The leaves broke out of the buds on the tree here at the Trailer after the recent temps made them feel the Spring Fever.  Everyone is amping for the the warmth, and the recent warm up is fueling the feeling.   On the hill, the morning chill has kept those South facing aspects very crispy, as well a the associated groomers that need a bit of time to thaw out.  I took the Lewis and Clark sojourn, but made a hasty retreat back to the front of the hill to take advantage of the dry coldness still holding strong in the pack.  West facing aspects should be avoided in the early hours as well, as it takes a while for the Sun to get high enough to work the magic.  When the snow pack broke, it offered some very nice lines if you followed the Sun and stayed with the goodness as it unfolded around the clock.  Here is a shot of one of the new lines that has never been punched out before, and the North facing exposure ensured that it was cold dry and chalky.  Nice touch from the Grooming Crew.  Tomorrow, look for some weather to be moving through, but it seems to be a dry front, so not much precipitation is expected.  Look for those North facing aspects to still be holding the cold, but lower down on the hill might be a bit crispy to start things off. Look for those freshly mowed sections that have been tenderized with a fresh till.  The hill is still in great shape and the recent warmth has not yet affected the cover.   I was passing by lower Chips Run where they had parked the Air Med ship for a demonstration.  I was able to get up close and get this shot.  It is nice to know that if there is a need there are such resources close at hand.  See you Sunday.  Stay Frosty!!

It was slightly warmer this morning, though it was wise to dress for the morning cold.  Unreal Grooming had been done on all sides of the hill with Lower Silver Fox getting the very rare buff work.  That long steep section required all your attention, especially in the early morning flat light before the Sun got over the ridge.  That was an extra special treat that kept me lapping the Peruvian Chair to get as much as I could as fast as I could.  Shaving the nap of fresh corduroy is a beautiful thing.  Mineral Basin was bathed in Sunlight, and White Diamonds had a fresh till that turned up the cold snow from below the surface, which really refreshed the feel after the Solar attack from the day before.  The High North is still holding the best snow on the hill, however there is a high frequency, low amplitude rumble to deal with, but that is easily negotiated.  The deep trees are still holding some of the cold, though the traffic is working the interference pattens higher by the day.  There are long lines though the static, so a good flow line can be established with a bit of finesse.  Tomorrow, you can expect some clouds to have moved into the area, so the light might be a bit flat.  Remember the smooth lines from today, and rely on the smooth consistency of the Grooming work to keep you moving with gusto.   Here is a shot of two friends, Mary Ellen and The Budmeister from Boonville N. Y. who have been getting all the goods they can during their stay.  There are lots of goods to get.  IBBY!!

There was a crisp morning cold on the hill as the Sun illuminated the dance floor.   The Groomers had been  prepared on all side of the hill, with The Big Smooth featured on the front of the hill, offering top to bottom ground pounding fun.   Mineral Basin was bright, fast, and still holding the last of the powder stashes waiting in the wings. Ski Patrol Gully opened after a few laps and I got the opening. While the quality was very nice, the bottom layer was still in play in sections where the wind moved a bit of the cushion.  Despite the cool temps, the Sun began to bake those direct exposures, which became quite pasty and wet in the afternoon.  The North faces stayed soft and dry, with cold chalky consistency wide spread.  Tomorrow, look for another sunny day, great Groomers to be on tap on all sides of the hill, and some late afternoon high cloudiness to move in.  The temps will be cool again to start, but will quickly warm as the Sun get higher.  Be sure to avoid those South and West aspects, as they will be slow to soften and be very crusty for the morning session.  Interference patterns are building slowly, and the off trail is still fun to explore for the small pockets of soft snow.  Here is a shot of Ski Patrol Gully just before the rope was dropped.  See you there for a rock and roll morning of top to bottom shredding.   Peace Out!!

