All of the mountain opened up yesterday, leaving the leftovers for the morning faithful who showed up for another chance to trowel the product.  The Groomers were very nice, with trustworthy edge-ability that made me feel like I can still make a real turn.   I have been slarving and shmearing for so long on the hard pack that I was beginning to wonder if I could dial it in.  Today’s corduroy made you feel like a rock star.  When the crowd got spread out the lines were non existent, with back to back Trams easy to make if you had the chops to keep the pace.  This dense installment covered all the weathered surfaces on the South facing aspects, the wind scoured sections, and much of the rocky sections that have been tough to get around.  What a treat to hit lines that just the other day made me cringe just looking at the prospects.  Today, all that has changed and the hill has many new possibilities.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be great once again for the morning session. It is best to hit those ground pounding lines before they get chopped out with the traffic.  Also check the wind speeds and direction for some transported snow lines to show up if we get a lot of wind overnight.  The flow is out of the North, so look for those South facing aspects to hold some fresh goodness for the morning session.  It is so much fun meeting the folks who read my posts.  Here is a shot of Robert Shredford and Team Milli Vanilli who I met a few years ago.  These guys get 110% out of their stay here and it is so much fun sharing the dream with great folks like this.  Thanks for sliding guys.  See you Sunday!   Peace Out!

The new installment that greeted the Faithful this morning was very dense, but cold and dry, feeling like you were frosting a cake with a paper knife. Luxurious turns were to be had on most aspects as the new snow stuck to the old layer nicely.  I was finally able to lay into a turn and not feel like I was hanging out too far.  There were some tiles present on Regulator, but they were negotiable as there was plenty of soft snow to dial it back when needed.  I went out to Mineral Basin when it opened and got lap after lap of untracked lines out on a Lewis and Clark sojourn.  So nice not to have pressure for the goods.  The high traffic of the morning session backed off with a much quicker turnaround up the hill.   Harbor Chop really began to work up  into a  serious froth as the traffic worked the product into the hill.  This chop required either a total power blast approach or a slower rounder technique.  I bailed when I could not take the chop anymore, but I had a great time.  Tomorrow, look for more accumulation overnight as well as accumulation during the morning session. I expect another strong showing by the faithful, so get there early to get your place on the first Tram.   I was 3 out this morning even thought I was a bit early. Doh!!  Here is a shot of the Morning Crew the other day just before the weather changed.   Good times.  Ciao!!

After a very long wait, the weather moved in for the first Tram, with just a touch of velvet to start things off.  It is hard to believe that just that small amount would make such a difference.  The high density snow continued to fall all day long and it built up in a luxurious fashion.  Despite the visibility issues, I ventured out to Mineral Basin to scout out the lines, finding the low angle aspects the best call.  I went to ride the Forklift Chair to let the new installment build up and met this Conshy Girl from Philly who is here with the Wissahickon Ski Club.  It was really fun to meet her and give her the  low down on the day. After breakfast the low angle aspects got really good and the steeper shots became much better.  Regulator was very greasy, with very iffy visibility, so I just stayed with the trees and details.  More snow is in the forecast, and with the wind working the hill, the big variations will quickly become a memory.  Remember the fat lines for sure, but this heavy spackle will really go a long way to cover the gnar.  Tomorrow, look for additional accumulation, and, perhaps, some Canyon restrictions.  There is a cold front moving in, so the density will improve as things get colder.  Dress for cold and get ready for fun.  The hill is primed and ready for this installment.  I am looking forward to fun.  See you t here to rock it out.  Peace Out!!

