Archive for December, 2015

SLIGHTLY WARMER

12-31-15

It was a sunny bright morning with not a cloud in the sky and a temp. on the peak of 9 Degrees.  This was quite a bit warmer than yesterday, but there was still a real bite to the chill.  Mineral Basin was offering some awesome corduroy that let you lay it down like Ligety, with great consistency and smoothness wall to wall.  The Front of the hill was quite a bit colder, as it sat in the shade and would be long in warming up even a bit.  Regulator was offering smooth buff on the Groomed sections, with the off trail getting more worked in with all the traffic.  The Road to Provo is still challenging, but further out on the traverse can be found some nice soft lines that were easy to deal with.  Here is a shot of some of that goodness that is still waiting in the wings.   I love that low angle light filtering down from the big bowl up above this tranquil scene.  DSC03348Interference patterns are continuing to build, but the lines through them are fairly round and not too jarring.  The Snow Guns were working hard in the cold air, and very nice Gun Powder was available in the stretches below them.  There is still some firmness on the main runs, but the sides tend to hold some soft dust to put down some speed scrubbing turns.  Here is a shot of the Gypsy Girl who was breezing through the Front and took  the time to get up on the hill.   I am glad she and her crew got the great Sun and visibility to take full advantage of a great day.  DSC03339Tomorrow, look for continued cold on the hill, light traffic for the morning session, great lines out in Mineral Basin, and more Sun to keep the Bird World in full view.  The corduroy will be offering those untracked lines for the early risers, so dig in deep to those perfect carpets.    The CHEF sent this shot of He and Silvie living large on the beach in Brazil.  If you can’t be at the Bird, the next best place to be is on the beach somewhere.  20151231_120718-1We sure do miss him here, but he is doing great things as we head into this new year.  Happy New Year!!!

MISTY LIGHT

12-30-15

Light snow flurries moved in and out all day, with the clouds making the light all misty and mysterious.  There were pockets of sunlight here and there up and down the mountain.  The Groomers out in Mineral Basin were off the charts ripping, with great consistency and solid edge sets.  With a couple of inches of fresh Essence covering the dance floor, the off trail began to feel a bit more workable and much less variable, which was a nice change.  Northwest Baldy opened from the top today, and there was some very nice soft snow top to bottom.  There was some deposition to negotiate, but over all it was a great opening with not much in the way of pressure for the goods.  With the high humidity and light flurries all the trees were getting the frostedDSC03335effect.  This shot illustrates the dreamy foggy feel that held on all day long.  You can kind of make out Cardiff there in the background.  The snow guns were working top to bottom and were turning out some stellar Gun Powder with all this very cold air.  I was dialing back the roll to get as much of the goodness under each one as I passed.  The buff extended well down the hill as the still air made the accumulation really stretch well beyond the guns.  I took this shot of the Lewis and Clark area from the East stair case in the Summit.  This stair case hangs you right out over the drop, making this view a real treat.  This is a very nice design feature.  The more time I spend  in this building the more I like it.  DSC03319Tomorrow, look for fresh Essence to have been delivered overnight as a light impulse moves through.  Look for great Grooming with untracked lines on the fresh machine worked areas.  Today’s lines on Lewis and Clark were to die for indeed.  There is still a lot of soft snow on High Baldy, so check out that terrain and get the goods before it gets worked to much more.  Traffic is busy, but the lifts are keeping up and there is little to no waiting.  See you there for the morning session.  I am still dressing for cold and will be doing the same again tomorrow.  Stay Frosty!

