The Tram was down for the first bell, sending the assembled faithful to the chairs for the opening of the last remaining closed areas.  Extensive slide activity littered the majority of the slopes with fingers of undisturbed wonder.  Huge chunks of slab litter the run out below the upper release zone where raw mountain lurked just below 5” of light density fluff.  Ouch!!  East facing is holding the softness as well as the North shots. Good lines can be found every where if you look closely.  The Upper Cirque is filling in nicely offering a more reasonable line  going through the choke points.  The West facing is very crunchy underneath the new fluff,  feeling quite bouncy.  The groomers were so smooth and remained very consistent all day, resisting the bump up.  There was a huge Sun Dog around the Sun today, indicating weather upstream.  The Sun angle is decidedly a factor for the direct exposures.  I encountered a Sun crust  which required a more aggressive technique.  I went looking for softer snow by clocking around the bowl a bit.  Watch for large slide debris on Anderson’s Hill, it is large and hides in the flat light.  Tomorrow could be busy , so I will be  busy aligning the antenna for next week.  Hit it hard for me,  Later!!

A blue bird day for Thursday morning had wonderful written all over it.  5” of light density snow had fallen overnight covering every thing in the fresh fluff. The Groomers were epic with some having just a light frost on them and perfect.  The new snow was refracting the Sun light making the fresh surface sparkle like millions of diamonds;  awesome!!  Baldy opened with a fair assortment of conditions.  The wind had affected the North East facing shot with due West facing having the softest product.  As is always the case, it went fast.  Tiger Tail opened today with soft snow in the trees,  though the bumps on the bottom section were large and did not seem to have much of a rhythm.  I was  not going back any time soon.   Do not be fooled, Thunder Bowl is not open so you will have to be working your way back along the double fall line section.  Little Cloud and Powder Paradise have still not opened with lots of work going on and lots of activity apparent every where.  Many shots have pulled out to the very early layers with just the very newest snow filling in the remains.  The Ratchet bumps are wall to wall keeping me moving deliberately through the rumble.   The groomers continue to offer a break from the brutality so all is not lost when you get fatigued.  More Sun tomorrow will keep the visibility strong, but now the Sun angle is becoming a factor in shot selection, changing  as the day progresses.  The groomers will be exceptional again in the morning, necessitating an early start to get the best of the buff.  Don’t be late.

Wednesday morning was backed up for the first Tram and then went back to back until the curious finally showed up to see if anything new had transpired.  The chop still inhabits most of the off trail shots requiring total blastage or a slow deliberate approach to avoid a case of over amplitude where your eyeballs wobble in your head.  You just can’t see with your eyeballs flappin, now can you?  The first 5 groomers were unbelievable with “do no wrong” consistency and just a hint of fresh flake to sweeten the deal. I was doing back to back rockers with no one in the way and nothing but down to go.  I did venture off the freeway on several occasions to get a sense of the condition, but was sent back to the smooth to keep the knees happy.  The deep crud really had the thick grabby texture, which only special skis seem to deal with.  We may get some more sun tomorrow  with the groomers being stellar right out of the gate.  Little Cloud and upper Baldy have still not been opened leaving some fresh for those who missed the last few days.  The Tram thinned out in the afternoon with the energy high among those who had held out that long.  On my last Tram an impromptu dance session broke out, beginning with a seeker who threw a  standing back flip right where he stood.  Not to be out done, another seeker proceeded to execute what can be referred to as a House Dance routine imported from the club scene in NYC.  It was really fun and right out of the ordinary, much like the Tango I did last month.  Good times!!!   We will see you tomorrow in the AM.   IBBY!!!

Tuesday morning was quite a bit quieter than the last few days.  After the first few Trams walk on traffic was the rule.   Mineral Basin opened with ultra deep snow and the attendant frenzy to go with it.  The density was high and the untracked was best.   I took a solid run out there and made a return trip to the front to get away from the frey.   The West facing was very set up from the late afternoon sun that came out yesterday, rendering the sections very bouncy and problematic.  The dense snow of last week has morphed into stout harbor chop with only the groomers to find the smooth.  The snow over night was very dry and light, but did not buffer the boogie below.  I looked high and low but could not fine any solace from the chop, so I dialed down the pace , going for the slow and round approach.   Baldy and Little Cloud remained closed all day, perhaps opening for tomorrow, so stay tuned.  The roomy Trams were a special treat after last week end giving enough room to move around.  I keep thinking back to the Tango I shared with one of my friends earlier in the season, when there were only 15 intrepid souls on board.  Perhaps it will snow some more tonight to help with the  bump issue.  Perhaps some wind too, would be nice.   I am getting there  early for the best of it.  I think that it will be fairly quiet as most of the faithful have used up the favors, sick day,or whatever excuse, so  they won’ t be there.  See you dark and early!!!

The Snow board free ride competition began this Monday along with the  residual pent up demand for the product that was held off yesterday.  The Tram line was serious as well as the Peruvian chair which was taking the overflow for all the faithful who showed up today.  The new snow had set up on the West facing, leaving the North and East faces providing the softest and deepest offerings.  The Silver Fox section was cordoned off for the Competition.   It was not long until the entire open area was skied out.  By 1:00PM. every nook and cranny  had been worked pushing the harbor chop up into a real knee ripping froth.  The bumps really began to rise up out of the heavy traffic with every shot getting the build up, so be prepared to adapt to the variable sections.   Low and slow was how I was taking most of the sections.  Others were charging hard, but were taking a beating from the ratchet effect.   The skies cleared off in the afternoon making room for the faithful to get every last section wrapped up.  More snow is in the forecast so we are set for the next while with good entrances and filled guts.  The Cirque traverse still sports some bare reef on the very edge, requiring a slow and careful approach to the drop in points.  With the added pressure for the Tram, an extra early start is necessary to insure a first Tram morning.   I will be getting there extra early to take advantage of the quiet locker room and good line position.   See you then.