The weather dude promised a cloudy day today, but he was wrong as the day was clear and bright.  The Valley began to clear out the bad air as wind began to stir the atmosphere.  Here is a shot of the Great Salt Lake off in the distance.  I have not seen it this clear in some time.  The hill was extra special firm as the opening bell sounded, with some type of freeze seeming to have gripped all the aspects.  The wind was trying to deposit some cushion, but what  little there was, was blown away quickly.  I looked for those pockets all day, but found them in short supply.  Chips had been given a fresh till for the morning, offering the best traction on the hill.  The off trail is still holding up without developing any higher amplitude in the interference patterns.  I was scoping out the fat lines to keep in the back of my mind for when things get covered.  Tomorrow, look for clouds in the AM, with snow developing during the later morning hours and continuing all day.  It looks like we are in a pineapple express pattern for the next few days, which means that the moisture content will be high.  That will help bond to the old layer, and cushion the hard pan.  With a bit of luck we should be able to work the new product in as it arrives.  Storm riding is best, and knowing the lines is a bonus.  Watch which way the wind is blowing in the AM and plan to look on the down wind side of things for best accumulation.  It might be tough for anything to accumulate on some of those super hard surfaces. We will see, but any additional product will be welcome anywhere at all.  See you there for the morning festivities.  Stay Frosty!!

The first signs of a weather change began to manifest today with high winds out of the North, and a low cloud deck that was intermittent all day.  Everything off trail was mighty tricky in the flat light, but the Groomers were trustworthy for the good smooth lines.  Regulator got some special grooming treatment, as it was skiing better than it has for days.  It was so nice to get some traction.  The wind began to deposit transported snow in the low areas and low angle slopes.  The high angle slopes did not seem to hold the buff as well, and those slick spots required your full attention.  Tomorrow, look for more clouds to influence the visibility, no new snow yet, and the Grooming Crew to have prepared some rocking fun runs for the morning session.  Once again, be looking for the lines that are fat, so that when the new installment moves in you will be hitting it with confidence.  Mineral Basin was closed after the first few runs due to wind, so look back there for some wind lines to be setting up.  There will be some good lines to find on the hill in the AM, so be there for the smooth buffed morning session.  Here is a shot of the Valley with the first of a line of cloud decks that moved through all day.  See you for the morning shred fest.  Peace Out!!

I saw the last two cats pulling off lower Chips run as I was pulling into the parking lot, which tells me that there has been a fresh till put down on the front of the hill.  The sunny morning pulled me back into Mineral Basin – no surprise – where the Groomers were so delightful.  This is the type of condition where you can find the elusive Carvasaurus Rex and Trechzilla leaving those tell tale tracks in the mat.  It was that type of day.  I moved back to the Peruvian Gulch to sample the fresh till over there and I was not disappointed with the top to bottom treat.  Anderson’s Hill was given a fresh mow, which led to Chips Face and Lower Willows.   Wow, what a great combination for goodness.  I had to lap that line before it got hit too hard.  Regulator is still very firm, but it does have some dust to work with, however, it does require your full attention.  The wind was working on the upper elevations as the weather begins to change up from the High Pressure.  Perhaps we might see some transported product to be placed in those special lines.  We will have to wait and see what turns up.  Tomorrow,  look for another sunny morning with the wind continuing to develop and clouds to move in during the afternoon.  The Groomers will be offering the goods on all sides of the hill.  I am still drawn to the full Sun illumination out back for the first go round.  Snow guns are still pumping out some nice Gun Powder  out in Mineral, so get some of that before it gets worked.  Here is a shot of the Air Med helicopter just as it touched down this morning. It is fun to watch it land and take off.  Here is also a shot of Yinong Lan, who was visiting from China for the first time.  He was so stoked to be here and was being shown around by his good childhood friend Gin.  They had not seen each other in 35 years.  It was great watching him experience his first Tram ride.  Rock on guys.  See you in the AM.  IBBY

