There was a fat foot of medium density Essence covering the dance floor, which greeted the faithful who were treated to an 8:45 AM start to the festivities.  The density of the product cushioned the old crusty layer, but the bottom was still an issue from time to time depending on the exposure.  Mineral Basin opened after a short delay, offering the deepest accumulation on the hill, and it seemed that the density was much lighter back there with some seriously blower lines.  Staying ahead of the Sun was important as the rays were quick to affect the quality, but the cold temps seemed to hold off the inevitable for a much longer time.  The Road to Provo opened in short order and was consumed in no time at all, but the North facing aspects offered some very nice soft snow that stayed cold and dry.  This installment will be a perfect addition before the next storm arrives during the next couple of days.  The hill is in great shape wall to wall, and the next installment should be bottomless.  Tomorrow, look for weather to move into the Front, so visibility will be variable.  It could well be a storm riding day, so dress for the cold and wind.  There may be some accumulation overnight, as the impulses are moving in as I write this.  The interference patterns have been subdued by the recent accumulation, so full on fall line assaults will be free of any real static.  Pressure on the hill should be much lighter, so a lot of vertical will be easy to achieve.  Here is a shot of a strange sighting way out in an aspen glade  I was dogging.  I have no idea of it’s significance, but I thought it was very cool.   See you for the storm riding.  Peace Out!!

The storm front, predicted to have moved in around 7:30AM, held off in the arrival until1:30PM, when heavy precipitation began to fall.  For the morning session, the Primrose Trifecta had been prepared and was covered with a light dusting of freshness that just felt too good to be true.  Other aspects were getting hammered by the heavy wind, that almost stopped my decent on Regulator.  It was blowing so hard that the wind lines began to develop, with the North East faces getting the best transport accumulation.  The High North was also benefiting from the transport, but it was still going to take a while for the additional accumulation to get the pack dialed up to Winter standards.  Still, the Big Smooth was the treat of the day, as it offered top to bottom perfection despite the variable visibility.   Tomorrow, look for the additional accumulation to have sweetened the dance floor, a partly cloudy day with much better visibility, and some really nice lines to mine on many of the big drops on the hill.  Those South exposures will still be a bit funky, as they were very crispy this morning on my recon run out on a Lewis and Clark sojourn.     The high wind did strip the approach to the Upper Cirque, so use caution as you move to the drop.  That area extends 40′ back, so when it gets covered, know that going in.  Here is a shot of the Wall Of Voodoo moving into the Canyon as I drove out of the Mouth at 1:45PM.  It looked angry and packing a punch.  Nice to have the added freshness.  IBBY!!

There was Sun on the hill this morning, with much warmer temps.  As the clouds moved in with the approaching system, the lights went out.  This was a good day for me to take off so I could take care of the pressing chores I have been neglecting here at the Trailer.  My contacts told me they had a great day, working the High North exposures where the cold was still holding out, with the Groomers still offering the high speed rock and roll.  Tomorrow, look for a storm riding day as the weather fills in a accumulation builds up on the hill. The hill is in great shape after the last installment and this addition to the dance floor will make every exposure get back to that Winter feel.  I am so looking forward to that.  Here is a shot of the high ridge looking smooth and steep.  See you in the AM.  Ciao!!

The Lake Effect kicked in late yesterday and all night, leaving an amazingly light addition to yesterday’s cushion.  The bottom was only vaguely in play as the new Essence added to the cushion with a low density fluffulessence that was blower top to bottom.  It was awesome wall to wall, so you had to choose where you going to go, with every choice a winner, with the possible exception of some of the far West facing aspects.  Out in Mineral Basin, the goods were wide spread, but seemed overlooked by the crowd as the Road to Provo opened, pulling the pressure in that direction.  The Exotic Trees were also opened up, offering some very deep lines that were worth the traverse.  As the Sun broke out, after the lingering flurries, the quality was quickly affected by the rays.  Things got pasty down low as the day warmed up, sending me off the hill to start my day off early.  Tomorrow, look for awesome Groomers to be some of the best of the day, as the off trail will be heavily worked and, with the cold night temps, will freeze up the crud that got damp.  The High North will still be holding the cold, but even low elevation North aspects got hit with the afternoon warmth.  The Sun should be full on for the  morning, but more weather is forecast and clouds may be moving in later in the day.  Here is a shot of the goods just waiting for the opening of the upper traverse.  I took this on my way out to the Exotic Trees.   Great late season conditions are continuing for the next while.  Get it while it is going off.  Peace Out!!

