No problems this Monday morning as only a handful of folks made first Tram.  Anticipating this eventuality, I opened the hanger doors and rolled out the UFO’s.  Previously stationed at AREA 51, they made a rare appearance today and I got a chance to take them through their paces with blistering effects.  The Peruvian groomers were hydro velvet smooth down to the last 700′ of vertical so I took a low altitude pass for final approach and landed successfully.  There was no stopping me after that, until the requisite breakfast stop, when I parked them due to too much ground traffic.  The Mineral Basin was graced with some big scale groomers which were ” down hill” good to go.  Very light traffic and nothing but blue sky.  The high North aspects still had the cold winter softness going , so there was plenty of  challenging variety for every one.  I think we will get one more day of good snow on those exposures before the next instalment, which is slated for the middle of the week, brings us more tantalizing freshness.  The frozen aspects began breaking at 12:00 noon and became sumptuous butter by 2:00 PM.  The Gad side had been bullet proof until then, so it would be wise to avoid that side in the AM until softening occurs.  Mineral will be a good option as well as the groomers on Peruvian.  I feel certain that early traffic will, again, be light so if you like it hard and fast the morning session is for you.  There may be some overcast moving in so lighting may be an issue, so bear that in mind.  Keep your eyes open for those UFO’s as you never know when or where they will appear.  Well, there is an incoming message from the BIG GIANT HEAD so I better take my tin foil hat off now!!  From the award winning communications Air Stream; END TRANSMISSION

A beautiful Sunday morning greeted the very few faithful who were on time for today’s festivities.  The 7” of frozen rain drops felt as smooth as silk, I would go so far as to say that the snow was STUDIO!!! Turning was like frosting a cake with a paper knife.  It felt like floating on a cloud with no bottom to be felt.  The sparse attendance enabled those few to run rampant over untracked shots with unmitigated audacity.  Run after run of untracked goodness was  totally danceable with absolutely no pressure; what a treat.  The sun was shining on the high North section, so the visibility was pristine, but the clouds held fast to the Western side preserving the quality from the radiant heating for most of the morning.  The visibility was interesting at times on the Gad side and Mineral Basin as well, however, the buoyant quality of the sugar made each turn feel effortless.  A few spots were a tad thinner and bouncy on the West faces, which required turn strategy as you charged your way down the hill.  The attendance picked up after 10:00AM and the clouds moved off giving the faithful full visibility on all fronts.  Lots of wide opened shots remained untrammeled well after 11:30AM, so the late comers were not totally denied for their dalliance.  Earlier in the season this would not have been possible as it all goes so fast in this environment.  The bump factor has really been mitigated with the low traffic and winds smoothing out the big shots, giving the hill back it’s back country feel.  The sun really kicked in after 12:00 Noon, so the snow set up rapidly and I bailed to get the Holiday meal in the oven.  It is smelling really good as I write this.  Tomorrow will present some crusty issues on the sunny exposures, so plan accordingly.   I hope you all have a great Holiday and had a fantastic day of skiing.  See you tomorrow!!

Saturday morning looked promising to start as I went out for the paper, but quickly, out of the South, the dark clouds rolled in and dropped down so that it became apparent that  visibility was going to be an issue.  I made a couple of calls to strategically place sources  who told me that traffic was light with light snow falling.  You had to know that the groomers were going to be the best call.   For me this was a good day to take a break.  The forecast is for continued unsettled weather and we can only hope that it brings some fresh product to the party.  Tomorrow could be interesting , though I think we are still in for some treats in the week to come so keep your enthusiasm  high cuz we are way above normal now so anything can happen… and probably will.  CIAO!

