The weather forecast was inaccurate going into today as they called for an inversion to be in play, but it was Zero on the peak and it was not balmy.   I dressed for cold and covered my nose to keep the frost bite from hitting it, but the cold just penetrated anyway.  On the hill the Snow Guns were turning out some excellent cover in the cold air, though it was wise to feel it out before charging willy nilly into the wash.  The Gunpowder was luxurious and extended way down the hill in the still morning air.  Off trail the rumble continues to build, though the lines are fairly round enabling a smooth line if you stretch 0ut the rhythm to mitigate the impact.  Coverage is good over all with all the main runs trustworthy, but the Cirque Traverse still demands attention down the middle part.  Mineral Basin was getting the quasi  shine early in the AM, and motoring around out there was fun and wide open.  I am really digging the Baldy Express with the fun terrain variations and smooth Groomers all to your self in the morning hours.  Tomorrow, look for continued goodness under the Guns and perhaps we might begin to warm up, but check the temps so you can dress for it.  Here is a shot of the Sun glowing in the misty cold air that hung on the Mountain all day.  See you for the first Boat!   Ciao!

There was a cold mist hanging over the mountain today that only seemed to abate as the Sun got higher, but the temps dropped just as it was getting warmer.   That helped preserve the 1” of new snow that fell overnight covering all the aspects with a dense cold frosting that seemed slippery under the edge, as if there were ball bearings under foot.  The firm layer is still there on most of the Groomed sections, but the off trail offers more traction though the interference patterns are building rapidly as the holiday traffic is working the hill with enthusiasm.   The uphill capacity is keeping up nicely, with very short or non existent lines on all carriers.  That makes all options quick and easy to access. The inversion is building into the Front, so the higher elevations should be warming up while the valley is shrouded in fog.  This is where the Black Ice in the Canyon really kicks in.  I have seen numerous sections of snowbank that seem to have been greeted by an errant vehicle, so don’t let it be you spinning out of control.   Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering the velvet ride on all exposures and look for the Gun Powder for some extra special sweetness.   Here is a shot of a seeker who was making a fun day more interesting and amusing at the same time.  See you for the first Boat!!! IBBY!!

Today was time to get to the far reaches and get the leftovers from this last series of installments that graced us this past holiday season.  The Groomers were perfectly smooth and carvelicious, which is another kind of perfect.  You have to embrace it when you find it, and with the Sun out everyone was finding the goods wall to wall.   There is another small impulse upstream, so we can look forward to some freshening of the dance floor yet again.  Tomorrow, look for the temps to be quite cold before the Sun gets up to warm the air, so dress for it and cover that exposed skin.  Also, watch for that Black Ice in the canyon, especially down low, but it still can be found up higher as well. The Groomers will be perfectly smooth again, and the off trail will still be soft, though there will be some of the rumble from the recent traffic.  The coverage has improved markedly with this last cycle, so the options are much wider now and cushions are building for those who leave the ground momentarily.    I will be back on the hill again for the first hand recon missions to see how it all is shaking out.  Here is a shot of one of the spires out in Mineral Basin looking mystical and beckoning.   Peace Out!

There was another strong turnout for today’s festivities, but the lifts moved everyone up the hill in short order, which made the waits not bad at all.  There was another coating of ultra light lake effect Essence that did not buffer the chop that developed from the other day, but the feel was so good I did not really notice.  The Road to Provo and Powder Paradise opened today and offered just what every seeker covets the entire year.   There was a total repair of the High North aspects that had some breakable coverage, but now that is gone and nothing but blower was the rule.   Of course it did not last long, but the reasonably cold day kept the snow refrigerated and preserved all day long.  I only found things to be a bit scratch only down low.   The Snow Guns were running on both sides of the hill even though it was still snowing, but the transitions were from perfect to another kind of perfect.  Here is a shot of Tadje the Snow gunner who was checking density as I was  gliding by.   MMMMMM GOOOD Stuff.  Tomorrow, look for the off trail to still be holding the soft on all aspects, just be ready for the a bit of rumble. The Groomers will be off the charts perfect as well top to bottom, though the very bottom of the hill is still a bit scratchy, but no worries.   Coverage has improved markedly in just the past stretch, especially in contrast to how things felt not too long ago.  I am taking the day off tomorrow to work on the Phase array so I won’t be there, and I will leave it to all of you to work the product.   IBBY!!!

The faithful were in full attendance this morning to partake of the gift of 4% moisture content for this installment.  It does not get much lighter than that, and if it does I have not seen it, but needless to say it was BLOWER.   The West facing sections still were sporting some crustiness here and there after the wind moved some of the accumulation from yesterday to the North facing aspects.   It was great no matter were you went, so small sections of scratchiness were inconsequential.  The Cirque Traverse was getting a bit better, but still was very bony along the Middle Cirque section, where it paid to be deliberate as you encounter that section.  Wilbre Bowl was deep and getting nicely filled overall.  The high traffic of the day worked the snow pack, raising some interference patterns on the popular sections, but a long round approach mitigated the rumble for the most part.  Tomorrow, look for another great morning as it was snowing briskly, on the order of 3” an hour, when  I left the hill.  The moisture content will again be heavenly as the big lacy flakes were just floating down with little or no wind.  It was fun hearing the ebullient vocalizations echoing in the gulches as the faithful danced in the perfection.   That is the Promise of the Wasatch.  Here is a shot of the lacy accumulation on my car when I cleaned it off late this afternoon.   This is the best time of the season so get it all when you can.   Ciao!!