It was a wild morning of high wind, a crusty substrate, and variable visibility that added interest to the  high density Essence on the dance floor.  The density went a long way toward cushioning the old crusty layer below.  That layer was fully in play, and the crunch could really raise havoc with a well executed turn.  The pressure for the goods was fully evident, and getting away from the fray dialed back the need for constant awareness.   Mineral Basin seemed to have captured the most depth, but there were other sections that captured the deep as well.  The wind was the wild card, as it seemed to leave some sections wanting for more cushion.  The far reaches were left begging in the low visibility, letting the cognicenti have a free hand while the charge was ongoing on the front side.  As the new addition got worked over, the Harbor Chop built up to  stiff peaks that made it challenge to my knees.  Lots of lines were still to be had, but a bit of hounding was needed.  Snow continued off and on all day long, and some of the areas remained closed, so there will be more to get in the morning.  Tomorrow, look for the leftover sections to be opening and will offer that fresh frosting for those who missed it today.    The High North is still holding the best natural smooth, and the entrances are much better than yesterday.  Look for clearing skies, and with that the Sun will be working the aspects.  Be sure to stay ahead of the heat.  Here is a shot of a line we were working this morning as the high pressure was going off elsewhere. It is hard to see the tracks, but the Sun was trying to peak through the clouds.   It is nice to have a private resort close at hand.  See you in the AM.  IBBY!!

It was just beginning to snow as the first Tram left the dock. As anticipated, the North faces were the place to be to take advantage of the residual cold that was still resident in the pack.  As the new product fell, the carpet got more luxurious as the increasing snow fall began to fill up the dance floor.  This Essence had a medium density feel, which seemed to cushion the ride, but it still had that dust on crust feel about it.  As the new snow fall began to get piled up by the traffic, you needed to be deliberate in the turn to avoid the tile and pile syndrome.  Off the prepared runs, the new snow was slow to soften the ride, though on the smooth sections it was easy to find fresh lines of depth that felt very sumptuous.  It is raining hard here at the Trailer as I write this, so there will be more on hand for the morning session, and a storm day to be on tap.  Tomorrow, look for the a much better feel as the old layer gets covered, and the mountain returns to a Winter feel as the this cycle begins.  Still be wary of those pesky South faces, but I am sure conditions will moderate and develop as it should.  This will be a great addition to the over all snow pack and will be offering more deep lines to mine.  Here is a shot of the D.C. Devil Boarder who was getting ready to throw down on the mounting depth.  It was a Devilishly good day.  See for the morning fun.  IBBY!!

Another cool morning greeted the morning crew, but the Sun was shining brightly, and it was just a matter of time until things started softening.  Mineral Basin had been given tenderizing efforts, but still it needed a bit of time to start things off.  The Peruvian Gulch had the best feel, as the dry chalky feel was still solidly felt top to bottom.  Lower Primrose was offering unreal lines of dry chalk that kept me knocking out back to back Boats to get as much of that excellence as possible.  Again, a big shout out to the Cat Crew for providing such big mountain smooth for us to dance on.  At Noon, the back side was feeling the warmth and some real corn goodness was happening in a big way.  A sorbet treat was raging as laps to get the goods was a no brainer.  At 2:00PM the warmth was working all the aspects, making them soft and silky as the pack broke.  This bit of luxury will be of interest tomorrow, when the leftovers will be very crispy indeed.  Tomorrow, look for weather to have moved into the Front as the next cycle begins to bring the next installment.  You will be wise to stay with the known smooth lines, and avoid those off trail aspects that got cooked today.  The High North is the only exposure to have escaped the warm up, and look there for the best ride.  It will depend entirely on how much precipitation, and how fast it comes, that will affect the quality of the morning runs.  I am hoping for some high density product to start things off, and a similar build up of the pack as we had last week.  Dress for the weather and remember the smooth lines. Here is a shot of a section of goodness just waiting to be tapped, and an hour after I took this, it was signed and sealed.  Nice touch.  See you in the AM.  Ciao!!

