Finally the hill was graced with a new installment of low density essence, which started out as 3 to 4” and  quickly built up in depth as the storm continued to dump all day long.  As anticipated, the essence did not bring enough to cushion the crustulation that has been developing all week, so while the new snow was sweet and tasty, it also had a contrasting crunch just to add complexity to the dessert.   The visibility was also an issue, that kept me choosing lines that were close to the trees and still smooth.  An eidetic memory of all the available alternative smoothness, assisted in navigating the low vis., and the low amplitude rumble that was bound to be encountered.  Overnight grooming offered some exceptional lines that were covered adequately, though the lurking slick spots required a longer more averaged turn to mitigate the inconsistency.  Tomorrow, look for more snow to have fallen as the system moves out and the weather is talking about another quick moving cold front to come in and add to the goodness.    Mineral Basin was reporting very limited visibility, with the vast expanse of limited reference points, so be aware of the South facing sections out there that were frozen and generally difficult to negotiate.  The West facing aspects are also tricky after the recent exposure to the Sun, with Pucker-brush very iffy in the break over section, so exercise discernment when charging the transition.  I am looking forward to another day of good vibes, good snow, and good friends to share the arrival of the new fluffulecence!     Here is a shot – courtesy of Jay from Powder Shots- of how today would have looked if the Sun had been out, with similar depth and a very crusty base course here on upper Silver Dipper.

Averaging the turn

IBBY!!

A storm is blowing in, and with it comes the wind as the front moves into the area.  High clouds and pre frontal storm clouds shrouded the Sun off and on all day.   The wind began transporting the loose snow to the upper reaches as it began to remove it from the windward areas, resulting in some very scratchy sections here and there, and some sweet deposits in other sections.  Big Grooming efforts continue to restore some of the lower big shots to pre traffic smoothness.  The mountain is still maintaining the overall smooth, as I have been saying all week, so the arrival of new snow will just build on the good foundation that has been established.  There had been no development of high amplitude bumps to act as a template.  Just be sure to remember where your favorite smooth shot is and avoid those bumpy areas that are difficult with a small coverage.  There is still no telling how much we might get out of this next installment, but any additional essence is always welcome.  Visibility will also be an issue during the storm day with the tree sections providing  some reflected light to be guided by.  The high entrances have been getting scraped off  recently, necessitating some alternate approaches to get in without dealing with the rocky outcroppings that are now exposed.  A nod to these same entrances will avoid edge damage if you drop in with tomorrow’s thin coverage.  The South and West facing did not thaw out today, and still are very crusty and rasty.  These shots will be covered by the new product, making those shots very difficult, so use that awareness when choosing a line.   I will be sticking with the tried and true to keep my knees from taking too much of a beating.   See you on first Bucket!  Ciao!

The fog was dense and dreary this morning as I sipped my coffee here at the trailer, while just a 1000′ above the Sun was beaming clear and unobstructed.  What a difference it makes to the vibe of the day if you know you will be transcending the murk for the high altitude Prana that concentrates in the Canyons.  I was looking up though it, instead of looking down on it.  Well,  I will be there again tomorrow, so I will be taking shorter breaths until I can get back up there, and breath deeply the rejuvenating air and energy.  The mountain is still in fine shape, offering wide spread consistency, which lets you choose just about any line and have it go down with ease.  The morning crust will have moderated on the direct aspects, as the Sun cooked it from the first rays of the morning, so forays over to those shots will pay off with patience.  The same scenario will again render those South and West aspects crusty again tomorrow morning.  The forecast is for a system to be moving in to the area in the next few days, so high cloudiness might begin to flatten the details.  As the traffic pattern holds steady, the previously scratchy sections are being broken down letting you taste the granular re crystallized essence that has been just out of reach.   Now it is something to be sought out.  There is one shot that I have been working, it is out of the way and short, but with persistence it has become a private treasure that I have been keeping to myself.  There are other special shots that are sporting the same quality all over the hill, so exploration will be rewarded, and a shot that is not quite ready can be worked to goodness, so, if you are generous, get a posse together, move the process ahead, and reap the rewards of the re crystallization.  Snow does amazing things as it morphs, and can be counted on to provide memorable sensations as you ply the dust!.   I will be there first thing in the AM, be aware of the Black Ice.   IBBY!!!