FRESH TILL

12-29-15

As anticipated, Powder Paradise received the first fresh till of the season with only natural snow in the mix.  The consistency was dreamy as we got untracked corduroy perfection top to bottom.  The Morning Crew added the requisite Lewis and Clark element to round out the lap, unleashing unmitigated audacity with every turn. Here is a shot of the Crew at the top of the chair. DSC03330The off trail was very variable, with quite a stiff set up of the wind affected snow.  It will take more snow to improve the feel, but the coverage is excellent overall back there and I am looking forward to some really nice lines in the near future.  I hope to see a wind event to put a nice wind buff on the dance floor.  The Road to Provo opened today, with variable conditions depending on aspect.  It looked like there were some soft snow turns here and there, but that wind affected crust looked ubiquitous.  All the traffic will only break that up and make things a bit more workable.  The front of the hill is getting worked in as the traffic hits all the pockets, with the interference patterns rising up.  Watch for some features to be lurking in the troughs here and there.  Gad 2 is seeing good cover, but the interference patterns there too are  building quickly, however, the snow is soft and carve able over all with only those slick spots where the old layer is poking through in places.    I went into the Summit again today to get some more views of the facility.  Here is a shot of my friend Steve getting some very delicious looking stew for lunch. MMM Good!!DSC03332This facility is incredible and is attracting a lot of attention.  I went up to the upper level and it was packed with folks enjoying the ambiance. This is the view of the lower level from above.  DSC03333Tomorrow, look for more perfect Grooming to be found out in Mineral Basin for the first runs of the day. Traffic is brisk, but the uphill capacity is dealing with it in good form.  The Grooming Crew may get a shot at Mark Malu out off the Road to Provo, and that will offer some fresh corduroy to caress with wild abandon.  The hill is in great shape, with lots of options from wall to wall.  I am still going to be dressing for the cold.  IBBY!!

MORNING SUN

12-28-15

The Sun was shining for the morning session, before a high cloud deck moved in later in the day.  Continued cold temps. were still on hand with the North Westerly flow.  Mineral Basin was a treat with all that good grooming and Gun Powder that was falling below the Guns.  The off trail was very stiff and variable, making the corduroy the place to be.  Later in the day, Powder Paradise opened, but I was going to let the traffic tenderize that wind slab that is living out there.  Both sides of the front of the hill was offering dry chalk on the surface of the groomed lines that made the traction consistent, though there were some very greasy spots here and there.  I stopped by the Forklift Chair for the usual break and found Kayla bringing the Sunshine  to theDSC03328day as the clouds in the sky began to obscure the Big Light!  Thanks for shining Kayla.   The heavily used lines on the upper mountain are building interference patterns in the guts, but smooth lines can still be found with a bit of looking.  The dry chalky feel is a nice touch after those weeks of high glaze.  Those days are over after all the accumulation.  Here is a shot of the Snowbird Big Mountain Kids Camp staged up for the afternoon session.  They were looking to find some secret stashes, and with Hanna and Erica leading the charge, they were in good hands.  DSC03327Tomorrow, look for continued firm  but consistent conditions on the Groomers on all sides of the mountain.  Temps will continue to be a bit brisk, so check the report and dress accordingly.  The Patrol is trying to get The Road To Provo opened ASAP, so look for that to perhaps be opening very soon.  Traffic is busy, but the uphill capacity is keeping up with the pressure.  Watch for Black Ice in the lower Canyon as we enter this inversion for the next day or so.  It is really fun now we have the snow.   A moment to remember Stein.  RIP.   Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

HIGH PRESSURE

12-27-15

I stepped through the Portal, which opened in the middle of the coral, without even disturbing the horses.  Prickly Pete just looked up and stared and went back to his hay.  Up on the hill it was a different world than when I left.  Lots of new snow was covering the dance floor and new areas were opened.  I got out to Mineral Basin and took a lap out to Lewis and Clark which was really fun and well covered.  The entire Southern section of Mineral Basin is still closed and looks quite wind affected and slabby.  The Road To Provo remains closed, but is looking quite well covered.  Here is a shot of Old Ladies looking smooth and inviting in the Sun.  On the machine worked runs, the firmness is still evident, but there is plenty of dry dust covering the lines toDSC03322make turning a treat.  It is great to have some new cover and fluff to fill out the lines.   I will be looking forward to getting into these fresh areas, but I expect to be challenged by the snow.  Up on the peak, the new Summit opened yesterday and I got a chance to check it out.  It is really stunning.   Here is a shot of the big window view looking at the Twins.  At Noon, this room was DSC03314Packed.  They have a great menu up there and the folks making it all come together really did a nice job with the design and vision for this great venue.  Here are two of the folks that madeDSC03317it all happen. The view out to Mineral Basin is just unreal from the East window. Wow!! I also ran into the Summit Goddesses, who were greeting me as I came through the doors.  Be sure to get one of the Ski Patrol Ts that are available right as you walk in the door.  Such a great space.  DSC03313Tomorrow, look for a dry weather system to move through, bringing clouds and some wind.  The Groomers will be the place to be as the off trail is still a bit punchy, but is becoming more consistent as it gets skied. I will be looking a bit further afield tomorrow, to see what is going on off trail.  Last time out, I found things to be much more realistic, and with all this new snow I was able to break out my new skis.  See you there for the early laps.  Peace Out!!

