEACH

A super light dusting of dense precipitation covered the dance floor making the grip very nice indeed.  The Groomers were especially nice with the velvet sumptuous for the light turn out.  Visibility was variable with the overcast skies, but the continuous light snowfall accumulated subtly all day long.  As the afternoon progressed the temps rose, leaving a rainy mist on the lower third of the hill that made the runs feel like rumpled linoleum.  The smooth is holding up nicely, so forays off trail  can be counted on for a consistent line.  There is snow in the forecast, so we can expect some freshness in the AM and continued snowfall all day long.  Each little bit is helping markedly.  They are working on getting more open, and I will keep you posted on the most recent updates.  The light traffic is ideal for back to back training to get out ahead of the curve going into the deep events.  Here is another antique shot of the early years of Team Sizzle living the dream.  Many are still on hand and are still ripping it.  There has been trouble with the server, so at times the site does not load.  We are working on this little glitch and will get things up and on track soon.  In the mean time keep trying to load it as I am getting intermittent access.  That last post was put up today, but it was the post from yesterday and today is right behind it.  Ta for now.

The storm unleashed on the Trailer with a cacophonous din as the  rain just pounded the roof.   This morning revealed a beautiful coat of super dense graupel that covered everything.  It was just what the doctor ordered delivering smooth carve able lines.  There were some aspects that had been worked by the wind that had a bit of a crust, but other aspects were just plain awesome.  It seemed the West facing was favored, though the Middle Cirque was just as nice.   The lower 400′ of the hill was covered by a very tricky crusty layer that took all the skill you had to maintain a consistent line.  Amazing what just a few feet in elevation can bring.  The good news is, is that a lot lines got better with the combination of wind and accumulation.   There was quite a surge of traffic, but the line fell off a bit as folks go moved up the hill.  Tomorrow, look for the grooming crew to  work the new snow into the dance floor, so the corduroy will be stunning, though watch the lover elevations for some slick spots where the guns were playing.  Here is a shot of the wind swept patterns in the freshness.  See you tomorrow.   Ciao!

DENSE DUST

It was a wild and woolly morning with the wind just cranking, but the Tram left on time with a light turn out, and an intrepid group braving the nuking wind on the peak.   The wind giveth and it taketh away.  The wind was blowing so hard it was another guessing game as to where  the loose snow would land.  It turned out being caught in the gullies and bump troughs making some of those lines smooth and tantalizing.  The shotgun blast across the Chips flats was working again accelerating you across the flats in a hang on for your life ride.   The flat light made it  tough to see the detail, so a tall, wide stance with hands held high was the ticket to help with the uncertainty.   Both sides of the hill had it’s charm,

Vintage Shot

but the wind finally caused the Tram to shut down at around 10:00AM when I beat a hasty retreat to the Forklift Restaurant  to regroup and take on supplemental fortification.  The wind kept on cranking and is pounding the Trailer as I write.  I am getting sporadic pixelation from the array, so I will have to straighten things out tomorrow.  Tomorrow, look to the weather first as what is going to happen is any one’s guess, but I am thinking deep thoughts.  Many high points were stripped clean by the wind, so watch those high points that are exposed and aim for the gut.  The smooth is holding and I found one aspect filled in that just the other day was a no go for my knees, but today it was good to go.  Goes to show what a difference a day makes.  Here is a shot given to me by my friend Chris of his crew’s exploits out in Mineral Basin back in the early 80’s.   This is  the Toad Hill section with the tracks in one of the Bookend Chutes.   Lets see what the weather brings and check the Bird site weather in the AM.

