I took a Tram ride this morning to check out the progress on the peak facility and it was quite warm on the peak, but not as hot as it was in the Valley where the temps. where pushing 100 Degrees.  Here is a shot of the progress as the interior is really beginning to take shape, and the footings for the big deck are almost ready to be poured.   Compare and contrast from last post.  It was great being on the peak again, and there is still snow out in the big bowls, but it is going fast and will not be lasting long.  The single track bike trail is shaping up and work has been done to get it smoothed out.  Be sure to check the Bird site for availability.  I will be trying to get some shots of the trail as the season progresses.  Here is a shot of the Mc Donald family who were enjoying the peak after moving to the Utah a couple of months ago.  They are going to love it here.    The Cool Air Concerts are being held on Saturday nights, which feature national talent and are well worth getting up the hill to attend, not to  mention the cooler temps. after the heat of this High Pressure system that is parked over the state. All of the activities are open and happening daily so come up and take advantage of the fun.  Lastly, here is a shot of the Uni Mog that is parked out front of the Plaza.  This is such a classic vehicle.  The Big Cycle continues to turn and it will be delivering the goods in the not to far distant future.  Stay Frosty!!

The new peak facility is shaping up quickly.  I took a Tram ride to the peak to check things out after a gracious lunch at the Forklift where Neil was showing old archive photos of the early years of the Bird.  There were shots of architect renderings of the Plaza and a future look, and surprisingly, most of the model has been realized.  The Cliff Lodge expansion far exceeded those visions and is still ahead of it’s time.  Here is a shot of the structure where the progress is most evident.   Sub grade work continues on the surrounding deck with the excavator and articulating truck digging out the area for the footings and foundation for the external deck. This is going to be great getting off the Tram. There is still quite a bit of snow up high, and it was kind of inviting, but the sun cups and debris on the slopes were problematic, so I did not harbor any ideas of getting ambitious, however, there were some tracks out in Mineral Basin.  I visited with the Disney Princesses – Poccahontas and Rapunzel who were visiting the Bird for the first time.  They were blown away with all the activity and terrain they saw on the trip, and I suspect they will return to see what a real deep powder day at the Bird has to offer.  I just though you would all like to see the progress, and it looks like they are well on the way to an on time opening for next season.  More to come, but in the mean time, I am busy getting the DEEP SPACE TRANSMISSIONS at the Trailer.  Things are getting very interesting.  Peace Out!!

I had a very nice time at Brew Fest today, the weather was perfect and there was some great music in the main area.  I got there early so I could grab lunch at the Forklift and then hit the music venue where a good friend of mine was playing with Sin City Soul.  They were outstanding and were as tight and funky as can be.  I had never heard him play even though I have know Dude for over 40 years.  Somehow, I just never was able to get to it, but here is a shot of the band rocking it old school.There were numerous acts to come after this group, so the day was full of music and fun.  They had a very nice arts and crafts area that had cool stalls with a wide variety to shop.  Here is a great shot of the Dude himself working bass line and locking in the groove.  Make it a point to get up there for tomorrow’s festivities, as the weather will be great and the beer is flowing.  Stay Frosty!!

In my early years here at the Bird, there was a very advanced crew of back country skiers who would work Mineral Basin as a personal back yard.  Here is a shot of one of the Bookend Chutes off of Toad Hill  15 years before there was lift service in the back.  They did this all on long skinny skis and really heavy boots.  They would make numerous laps out there and get the best of the best and then have to do the long slog out of there.  Mr Thiel sent me these shots from his archives, which include so many memories that are not dated in the least, as this terrain remains unchanged for the most part.  Here is another shot  looking back at the turns out of the Finger Chutes.  How many Winters did the all that powder go begging back before the Bird was made a reality?  Fortunately, we have now arrived at the proper point in the Time Line that lets us have at all this terrain.   Now, looking forward, as the Bird begins a new motion into the future, we have new views to imagine lines. Before we know it, we will be putting down lines on this terrain, and this is just a tiny piece of a very large canvas that exists just over the ridge, just like those earlier shots of Mineral Basin.  Here is a shot of Seth, operating the excavator on the peak, as he digs the foundation holes for the new deck that will surround the new peak facility.  This will entirely eliminate the congestion getting off of the Tram deck.  Progress is coming along nicely.  Don’t forget that this weekend Snowbird is hosting the Brewfest, with live music, activities, and lots of fun.  Be sure to get up there as the weather is going to be great.  Stay Frosty!!