Sunday morning had the Canyon closed for work in the Am.  At 9:30 AM the traffic was backed up to Big Cottonwood and not even moving.  Shortly there after the Canyon was closed again for control work.    After waiting all morning for the Canyon this back up put the kibosh on my devious plans.  Dang!!!  Well, there are two good ball games on today, so I will just let that be the deal.  You know that it was going to be good if the lightness of the new snow on the trailer was any indication. With all the new snow I can’t think of one aspect that could be cautionary so I will just say to let ’em run as “The Chef” would say.  Blasting the gravity feed is the way to handle the ultra deep.  The general softness has mitigated the worst of the bumps, giving the shred fest the green light.   I am sure the Tram was backed up forever with, maybe, a Tram an hour  cycle.   Even the Forklift Chair seemed 10, 000 miles away for all intents and purposes, so I left notions of breakfast and began plotting the afternoon festivities.   Hmmmm, what to do if you can’t dance?  The sky cleared off in the valley during the afternoon with the storm clouds still hugging the hill signaling the end of this round.  Tomorrow should see an improved attendance factor with the frenzy sated for at least this short bit, leaving this time the time to be…. There!!!  With luck the Canyon should be open for the AM. ascent, providing those of us who could not hang a shot at the sauce on our own terms.  See you in the AM.  and Thanks for Skiing!!!

Well, you knew it had to come sooner or later.  The snow is a given, I am referring to the powder frenzy that has finally materialized after the long dry spell.  A Canyon closure this Saturday morning slowed the entire process down, though it did not dampen the spirit of the faithful as they showed up in full force.  The Canyon was restricted later, as there was  no more parking to be had , how about that!!.  My inside source said he got 4 trams by 2:00 PM. to give you an idea of the situation.  Little Cloud, Mineral Basin, Baldy, and Black Jack did not open leaving those areas prime for tomorrow.   The Canyon will be closing tonight at 9:00PM with inter lodge beginning at 10:00 PM.  The forecast opening will be 8:30 AM. so kick back and have more coffee in the AM.    Every thing is good to go now with the hill shaping up wall to wall.  Be sure to wear your Beacon if you have one just to be on the safe side.   I will be taking my time getting up there in the morning and will be checking out the Forklift Chair first thing while the mountain gets going.  I am remembering those empty Tram days in the recent past and think how nice the calm pace was.  Well the push is on so I am just going to kick back, chill and let the hungry have at it while I continue to haunt the ignored sections.  See you in the AM, sometime.   Join me at the Forklift if you want a ring side seat.   Ciao!!!

Friday morning had the Canyon closed as I said.  I took my time getting up there this morning with the mountain being still closed when I got there.  The Tram was jammed so I took the opportunity to ski the Forklift Chair while I waited for the hill to open up.  The new snow was so dense that you could just dance in the sweet gropple accumulation.  The wind was howling with very heavy snow falling continually.  Tracks were getting filled in quickly in some areas where the wind was favored creating some show stopping pockets.  The folks with the reverse camber skis were  best equipped for this type of snow.  I am going to have to get a pair at some juncture to get up to speed.  Every thing is skiing very well now with solid choices where every you choose.  The far reaches have filled in sufficiently to make long traverses worth the effort.  The tall willows could trip you up on the lower mountain, where that feature has been factor,  so skirt those so as not to get caught up.  We finally have what we all were waiting for so take advantage of the  high energy, the big shots, and the days that legends are made of.    More snow tonight will add to the goodness, and the road will be closing in the AM. for avalanche control, so check the road site for the opening.  I would write more but you can only say great is great so many ways, so you get my drift.  Hit it hard for me tomorrow as it is my down day.   Speed safely.  I’ll Be Blasting You!!!

Thursday morning brought another round of the goods that every one has been waiting for.  The word is out that it is going off and those who have been holding off have been showing up for the fun.  I got an early Tram and what a bonus as the opening was delayed due to activity.  The wind was really transporting a lot of  the new snow to the North facing.  I was getting untracked in Silver Fox as the wind was filling it up for each run.  Mineral Basin opened later after Noon drawing off the crowd from the Tram and giving the front of the mountain a break.  That is where the wind factor came into play.  While the pressure was on Mineral the wind buff was ignored and untracked.  This snow had to be in the 10% range requiring all the speed you could bring to keep up the pace.  Most of the entrances are getting better and more cushioned, but still use caution on the most knobby passes.  The Canyon will be closed in the AM. so keep posted as you might.  The wind is going to be a factor over night, loading the North facing.  I am sure it will be well attended tomorrow so get  there as early as you can.  See you on first boat.  Ciao!!

4 or5” of new fluff was added to the mix overnight, making Wednesday morning a blast zone of light frosting .   Visibility was variable throughout the day with some nice Sun to top things off.   Little Cloud opened with a wild start when the rope dropped.  The high density snow took a full on “Blast It” approach in order to slice right through it.  The new snow just blew out of the way.    Got great snow in Great Scott early on , but it got heavy traffic and became a tad lumpy.  Anderson’s Hill grew a crop of soft large bumps, sending me looking for other smooth sections.  Still bouncing off the bottom from time to time.  Looks like more snow tonight so check the road report in the AM. The entrances are getting more realistic with the new Spackle.  Use caution on those reefed out sections as they were catching lots of folks in the thicket.    Be looking for wind transport for the first call.  Over night wind can put a completely different face on things.  The traffic was moderate with the Tram getting cleared out as Little Cloud opened up.  Lots of good skiing to be had where ever you look.  See you early!!!