The  thick fog broke open as soon as I got to the mouth of the Canyon, where the morning was ultra clear and still, signaling another day of extreme rippage.  The Grooming crew out did themselves by punching out some of the the best pitches the hill has to offer.  While Mineral Basin called with bright Sun and wide open groomers, I was drawn to the front side of the hill to take advantage of the 3000′ of vert. and the velvet smooth perfection of the cold snow grooming.  To say that these runs were perfect, does not even come close to how delicious the quality really was.  It is a case of – You had to be there-  to have any idea of the delicate quality of the hydrovelvet that was just there for us to enjoy.  I would have pulled out the Wings again to fly the Buff, but I opted to throttle back to a slower pace and get more turns out of the hill.   It is like fine wine, it is pointless to chug it, rather a sip, a taste, a savor, is the best way to absorb as much of the complexity such perfection provides.  I know, it is only Groomers;  I hear that every day, and I just wonder how one can pass up the opportunity to dig deep, savor the turn, and the way the snow feels as the edge arcs through it.  As the day progressed the bright Sun really began to heat up the direct exposures out in Mineral Basin, making them soft and approachable, but overnight temps. will crust them over for the AM. Depending on the weather tomorrow, those exposures may or may not thaw out, so be aware of that issue.  On the Plaza it looked more like a spring day, as the very warm afternoon invited dropping a layer and bask in the warmth of the Sun.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to, again, be the place to get things rolling, but the North facing off trail is shaping up nicely with dry chalky texture to enjoy.  The hill is prime for additional product, and some is on the way, so make some turns for me, if you would, and I will be back on Sunday.   Peace Out!!!

There were few takers for the first Tram this morning, and if it had not been for the Snowmobile group there would have been room to Tango if one were so inclined.   I took advantage of the clear skies, vacant slopes, and perfect Grooming to fly my Wings for the entire morning session.  What a blast it was to have absolutely empty runways to push the throttle to the maximum level, and arc turns top to bottom without any hint of crustiness.  The Grooming effort has really paid off, leaving the smooth to hold up all day long without deterioration into the low rumble that usually develops.  Today all the aspects were happening in one form or another.  The due East shots in Mineral Basin are beginning to smooth off naturally  All of the North facing shots have already matured into fully supportable billiard table smooth buffage.   Machine grooming is incredible, but real, naturally developed wind slab is one of the levels of perfection that is rare and unappreciated.  Believe me when I tell you, that I was taking full advantage of some of the lines that were just begging to be shralped.  Wind slab keeps getting better as the day goes on, with sugar shavings adding to the sweetness of the pitch.  MMMMMM!!!   Tomorrow, look for yet another shred fest.  I know that the faithful turn their backs on the current hard pack, but that leaves the goods to us, which are perfect canvases on which to slice and dice!!   Be there for the fun with added benefit of much warmer temps. and escape from the sketchy air in the valley.    In the continuing effort to add substantive content, here is a quick, off the cuff, video of me flying the wings top to bottom.  Vroom Vroom!!!!   Ciao!!   P.S. I was unable to get that video to work.   I will do some research into the problem and get it up ASAP.

There was an overcast sky this morning precluding the use of the Wings, due to Instrument flight rules, because the light was so flat that the details on the surface seemed imperceptible.   I just had to feel and trust the ultra smooth Groomage that had been prepared especially for us.  I have been taking full advantage of the wide open, vacant, and ultra deluxe surface that is waiting to be lacerated.  The highly defined lacerations arcing down the hill were a dead give away of the passage of the Carvasaurous Rex and the equally legendary Trenchzilla, who leave such precise and balanced signs.  If you watch closely you will be able to catch a brief fleeting glimpse of  them as they  pass fully immersed in the Gravity Force Field.  The off trail is beginning to show the signs of traffic in many areas, where  a low amplitude rumble is become prevalent.  There are, however, areas that are being massaged by the wind and traffic  to produce billiard table smooth sections.  The wind was also in play today, depositing some sensual sugar into the low spots.   Tomorrow, look for continued high octane rippage to be available all day, as the Groomed sections are staying smooth all day.  The Gun Powder on Regulator continued to offer cold deposits of fresh, as the wind filled in the tacks as fast as you could move through it.   The very low traffic is another major feature of the recent days, with luxurious space on each and every Tram.  The other day I posted a shot of the Pillar of light for your consideration.  There are some who think that I somehow Photo shopped the image.  I assure you that it is an authentic shot of an authentic atmospheric phenomenon, which I happened to be on hand for.  Here is a shot The Hipster appearing to be holding the phenomenon in his hand, which I took immediately after the previous Photo.  There is absolutely no way to make The Hipster pose for a hoax, I can assure you.  Muldar was Right!!!       The Truth is Out There!!!   Peace Out!!

