A cloud deck obscured the Sun this Saturday keeping the faithful off doing other things. The trams were walk on light all day with few takers to slow down the process.  As anticipated, the firmness remained with just a few offerings of softness in the North sections, but they were slight and had to be found.  High pressure remains in control insuring a similar situation for tomorrow, hopefully with some added Sunlight to brighten the  view.  Flat light really takes it out of me after a while, especially when those errant Snow Snake reach out and grab me.  I took a ton of Anti- inflams after my encounter with the hard pan yesterday.  I can tell you I was feeling the pain in the AM., no doubt!  Hell,  I could have broken  my Oblongada or something similarly crucial!.  I will have to keep my eyes a bit more pealed in the future.     Tomorrow will provide smoking Groomers for the early risers.  I will get out the wings if it is sufficiently quiet, so as to not go down in flames; a distinct possibility if Friday’s BOUNCE is any indication.   See you in the AM. for the festivities!!! Ciao!

There was no pressure on the Tram this Friday morning with back to back trams in full effect.  Massive vertical was on tap for those who can’t get enough, and there were many taking advantage of the pace.  The temps. overnight really set up the snow from Thursday, making what had been soft sections into significantly stiffer surfaces today.  I went out to scope out the West facing I have been hitting the past few days only to find the same situation even that far out.  The high density snow  of the past few days solidified the sauce.  This by no means meant that there was not good fun to be had, it just took a re think and a touch of imagination.   Powder Paradise opened today with lots of takers flooding the high traverse to find variable sections depending on what the wind had done  in the last couple days.  Smoothness was the operative feature on all aspects of the North facing giving those shots the back country feel that we all look for.  The bumps in the off trail areas are beginning to become more well defined after the recent filling, drawing the folks who find them interesting.  My knees just ache thinking about that.  The Groomed runs are very nice in the morning, before Noon, however, they get scraped down to the hard pack requiring the shwag factor to keep up with the rapid transitions.    Be careful of the Kitty litter down on the flat sections.   I caught one in the flat light, taking off my ski, with an immediate spanking.  That had to hurt, I don’t care where your from.  It did, though no real damage, except to my no fall policy.  OOOPS!  Tomorrow should be similar to today with early Trams being best.  I do not think there will be any pressure with  this high pressure, so get this time going for relaxed and frequent Tramage.  You have to love that when you get it, as the Frenzy happens often enough.   Ski some runs for me .  See you Sunday   IBBY!!!

The wind worked lots of magic for Thursday’s offering which was not lost on the faithful who made the effort despite the small storm total.  The Tram line did disperse after a bit leaving walk on Trams available from time to time.    The very high density snow filled in the low areas stretching out the turn radius, mitigating the impact of the high traffic areas.  The shots further out of the way were shaping up with better access and very smooth sugar frosting.  Forays into the West facing were rewarded with much more cover thanks to the wind deposits.   Powder Paradise remained closed today and looks smooth and inviting when it does open.  Keep your eyes open for that one, it won’t last long.  I still have not been over to Gad 2, but all reports are favorable with special emphasis on the visibility factor when the trees reflect back what little light is available on those low light days.     Cover there looks similar to the rest of the hill, making a cautious approach to the tight steep sections wise.  The slick spots are coming up later in the day after the buff has been pushed to the sides.   Look for the build up on the outside of the runs for the softest collections to bleed off speed when necessary.  The entrance into  Great Scott is forbidding and I just backed away from the drop in as it seemed unmake-able for all intents and purposes.  Tomorrow promises smokin early Trams with the fresh buff in full effect.  Mineral Basin is still going off with the early Sun putting the big light on the situation while the front of the hill remains in the dark.  It is also a quick turn around until the line builds up back there.  Get ready for some fun in the AM.  See you then.   Ciao!!