STILL DUMPING

12-22-15

It dumped all last night and continued to dump all day long here at the Trailer.  I tried to head up when the Canyon opened up, but was turned back by the back up for the goods that extended clear down to the swamp lot.  I had a lot to do to get ready for my trip to the Galactic Center for the next few days to visit with the Galactic Guardians who called me for a chat.  Up on the hill, however, the faithful were in full attendance and the Promise of the Wasatch did not disappoint.  Medium density Essence was piled up and ready for the assault after the Patrol got the control work wrapped up.  A big thanks to the Patrol for making it all possible during this big cycle.  Here is a shot of the Snowbird Snow Cam that I lifted from their site as it says it all so to speak. SnowCam_mainTHAT is a heapin’ helpin’ of the Essential substance, and it came not a minute too soon.  All reports were of unreal consistency, newly opened terrain, and deep deep deep fluffulescence.  This will put the hill in fine shape going forward.  I will be bringing out the new gear now that we have sufficient coverage and I will be going every where.  Here is a shot of my friend Mike gettingFullSizeRender-1it all out in South Chute.  It takes a lot of snow to fill that in, and it is looking fat.  Thanks for sharing that Mike.  Tomorrow, look for new accumulation to be on tap, all time conditions wall to wall, and lots of energy for the new installment.  Be sure to check the Canyon report for restrictions, and wear a locator if you have one.  I will be off planet for the next few days, so I will not be able to post across the vastness of the Galactic spiral.  Enjoy the new Holiday present.  See you when I get back through the Portal.  Syrup won’t stop ‘EM!!!

JUST BEGINNING

12-21-15

The Cycle is just beginning with the overnight arrival of some fresh Essence on the hill.  Snow throughout the day kept the visibility marginal, and the accumulation mounting as the real energy started hitting around Noon.  There was more pressure for the goods than I thought we would see, but the Tram was keeping pace with only a one Tram wait after things got going. The old crusty layer is still in play, however, it is becoming less of an issue.  The wind was stripping some of the high spots off and the glaze was an important feature to keep in mind.  I was using my best long turn averaging to keep the ride as consistent as possible.  The off trail was feeling much better as I tried out one of the newly opened areas to see how it felt.  I was pleasantly surprise by the cover, when just last week it was no go for sure.    The interference patterns in the high traffic lines are building with the traffic, however, the new cushion is mitigating the impact.   Here is a shot that Mr. Scott sent the other day when the ultra light Essence was falling deep and fast. 3C5569C4-7B62-49D0-84CA-52F92702B360It is interesting to see how the snow piles up on the least of surfaces.  The deep is here and it is going to get much deeper in the coming days.  The forecast is for lots of snow with high moisture content, which is the Spackle we need to put the icing on the cake.   Tomorrow, look for a Canyon closure in the AM. for control work.  There is no estimated time of opening as of yet, so check the Canyon report. Big snow will be happening all day, so things may be slow to open, and we will have to see how much is available once things get rolling.  This is going to be an interesting stretch for the faithful.  It was dumping when I left, so get ready for greatness.  Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

