A front moving into the area signaled it’s approach with an increasing South breeze.  Mineral Basin was the first call, as it had the Sun working the snow pack from the earliest rays.   There were some beautifully carvelicious lines out there, with the Baldy Express offering the total private resort feel for the first hour.  The front of the hill had been tenderized, but there was still some residual dry chalk on the Peruvian side that only got crispy at the last 400′ of vertical.  That short distance was doable given the Cat work, but the kitty litter made any kind of edge set dubious as it felt like edging on golf balls.  The snow pack warmed up, offering some velvety, sumptuous, spring like feel top to bottom, but the direct High North exposures still hold the dry cold snow in the shadows.  Consideration still has to be given to the exposed aspects, as subtle shifts in degree can make a huge difference in just a few feet.  Tomorrow, look for some overcast skies ahead of the the inpulse, but continued warm temps due to the South wind.  Things will again soften up, but it might not be helped by direct Sun.  The interference patterns have really risen in amplitude, but the big shots are still low amplitude by and large.    Just check out  the lines ahead of time to avoid any unanticipated rumble.   We are experiencing a real Spring time pattern, so use your judgement on arrival, knowing that the tenderization efforts only offer scant edge grab in some instances, and a later arrival will put you in the snow cone zone.   Here is a shot of Regulator buffed and looking good, but it will be crispy for sure at the opening bell.   Peace Out!

BUFFED REGULATOR

There was just a touch of crispness in the air this morning and a very light turn out for the morning session.  As anticipated, the front side of the hill  held some ripping groomers in Peruvian Gulch, with Gad valley still very crispy after yesterday’s warm up.  Extensive tenderizing efforts made the grip much better, because there is still some cold snow close to the surface that mixes into the mat.   Regulator was very firm, so those early morning Trams demand a bit of reckoning to avoid a glaze ride.   Mineral Basin was getting the Sun early, which invites the early risers to get the goods before they get worked.  I took advantage of the low traffic, and velvet groomers on the Peruvian side to fly my wings.   I got 5 ground pounding runs before the folks showed up and forced me to put them back in the Hanger.  I had some serious fun flying the fall line.   Tomorrow, look for another warm one, so you can plan on an early start, or wait a while for the Sun to do the softening.  I always want the entire day, so I will be working the Wings again in the AM.   I did miss my laps in Mineral Basin, as it is relaxed, perfect, vacant of traffic that makes it seem like a private resort.  The hill is still offering a lot of great lines, it just takes a bit of looking.     Here is a shot of the Wings in full throttle mode.

LIFT OFF

IBBY!!!

It was a bit brisk on the peak this morning to start out the real first post powder day, which offered the anticipated Groomer extravaganza on both sides of the hill.   I went for the front side of the hill for the morning session to take advantage of the carvelicious preparation.  Those days of perfect powder provided the material which was transformed into perfect corduroy.  A light turn out made back to back Trams easy, with no lines to wade through.   The off trail offered dry chalky lines on the North faces, but the East South

SUPERIOR

and West faces have been affected by the high Sun angle.    Those heavily affected areas should be avoided until much later in the day to spare the knee wrenching crustitude that awaits forays into the danger zone.   Working the perfect lines pays the big dividends, with high speed ripping on uncrowded carpeted extravagance.   Tomorrow, look for the North to still be holding the cold, but even more Sun damage will be found down low, so expect some crusty machine work, which will probably will be given some tenderizing efforts.  Another warm one is on tap, but expect another cool morning,  after which you can drop a layer as the morning heats up.  It is Spring after all now, so all considerations of aspect will spare you a tricky descent.   Here is a shot of Superior after the Dawn Patrol got the first lines.  This is one big piece of real estate to approach let alone rip it.  I watched some of the runs, and they were choking on the Essence.  Soooo Deep!!!   IBBY!!!

