The overnight storm moved through like a freight train, after the Weather Dude predicted a slow mover.  Instead of 18”, we received barely 8” of medium density essence, which drew the the faithful in a full court press for the goods.  The high density stuck to the old layer, cushioning the ride, though the bottom was always in play no matter where you went.  Some aspects were deeper than others, so it was a toss up as to line choice.  I took the Mineral Basin option from the peak to avoid the large line at the Tram.  Mineral had experienced a bit more wind, leaving some lines wind slabbed and grabby, but a little aspect adjustment eased that issue. The High North aspects were offering the smoothest, most consistent lines of the day.  These shots will continue to hold up, as this product is resisting the harbor chop effect on the open runs.  That does not hold true on the highly traveled sections, which were getting a touch rasty toward 1:30 PM., however, it was fairly simple to circumvent that pesky problem.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be really exceptional, with the new freshness being tilled into the mat for carpet like perfection.  The shrouded Sun light did not seem to be affecting the hill too much, with the help of the cooler temps. that were holding  off the glopping problem, which is usually associated with storms this late in the season.  This last installment significantly improved the conditions, and has set the stage for the next weather push predicted for later this week.  See you in the AM for ripping good fun and entertainment!!! IBBY!!

The Trailer was rocking all night long, and the wind was still hauling out of the South as I drove up the Canyon.  I checked the Tram situation, only to find that it was down due to the wind.  I beat a hasty retreat to the Forklift Chair to commiserate with the other daily attendees, to see if there might be a break in the trend for the day.   The snow line was just at the top of the Wilbre Chair, so the rain at the Plaza was not too much of a concern.  As the morning wore on the precipitation backed off, but the reports coming off the hill were less than enthusiastic, so I just wrote this day off as a day off.  This next system looks to be fairly wet and persistent , promising to heal the hill of the current marginal condition.  The mountain smooth is still holding up well under low traffic, which will deliver smooth lines with any accumulation.  The warm air ahead of the front should provide wetter snow to begin the application, but the Westerly flow may be just the prescription for getting us back to a Winter feel.  The prediction is for 8 to 18” for this first installment, with more on the way  upstream.   The stage is set for another of those cycles that we enjoyed just recently.  Check the road for access in the AM. as it might be greasy at best and closed at worst.  See  you there tomorrow.  Peace Out!!!

This morning’s offering had a significantly freshened feel to it, as the new snow had been tilled into the Groomers, giving them a very carvelicous quality.  I started out in Mineral Basin, where White Diamonds had been buffed, and had a nice velvety winter snow traction that got my motor running .  I took that stoke to the front of the hill, getting Regulator and Chips with a full throttle assault, while the dance floor remained uncrowded.  The high North facing shots are still holding the smooth softness, though there is a decided solidity to the substrate that does not lend itself to full tilt boogie, but it is still good to go taking whatever drive line you choose.   The Sun broke out in a big way after the Planetary Office meeting, driving up the temps., and affecting the snow pack.  Tomorrow, look for the lower mountain to have crusted up a bit, though new Essence is in the forecast, so the conditions will be improving by the minute.  The high North will continue holding the smooth, so any accumulation will bless those shots with blastability.  Over all, the hill is holding up the smoothness factor fairly well, and is not getting the heavy traffic that raises the interference patterns.  For those folks who look for those patterns,  the lower mountain is offering some fairly high amplitude formations for your consideration.   West facing aspects are a bit variable, with the crunch factor not lending itself well to an unleashed attack, so if we get some accumulation, expect to find the bottom reflecting some serious rumble.  This new snow will put the hill back into the winter mode, moving it away from this Spring like moment.  I am NOT ready for the transition yet; NOT EVEN!!!  They were working on the Towers today, riding the carriage to access the work zone.  That must be some ride!!!   IBBY!!!

