This morning was clear and cold with a peak temp. of 9 Degrees and stiff wind blowing up slope.  Mineral Basin was bathed in light, but the cold air and wind did little to warm the feel.  The Groomers were very nice, but they are getting quite firm overall, with some of the rime layer beginning to show through.  Even though that happened some time ago, the wind and ski traffic is beginning to work it’s way back down to that layer in select places, though there are some wind lines building here and there.  Still, the pace is fast and fun with the front side of the hill still holding the cold as it has stayed out of the low angle Sun.  Dry chalky lines can be found on the High North aspects, but a test traverse well into the far reaches of a West facing Lewis and Clark lap sent me traversing directly back to the Groomer to escape some treacherous breakable slab that has developed as the pack morphs.  Interference patterns are building in the high traffic areas, with some sections offering some high amplitude.  Here is a shot of a section that was being worked as I watched, thinking I was glad my knees did not have to deal with the vibrations.  The lighting helps to define the intensity of this line.  Adjacent to this line was a freshly buffed line of wind slab you could arc on with unbridled enthusiasm.  Tomorrow, look for continued cold temps., so be sure to dress for the morning cold.  I will be putting on my other coat as well as the insulated pants.  You won’t recognize me. Freshly worked Groomers will be on tap, and you can bet on smooth consistency.  Give Regulator a bit of time in the AM to soften and get worked a bit before hitting it.  Look for those steep machine worked areas on the lower front of the hill for some more excellent big mountain smooth.  For those who really love the interference patterns, there are plenty of lines to work all over the hill.  For myself, I will be looking for the smooth and the steep for the fix I need.  Here is a shot of Leopard Man sporting the most advanced development in Hydration Packs.  He better hope it does not start flying when he is in motion.  Fly fast Leopard Man, say hydrated.   Peace Out!!

I had hoped to drive with the top down today, but it was surprisingly cold in the AM, and though it warmed up a bit in the afternoon, it remained cold all day.  White Diamonds was given a fresh till as well as Lower Silver Dipper, making that lap one for the books.  Perfectly carvacious corduroy was wall to wall and you could do no wrong.  On the front of the hill, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path once again was given the brush.  That shot stayed great all day long and seemed to get better as the day progressed with dry dust filling the gut.  Off trail, the worked sections are getting better with traffic, with  the only exception being the really heavy traffic lines.  Dry chalky consistency can be found on all High North aspects as well lower down on the hill as the temps have remained cooler than the Sun would indicate.  Here is a shot I took on a Lewis and Clark lap.  Check out how the clouds began to build in the afternoon.  Timp. is a huge mountain and I would love to ski it some day.  Just over the ridge in the fore ground is where they will be going next in the next few years.  I can’t wait.  Tomorrow, look for another day of really fast lines on the beautifully prepared Groomers.  You can not argue with perfect.  I have been working on layin’ it down like Ligety when I get to lay into the carpet.  It is so much fun to feel the G’s.  There are wind lines here and there from the past couple of days, so keep your eyes open for some of the off trail goods.  It is Nature’s Grooming after all, and who can not like that.  Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

Variable visibility was the main issue today, however the Groomers were smooth and consistent, which was a bonus when you where guessing where the hill was going.  Lower on the hill the visibility improved, but the flat light made the details hard to discern.  The big steep Groomers on the Peruvian side of the hill kept the stoke going by providing wind buffed excellence.   The Free Ride Comp was going off today with some very talented kids working the upper Silver Fox area.  I did not venture into Mineral Basin today to avoid white out that was going on out there from time to time.  I was concentrating of the smooth dry chalky lines I love.  Some sunshine tried to make an appearance, but it seemed to close out with more fog.  These conditions do help your inner sense of motion, which comes back to help when you can actually see.  Here is another shot of that white wave from yesterday from a different angle.  It is really throwing out, looking like a tow in type wave.  Here is yet another perspective, which looks like you are paddling out and are caught inside the Impact Zone.  Too late to duck dive this one, you will have to take it on the head!!Tomorrow, look for clearing weather, a bit of a dusting from the overnight precipitation, and excellent Groomers in which to place some serious lacerations.  Off trail continues to be a bit rough, but there are still some soft snow  lines to be found on the High North aspects.  Mineral Basin will be great in the Morning if the visibility cooperates.   There is very little traffic there for the first hour.  See you for the first Tram and the fast fun.   Ciao!!