It was another cool morning on the peak, as the Grooming Crew had prepared some extra special treats for the seekers.  Mineral Basin was offering some very nice corduroy, with a special fresh till on a Lewis and Clark fun fest.  That early morning freshie made that line worth lapping a couple of times.  On the front of the hill, more smooth had been prepped, and the hard drive, rock and roll, top to bottom laps were hard to pass up while Mineral Basin softened up a bit, though it was very nice just to start.  The High North still holds the cold, though a bit of rumble mars the ride, and no wind has had a chance to smooth any wind lines.  Interference Patterns are still slow to develop, but an increase in amplitude is building in the deep trees.  The Grooming Crew also prepared a special treat over off of Gad 2, with a never before treatment of the Black Forest Gully.  It was certainly tight, but it was worked all the way, and I had to get a couple of laps there before it was discovered.  Big Tip of the Hat to the Cat Crew for that bit of extra special fun.  Tomorrow, look for the morning to be a bit cool still, and Mineral Basin will be bright and sunny, but do not forget some of the big lines of dry chalky goodness on the Peruvian Gulch.  Regulator is slow to break and you will have to wait until at least Noon for the break on the right hand side.  Steer clear of those South facing aspects in the AM.  Just saying!!  Here is a shot of the lower section of the Gully that was worked for us today.  So nice and steep.  Stay Frosty!!

It was a cool morning with the Sun shining brightly on the hill.  The front of the hill was dark, and Mineral Basin was brightly lit and offering some great corduroy for the morning crew.  A new section of White Diamonds had been tilled, which offered the cold dry chalk that was smooth and consistent.  On the front of the hill the trifecta of Primrose, Primrose, and Primrose were given the extra special treatment, making that rare combination the Big Smooth.  I had to keep hitting that top to bottom line to get the goods before it was found.  After breakfast,  Mineral Basin had began to break on those South aspects, and the soft feel of corn was a treat.  Though the Sun was shining, the air remained cold, but I dropped layers and just drove with the top down.  The High North is still holding the cold, and still has yet to be affected by the high Sun angle.  Low amplitude rumble is the only static that you will have to deal with, but that is minor, and a full fall line approach is good to go.  Tomorrow, look for another cool morning, so be sure to dress for the nippy air.  The Groomers will be offering the throw down, get down party of the morning session.  Shaving off untracked corduroy nap is a perfection treat. Watch those South and West facing aspects till softening occurs.  The Deep Trees should still be offering the cold and dry feel, though the interference patterns have been building slowly.  Here is a shot of a discorperating tree in the middle of a tree line I was working, and I was wondering what it could tell me if it could still talk. Hmmmmm?   Peace Out!!

There was the pitter patter of rain on the Trailer in the early morning hours, signaling the quick passage of an impulse that moved through the Front. Up on the hill there was a fresh dusting gracing the dance floor for the morning crew.  The Groomers got an extra bump in goodness with the addition of this installment, making those smooth lines ultra buffed and begging for deep arcs. Those South and West facing off trail sections did not get enough coverage to make much difference, so sticking to the known smooth or the High North aspects was the best call.  There was a distinct nip in the air that kept the quality consistent for much longer than expected for such a sunny day.  That Sun was a nice addition, as The Weather Dude was calling for a cloudy start to the day, but all was bright for the opening gun.  Tomorrow, look for the extra Essence to be worked into the prepared mat, which will add a velvet quality to the feel of the turn.  Again, be wary of those South, West, and a bit of the East exposures to still be very crusty in the cold morning.  Those aspects should soften with the Sun, so keep tabs on the development of the thaw as it goes off.  Mineral Basin will be the first to break, and, with the bright Sun cooking the bowl, you can expect much earlier softening than the rest of the hill, which will be holding off until Noon or so.  Here is a shot of an exhibit piece in the Tunnel that shows how far equipment and clothing has come, but this guy’s stoke is quite evident.  You know he is geared up for some deep runnings.  Peace Out!!