6-26-13

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12-04-23

High density snow and high winds have made for a very volatile snow pack that demands respect. The high density is great for building the base and covering the gnar quickly and flushing the weak layers from the early accumulation in October. The Faithful were in full attendance dark and early for the day’s festivities, but the opening of terrain was delayed till 10:30AM or so, when Gad Zoom opened. I had been assessing the options in the Forklift and called it a day after commiserations with the crew.

Coverage is improving greatly and venturing off the beaten path is much more trustworthy, with the density cushioning the ride. Still, caution is a must till we get a fair bit more product under foot. Tomorrow, look for better weather, a better look at what we have to work with and much softer feel to the turns. I will be looking for smooth prepared lines to get my legs moving again after a long stretch in the High Desert. Getting better by the day and it won’t be long till we are back at full on shredville. Stay Frosty!!

12-03-23

This storm has delivered a heapin’ helpin’ of high density product that will go a long way to building the pack and getting the party started. The Bird is reporting 38″ in the last 48 hours, but it is raining briskly here at The Trailer, and snow is accumulating in the higher elevations as I write this with not much indication of let up any time soon. The lifts did not open today due to the difficult stability issues with the new product and high wind factors.

Tomorrow, look for a slow start as the control mitigation continues. I expect the cover to have improved markedly off the prepared lines, but expect early season hazards to still be in the mix off the beaten path. Be most cautious as you tread for the next while as the pack builds and consistency improves. It is a long season and has only just begun. Think Deep Thoughts!!!

12-02-23

More Essence accumulated overnight, and along with the snow making efforts, the base is building up little by little. It won’t be too long till more of the hill opens and the coverage improves. There is more in store tonight and tomorrow as the Low Pressure punches through the front.

With more accumulation predicted overnight, I expect there to be some restriction in the Canyon, so check the Bird’s site for up to date info. I am hoping this next installment will have a bit more moisture so it will help build the base we need to get more terrain open. See you there for the morning fun. Keep it tight!!!

12-01-23

It was a quiet day on the hill, with a very modest turnout for the opening bell. Snow was falling, which added a nice addition to the pack, making a much softer feel. Visibility was very marginal, with little to no contrast up high on the open slopes. With such light traffic, the pace was much more relaxed, letting you stretch out the line a bit and dial in a bit more arc to smooth out the ride.

Tomorrow, look for more snow in the forecast, variable visibility, moderate traffic, and storm conditions. The coverage remains good on the prepared lines, and is holding up to the traffic. Keep your head on a swivel and maintain situational awareness at all times. I’ll be taking the day off tomorrow, so make some turns for me. See you Sunday. Remain Standing!!

11-30-23

The stoke was high as the early risers lined up for the Tram and Gad Zoom to get this party started. With the inversion socking in the Valley, there were much clearer skies and just some high clouds for the morning session. The snow guns were blazing top to bottom, delivering dry chalky gun powder to add some traction to a very firm base that has been built up with the Snow Crew concentrating efforts to make the coverage very good top to bottom. I did not see any rocks at all, though one needed to stay on the prepared lines, as off the prepared lines was very thin indeed. Traffic was brisk, but the up hill capacity made the turn around time quick and easy.

Tomorrow, look for more cover to have been added to the pack with the ongoing snow making efforts, a refreshed grooming job, and dry chalky lines to be on hand for the early risers. I expect similar traffic for tomorrow’s attendance, so be sure to use care and watch for fast movers.

There were very thick clouds in the inversion layer in the lower canyon, so expect possible black ice in the AM as temps will be cold again. See you there for the early season training session. Stay Frosty!!!

11-29-23

It is go time tomorrow as The Bird opens for the ’23 ’24 Season. That Summer flew by so fast I am just amazed. Temps have been cold, here in the valley as the inversion has set in, and warmer temps up high but not warm enough to affect the pack. I drove up yesterday to check it out and top off the locker for opening day.

Looking at Gad Valley, there seemed to be good cover on the main prepared lines. Gad Zoom and The Tram are going to be opening, so I am looking forward to a fun opening. I’ll be getting an early start and am looking forward to seeing all my friends an fellow slider for the opening day. Be careful of black ice in the lower canyon with this inversion happening. IBBY!!!

11-20-23

The Summer and Fall season passed like a runaway freight train, and it is just a few days till the next Season begins. After a smattering of a few storms during the past weeks, this last installment brought a bit more depth to add to the pack and more is on the way up stream. The hill is looking good, and snow making efforts are ongoing with every window of cold temps. The snow guns have produced some significant accumulations which will be pushed around and spread out for the opening.

The morning crew will be dedicating this season to The Chairman of The Board, who passed this fall after a lifetime of skiing the Bird. He was a mainstay at the breakfast table, and an early riser who made suiting up and talking about the coming day a joy. He will be greatly missed.

I am sure Walter will be doing some great recon work for the rest of us in the Cosmic Powder fields in the great Beyond. I’ll be posting more often now up to the opening and then daily as we get the party started. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

8-30-23

I have come back to the Valley from a long stretch in the High Desert to connect with friends, catch up on details, and get up to the hill to check things out. OktoberFest is in full effect each weekend and it has been quite busy as I have heard. Here, at the end of August, we have reached that turning point, where it is all down hill from here as we blast through time and begin yet another season. My good friend Andrew from New Zealand sent me some great shots from the season they have been having down in the far South, where the season is in full swing as I write this.

I have had the pleasure of skiing with this shredder many times on his numerous visits here to the Bird, where he never stops getting the goods and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. I am hoping that he will make his way back this season. A big shout out to all my friends who come here from all over the world to join us for the festivities here in this powder wonderland. I will be making my way back to the High Desert to continue my Cosmic investigations, but it won’t be long now when we will be getting on our Tram to take us to the steep and deep.

Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

6-18-23

The Bird opened for 2 bonus days and The Faithful were in full attendance in numbers that were over the top. Available terrain was only the Road to Provo and Regulator, which offered good cover, with heavy sun cups and a section of prepared surface down to the Little Cloud Chair. The energy was high and it was a very festive atmosphere, which was a fitting send off for an amazing season. It was startling how much snow had melted off the lower section of the hill, with no way off the hill, so folks had to download on the Tram at the end of the day.

I opted to hang at The Forklift and enjoy breakfast with the gang and assess the options. Reports from the peak were encouraging and the Plaza was ready for music and a BBQ for the Apres festivities.

What an incredible season, which will go down in memory as a hallmark occasion for a very long time. Thanks to all the Snowbird Teams that worked so hard to make it all work out under very trying circumstances. I will be heading to the High Desert where The Trailer is already set up for the Cosmic explorations. Have a great Summer and enjoy the stoke!!! Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

5-28-23

It was a Sunny Sunday, with some cooler overnight temps, which set up the front side of the hill a bit. Mineral Basin was ready for prime time from the get go ,with The Peruvian Gulch not far behind. Grooming was minimal and Regulator did not get the treatment, so it was not recommended. The break was perfect, offering some sumptuous sorbet sections that made those steep pitches feel like back country and I dialed back the speed to extract the maximum amount of juice from each turn.

There was great energy on the hill, with the stoke factor high and folks were in full Spring mode. The water feature at the base of Anderson’s Hill is open and ready for pond skimming for the grand wrap up. Tomorrow, look for another early break which will hold on at least till Noon before the sticky zone kicks in. See you there for the last day. Remain Standing!!!