Customer Appreciation was extended for another weekend and will continue tomorrow as well.  I took this last opportunity to get up the peak to see the progress on the new structure.  All the steel is up and the floors and roof have been poured going into the Winter stretch.  Here is a shot looking at the South end of the structure.  This will all be enclosed with glass when work continues in the Spring.  The work area has been cleaned up and cleared so that there will be plenty of room to move on the peak this Winter.  A new road has been cut out in Mineral Basin all the way out to the pass looking into Mary Ellen Gulch.  It eliminates the Hillary Step.  This will be a nice addition and will restore the Bookends lines.  As you can see, there is just a bit of residual snow still holding on to the North facing exposures.  Now we are ready for the real deal to begin.  It won’t be long now until we are warping down all the lines we have been dreaming of all Summer long.   Get up there tomorrow for the last opportunity to hang on the peak until the season begins.  See you soon.   Peace Out!!

It was super warm today, and a perfect day for Customer Appreciation Day.  The folks were arriving early to get that Tram ride for a Food Donation.  The winds were still and the peak temp was very mild indeed.  The progress on the peak facility has really taken shape with most of the steel up and the floors being poured before the Winter closes in.  This is going to be such a cool structure that has plenty of glass to give you vistas forever.  Here is a shot taken from the Tram dock looking South.  Here is another shot looking toward the North East giving you an idea of the scale of the building. The entire South end will be a huge glass surround.  I am so looking forward to spending time in the middle of high weather just checking out the intensity from the protection and comfort of the building.  Plus, when the old shack is gone, it will afford  360 Degree vistas with no restrictions.  Very cool.  There is still a skiff of snow from the last cycle that moved through  a few weeks ago, but for the most part it is gone from all but the highest North aspects.  Here is a shot of the Twins with just that little bit of frosting.  The Mountain Accord is a site that is asking for input on the development of advanced transportation systems to better serve the Wasatch, and help deal with the traffic issues.  Here is the link so you can weigh in on the issue.  http://mountainaccord.com/get-involved/.   This will be very important as we go forward into the future.  The days are ticking off, and it will be Go Time before you know it.  Get your tools ready for the fun and get up there tomorrow for the last day of Tram service.  Peace Out.

This coming weekend marks the end of Oktoberfest for this year.  I will be sad to see it end, as I have had a blast hanging out and listening to the great bands that perform.  I got to see lots of folks I have not seen in a long time and take in the vibrations the hill generates.  Here is a shot of one of the Tyrolian Horn players that was waiting to take the Tram to the peak for a sounding of the horns to bring in the Big Snow.  The air has been crystal clear these past weeks with ultra blue gracing the sky wall to wall.  This resolution sets off the vibrant fall colors of the foliage as the are now hitting the peak of color.  The Aspens are particularly iridescent and seem to strobe against the dark green of the Pines.  Stunning.  The weather has rebounded from that cold wet cycle that was holding strong a couple of weeks ago, where there was some small accumulation that continues to hold on to the High North.  I like this  dry pattern because it signals a better start to the real accumulation cycle.  Early deep snow in October usually seems to indicate a dry start.  A dry October seems to break open in the late part of the month and then unleashes a continual series of storms to build the pack.  That would be a much better scenario for a big opener and a continued stream of the Goodness.   I did not get up to the peak last weekend as it was very crowded and there was quite a line.  Good progress continues on the peak structure, where the floors are being poured and they are racing the clock to get it wrapped up for the Winter.  Be sure to make an effort to get up for the festivities this weekend and soak up the vibes, food and fun.  The forecast is  for a splendid weather, so take advantage of this last opportunity to party before the Ski Season starts.  Time is flowing like Little Cottonwood Creek in high melt off mode, so it won’t be long and we will be waist deep in the Essence before you know it.  Peace Out!!

We have had a long stretch of precipitation for the last week or so, and ,with the recent cold front moving through, snow was finally evident up on the upper elevations.  There was not a lot of accumulation, but just enough to get the juices flowing for things to come.  Here is a shot of the the upper Silver Fox area below the cloud deck that was showing the new dusting.   It was quite cold on the peak and I was woefully under dressed for the occasion.  Doh!!I wanted to get a look at the new snow and the progress on the new peak facility.  Work is moving along briskly, but this weather might slow things down a bit, but the floors are going on and more steel is going up on the South end of the structure.  These are some adverse conditions in which to work.  I am excited to see this building completed and hang out in the big glass surrounds that it will feature.  There will be an entrance right off the Tram dock, so you can duck in out of the wind and weather when things get dicey.  That will be a nice feature.   I went up to Oktoberfest two weeks ago to enjoy the festivities and look at the colors on the hill.  Here is a shot of the aspens on the lower section of the Gad Valley, which look very vibrant.  The colors are coming out all over the hill and it is worth the time to check it out.  Here is a shot of the Uni Mog that is the Snowbird Mascot so to speak, packed with kegs of beer for the fall celebration.  I love how they restored this vehicle and made it live.  Nice touch.  Be sure to get up to the hill for these last two weekends of Oktoberfest.  The activities, food, libations, and music is a great take in at this time of the season.  Soon it will be time to get back to life on the hill and I am excited about the prospects for the year.  I will be bringing the Trailer down from the High Desert this week as my consultations with the Galactic Federation have wrapped up.  I will, again, be setting it up for the Winter next to the corral with all my horse friends who see me off every morning and greet me on my return from the hill every day.  I tell them about my adventures and they listen with knowing eyes, but I am sure they understand.  Be sure to get your copy of Snowbird Secrets – available by clicking on the cover art at the top of the page- which will go a long way to the pre season conditioning.  IBBY!!