RIDING HIGH

VIEW FROM THE EDGE

After yesterday’s Sun, today’s overcast skies did not ramp up the enthusiasm factor for me, but I got to the hill to try and get the morning Sun before the cloud deck moved in for the day.   Mineral basin offered a sweet till of White Diamonds, which was very nice, though the light was so flat that I could not really make any detail out on the surface. The light on the front of the hill was not much better, so I made the most of the smooth and headed for the Forklift Chair, where it is always good.  The snow began to fall at 10:00 AM, which made a huge difference in a very short time.  The visibility seemed to improve with the snow fall, somehow adding definition to the surface.  Upper Silver Fox and the Upper Cirque are still very smooth as well as Baldy, all of which have escaped the heavy traffic due to the recent Competition.  These aspects, and all of the high North facing shots will be benefiting the most from any accumulations, as we move through this unsettled weather pattern for the next stretch of time.  The hard frozen surface will be getting covered, and the initial snow fall was rather wet and sticky, which will stick to that layer, and also cushion the ride as well.  This flow of storminess will be coming in waves, so while the visibility will be intermittent, the overall conditions will be improving markedly.   I have to admit that my enthusiasm level was very low today, so I bailed right after my stay at the Forklift.  But that was just me.  If I don’t have it in me, it is best that I just call it good and try again tomorrow.  Since the visibility was so marginal today, I thought that I would include this  shot I took of the Phifferhorn, from the boundary line above Gad 2.  Most folks don’t get to see this vantage point, so I thought I would share it. IBBY!!!

Last Friday was warmer than I had thought, as the hill had been affected by the ambient temperature on all aspects.  Of course, the direct exposures took the brunt of the rays, but the crustifcation of the pack was ubiquitous.  That feature was most evident today, when I went in search of the softest lines, but was only able to find just a few consistently soft shots despite the 2 or 3” of fresh that had fallen over night.  The Groomers were the best bet, after I took several sojourns off trail, but made a hasty retreat back to the prepared surface to keep my knees from rebelling.  Mark Malu offered the best early morning fun, but the Upper Cirque was being frequented, and seemed to provide the smoothest off trail that I was able to observe.  The Crunch Factor was very tricky, with no respite from the hard rumble of the frozen crud underneath the new snow.  The morning was fairly brisk, with a 16Degree peak temperature at 9:00am, so the softening of the pack was going to be slow at best.  Tomorrow,  keep the crust factor in mind as I don’t see any immediate relief until we get more snow.  This time of year is notorious for not holding the quality for long, but look and be patient, as there are always places to find redeeming lines.  The Groomers will be at least smooth and consistent, though the crustiness is resident there as well.  The fresh working of Upper Primrose path stirred up some very nice winter softness, and was a really

Strange Sky

fun feature of the morning, so look for the fresh tills for the still existing winter soft.   Here is a shot I took with some wild rainbow colors and strange cloud formations, very trippy!!  See you in the AM   Ciao!!!

Rain sounded on the skin of the Trailer all  night long.  I love the sound of the rain on the roof, it helps me sleep.  The next best thing is being in a tent when it rains, I don’t know why, but it is soothing.  With that rain, there had to be snow up on the hill to add to the fun for the morning.  The clouds moved though all day long, with the range catching some intermittent visibility.  As I write this, there is a seriously dark impulse moving through the Valley, and the forecast is for an unsettled flow to keep bringing fresh Essence for tomorrow.  Since I was fully Belly Up on the couch today, I can’t give you the first hand account, but there is goodness to be found overall due to the recent wind and low traffic.  Silver Fox had been freed up with the move of the competition venue, so that aspect was smooth, carvelicious, and a great place to drop a full fall line assault.   Tomorrow, look for more accumulation to have been deposited, so be there early to get the best of the freshness.  I will be there early to get the goods, and get a handle on the hill for a first hand account.  Peace Out!!!

The wind worked hard overnight to fill in the North facing exposures to provide an extraordinary surface for the attendees of today’s festivities.  This was another ” Shades of Perfection” example, with run after run of ultra smooth wind buff top to bottom.  The Contest athletes were treated to stellar Upper Silverfox conditions for the next stage of the competition.  Northwest Baldy had also been prepared for Saturday’s venue, which will feature unbelievable lines and ultra smooth blastability.   Be sure to take advantage of this event, and watch the best skiers in the World exhibit over the top talent and vision.  How they do it, I do not know, suffice to say that it will blow your mind.  Mine is shot already, as you know, so…..! The Highly visited sections were developing some serious high amplitude interference patterns, that may persist into tomorrow, so keep that in mind if you want to avoid those pesky features.  The South facing, and some of the West facing shots really soaked up the spring like temps we had today.  While the temps. were a touch lower than yesterday, the high Sun angle is just cooking the snow pack, so expect some crusty, set up off trail conditions.  The Groomers are holding up quite a bit better throughout the day, with the chop holding off much longer than earlier this week, keeping the choices more numerous as your legs start feeling the strain of the off trail.  Also keep your eyes peeled for some extra special Grooming on the lower mountain, that will deliver the “Hot Diggity Dog” rippage that only the steep, long, big mountain smooth delivers.   Just rip it!!!  See you Sunday!   IBBY!!