Holding the Light

The high pressure has settled in with warmer temps up higher, though not as warm as it could be.  The Sun is in full effect out in Mineral Basin, where some very steep grooming had been done.  The front of the hill is still in deep shadow until later in the morning, making the Basin a good call.  The off trial is still fairly stiff, with the North facing aspects providing the softest snow.  The Mountain is Full Fat, meaning there is  full coverage on all aspects.  Only the most peripheral lines will find rock bands to run into, so no worries.  I have been concentrating on getting the most of the perfect shots, and getting the most out of each turn.  The low traffic of the morning session let me bring out the Wings for some Super Sonic flying on clean, smooth, unoccupied runways.  What a treat indeed, as I was able to get the full flight sensation without any abrupt deceleration.  Here is a shot of the Canyon when it was filled with the clouds to the horizon.   I found it beautiful and made me forget there  is a city down there.  Tomorrow, look for continued Sunshine up high, with perfect grooming for the AM, though the groomers are holding up nicely all day.  Everything is looking good, so come and take advantage of the very low attendance and great skiing.   IBBY!!!

Another beautiful Sunny morning greeted the few who showed up for a grooming extravaganza that invited rounditudinous trenching  in the velvet carpet that stretched top to bottom.  The Mineral Basin offered newly Groomed steep pitches to descend, as well as some North East facing wind slab that had become supportable since yesterday.  The front side of the hill featured Regulator covered in Gun Powder, as the continued snow making effort supplied perfect deposits of carvelicity.  With low attendance, back to back Trams were giving the vert. crew a full dose of the hydro velvet.  Expanded Grooming efforts continue to make the hill big mountain smooth and shredible, with some rare and unlikely shots punched out, that were worth many return trips to take advantage of the unusual access.   Take a  second in the AM. to check out the Grooming report for, yet, more surprise sections to enjoy with zero pressure.  Tomorrow, look for more of the off trail to become worth the exploration, as the traffic and consolidation refine the otherwise styrafoamic consistency of the high density crud.  Also look for continued Groomer lines for absolutely faultless descents.   You have to love perfection, and take full advantage of the 40” of Zero Percent that is available for those morning attendees.  Another one of the  incredible features of today was the passage of snow filled cloudlets, which left light density flakes floating in the air, that refracted the light of the Sun into scintillating pillars of light hanging in middle of the bowls.  Here is a shot of one such pillar of light in Powder Paradise.   As bright as this seems, you were able to look directly into the light and see the individual flakes swirling in the still cold air.  This is a very rare  phenomenon, that I had  just described to two visitors

SUN ANGEL

a couple of Trams previously.  Synchronicity?  You tell me!  Be there for the first of the day and participate in the vibe and drive of the morning charge!!!   Ciao!

The morning was 15 degrees warmer for the early risers, who were treated to a hairs breath of ultra light dust on perfectly groomed velvet.   Expanded grooming efforts made the lower mountain  extra fun,  with the last 1000′  being steep, soft, fast, and buffed.  I just love that ultra perfection that has the consistent carve-ability that makes one feel heroic.  The Sun was out, shedding light on the far reaches, enticing forays out to the perimeters, where the wind has started to smooth and firm some of the North East facing sections.  The Book Ends looked great, and were smooth and velvety, but gave way to some breakable slab on the lower elevations.  The crud has set up quite a bit, requiring a a determined approach to the line to keep the tips moving where you point them.  Tomorrow look for continued smoothness on the  groomers, and continued development of the off trail lines as they are broken in by the traffic.  I think the big crowds are backing off with the fresh snow worked over, so big vertical is easy to access with walk on Trams. The Sun should be with us again,  with the temperatures staying moderate.   I don’t think my face could take much more of that severe cold.   See you there dark and early for more of the ultra buff!!!   Peace Out!!