There was a flurry of snow last night delivering 2” of freshness on the hill.  At 7:00PM last night the rain started pelting the Trailer signaling the arrival of some long awaited precipitation.  Any amount will help cushion the ride and assist in the traction department.  Today the light was flat with overcast skies making the visibility variable.  The main lines that are open are still holding the smooth overall, so you can deal with the subtle variations more easily.   There is more unsettled weather coming up stream and we can count on some additional accumulation in the next few days.  If we get the right configuration of Jet Stream flow we could be getting the Pineapple express.  Years ago, before wide platforms, that thick Spackle type snow was difficult.  Now, with modern equipment, any accumulation is another form of awesome.   With the exception of breakable crust, deep snow is a treasure any way it comes.  Tomorrow, look for continued unsettled weather, with variable visibility and light traffic.  Both sides of the hill are fun, each offering  the variations that make each run a rock fest.  I am still working on my antenna array after the massive wind hammered it.  I have an order in at Radio Shack for an exotic part they don’t carry, but it should be here next week.  In the mean time, keep the visualizations going and we will see you on first Boat.   Here is a Bast From the Deep Past shot of the local scene circa 1980 or so.  We were all so much younger then.  Good times, and the good times keep coming.  Peace Out !

TEAM SIZZLE

The Tram left the dock into very high winds with a thick cloud hanging on the peak.  The visibility was fair at the base, but the high elevation was obscured by blowing snow being ripped from the pack.  It was blowing so hard that the loose snow did not seem to adhere, so the dance floor was smooth and firm.  Both sides of the hill were being scoured, however, there was some nice velvet holding on to the corduroy for those first few runs.  The wind blowing out of the South got behind you and shot you out like a rocket across the flat areas.   The wind fell off as the morning wore on and the temperature seemed to rise.   Tomorrow, look for the mountain to have held up during the week, the early morning rippers to offer some real wake me up fun.  The smooth is holding up as well, as the the traffic has been light and only the deepest choke points get much static to negotiate. This is great early season training conditions with back to back trams easy to get, and a full spectrum of nuance to use to hone technique.

WILD WEATHER

Be there early to get the jump on the day.  I will be realigning the antenna array after this big wind knocking things out of whack, so I will not be on the hill.  Keep it frosty for me!!  Here is a shot of the cloud hanging on the peak.    Ciao!

There was a very light turn out for the crispy cold first Tram of the day.   It was decidedly colder all morning, but it warmed up as the day wore on, though it was still much colder than yesterday.    The big wind we had buffed out the steep sections on the High North that held up all day long.  The light flattened out later as well increasing the feel factor.  It is extra primo firm overall, but there are still nice lines to find that have that silky smooth feel.  The cat tracks are holding up solidly and rocks are minimal.   Off trail is becoming smoother as the wind worked it, but there are some sections of chop that make the ride a bit rough, but that is the fun of exploring the obscure lines.  There is gold here and there if you are looking for something out of the way.  Tomorrow, look for another day of hard charging  fun.  The energy is up and everyone is stoked to be dialing in the laps.  The Tram is running fast, and there is no dawdling when trying to make each car.  See you there for some ground pounding early morning laps.   I did not get a shot off today, sorry.  Tomorrow I will make up  for it.   Peace Out!

HIGH WIND

The temps were balmy in the parking lot this morning, but on the peak the wind was ripping.  The first Tram was swinging when it docked and we got out in a full frenzy of wind.   Down on the Chips flats the wind came from behind and you were skiing as fast as the wind, so the air was still as you blazed across the flats.  Ye-ow what  a ride!!!   The Sun was out most of the day, but high clouds moved in late in the afternoon.  The smooth is holding strong for the most part, and there is plenty of traction, though slick spot still exist here and there.  Tomorrow, look for another fun morning of fast moving fun.   The grooming crew is doing  a nice job keeping things covered and smooth, so ripping the corduroy on those early runs is a bonus.  The warm temps might dial back the snow making but there is plenty to make use of until it gets cold again.     On another note  Snowbird Secrets is now in hard copy and will be available at the Snowbird shops.  It was a long time coming but it is here now.  Here is a shot of the snow blowing off the peak, with the Sun back lighting it.  Get there early and get the extra boost on the day.   IBBY!!