It was a good Friday morning when the faithful decided not to show up.  Didn’t they care? Didn’t they know?  For the few who did attend, the hammering South wind  was applying Mother Nature’s  snow ZAMBONI to the high North aspects, where each run was as untracked as the first.  I skied No Baloney 5 times and never saw my own tracks top to bottom.  The other high North shots were hanging tough as well with deep fluffulecence, with not a bottom touch to be felt.  Oh the bliss, and no one there!!  Only a handful of the truly faithful were on hand to partake of the perfection.  The Tram was vacant and I was tempted to fake a DANCING WITH THE STARS routine but there were no takers… a bit too off the wall I guess, but when you can ball room dance on the Tram I say you should!  Needless to say it was full tilt boogie run after run.  It also must be pointed out that the groomers were epic.  Smooth, consistent, and groovalicious I must say.  Surprise was surprisingly buffed as well giving the lower third of the hill a steep drop charger… and nobody there!!!   The sun was slightly obscured by high clouds, but the green house effect was kicking in and the lower sections were setting up rapidly.  By 1:00PM the quality was headed south and my knees were screaming for mercy so I gave in.  What a morning.  The high traverse in Mineral Basin opened with rave reviews but I was busy hitting the front.  Got to get it while the getting is good.  Tomorrow will have high North aspects still holding the cold, but all others will have gone by leaving the groomers to rage on.  I predict light traffic as well.  Another instalment is on the way, but we will have to see  how much we get.  A huge sun dog around the sun portends good things to come so don’t touch that dial!!!

OK!  Thursday morning followed a night of torrential rain here at the communications trailer, which banged off the roof of the Air Stream and kept waking me up.  I checked the canyon report and , for joy, it was open and good to go.  A report of 8” was posted so I was hoping for the best and I was treated to fully knee deep groppel.  This full bodied product cushioned the underlying crust and skied  great.  It was not quite deep enough for face shots, but who’s complaining.  The underlying bump modules made some aspects a bit of a challenge as the honkin’ wind smoothed out the surface,  obscuring the brutality below.  I chose shots that were smoother , but I was caught a bit off guard out in Wilbre Bowl by some nasties that sent me out of the fall line.  I also ran into a couple of snow snakes, which were lurking in the depths but was able to out run them by the hair on my chin;  I forgot to shave this morning.  The faithful were holding out for services another day so lift lines were moving along briskly .  The visibility was a major factor as the day wore on, causing the dreaded milk bottle effect….. thought I was gonna puke!!!.  As the product got skied out the depth variations were tearing at my knees so I made a hasty retreat to the trailer to get this down for you.  It was still dumping hard when I left , but the valley seems to be breaking up a bit.  More on the way so this will be a great first course for added fluffiness.  It is spring but the winter is not giving up easily… I like it like that.  Ahhh Yeahhh!!!

Weathery is the word that was coined during the ride up first Tram Wednesday morning.  There was brisk snow falling, quite cold temps. , and a stout wind blowing out of the South ahead of the approaching front.  Good things this way comes.  The light was very flat, but the grooming was very consistent and groovalicious so one only needed to point and shoot.  Regulator had been given a re till and was not too bad considering the freeze thaw of yesterday.  Peruvian Gulch was the definite place to hang as Big Emma was just total PIG ON ICE glaze.  No softening today with the cold and overcast.  The flurry of snow, early on, provided a little tooth to the groomers, which helped a lot.  The wind increased and the sun made a brief appearance just long enough to put the sticky kiss on the fresh snow that had fallen.  However, the quality returned with the overcast and cold which rejuvenated the fresh snow again.  Visibility was variable from run to run, but was good enough for keeping it real.  The forecast is for a lot.  How much is anyone’s guess, but I am holding out for OODLES.  Now just for scale, it takes 10 GOBBS to make an OODLE so you so the math.  I am counting on enough that you should check the canyon status in the AM before heading up.  The high North facing has smoothed out quite a bit with the wind,  but the West and South exposures have the heavy crustitude going so that could be a rough ride . It all depends on the quality and quantity.  Last cycle the bottom was no problem so lets hold out for more of the same; and why not?  The winter is still charging so we must do the same!!!  CHARGE IT!!!