The cold air is still in place behind this last installment of New Year fun.  Perfect Groomers were the feature of the day, as light attendance during the morning session made back to back Trams a distinct feature, despite the light loading of the Tram due to the extreme cold.  The Sun finally made a strong  appearance, after brief teasers in the past couple of days, to illuminate the big coverage that has been layered over the hill.  The cold temps. made the snow very slow if you did not sport the correct wax, making the stiff crud a bit more challenging than is usually the case.    I have been battling the frost bite issue, trying different coverings that endeavor to bypass the goggle fogging problem that a full face covering creates.  I experienced a painful exposure to the cold when I figured that the temp had risen high enough to go without;   not…..  I will be reaping the effects of that burn next week no doubt.  With little stormage in the forecast, I am hopeful that we will receive some help  smoothing the hill out with some sustained wind, which will naturally groom the pitches to carpet like perfection.  Tomorrow look for the Groomers to provide a velvet ride to get you up to speed, before you venture off trail to sample the leftovers. The Grooming crew has punched out lower Primrose Path, offering a steep and hard charging line on the lower mountain.  That is one of my all time favorite sections, with the natural gully and solid pitch creating a shred fest top to bottom.  Happy New Year everyone, I will be on deck dark and early for yet another day of rock and roll!!!    Dress for the COLD!  IBBY!!

A few inches of overnight snow, open Canyon access, and a New Year stoke, drew the faithful to the dance.   The Groomers were unreal with the fresh frosting on top, providing the ultimate sensation of  smooth.  The off trail was a mixture of wind deposited pockets and just covered leftovers from yesterday.  There were sections that were aided by the wind, which had some knee deep veins  running with the fall line, that would shift as the aspect changed.  High traffic patterns are beginning to build up on the easy access, and open areas, requiring a bit selective line choice to circumvent them.   Since there is infinite variation, it becomes fun to see how many lines down the hill you can dream up.   Considering the cover we currently have,  the choice selection is greatly expanded.   The entrances are looking very solid, with the traverses getting a touch worked by the traffic, so be aware of acute terrain variations.    Tomorrow might bring slightly lighter traffic after the New Year’s Eve festivities, but I am taking the day off to recover.   If we get some Sun, I will be getting some more shots to put up.   Have a good one tomorrow.   Ciao!!

Wow!  What a cycle we have had going into the New Year.  These storms have really come through with the goods, and the faithful were on hand to get it all, after they got up the Canyon.   The fortunate few, who got the earliest Trams were blessed with some dream like frosting wall to wall.  The snow seemed a touch heavier than yesterday, requiring a more fall line power turn.  It was still snowing when I left, and the forecast is for some more lake effect overnight, which will  put the icing on the cake.  We have Mineral Basin and Little Cloud to look forward to tomorrow, so you know that is going to be epiphanistic when they open that.  I can’t wait!!! We are there, all systems GO, the  hill is fat; now you got to bring it!   Check the road report in the AM..   Peace Out!

Today was one of those powder days that you dream about, where the snow falls faster than it can get skied out.  A fair crowd of faithful was on hand for the first Tram that went off on time into a high South wind, with snow falling and blowing into the Peruvian Gulch, making that the favored side of the hill.  The West Faces were capturing the goods as well in the hollows and tree lines, where the wind dropped it in deep pockets of beautiful essence, but the more exposed sections were getting scoured to the old base.  Yes indeed, the good stuff is back in a big way after the base building high density product of the last cycle.   I skied into Great Scott right off the top with no consideration of the rastiness that had built up there, because it was far below after the last dump of Spackle.  Now,  the entrance was totally sweet and could take a left hand turn holding the left wall all the way out of the throat.   Deeply deposited fluff was building continuously as the high winds continued pile it on those exposures.  The old layer could be felt in the thinner areas, but the blast zone was clean, green, and could take the drive line with no worries.  The cold front moved in at the end of the day, with the inches per hour rate sky rocketing.  The Canyon opened to let us out, but will be closing for the night, so check the road report in the AM.   Tomorrow will be another “hurry up and wait” day, though the cold temps will insure great powder and blower shots when it finally goes off.   I know  that I am putting this post up late, but I got all of the day, start to finish.  I just could not stop getting those rare untracked mid day runs with no pressure.  Ahhhhh!!!!   I’ll See you when I get up there, but keep in mind how perfectly this entire early season build up has set the stage for legendary TALES OF POWDER.    What tales will you be able to tell? They will be TRUE!!  IBBY!!!