The faithful showed up early to get in on this last installment of Essence that fell overnight, filling the Tram line out to the overflow area at 8:30 AM.  It was still snowing hard, snowed hard all day, and is pouring here at the Trailer as I write this.  There are predictions of 3′ of additional through Tuesday, so the Canyon access might be an issue.  Today saw medium density frosting building up on the hill, though the bottom was still in play, it was very easy to negotiate the depth.  The visibility was the real issue, as I ventured into Mineral Basin first thing to escape the pressure.  I new exactly where I was, but I had no idea where I was if you get my meaning.  It was like swimming in a milk bottle with no reference points to key off .  I finally made my way over to the section where the trees are more numerous, and found the reflected light a blessing.  I was near the Vertigo stage before getting there, and my equilibrium was seriously tested.  I did, however, find some wonderful depth that skied easily and consistently top to bottom.   Just this second I received word that a snow night, with associated road closure, is going into effect tonight, so plan accordingly.   The Harbor Chop began to build in earnest  on the lower mountain, making the ride very difficult, especially with the fog obscured lines.  This chop will be totally mitigated by the additional accumulation, so no worries.   I had to bail at 1:000PM to avoid tweaking my knees , which were screaming for mercy.  This is one unreal cycle, and it further confirms this year as one of the Epic seasons.  I think the full 500” is not too far off.  Yeah, we had it coming and all the good visualizations are paying off in a big way.  Check the Bird site for updates, and snow cam shots to keep track of the accumulation.  IBBY

This was one of my favorite powder days, one where the Essence comes in fast, hard, and keeps building up, getting better as the day progresses.  The first few Trams were walk on fast, but the faithful began to filter in as the morning wore on, though the line was never problematic in the least.  The light density Essence still let the bottom features reflect through, so attention to the underlying relief patterns paid off with a much smoother ride.  After the wind work earlier this week, there were many smooth sections to chose from. The Groomers provided full on consistency, with Adager  featured as the treat of the lower mountain.  The continuous snow fall also kept refreshing the dance floor, with untracked depths toward the sides of the runs, and deep build up in the trees.  The High North facing aspects were getting filled in extra deep with the transported snow, making those shots fully knee deep in places.  I saw full on face shots going off to the joy of the chargers hitting those aspects.  Tomorrow look for some serious accumulation, as the storm is predicted to continue until who knows when, so be sure to check the road access report before heading up in the AM.  This quality product will be delivering another Legendary session, so be sure to be fully rested to take advantage of the goodness.  All aspects will be offering the goods, so there are no qualifications that I can offer , as there will be Tales of Powder where ever you chose to be.  What a season this is, it will go down as one of the big ones of long memory.  Since today was so unphotogenic, here, for your consideration, is another shot I took of a major LYRAN observation craft just watching the fun, as they don’t know what fun is. We showed them though, didn’t we?   Ciao!

LYRAN observation craft

There was high overcast all day long over the area, creating a flat light situation on the hill.  Fairly mild temps. were holding on ahead of the next system that is slated to begin sometime tomorrow, and continue into Monday.  Another installment will be a welcome addition to the last few inches, which significantly improved conditions, and any additional product will be icing on the cake.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be good to go in the AM, until you can get a sense of the off trail, which, when I left yesterday, was feeling good, but still had the firmness of the old layer.  The interference patterns have been rising incrementally as the traffic works the hill , so I will be planning to go look at the peripheral shots to give my knees the best possible break. It has been a long and great season, but my knees are beginning to feel the fatigue.  I am playing the roundness card to avoid the lateral jarring that a more angular approach dishes out.  One point of caution; as I was getting into the Upper Cirque yesterday, I encountered the wind stripped reefage that is now exposed just short of the cornice.  It is very unforgiving , and has some very light coverage that does nothing to mask the hazard.  Be very aware of that as you approach, especially if it gets covered with fresh product overnight.  It is treacherous if you hit it with any speed at all, and if you catch it wrong, it could stall your ride and send you flying over the cornice into oblivion.  This very scenario nearly happened to me yesterday, but I managed to keep it tight, though I will be needing some base repair!!!   I will be there tomorrow for a more first hand account.  IBBY!!!