It was another day of Maximum Rock and Roll.  The Groom team was out again re working the big shots they worked yesterday, giving them another level of goodness that had to be experienced to be believed.  I  kept pushing the smooth for all the turns I could fit in.  With such rare shots being placed in the Zone, one has to take the opportunity to get it while it is right there to get.  The off trail is improving as well, though the sunshine today had softened the South and West facing aspects, and will be quite crispy in the morning, but will improve to goodness as soon as the Sun has a chance to work it over .  The mountain is holding on the overall smooth, with little or no bump development to speak of.  Only the most heavily visited sections are getting bumped.   The Groomers have been holding the smooth all day as well, so  a full day of big mountain experience is on tap.  The forecast is for continued sunshine to make the day another perfect one.  Yes, we need more snow to soften things up, but I still maintain that this is as good as it gets for a high pressure pattern.  The snow is cold,dry, consistent, and custom made for performing perfect turns.    I look for perfect, and ski what is perfect when it is.  It amazes me that folks will dismiss perfect for some punchable aspect, and that is fine, but I can’t get enough of the goods.  Another great feature of the Sunshine days,

Inversion layer

is the ability to get up and above the inversion layer.  Here is a shot from today looking down from above.  I am very happy to be well above the murky mist.  See you Sunday!!!

Things were off the chart this morning when the Grooming report exhibited some unreal scope.  The huge sections in Mineral Basin were buffed out, with the off trail shots smoothed over by nature’s own wind machine.  The machine groomed was also covered with the wind deposited essence, that made every turn  pure pleasure.  The front of the hill was replete with top to bottom buffage on both sides.  Choose your line and have at it.  Very light traffic kept all the lines smooth and unruffled.  Now  that the Sun is getting higher in the sky, the direct exposures are absorbing the rays and quickly becoming noticeably affected.  It might be a tad crispy on those aspects first off in the morning.  Look for another day of full on goodness, where just about any line you choose is going to be worthwhile.  Wilbre Bowl as a touch punchable, though a round approach seemed to carry through with little deflection.   The entrances are still holding up to the traffic, but a couple popular shots are getting scraped sown a bit, however, the snow below is certainly worth the sketch factor.    I was able to fly my Wings first thing this morning, with the low traffic and ultra buffed runways.  There was a cold head wind coming out of the North, which gave me a lot of extra lift, so I lit the burners!   Walk on Trams were going off all day, and tomorrow should be just a touch busier.  I have been going on about the smoothness factor as you may have noticed, it is  hard to relate the wonder of smooth to those who may not see too much of it.  Here is a shot that may convey the essence of smooth of which I speak.   Yeah, that’s the stuff in full effect.

THE SMOOTH

See you there for the first Boat!   IBBY!!

The fog was thick as I drove away from the trailer this morning, but the clear skies were right there just above the murk.  With the thick fog washing around in the lower Canyon, black ice was a no brainer.  The sanders had made a pass, but I was not taking any chances.  This situation will be there again in the morning, so be aware of that.  With yesterday’s low visibility, low traffic, steady Northwest wind, and snow that fell well into the evening, left Mineral Basin a solid choice for first run.  But!!! the front side of the hill offered it’s own perfect ride, with the upper mountain smoothed by the wind, and the Big Groomers pumping out the adrenalin laced goodness.   Which to chose.  Either choice was a big win, except that you can’t be two places at once.  Dang!  The temps. remained cold all day long, with minimal  deterioration to the quality even on the South facing exposures.  There is a low amplitude rumble that is beginning to rise up off trail, though it does not present any problems over all, just a bit pesky after all the ultra smooth ripping.  Still, there are plenty of aspects that are still holding the natural smooth, and that has certainly been helped by the wind patterns. The forecast is for continued cold out of the North, so be sure to have the extra layers on hand.  I ended up putting on more clothes at 1:30 PM., as the wind picked up and the temps dropped.  Brrrr!  The remote trees still hold soft snow, but the traffic has worked up the bumps to a certain degree. More Sun and Fun is on hand for tomorrow, so get ready to Rock! Also be aware the Canyon is closing for data collection, and will reopen at 8:00AM.  IBBY!!!   Here is a very rare sighting of the Dreaded Snow Snake, you never get to actually see one, but here is a classic sighting.  Photo Shopped? You be the judge!