It was a clear cold morning with bright sunshine and building wind to greet the fairly light turnout for the morning festivities.  Mineral Basin was offering stellar Groomers that begged for deep carving turns top to bottom.  Laps out on some Lewis and Clark lines kept the stoke high as there were very few folks making their way there.  The front side of the hill offered the dry chalky lines on the big steep drops which were accented with dry dust covering the corduroy.  The wind continued to build, which started to fill in the low spots in between the interference patterns, making them much more approachable.  Traffic built up as the morning moved to Noon, but the lift capacity was keeping up with the demand.  At the top of the Baldy Chair this beautiful throwing peak was captivating and I had to stop and get some shots of it.  Tomorrow, look for more exceptional Groomers to be offering the goods, with the off trail still offering some soft snow in places that have not seen too much Sun.  Be aware of those aspects that caught a lot of direct Sun as they will be crusty and difficult in the morning.  Look to the High North for the dry chalk that is still holding tough.  The upper section of Silver Fox is closed for an event, so that will be closed off, but the adjacent lines are still very nice indeed.  Interference patterns continue to build in the very high traffic areas that do not get worked, but the cadence seems to be even and open in most cases.   I expect it to be a bit brisk again, so dress for cooler temps.  I was glad I had the extra gear on today, even though I wanted to drive with the top down.  See you for the morning fun fest.  Peace Out!!

Today dawned a sunny Saturday contrary to the weather dude’s forecast.  That was a treat for those who made it up to the hill today.   2” of freshness graced the dance floor to freshen up the ride for the faithful who showed up for today’s festivities.  The Groomers were offering the smoothest lines on the hill, but there were a couple of wind lines to be found on the High North.  I was off the hill today to rest up for the coming week and get recharged.  Here is a shot of the last light on Hell Gate as it fell one afternoon as I was leaving the hill.  The light in the Canyon does some amazing things if you happen to be there for that perfect moment.   Tomorrow, look for another day of great sliding on the hill, with stellar Groomers on all sides of the hill, and dry chalky lines on the front of the hill.  Off trail is still very nice and worth the time to poke around to find what is going on, but there is that rumble that is wide spread, which will make you have to suck up the vibrations.  Also be sure to check out those fresh steep Groomed runs that have been worked on the hill, as they are back country perfect.  That steep dry chalk is hard to beat.  I will be there for the opening bell, so see you then.  Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

It was sunny this morning out in Mineral Basin, out ahead of a cloud deck that was staged to move in later in the day.  The Groomers back there were so sweet, with Lower Silver Dipper offering that super G feel all the way down.  Fresh lines were to found on the front of the mountain as well, with the fresh till of Lower Primrose Path the high light of the day, as it had that dry chalky dust sitting in the gut.  How sweet it is.  I took my WINGS out for the first time today to take advantage of the light traffic on the hill.  It was smooth cruising top to bottom.  As the clouds moved in the light went flat, making the details hard to make out.  Lines close to the trees gave you the best visibility and that dry chalk was holding up to the colder temps.  Here is a shot of the lower section of Silver Dipper looking as fast as it was.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering Hydro Velvet perfection on all sides of the hill.  I think there might be a dusting of freshness if these clouds are holding any moisture.  There is a Free Ride Competition being held over on the Rasta Chutes section of the hill.  It should be fun to watch.  Off trail, the crud is setting up and is quite bouncy, though with today’s wind, we might see some significant transport to fill in the troughs.  That could change the complexion of things nicely.  I always look for the wind buff.  I am taking the day off to get some work done on the antenna array.  Got to keep those TRANSMISSIONS coming in clear and strong.   Syrup won’t stop ‘ EM!!

The Groomers were rockin’ smooth this morning with some of the most sublime wind dusted lines covering the corduroy in places.  With a slight delay in the opening of Powder Paradise, the call was for a front of the mountain assault on the buff.  Though Lower Primrose Path did not get a fresh till, it still offered dry smooth chalk, with loose dust to sweeten the ride.  When Path to Paradise opened it was just as good as it gets, letting you dial in any amount of edge angle you could imagine.   Here is a shot of the goods waiting for the rope drop.  The off trail areas, though still soft and consistent, were a bit bouncy as the chop has been building.  With all this Sun, those aspects that get the full facewill be getting wet and sticky in the afternoon.  On the front of the Mountain, where the Sun is still not shining directly, the dry chalk is still holding up strong, though there is an increase in the low amplitude rumble and a build up of interference pattens in the very heavily traveled sections.  Out of Area Touring opened today, just a couple of days after the storm and I took advantage of the window to get a look see over the ridge into White Pine.  Here is a shot of the Birthday Chutes looking well covered, but there was a wind crust on those aspects in this shot, and it required finding just the right angle to find the goods.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to once again be offering the sweet smooth lines that will get you digging deep into the turns.  The off trail will be crusty on those aspects that saw a lot of Sun, and should be avoided until warming occurs.  The temps are very comfortable, and I was driving with the top down all afternoon.  What a treat.  Be there for the Sun and fun on tap for the day.  Speed safely!!