Well, the weather man was seriously wrong in the forecast for today, and the precipitation estimate that we were expecting.  We were, however, treated to a beautiful day , which included some very nice medium density accumulation to cushion the ride wall to wall.  The West wind had transported some of the new snow to the North facing aspects, where the faithful found delightful depth on top of wind buffed slab.  The first Trams were lightly attended, but the faithful showed up by 10:00Am.  The day remained cold, even though the Sun was working hard to bump up the temps, and the direct exposures did not really take that much of a beating.  The depths varied  greatly by exposure, but there was smooth consistent accumulation where ever you went.  As the crowd got spread out, the Tram line abated significantly, making the round trips quick and easy.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to offer some SIZZLING fun right out of the chute, and the off trail will still be soft and rewarding, though there is still a very firm base beneath that does not seem to be presenting any serious ride issues.  The High North facing aspects are still the smoothest choices, and will continue to hold up despite the traffic.  I stayed late today, taking advantage of the rapid Tram pace and great snow conditions.  A few posts ago I put up a shot of Old Reliable from the cat track looking up.  I had many folks ask where that was, so I took this long reference shot today of that pitch to give it context.  This shot also gives you an idea of just how steep it is in reality, as the shot looking up makes it look flat;  it is not as you can see.  See you Sunday!!! IBBY!!

OLD RELIABLE

Well, the storms are lined up for quite some time to come, and today’s installment rolled up the Canyon like a freight train, bringing near white out conditions with the intensity of the snow fall.  The wind was certainly working hard, filling in certain aspects, as well as the Cirque Traverse, that was getting filled in between the chop, improving the ride despite visibility.  The Groomers were covered with a few cm. of fresh, which made them silky smooth and chargable, keeping the stoke factor revved up .  As the front continued to hammer the hill, a fair accumulation of medium density frosting began to cushion some of the rumble.  I did not venture into Mineral Basin, but there were reports of  milk bottle visibility within the vast expanse of featureless terrain.  I was staying close to the trees and rock bands to keep reference points close for the reflected light.  I was also going back to the smooth shots that I was working yesterday, so I trusted the ride, and only ran into interference when I ventured out of my memory designated lines.  Tomorrow, look for continued accumulation of medium density frosting, as this flow is coming out of the West, and will be developing a cushion to mitigate the overall complexion that we have been dealing with recently.  Mineral Basin will also be favored by the flow pattern and lack of traffic, providing some of the deeper accumulations, so keep an eye on the opening there for an escape from crowds on the front side. This storm is delivering impulses intermittently, as opposed to a straight up dump, which will keep freshening the dance floor, and keep things open while the traffic compacts the delivery.  The hill has got full on cover, and there are very few spots that present problems.  There is some wind stripped rock bands poking up where the Cirque Traverse intersects the East facing shots, so approach the edge with caution to avoid a core shot or worse.  Be sure to check the road report in the AM. for access, but I don’t anticipate any problems along those lines.  Here is a shot of Mary Ellen Gulch that I took yesterday before the clouds moved in.  This area could be the FUTURE.  We can only dream!!!   Peace Out

Mary Ellen Gulch

The bright Sun was short lived this morning, as the storm front was sitting on the horizon, moving in rapidly.  The wind was cranking out of the South ahead of this system, stripping the West facing aspects, and moving it into the adjacent shots, filling them in.  As I pointed out yesterday, a quick survey on the way up the Tram revealed those few smoothed out shots to the attentive rider.   The Cirque Traverse was stripped down to the ratchet chop, making the approach to the desired aspect, very interesting with such strong wind at your back.  There were some slight pockets of dust to dig into, providing points of required deceleration.  The accumulated Essence was slightly breakable, but responded to a shmoozed turn keeping you on top.  Overall, the off trail was fully set up, lacking the softness of yesterday.  The clouds moved in at 11:30 AM., with the snow beginning to fall, reducing the visibility with flat light.  The North facing aspects were benefiting from the high winds, and those shots will be the best choice for tomorrow, where the ride will be significantly smoother after being covered by the new installment.   We can look forward to improved quality with any amount of new Essence, but bear in mind the underlying rumble, which will be tricky indeed if the density is not sufficiently dense to provide the cushion effect.   Look to the North facing, and low lying hollows, to have caught the prefrontal deposits for your line choices.  I was out early today to the far borderline in Mineral Basin, to take advantage of the short morning Sun, and check out the big slide that ran out there.  The deposition field is covered with huge blocks and chunks all the way down to the flats, so if it gets marginally covered, it will be a very tricky decent.  BE aware!!!  While I was out on the rope line, all by myself, looking into May Ellen Gulch, this Andromedan ship materialized in front of me, so I broke out my camera and caught this rare shot for your consideration.  Muldar was Right!!!! IBBY

They are here!!!