Yesterday was sunny and blue, with wind slab goodness wall to wall.  Today started out with a few flakes, and only 2 inches to dial through, but the storm kicked in with a vengeance dumping some high density, cold, velvety, product over all the aspects. What a difference a day makes.  The smoothness held out overnight,  finding the Upper Cirque and the Upper Peruvian shots good to go.  There were a few scoured sections to keep you on your toes, but the over all ride kept getting better and better as the day progressed.  It was still snowing when I left at 3:00 PM. so I will bet there will be some freshies to find in the AM.  Upper Old Ladies is very sketchy where the wind has blown off the cover, exposing the still cohesive crust that exists on the West facing aspects.  Lower down the depth kicks in and you can get a grip, but the first entrance is very interesting.  There was very light traffic today, so the harbor chop did not whip up too much, but a long averaged turn moved me through the variations more reliably.  Tomorrow, look for continued improvement in the overall recovery from the old crust, as the continued traffic is breaking it up as time goes by.  Visibility was an issue throughout the day with periods of rime ice that would lightly coat the goggles, but not so badly that a quick wipe would not clear it off.  This high density snow seems to be sticking to the old layer, though the the remaining crust does resist the coverage.  We will see you dark and early for another day of exceptional quality.  IBBY!!!

Today I have completed 60 trips around the SUN,   35 of which have been spent at The Bird.  Today I was gifted with sumptuous wind deposited, natural,   Grooming on huge areas of the mountain.   Mineral Basin was especially graced with the ultra smooth wind buff, that was true hero snow, with every turn a perfect moment.  The front of the hill was also going off, as the relentless traffic has finally begun to break the crust of last week, revealing re crystallized essence that had to be experienced, so trying to describe it would fall flat. With very light traffic, back to back to back Trams were happening all day, with only the Mineral Basin chair building up any kind of line.  There is only minimal vestiges of the old crusty layer, leaving the lines consistent enough to take a full power approach.  The High North aspects also were worked by the wind, though they did not exhibit the extra depth of the East facing, they are very smooth and soft none the less.  Tomorrow, look for some snow to be moving through the area, making visibility an issue, but the overall smooth complexion of the hill will help in navigating the runs.  The smoothness held up all day on the groomed runs, so remember them from today, and take that same relaxed approach to them tomorrow.  The hill is back up to great, and today was an incredible gift, plus, all my friends were there!!!   See you tomorrow!!! Peace Out!

There were doubts about the conditions after last week’s weirdness, but I can tell you with confidence that the hill has returned to nearly full effect.   The snow yesterday, in combination with the overnight wind, brought the smooth softness to most aspects on the hill.  There were some scratchy sections to be negotiated, but they were few and far between.  The faithful were in strong attendance as the day got started, so I jumped back into Mineral Basin to get a few laps in before   the line built up.  Boot top perfection was on tap back there after the wind had deposited long pillows of fluffulecence top to bottom.  The front side of the hill was also greatly improved, with the high entrances having been filled and covered to full charge, with Great Scott once again delivering the Big Mountain Smooth that I wait specifically for.  All of the traverses and far reaches were not left out of the improvements, making previously rasty shots much more rewarding to those who went that far.  Tomorrow, look for continued sweetness on all aspects, with minimal need to consider aspect choice.  I feel the traffic will be fairly light, so those that show up will have no problem getting their fill.  As anticipated, the longest, steepest, shot on the lower mountain was once again tagged with the Grooming paint.  I kept taking advantage of the soft piled up confectioner’s sugar that built up on the sides, which was scrumptulecent in the first degree, and I could not get enough of that perfection.  Look for more shots to get worked for our carving pleasure, and take full advantage of the mid winter snow quality. See you in the AM. for fun , fun, fun!!!   IBBY!!  Here for your consideration is a shot from inside the WHITE ROOM.  Getting deep, with no escape.  Just where I want to be!!!

WHITE ROOM

I don’t know about anyone else, but it seems like they- whoever THEY are- turned up the Time dial, making it go by like rushing water.  We are still firmly in the heart of the season, though I feel like the season is impossible to slow down.  There was just a few inches overnight to add to the healing power needed to make that crusty layer a memory, but in the spirit of maintaining a tenacious grip on time, I am content to accept every Millimeter of essence that graces the hill.  The hill remained overcast all day long, with intermittent weather moving through the Valley.   I spent the day belly up, setting my sights on the week ahead.  Not to rush things mind you!.  Tomorrow, look for the hill to have improved incrementally, though the Groomers can still be counted on to deliver the goods, especially if some more of the big , steep, lower mountain shots get the Grooming nod.  Friday, Lower Primrose Path was off the scale with such perfectly morphed  consistency, that I was just trying to squeeze  the most out of each turn.  In this way I am attempting to STOP TIME in each turn.  Now we all know that stopping time impossible, but this is my attempt at stemming the relentless flow.  Plus, I get a ton ultra quality turns in, so nothing is really wasted.    Here is a shot of the Superior apron with a debris field that had been kicked out from above.   With the ice lens that exists, great caution should be taken on the steep aspects.  I will be there for first Tram in the AM.   Be safe!!! IBBY

Slide debris