The Trailer was covered in a icy crust this Wednesday morning with low clouds hanging over the canyon.  I got an early start with the promise of  some fresh sauce .  It was just barely flaking when I parked in the lot, though there was a full 3” of fresh evident , and the visibility  was marginal at best.  The first few runs were epic despite the lack of visibility.  The new snow was dense and bonded extremely well to the hard surface.  The wind was also fully in play as the holes filled in all over.  Some areas got scoured, as in knolls and ridges, but other areas got filled in becoming just smooth and buttery.  The Temps. dropped as the day progressed and the wind increased just under the Tram threshold, fortunately it stayed up and running making back to back runs a simple feat.  I took a run out on the Cirque Traverse to get a sense of the deep off trail.  Areas are filling in nicely with most of the nasty stuff underneath or just barely exposed.  Good snow quality and low bump relief made the turning out there quite nice and challenging.  With more snow shots are going to be Good to Go.  The Traverse itself was no problem, however the very top of the ridge line is very bony, use caution.  Mineral Basin was good with Zero visibility.  That sounds like a contradiction , and I would agree with you, but the smoothness factor made up for the lack of vision.   Snow was pounding when I left with the wind not abating at all.  There will be some interesting wind loading in the AM .  Wind waves could be present on Regulator so be prepared.  Very low traffic for this time of year makes the roomy Trams a pleasure.  Be there early for best results.   IBBY!!

A cloud deck screened the sun this Tuesday morning making the light flat.  The early trams were graced with sun in the Mineral Basin turning the groomers into rock and roll runways.  The few folks who showed up enjoyed the Ultra light traffic on the Tram.  Back to back Trams were the name of the game taking advantage of the smooth ride top to bottom on both sides of the hill.  The flat light put the damper on any thoughts of flying I might have had, but no worries as the open slopes made the top to bottom pace fun and fast.  The off trail is firming up as well with a touch of softness in the North aspects .  The Upper  Cirque is still gnarly in all shots with the  Middle Cirque better, though the upper entrance is sketchy, so use caution as you enter.  Tomorrow will offer similar opportunities for rippage so join the fun in the AM.  Snow is in the forecast, until then enjoy the empty slopes.  See you in the AM.  Ciao!!

Monday morning kicked off with an early Tram and two runs out in Mineral basin taking advantage of the sun and the unbelievable groom job out in Powder Paradise.   The lower section of the Down Hill course was buffed and steep.  What a treat.  For the first public Tram I went down and got my Wings out to fly the clear runways   supplied by the lack of faithful making the early Trams.  Super sonic was the pace for the first 5 runs.  I put them away as the hill got more crowded stopping for the breakfast at the Forklift Restaurant for a batch of The Spuds!!  The bumps are rebuilding in the more popular sections keeping me close to the smooth.  I did venture off trail to sample the crud, finding very ski-able soft snow off trail.  Entrance to the steep sections  is still sketchy with Upper Scott a forbidden zone.  Go scope it out and tell me if I am wrong.  The grooming is still really nice, though  some of the unusual shots remain untouched due to low snow.  Their day will come and I will be ready for it.  Folks are getting into every nook and cranny all over the hill, packing out the shots, and exposing the hazards, amazing me with the audacity of those lines.  Really hanging it out!!!!  The willows on the lower mountain still present issues as you navigate through them.  Use care when passing through taking the time to take off pole straps in case you snag a basket and jam your arm.  Black Ice is still happening in the lower canyon, so be aware of that.  More high speed runs are good to go for tomorrow, so be there early for the fun!!   See you then!!!

Sunday morning was a sunny morning, though it did not start out that way.   I was fortunate to have been invited on the 8:15 AM. Early Car to get a jump on the day. The bottom of the hill was shrouded in fog, indicating that visibility would be a challenge.  The top of the hill was fogged in as well, but as we dropped the first 200′ into Mineral basin we were treated to a blue bird day in the back bowl.  The Groomers were to die for with perfect carve-ability covered in a fine layer of rhime ice. One gentleman, who had never been to The Bird was totally amazed and commented on how lucky we all were to have this conditions.  He was not able to imagine that it does indeed get better, though not more perfect. Perfect is as perfect is.  It is just a matter of degree.  I took a couple of runs on the off trail areas finding soft snow overall with just a hint of grabbiness due to the variable densities that have graced us in the past few days.  The Ski-ability is improving by the day making more terrain good to go .  There still remains those pesky spots, such as entrances and break overs to keep you guessing, but over all the conditions are very good. A high pressure ridge is building in for this week, with the inversion layer a given.  Watch for the Black Ice in the lower canyon as it has sent many off into the snowbank, which is quite evident up and down the canyon if you watch for it.  Tomorrow will feature goovalicious groomers and more sunshine  to kick the New Year into gear.  This time of year is special as all aspects stay cold and soft despite the sun.  These few short weeks are the window for that feature, making me pay attention to every day.  Join me on the First Boat in the AM. for some high speed Rock and Roll, and it might even be a Wing day, who knows.  I am sure the traffic will be light!! See you then.