I spent the entire day here at the Trailer re aligning the antenna for the Andromeda feed to facilitate the upcoming download next week.  Up on the hill was another day of smooth driving on the cruisers.  It was even warmer today, and I saw some interesting images of the late afternoon goings on out at the Beach.  All things remain good to go with the hill now as rumoring of a break in the weather coming next week.  It seems there will be a number of days of unsettled weather for the middle to the end of the week.  Keep your fingers crossed, but do not pay too much attention so as not to jinx the pattern.  In the next few days it will be instructive to take stock of where the lines are now set up.  The cover is much better than we had during the last dry spell, so  the hill is going to be really good to go with the additional cover.  The notorious entrances will still be needing some serious help, but it will at least make it approachable.  Tomorrow, look for another sunny day with those warm temps setting up for the afternoon session.  I still expect a fairly cool morning with no cloud cover.  I usually drop a layer around 12:30 PM when I feel like I can ski with the top down.  Remember those South facing aspects will be mighty crusty first thing so let them thaw a bit.  The Groomers will be hard to pass up when they are so calling you to point ’em.  Here is a shot of the Check Point at the Border to Alta.  It is that easy to cross over.  See you for the first Boat.  IBBY!!

The temps were much warmer this morning, with no wind, no traffic, and bright Sun letting you see every detail out in Mineral Basin.  Once again, it was a point them and go type of day, with trust worthy corduroy during the morning session.  The sky was ultra blue against the high peaks.  Here is a shot of the Moon just over the peak of the West Twin.  Fresh air, good friends, and a prepared dance floor is a great way to spend the day.  Tomorrow, look for another fun filled day of full boat motoring all around the hill.  With the addition of the Gad 2 High Speed Quad, the Gad side of the hill now has many more options with a quick turn around.    I have not ridden that chair as much in the past, but now that it is fast, it becomes a real feature in overall run plan.   But most planning is seat of the pants, so it helps the spontaneous impulses as well.  The Patrol opened out of area touring today, making that yet another option.  Hmmmm.   I will be off tomorrow, so you will have to do the polishing for me.  Those wind lines are coming back slowly, so keep and eye peeled.  See you Sunday.  Stay Frosty!!

The Trailer was shrouded in clouds all night long, but the hill was clear and Sunny from the word GO.   Those Sun illuminated Groomers in Mineral Basin were offering very  nice high speed cruising all morning long with the light traffic.  There are still some wind lines that are still holding the smooth, but most are short and sweet. That big shot off of Silver Dipper is still holding up, but has developed some chop half way down.  The front of the hill is very firm, but the tenderizing efforts are paying off.  Be aware of the usual slick spots and float them. There  is a lot of talent on the hill, with folks visiting from all over, so be aware of fast movers hitting the lines with fresh eyes.  There is plenty of room with the light traffic, but keep an eye uphill at all times.  Tomorrow, look for another warm day on the hill after the Sun gets up in the sky.  I dressed down around Noon, but hung on to my hat just to be sure.  Look for Gun Powder under the snow guns.  They have been offering those early morning turn extravaganzas.   Untracked is untracked after all.  Here is a shot of the Tram cables glowing in the Sun.  This was a hard shot to get.  Peace Out!!

The sky was ultra blue over the hill this morning as the clarity of the air was pristine.  As anticipated, the Groomers and sunshine out in Mineral Basin was offering some very nice corduroy for the first hour.  Very light traffic all over the hill made it seem like a private resort.  Light winds also made it feel a bit warmer, but it never really got as warm as yesterday.  All aspects have been holding tough without too much change to speak of.  The weather dude is calling for some clouds tomorrow moving through with some associated wind, so look for some transported snow.  It will be up to the wind Gods to decide where to put it, so that will make it a surprise.  There is precious little loose snow to be transporting and I don’t expect much in the way off accumulation, just some added buff.  Look for the Groomers to be best, especially if the light is flat. You want to know you can trust it, and you can count on the Cat Crew for consistency.  Snow guns have been turning out additional cover, and some of those Gun Powder lines were creamy and dreamy below the guns.  Nice touch.  Look for the goodness where you can find it.  Here is a shot of the Luv Chicks -Bunny, Crystal, and Scarlet- who were down from Seattle out enjoying the view out on a Lewis and Clark overlook.  I had a great time speaking with these ladies.  I hope you had a great day.  Be there for another chance to pull out the stops and let ’em run.  Ciao!!