I encountered some serious turbulence during the Tachyon Phase Shift sequence  of the Jump back from the Mother Ship, and I am now back in the Trailer knocking some of the Utah Light from the Array.   Reports from the hill spoke of walk on trams with variable visibility and an abundance of new Essence to make the season bright.  This is what “The Chef” would call the Promise of the Wasatch.  You just have to be patient, but you know it will come and here it is and it is still snowing as I write this.  The Cirque Traverse continues to be a bit thin after the wind blast so tread carefully when  you hit that usual middle section.  We are in the eye of the storm, so expect greatness and

Floating Crust

drink deep of the goodness.  I will have a first hand report tomorrow, so stay tuned for more detail.  Here is a shot of a floating crust of snow from the other day when the wind was ripping the West faces.  Ciao!!

From my deep space location I do not have a first hand report today, and yesterday the Quantum flux field distorted the post beyond recognition.  The report had 5” of fresh to make it a real white Christmas, so that had to be a plus.  The West facing still holds that firm undercurrent, but the snow machines are still working overtime to put down some sweet gun powder.  All the major areas are open, so the choice for variations is wide open.  The High North exposures still are holding all that transported snow from the wind event from a few days ago, and that was significant enough to stand up for a while, though the higher traffic will be putting some rumble on the ride in places.  There are still some out lying areas that are holding some of the super smooth, but checkout the sections with care as the variations can be still be rather abrupt in spots.  I will be making the Jump back tomorrow, so I will have a full hands on report for Thursday.  I will back fill the back posts with photos when I reconfigure  from the Jump.  Stay Frosty!!

There was just a trace of Essence in the parking lot this morning with the Sun breaking the clouds up as it rose in the sky.   Mineral Basin was offering ultra smooth lines on the East facing aspects where the wind had deposited the goods from the past few days.  This was covered by about 2” of delightful dust that cushioned the ride and made it a powder morning if you don’t count how deep it was.  Untracked is untracked, and when it is perfectly smooth you just have to keep working the goods.  I tried the West facing aspects, but it was still scalloped out from the wind with only some slim deposits in the guts, but the effort to get there was debatable.  The traverse to the Sunday Cliffs opened for the first time today, however there was significant breakable crust to deal with top to bottom.   It was a fun adventure, but not worth a second try.  It is snowing now as I wait for the Jump to the Mother Ship, so tomorrow, look for some freshness to sweeten the dance floor, but remember the blown off steep West facing sections and the scoured high traverses, which will be covered with freshness, so be aware of the undercurrent.  The High North sections on the front of the Hill were still smooth and well filled, so look there for first runs, and the Groomers will still be offering some beautiful carving.  I will post tomorrow if I can get the Hyper channel to simmer down.  IBBY!!!

The big wind continued today, knocking the Trailer around soundly while I was trying to get a signal from Andromeda, but there was nothing but static.   Up on the hill the wind was still working the slopes, though there was precious little to transport after yesterday, but it did continue to smooth the lines that were set up perfectly.  The wind did some serious damage to the Cirque Traverse, and the Baldy Traverse as there is exposed reef all along the line, which demands attention and a very low line.  Some of the favorite guts have accumulated the goods and are really special when they get like this.  The wind is still rocking the Trailer tonight as I write this, so tomorrow look for those nice lines to be refurbished for the early crowd.  Be cautious of the West facing lines as they really got scoured and are very greasy and scalloped.  The next impulse is on it’s way, hence the wind, so we are going to have a very happy holiday season.  I will be hitting the Jump Room to make the trip to the Mother Ship which is still parked off the South Pole.  If you are in New Zealand check the sky and look for a strobing star that is constantly changing color and there I will be.  I will return after the holiday, but I will still be posting, though I will not be able to load photos as there is no band width on the Hyper Channel.  Have a great time with the new Essence.   IBBY!!!

The only thing that seemed out of the ordinary today was the high wind that provided some of the best snow of the season as it was deposited in large amounts on the Northeast aspects and the low lying hollows.  The other aspects were getting stripped clean down to the crusty layer.  The good lines were as good as it gets.  It gets deeper but it does not get better.  Those in the know worked the high lines that stood up to the traffic all day with only marginal rumble as a result.  Mineral Basin had a delayed opening and was offering some variable sections with some perfect Grooming lines that invited a solid slice and dice approach.  Baldy Express opened of the first time, but the wind had scoured that area, so the quality was found where the wind deposited the transported snow.  Be sure to look for the long lines of goodness for the sweet ride.  Tomorrow, be aware that the wind has worked those steep exposed aspects, leaving them very sketchy, so scope out the lines before committing on those.  The West facing is going to be quite icy and slick, so look for the tenderizing efforts on those sections.  With more snow in the forecast early next week it is good to get a good look at the terrain as it is now before it gets covered.  A good dose of high density will make it all go away.  The hill is set up for greatness as most of the areas are  now open and the options are wide open.  See you Sunday!!!   Peace out!

Wind Sculpted