A few new inches of gropal fell overnight with the wind blowing it into the low areas.  Great skiing was on tap  for this Saturday with low traffic keeping the Tram in a walk on mode for most of the day.  The new snow continued to bond to the glassy spots, reducing their number, and making the overall conditions much better.  Some of the bumpy areas are getting a fresh filling, while other areas are becoming accessible.  The Upper Cirque was re opened and it appeared to have had takers, though I can assure you that I would not venture there yet.  Bony, would be a less than adequate description.  Perhaps skeletal,  There is simple nothing there, no buffer.  It will come, so I will give it the time.  The West facing shots are shaping up with the new snow and the wind. Ridge lines and break-overs still present issues .  I am aiming for the fat bits for a tad longer.  The off trail snow pack has the best carve-ability, where the Man Made sections are a bit more glassy in spots.  The trade off is in the coverage.  The main runs have solid cover, while the off trail  shots are getting more trust worthy every day.  Care should still be taken before you charge into anything critical.  Mineral Basin is still getting good reports from all aspects, with soft soft snow abundant.  That is a good call with the morning sun, as the Gad and Peruvian sides are still in the dark early on, and no line to wait in.    I think it is going to be quite cold in the AM. , so I will be dressing accordingly.  See you on first Boat!!  Ciao!

Everyone decided to sleep in this morning leaving the Tram walk on fast all morning.  2” of 14% made the groomers butter smooth and the off trail significantly softer. The high density seemed to bond and cover the icy spots, leaving just a few spots to consider.  A few runs in Mineral Basin found lots of deep sections which had been blown in by the wind.  No one on the chair made that area fast as well.  The morning fog gave way to sunshine and warming temps. turning the New Year day into a special one.  The snow consistency was so sweet, feeling like a  carvaceous dessert topping.  I was finally able to stand on a turn and feel confident the rug was not going to be pulled out; you know the feeling.  Great grooming added to the overall smoothness, with some of the most recently ignored lines getting a fresh mow.  2” on top of that and you know it had to be good.  This snow did not change the overall difficulty on the entrance points in the high aspects, which will require quit a bit more snow.  Look for the outside lines off trail for best smoothness as the adjacent lines are getting a workout making them bumpy.   The lower mountain is getting progressively better, but watch for small stumps and willows as you move in the off trail areas.  It is almost time for new skis, though I  am going to wait just a touch longer.   See you on the early Tram.   IBBY!!

Thursday morning was ON from the word GO. Heavy traffic in the canyon at 7:15 indicated a surge.  The faithful were on hand with super high energy and vision to match.  Conditions are on the upswing, with the crunchy bottom still in play overall.  The off trail sections offer more consistency, and edge-ability, whereas  the Man Made sections prove to be variable as you encounter the lower layers.  The very light snow was fully knee deep in places and really blower.  High Baldy opened for the first time drawing huge interest.  Mineral Basin had a delayed opening, but offered the deeper side of the hill.  The wind assisted in this regard, so go looking around and find those out side lines.  There are still numerous reefs and snags out in Mineral, so use a bit of caution.  Little Cloud had some very nice lines with lots of pressure on the early entrance.  West facing still looks thin with very narrow and sketchy entrance points.  The Lower Cirque is very bony getting in and this light density snow did not do much to cushion that.  Upper Great Scott and the  Upper Cirque were re closed this morning.  New snow and bare reef made that call a no brainer and a good call at that.  Regulator is still smooth down the middle, offering good off trail to the right and left.   Some surprises still exist at the break over points, be aware.  The full court press is on this week, so watch your back, expect unusual movement and watch all the uphill drops.  I get surprised all the time by what folks are dropping.  More snow overnight and a lot of hung over faithful may give the morning a quieter start. I know you have to start a lot earlier to get first Boat, so plan ahead!  See you all next year. Happy New Year!!!