Untrammeled Perfection

The Bird served up another heaping helping of LITTLE COTTONWOOD perfection today, with the addition of 5 to 6” of 6% fluffulecence on top of the already deep Essential layers of the past few days.   It was a picture postcard day, with Mineral Basin and Road to Provo standing perfectly serene, waiting for the faithful to be given the Go Sign.  It is difficult to impart the particular excellence of this perfection, and I can only direct you to the Bird’s site for action photos that best exemplify the awesomenicity of the experience.  I share this shot of the Little Cloud area just minutes away from the opening to give an idea of the anticipation of the folks who made it for this exquisite offering by Mother Nature.  Hopefully the appetite of the faithful was sated after this experience, but any installment is a treasure in itself and continually delivers the call.  The harbor chop built up rapidly with the heavy traffic, but pockets of fluff were still to be found after it was all said and done.  The Sun began to work the direct aspects as the high angle is relentless, making those lines quite manky.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to, once again, to be deep, living room shag perfect, with the North facing lines still holding the cold.  There will be some crispy crust on the exposed sections, so stay clear of the Sun for best results.  The cover is much improved, but I hit a couple of reefs in my search for the last vestiges of this Essential treat.  Remember to look for the gems that will be numerous this close to the storm, but remember to watch the aspect changes, as they come, for extreme consistency issues.  See you in the AM!   Ciao!

Hot on the Grill

Yet another serious installment of ultra Essence was deposited on the hill overnight, once again reloading the lines for full immersion blasting.   The faithful were in full attendance, pushing the Tram line out on the Plaza in anticipation of the opening bell.  The quality was off the charts perfect, with the added cushioning from yesterday’s installment, that left the old crusty layer only barely discernible in select sections where the wind had reduced the depth.  Face shots of suffocating proportions were wall to wall on all exposures.  There was a touch of wind affected lines on the some of the highest aspects, but it did not offer any issues in quality.  More of the hill opened as the morning progressed, leaving Mineral Basin and Road to Provo closed.  The harbor chop began to build up quickly with the heavy traffic on all aspects, requiring either  full on blastitude or a slower rounder approach.   I chose the later to preserve my knees for tomorrow’s festivities.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be exquisite for the morning session, but I anticipate the chop to rise up again with the traffic continuing to demand the goods.   Mineral and Road to Provo will offer more untracked for the lucky folks who get the quick window.   The lines go blindingly fast, so an early arrival will make your chances of the fresh line more probable.  The cover is still looking very good, but there are some hidden rarities that have eaten some edges and cores, so keep an eye out.   For those who have left the hill for the far reaches, I will be charging those lines for you, so if you feel a sudden momentary reverie, that will be the sign of the Psychic Transmission sent to the Morphogenic Field.   Soak it up, it came from HERE!!   Here is a shot of  the untouched accumulation on the Barbie.   Cooking it!!!   Peace Out!

Wow!!! That was incredible!   Going from, perhaps, the most challenging conditions the Bird has to offer, the conditions morphed into the best conditions the Bird has to offer overnight.   The storm came in warm, which kept the snow pack from freezing, depositing high density product followed by lighter and lighter Essence.   As the accumulation built up into the ” Right Side Up” layering, it offered the absolute best powder experience possible, with bottomless, blower, effortless, fall line magic.   It was so deep it required a steep pitch to engage the free fall powder experience, which felt like heaven.   Gone was the icy gnar that was totally cushioned by the deep blanket.  The interference patterns became mere rolling waves that just added to the dynamic of the descent.  I could not get over the transformation.   I was also very happy for the many folks who traveled here from the East, and all world localities, to experience the Promise of the Wasatch, letting them experience the thrill of such dazzling fluffulessence.  Now,

GRANITE BUTTRESS

some may think I am exaggerating the quality, but the faithful who partook of the goodness will agree I am certain.  It is dumping here at the Trailer as I write this, and the TEXT MESSAGE said the Canyon may be closed in the AM., so check the access before leaving.   Tomorrow, expect another awesome offering of the righteous Utah goodness with no caveats to relate.  Just go, and GO FOR IT!!!  It’s Good To Go!!  Here is a shot from the lower canyon of the towering granite buttresses that stand guard at the entrance.  I was waiting for the road opening and could not resist this misty, snowy perspective.   IBBY!!

The Trailer was rocking all night long with the stout wind that was ripping out ahead of the next installment.  The clouds were on and off over the hill all day long, with the precipitation lowering early in the afternoon.   The forecast is still holding up for a winter blast that looks like it might persist through Monday, so the hill will be on the mend.  The high definition interference patterns are fairly wide spread, which will make the high traffic area lines bouncy, as the new snow may not have enough cushion to mitigate the rumble.  Remember, the Cirque Traverse was once again set up for some serious glaze as the temps return to normal, so expect some challenges if the wind blows the new essence from the traverse.  It was very difficult the other day when I went out there with full firmness, or should I say High Shine with ledge like ratchet bumps.   Those particular shapes are notoriously biased against a speed bleeding edge check, so approach with caution. Coverage on the hill is still good, but those sketchy entrances are still going to present some issues, though a good dose of the freshness will go a long way to making them less gnarly.  Depending on the severity of the snow fall, the Canyon may present some access issues in the AM. so check before leaving.  I will get a better feel for the changes when I get that first hand look.  Hope for some Spackle like consistency to start things out with lighter accumulation as the storm moves through, other wise

INNER REALM

it could be classic dust on crust, but I think the moisture content will be higher to start.   Here is another shot from the deep snow zone dimension, where crystalline structure morphs to more fluid shapes.  Like magic!!!   Ciao!