A beautiful Blue Bird day was on tap for the folks who made their way to the hill today.  Brisk morning air, and light wind, kept the temps low until around Noon, when the Sun started warming things up.  I was able to trade out coats and ski in sunglasses all afternoon.  Though there was a spring like feel, the snow remained full on winter, with the overnight wind filling in the rumble with soft carvelicious transported Essence.  The Upper Cirque was looking very smooth and inviting, but there was very little traffic visiting the aspect.  As anticipated, the Grooming Crew did an outstanding job preparing one of the lower mountain jewels, that held up all day to the lure of the smooth.  Many folks tells me how much they like the Interference patterns, but mow a big mountain shot and see what happens; Traffic, Traffic, Traffic.   Hmmmm! Fortunately the smooth held up, replete with the shavings build up, giving it the Ultra Satin finish.   Truly, every one loves the BIG MOUNTAIN SMOOTH…. don’t lie to me!!!  Off trail, where the wind had not reached, the product has set up a bit, becoming stiff, though not unapproachable.  Tomorrow, look for more of the satin smooth Groomers to get started on, and look around for some lines to address a bit later.  Mineral Basin had some very nice North facing shots that stayed smooth all day, with the low traffic not working it over to any great extent.  There is some weather moving into the region, so there might be some overcast issues, but we will deal with that as it arises.   Here is a shot of Old Reliable I took while driving by today.  It does not look as steep as it is, but it certainly looks as good as is.   See you on the Bucket.  Peace Out!!!

OLD RELIABLE

The remaining areas, that had been held off for control work, opened today for the faithful who were on hand to partake of the promise of the day.  The higher density, in combination with some wind effect, created some frosting like carvaciousness that was rapidly worked over by the adept attendees.  The exotic trees offered the deepest feeling, as it was not worked as hard by the wind.  The wind was also working the off trail, filling and smoothing the dance floor, though there was still some low amplitude interference to contend with, but it did not detract from the creamy sweetness.  The Groomers were velvet smooth, with the fresh working of Upper Primrose Path being the highlight, and both sides of the nose prepared for fun.   The left side of that shot has that half pipe contour that follows the fall line all the way to the flats.   Oh Yeah, that is fun in the first degree!!!  In some of the very heavily traveled shots, the interference pattern built up significantly, so for those so inclined, those shots will challenge the most enthusiastic rumblemiester, with soft, no ice, amplitude.   The Sun was partially shrouded by some high cloudiness, which helped to preserve the South facing aspects, though there is some distinct stiffening on those exposures .   Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be perfect, with the off trail getting some additional filling by the wind.  Also look for some additional Cat work to have been added to the mix.  Here is a shot of the results from the control work out in Mineral Basin.  You can only imagine how incredible that slide looked as it came out with the shot.  Zoom in on the crown and try and guess how deep it is!!!  Yeowza!!   I will see you there for the first Boat!!   Ciao!!!

SLAB RELEASE

An overcast hung in the Valley, but at the  upper elevations the Sun was shining , with the fresh snow bright as the first Tram brought the faithful to another offering of fresh Essence.  An indeterminate accumulation covered and filled the leftovers from yesterday’s treat.  The high traffic areas had just a low amplitude rumble, but the overall softness mitigated the interference.  As the morning wore on the cloud deck began moving into the Canyon, placing the lower part of the hill in the fog.  This deck would eventually move through letting the Sun peak through.  With the extra deep accumulation of recent days, the Groomers are excellent, but do not hold up to the traffic for long.  The High North facing had also benefited from the wind work, where smooth carvelicious turns could be had wall to wall.  The West facing was also holding some smooth soft shots, but the rumble was just a touch more insistent.  The conditions are so consistent overall, that any call of shot will be a good one.  You just can’t miss.  The due South facing might catch a little Sun effect, but should not present any issues tomorrow.  Tomorrow look for the Groomers to be smooth and tantalizing, with the off trail still good to go.  Little Cloud , Powder Paradise, and the exotic trees did not open today, so there will be some fresh to be had if those areas open.  With the current slide danger, those openings are an open question, so you might luck out and get the drop.   Speaking of getting the drop, here is a shot of Little Cloud just waiting for YOU!!!!

HOW DEEP IS IT?

I am looking forward to another great day at the Bird.   See you there!!!   IBBY!!

Well, if yesterday was not enough, today provided even more of the calling Essence.  From all reports, the faithful were fully on hand to partake of this new installment  The higher density product that I was dealing with here at the Trailer, indicated that it was not as fluffulecent as yesterday’s Blower Fest.   The Canyon opened shortly after 8:30 AM, but I was not part of the line up waiting for the Go Time.   It snowed all day  here in the Valley, so you can bet the storm kept things fresh and moving.  Tomorrow, look for more accumulation, though how much is a toss up.  In any case it will be a welcome addition to the Legend that this cycle is building.  Check the road access in the AM. as there could be delays, but let’s hope for a Green to Go morning.   This is going to be a somewhat truncated report, as I was not there to get a close, first hand look at things, but I will remedy that tomorrow.   Keep your fingers crossed on the road!!!   Ciao!!!