The Sun was shining brightly this morning, and getting higher in the sky, with the glare requiring  the Sun visor  for the drive up the Canyon.  A brisk South wind was blowing ahead of the next storm moving in.  The Groomers were absolutely spectacular , with a hydrovelvet finish that just stopped the show!!   With the low traffic, back to back Trams were going off quickly, letting the Vert Crew maximize the rapid access.  The Contest was going off, so that added traffic was absent from the cycle.  As the Morning progressed the wind really kicked in, and began to transport the soft snow into the North faces, where the build up actually began to slough with each turn on the steep aspects.  It was amazing how fast things filled in, erasing the tracks as fast as they were made.  The Sun was significantly setting up the fully exposed shots, thickening the consistency markedly.  Be sure to consider the South, West and flat areas that will be crusted up with the dropping temps.  There is snow in the forecast, which will begin to mitigate some of the Sun damage, but keep those marginal aspects in mind during your planning.  Tomorrow. , the Groomers will be going off for sure, and will pay off for some ripping top to bottom laps. With any new accumulation, the North faces will have been continually smoothed by the wind overnight, and will provide the best ride possible.  Remember the Silverfox and Baldy areas remain closed for the contest,  but there is more than enough terrain to make up for that.  Here is a shot I took from the Tram to illustrate the magnitude of the transport accumulating in the Upper Cirque.  Yes, it was really that good!!!   Ciao!!

Heavy Transport

There were few takers for the first Tram this morning after yesterday’s Powder fest.  As anticipated, the Groomers had been buffed perfectly, with 3 cm of high density frosting covering them wall to wall.  You could do no wrong with that perfection.   Powder Paradise remained closed for the first half  hour, but opened up shrouded in fog.  This cover of fog kept the traverse from being easily spotted from any distance, enabling a few folks to get lap after lap of fresh lines out on the North facing aspects.  That secret did not last long, but certainly long enough to make up for yesterday’s rapid consumption.   I much prefer the relaxed, no pressure access to great snow, as opposed to the frenetic La Mans start which I witnessed out in Little Cloud.  With a low and persistent cloud cover, the visibility was intermittent, though the  flat light was the main concern.  The Free Ride Competition began today, and Upper Silverfox and Baldy are closed for the competitors, so keep that in mind when choosing your lines tomorrow.   The Sun really heated up the South faces, which were tricky this morning if you ventured in that direction.  Now that we are well into March, the Sun is going to be a constant factor in line choice, as the season moves into Spring.  Warm temps. also were a feature today, and I found myself a bit overheated as I worked the high traverse.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be exquisite for the morning session, though they will be deteriorating as the traffic works them over.  The off trail is still holding fairly soft snow on the North and West faces, with very approachable lines, and the exotic trees  are seeing a build up of traffic interference patterns.  The Harbor Chop rose up again after Noon, making the ride very staccato, so I was looking for the boarder lines to find relief.  It is good to know there are ways around most interference patterns if you just look around a bit.  With luck, there might be some Sun to light the path tomorrow, and you can bet I will be there early to get the best of the day.    IBBY!!!

WIND WAVES

Today’s unfoldment reached critical mass on so many levels.  There was an explosion of insane Essence, explosion of the Faithful, and an explosion of high energy shralpage wall to wall.  The Canyon closure backed the traffic up to the freeway, enabling the few folks who happened to be on hand for first Trams to partake of some of the very best, and deepest, Essential accumulation of the season.  This was truly as good as it gets, and I can not think of any possible condition that could transcend it.  Deeper…? No!  Lighter….? maybe, but that did not matter!!,  Sunnier….? Not a chance.   Wow!!! no demerits on the scale on any level.  Mineral Basin opened shortly after the front got worked, sending the seekers to mine the Essence out there, backing that chair up as much as I have ever seen it.  Little Cloud opened later, which was consumed by the hungry seekers in the time it took me to ride up the Little Cloud chair, as I was getting on just as the rope dropped.  The day remained cold, preserving the quality all day long.  Only the most directly exposed shots took the heat and began to set up.  The Harbor Chop built up on the high traffic areas in a frenetic froth, sending me of to the far reaches looking for some respite from the relentless rumble.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be absolutely stellar top to bottom.  The off trail will continue to be very nice, though those South facing aspects might present some crutulation to negotiate.    Powder Paradise remained closed, so that is still in full powder play for the morning session.  I think the traffic will have backed off, so there will be a much more relaxed pace .  Here is a shot of Little Cloud just before the rope dropped, with the wind developed waves that were not in the least set up.  They blew up with explosive intensity.  Yummm!!!  Ciao!!!