We squeezed out most of the day under sunny skies before the clouds moved in ahead of the next system for this weekend.  The  Morning still felt a touch brisk with the stout wind blowing, but the high angle Sun was working the hill slowly and in order.  The Grooming crew did a great job tenderizing the hill, with the Peruvian side offering some deep sugar top to bottom, which felt really good under foot.   The Gad side of the hill, however, was another story, with the tenderization material blown off the slopes leaving them bullet proof and highly glazed.  They waited until after 1:00 PM to begin to softening

SNOW ELEMENTAL

up, after which they were great until the dreaded sticky spots cropped up like those we get in late May.  Doh!!!  The Free ride comp was going off, with some unbelievable runs that really struck me senseless knowing the present difficulty factor that exists on those exposures.  Really a revelation and an inspiration to watch.  The lights went out after 3:00PM, leaving the last minutes of the day in flat light, but we all got the lion’s share. The High North is still holding the cold dry chalky feel, but lower down the softening has crept up.  Tomorrow, look for some very firm conditions, with little Sun to soften the hill, high winds out ahead of the front, and perhaps some wind issues for the Tram.   The tenderization efforts are best for the first hour of the day before they get worked over, so plan on an early start, or wait for some later dubious softening.    I will be resting my legs tomorrow, so stay safe and check out the competition.   Here is a shot of the white room where the Snow Elemental – on the left- looks out through the crystals while speaking to me telepathically.  He said big snow is on the way, look out!!!   Peace Out!!

Just a dusting!!

Yesterday’s snow flurries left a beautiful dusting on the High North aspects, particularly the North facing in Mineral Basin, where the 1” of fluffulecence went begging all morning, so I was obliged to partake of the rarity.   The front side of the hill was still dark and crispy, though the tenderization efforts did not go unappreciated.   The only softness I found all day was the dusting of Essence.  Here is a shot of the turns I left on that sparkling gem.  The bottom was that dry chalky wind slab, with the frosting on top.   Might as well have been 40” of Zero % for the luxury of the vacant lines.  The Cirque Traverse is very icy and not really worth the effort, but if you do go out there are some smooth lines to be found on the East facing, so scope the lines as you go up.   The Freeride Competition is being held this weekend, so Silver Fox will be closed tomorrow to facilitate that event.   Watch the folks give it all they have on some very challenging conditions. I had to give it to them today for stomping those seriously crispy lines, with air included.  Formidable!!!!  Tomorrow, look for a mix of Sun and clouds as the next system moves into the area for the next while.  Very firm conditions will persist, so stay with what you know, or look for  the smooth  to avoid the deep relief interference patterns.   Mineral Basin saw a lot of Sun today, so if is cold in the AM., there will be some issues back there till softening occurs.   Possible Sun will help, but I expect some very firm conditions back there.   Peace Out!!!

The winds were a bit more realistic this morning, with the Sun shining brightly in Mineral Basin.   The front of the hill is still dark with the late Sun, but was offering some seriously firm conditions after the overnight wind further scoured the playing field, leaving a hard crusty glaze.   Wide spread tenderizing efforts helped the grip, but there was no hope for Regulator which was totally bullet proof.   Smooth wind lines were to be had out in Mineral Basin where the wind had deposited the last vestiges of loose snow on some of the creases in the hill.  North facing is still favored, with the other exposures still very difficult and crusty.   The weather system started to move in during the afternoon, with some light flurries falling, but just teasing.   Tomorrow, look for a similar situation, so a later start is advised to let the Sun get higher in the sky.  After Noon the softening will begin, making the afternoon session much more approachable.  I am going to be there for the early Trams regardless.   Here is a shot of some very interesting clouds that were moving through the Valley this morning.     IBBY!!

LENTICULAR FORMATIONS