It was clear and cold and the peak was high above the fog in the valleys.  The Groomers were off the charts carvelicious, especially in Mineral Basin where the Sun was On and keeping it well lit.  Here is a shot looking South from the peak looking like an ocean of clouds.  All of the remaining Powder Reserves were opened today, with high quality powder still holding up nicely.  The Road to Provo offered some extra special treats on some aspects, where the the   Quality was extra fluffy.  The Sunday Cliffs opened as well with great lines wall to wall, which did not take long to get properly worked. The Exotic Trees also made the list with just a few on hand for the opening.  All of these sections are still offering soft snow, though the chop is rising quickly.  Here is a shot on the way out to the Exotic Trees with the Sun hitting the steep section just right.  Tomorrow, look for  awesome Groomers to be offering ground pounding fun.  The front of the hill has been offering some new and exciting Groomed sections on the lower mountain that I have been waiting on for quite some time.  Check them out when you get the time.  Conditions are great with cool temps to keep the goods good.  Here is a shot looking West out into the Valley.  This might be what Lake Bonneville looked like way back, long ago.  I would like to go back in time and check it out.  Hmmm…. maybe I will.  IBBY!!

It was a deep dose of the fresh Essence that fell in the last day.  Today was one of those days that you will remember Next year.   The Groomers were really carvy, but the show stopper was the off trail quality, where all lines were good to go.  Even the Upper Cirque was getting a lot of traffic.  The consistency was very nice and the bottom, though still a bit in play, was just a footnote for the most part.  I had to deal with my car issues in the AM, but, with some fresh parts, I was able to be on the hill at Noon.  I got the drop of the Powder Paradise sign line, where the full depth experience was on tap for the very few folks who were waiting for just such the occasion.  There was a bit of a high density layer on top, but it did not bother the turns at all.   The Sun cleared off for the afternoon session and I got this amazing shot of the Sun behind the pines.  It looks so surreal, like a vision of the Snow Queen.  Check out the crown.  Tomorrow, look for unreal Groomers to dial in some serious lacerations, with the off trail still offering soft snow, though the harbor chop did build up and will require a soft touch or a full blast attack.  My knees need to use the soft touch approach when I hit that condition.  Road to Provo, and the Exotic Trees are still waiting in the wings, where the quality will still be like frosting a cake with a paper knife.  There was a bit of wind kicking up when I was leaving, so look for some wind affected lines here and there.   The hill is good wall to wall, and you will have a very hard time containing the grins.  Here is a shot of Dr, Pepper indulging in his name sake Elixir. One a day and the Dr. will play.   See you in the AM!!   Ciao!!

There was just a dusting in the parking lot as the morning began, but the sky opened up and began delivering a serious dose of the Essence all day long.  Snowbird reported 3” an hour, but there were times it was much higher than that.  On the first Tram there was 2 to 3” up on top and by 10:30 AM, when I broke for breakfast, there was fully 10” covering the same line I had done on first Tram.  A few light periods of snowfall made it seem like it was backing off, but waves of very heavy snow fell continued all day  long and was still dumping when I left at 2:30 PM.  Here is a shot of the first tower on the Peruvian chair taken from the warmth of the Forklift Restaurant, which in a small way shows how hard it was dumping.  The bottom was still in play even though the roughly 8% density cushioned the pack.  The areas of interference patterns were still lurking underneath the new snow, and in the very difficult visibility, made it a touch tricky to deal with the rumble.  I was sticking with the known smooth lines after a foray into some static that sent me on a bee line back to the smooth.  Mineral Basin closed early as well as some other sections of the mountain that was loading up too rapidly.  Here is a shot of yours truly after my second run with the face shot blast still plastered to my face.  These are the days to write home about when there are no lines and the powder is all time.  Tomorrow, look for overnight accumulation to set the hill up for some epic lines.  The Canyon will be closed in the morning, so keep an eye on the main site for info on the road opening.  I expect quite a bit of pressure for the goods.  Bring out your biggest sticks for the ultra deep.  I have to deal with my car issues, wish me luck.   IBBY