The Temps. were deceptive Tuesday morning.  I checked the temp at 54 deg. at Tanners Flat, which said that there was no freeze, but the cold nip for the first morning session made for soft groomers on the North facing.  Only the last 300′ of vert. had the dreaded glaze.  Regulator, as you would expect, was bullet proof.  Mineral Basin was the first to begin the softening ,though a quick look showed that the crunch had just barely let go.  The high North facing bowl features are still cold and soft ,though the bumps are beginning to form especially in the popular easy access shots.  The North facing in Little Cloud was good and edgeble, but the consistency was tricky where the sun angle caught subtle variations in aspect.  Big Emma was still scary at Noon.  The sun continued breaking the direct exposures and the lower elevation, but it was in no hurry.  Tomorrow is forecast for an approaching storm so conditions may be a bit more rugged and visibility might be less than full strength .  The Canyon had control issues beginning at 12:30PM until 5:00Pm so I had to bail to be sure I was not caught, so I missed the softening.  Oh well, there is much more to come, so no worries.  Delayed attendance will not be taken out of your pay check so arrive when you decide!!

The relentless approach of spring has begun the inevitable bakeage.  Monday started out a tad cool, but clear and warming rapidly.  Interestingly, it took until 1:00Pm before Regulator broke and became increasingly sweet.  The high North aspects still held the cold and dry, but lower elevations became saturated.   Mineral Basin has taken the heat and will be the first to soften in the morning so that might be the best call early; on the groomers that is.  Look for very crusty crud in the exposed areas and set up crud in the deep trees .   Close attention to exposure will bring the best results tomorrow morning, but continued warmth will bring most sections around in due time.    2:00PM still had not gotten to the most frozen sections so a casual approach can be taken.  Sleep in if you want, you will be good to go, but rest assured I will be there for first bell.  It might be a good day for the WINGS to make an appearance.  Out of Area touring opened off of Gad 2 so I took a chance on scoring the last remnants of softness back there, but I was denied.  I encountered breakable crust to the knees wall to wall.  The  heat had kissed it all. I found 20 or 30 turns in the deepest trees North West facing , but for the most part it was knee ripper.  I won’t go back until the corn cycle.  You don’t know unless you go,  so…. you live you learn!!!   Another  great sunny day for tomorrow to be there!!

Sunday brought a  sunny cold morning to the faithful who assembled for the services early.  I was blessed with a TRIFECTA.  First , I was present for the Powder Paradise opening where I  was treated to two unbelievable shots with no pressure;  A rarity.  I was then, synchronistically present for the opening of Little Cloud and got Old Ladie’s from the top with just blower bottomless. A birdie clued me into Thunder Bowl where, again, I got the goods of the year, top to bottom.  After that I needed a cigarette, but I don’t smoke so I did the next best thing and had breakfast at the Forklift chair.  I have , somehow , missed many openings this year; not in the right place at the right time, but today made up for all that.  Many folks were saying that it was the best of their lives. The heavier density snow, underneath, set the stage for the super light lake effect on top .  The Tram line went away with the openings giving rapid fire access to the hill .. The cold air kept the North faces cool and dry.  The East and South faces started to go quickly.  The West faces stayed great until 1:00 PM when the sun really started to kick in and affect the quality as one would expect.  I missed yesterday, but today more than made up for it.  Tomorrow will still have the high North aspects going and ,of course , the groomers will be awesome right out of the chute.  The temps. are supposed to be much higher  tomorrrow so more damage to the quality is sure to occur.  Get it early and get it fast !!!

A very snowy Saturday morning greeted me out the kitchen window .  The canyon was closed.  Another overnight instalment awaited the faithful.  I was thinking back a few weeks when some folks were telling me the season was over and that we might as well write it off.  Now, me being the eternal optimist, told them, with the experience of hind sight, that most long trends are usually followed by a long trend which balances the other.  I felt confident in this assessment and I should have made them bet on it.  I have won such bets in the past.  Needless to say, this cycle has borne out my hunch and graced us with an abundance of the goods!!!  Today was certain to be another epic powder dance as the snow continued well into the afternoon here at my, award winning, communications trailer.  I just had to rest up from the past week, and check the backlog of messages from THE BIG GIANT HEAD.   Every once in a while I take off my aluminium foil hat so they can get through; but enough about me.   A short high pressure moving in will, no doubt, set the fluff up, but next week will bring more of the fluffy white substance…. so there!!!  All aspects are fat and entries good as they get so soak up as much as you can get while you can get it !!!  END TRANSMISSION