Today was a sleeper and caught many folks sleeping as the day offered some of the best snow of the season.  Many folks were saying that it was the best day of the year and I would have to agree that it was at the very top of the list of great days we have had this year.  The new installment was a perfect build up of dense graupel  with ever lightening Essence topping it off.  The bottom was in play, but the cushion took most of the sting out of things.  The South aspects were still very crispy underneath requiring a bit more English on the turn in places, but other aspects were just plain going off Blower.   As the Universe would have it, I got the drop of the gate to the Exotic Trees, where the conditions were as good as it gets.  The low turnout let you cycle back through to get another and another of the goodness that was waiting.  I also got the drop of the Road to Provo which had a bit more variation in the quality, as the wind had moved some of the product around, but the outlaying  areas were excellent and very deep.  Needless to say it was tough to find a fault with today.  Tomorrow, look for some more of the residual Lake Effect snow that fell all day to still be present, as the Sun did not make an appearance today, though it did try at times.  Those South faces still need to be taken into account, but the hill is good to go all over for the most part.  The Groomers will offer the best carving imaginable, so dig in deep and lay it down like Ligety!!  As there were no photo ops today, I thought I would present a group of friends of mine who are as deeply committed to the fall line as anyone and they all have the best time celebrating the joy of the DEEP!!  Rock on Gang!!  Ciao!!

A wild wind was dragging over the peak this morning ahead of the front that would later bring some fresh snow to the hill.  Mineral Basin had the best visibility with the overcast sky, and the flat light made it tough to see the details, though the machine work was very consistent which helped a lot.  Moving back to the front of the hill found the wind pounding the slope, which was so strong the transported snow could not find a purchase.  I tried to find the wind lines, but all I found were some pockets of dust in the troughs.  Off trail, those South and West faces were still sporting that crust that has developed with the  recent warmth, and those aspects should be avoided.  I saw some folks out on the gnar and it looked painful to me. The Lifts were closed due to the frontal passage, and there was limited resumption after things calmed down and the snow started falling.  Tomorrow, look for the residual accumulation from this impulse, some wind lines to be built up in those special aspects, and much better visibility.  The Groomers will offer the best overall smooth, but those wind lines will be extra special if you can find them, so keep your eyes pealed. Also be aware of some high spots to have been stripped off, so check those entrances before driving in blind.  The wind giveth and the wind taketh away, so look for those extra special treats.  Here is a shot of Pagan Bowl looking all smooth and bright.  I love that pitch as it faces North East and holds the cold the  longest.  See for the morning vertical fest.  Stay Frosty!!

Trams left early this morning in observance of Customer Appreciation day which was quite cool to start things off.  Spectacular Grooming had been lavished on all sides of the hill.  Mineral Basin was offering the steep long lines and low angle rockers that got you doing fast laps. The front of the hill was offering the Big Smooth with the trifecta of Upper, Middle and Lower Primrose buffed to a perfect velvet line top to bottom.  I could not tear myself away from that line until breakfast.  The High North was still offering soft cold snow, with some fairly smooth surfaces as these lines are a bit tough to get to.  The Exotic Trees have been bumped out fairly severely, so when you go, be very deliberate in the troughs.  The wind did not do too much in the way of building wind lines, but there were a couple that I tried out just to see if the lines extended to the bottom.  These lines have not fully developed yet.  Tomorrow, look for another offering of a Grooming extravaganza, and be sure to dig in deep and lay on that edge.  It was not that long ago you would have killed for this consistency.  Now we have it, so give it the juice.  The warmth of the latter part of the day today will extend the crustiness down the hill a bit, but the Groomers should still be holding the cold dry chalk. The hill is in great shape for top to bottom rock and roll.  Here is a shot of the Tunnel that I took on one of my tours of the hill.  See you for the first Bucket.  Peace Out!!

3 inches of medium density Essence was delivered overnight  as fast moving front moved through the Front.  The front left clouds hugging the peaks in the early hours of the day, but clearing was in progress and the Sun came out late enough to keep the new product from being too damaged by the rays.  The Groomers were offering unreal smoothness with the addition of the new snow, and that was the place to be if you were looking to lay down some serious arcs.  The interference patterns continue to build up, but are still holding off on most of the hill, where you can expect only minimal rumble to deal with.  Tomorrow, look for more sunny skies with warmer temps as we move ever so slowly toward Spring.  The  wind may be at work overnight, so look for those wind lines on the hill, and get to them for the short while they will last.  The hill continues to offer great lines all around, but be sure to watch those South and West faces that have been set up and crusted.  Even with the additional accumulation, that will not be enough to cushion those crusty aspects.  Here is as shot of one of the steep lines that is very seldom visited.  See you for the first Boat.  Stay Frosty!!

Today offered lines and lines of perfect Hydro Velvet that had been prepared just for the folks who showed up for today.  Upper Primrose Path had been worked for the first time of the season and both sides of the nose were smoothed all the way to the flats.  It was off the charts perfect, with dry chalky goodness that begged you to lay it down and get the most out of the turn.  Middle and Lower Primrose also were included in the package, which is the full requirement to deem the top to bottom run The Big Smooth.  It is very rare to get the triple treat, but there it is, and it stood up all day long.  The High North is  still holding the cold dry soft snow if you are still looking for some soft snow turns.  The South and West facing aspects are still problematic after the direct Sun damage.  Tomorrow, look for a fast moving front to have moved through overnight, which may deliver a dusting to the hill.  There should be partly cloudy skies, so visibility should pose no issues.  The hill is in great shape and looking great except for the crustiness of those previously mentioned aspects.  The Groomers will be offering the same consistent feel no matter what the weather brings.  There might be a bit more traffic as spring break is happening, but you should be able to get your fill without any extra effort.  They opened Twin Peaks for hiking today, and here is a shot of the top of Pipeline featuring the first turns of the season.  See you Sunday.  IBBY!!

There was a  nip in the air this morning, but the air was still and Mineral Basin was calling with bright sunshine bathing the bowl.  White Diamonds was given a perfect buff, delivering a first run extravaganza with smooth steep perfection.   The Lewis and Clark foray revealed some new and exciting lines that has been freshly machine worked for the first time this season. Nice touch.  The Front Side offered dry chalky smooth, with Lower Primrose Path featuring a light dusting of wind transported snow  covering the fresh groom work.  That bottom pitch was worth the price of admission and, it held up all day long.  The cool air seemed to hold off the warming, leaving most exposures free of the Sun damage that would be expected.  The softness remains and good lines are available, though everything is tracked out, but the crud is still fully blastable.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to offer the best of the morning fun, the off trail to still be holding some of the soft cold snow, and the Sun to be shining on the hill again.  Interference patterns are still building up in the high traffic areas, so expect to have to work a bit to get through those sections.  It is easy to get around them, but they are there if you want to throw down.  Here is a shot of my friend Brophy and the Jones girls hanging out on the peak and getting ready to shred the smooth lines.  Rock it ladies.  See you in the AM.  IBBY!!

As anticipated, the morning brought bright Sun, cool temps, and the opening of the areas that were held off yesterday.  Mineral Basin called the folks who flocked to get the fresh lines out on the  Bookends, and they worked all those lines in short order.  The Quality was very nice with effortless turns top to bottom.  Only those South faces still has any echos of the old layer, and the High North was just plain Blower.  On the front of the hill, the Grooming was very silky and dry on both sides of the ridge, with the off trail still offering cold soft depth.  The interference patterns are developing slowly, though they do have long round troughs that let you smooth out the ride.  As the day warmed up the South faces really began to bake, but it is that time of year.  The morning crew took a Lewis and Clark lap, finding untracked, wind blown goodness top to bottom, with no traffic.  We were fortunate to get the Ski Patrol Gully opening, where the turns were as good as it gets.  Here is a shot I took as Mr Scott and Pistol Pete spooned these turns in the first exposure.  I put my turns right next to them to farm the lines.  Sooo Good!!! Here is also a shot of the Sunday Cliffs as the faithful were getting after it.  Tomorrow, look for there still to be nice soft snow on the Shaded areas, some crispy lines on the exposures that took the Sun, and top to bottom goodness on the Groomers.  It should be another Blue Bird day, so get there early for a full day of soft snow dancing!!   Ciao!!