EARLY VIBRATIONS

12-20-15

The cycle is just beginning and is predicted to last through the holidays.  The morning session offered 4” of fresh medium density Essence on some very crusty base after that rime ice event of a few days ago.  The off trail was still very tricky with variations in the density and surface features.  The Groomers  were consistently smooth, but had that rime crust still working, and, as the fresh snow got worked over, the variations became more abrupt.  My knees were feeling the torque trying to deal with the transitions.  I looked around the hill bit and found that much more has been opened recently, but I am going to wait for just a bit more cushion before getting too excited.  Coverage is getting better with each installment, and the folks working the off trail seem to be doing well. DSC03309 Here is a shot of the Cosmic 11:11 appearing on the Plaza clock just as I happened to look up.  I don’t wait for the time to change just to get this shot, it is just the flow of the Universe saying the ” we are in the Cycle and all is in balance and as it should be.”  Nice to know we have the help of the Natural Forces looking out for us.  Tomorrow, look for more Essence to be delivered overnight.  It is snowing here at the Trailer as I write this.  Traffic should be light, but the folks are arriving for the Holidays and traffic will pick up, however, the lifts are keeping things moving quickly.  Fresh Grooming will be good to go with smooth lines for the opening bell.  Off trail will be looking good, but expect interference patterns to be a feature of the high traffic off trail areas.  Check the road report in the AM for Canyon restrictions, as it was dumping heavily when I left for the day. DSC03310 Here is a great shot of Mary Jo bringing the Sunshine at the Forklift Chair on  an otherwise overcast day.  Thanks for the smiles Mary Jo!!  Nice to have this weather stream moving through the Front.  Lots more goodness to come!!!  IBBY!!

NEW TERRAIN

12-19-15

The temps. were much warmer today, with a high overcast.  New terrain was opened today, with the Cirque Traverse getting the nod for the faithful.  That Rime Ice event was certainly in play out there, with some variable characteristics to the snow pack.  The Little Cloud chair was opened today for the first time this season, making the uphill options much broader.  That will be a nice touch as we move into the busy season.  The Groomers were consistent, but still were feeling a bit crispy with that old layer still holding on.  It is going to take a bit more cover to make that a non issue.  Here is a shot of Mt. Superior that I took yesterday. It was making it’s own weather there as there was not another cloud in the sky.DSC03300  It is going to take some more cover to get that aspect good to go, but lot’s of folks have been working the lower apron over the past month non the less.  Tomorrow, look for re worked Groomers to be the go to lines for the opener as the corduroy has been very nice indeed.  I will be looking around off trail to see how thing are shaping up and will be looking for all those features that will be covered by the next installment that is poised to unload in the near future.  It will be great to have the traffic spread out over the hill now with all that new terrain available, but I still am going to be looking over my shoulder just in case.  The Chef has gone South to Brazil after leaving the ski career behind last year.  He sends his best and say’s ” When it gets deep, look for the steep.”  Wise words indeed.  He will be following the season from some sandy beach.  I am sure he will be weighing in from time to time.    See you there dark and early for another great day at the Bird.   Stay Frosty!!

STRANGE CRUST

12-18-15

A strange crust of rime ice covered every square inch of the hill over night, that made the morning session very interesting indeed.  As the crust got worked over on the Groomers, the crystals became a nice turning surface on the smooth runs.  Off trail, there was a zipper crust that made turning a very dicey proposition.  I ventured off the beaten path and found myself heading back to the smooth as fast as I could.  The off trail got much better as it got skied out by the persistent traffic that was on hand for the occasion.  The lifts kept up with the demand and there were no lines for the lifts.  The Sun came out and the warming temps. kept improving the feel of the dance floor.  Here is a shot of the Bingham Mine covered in fresh snow in the morning Sun.DSC03296It seems to me that every time we get one of these unusual freezing rain events, we get a very heavy dose of the Goods for an extended period afterward.  The forecast is for just such a stretch of weather.  Here is a shot of the unusual crystals covering the safety bar on the Peruvian Chair lit in the early afternoon Sun.  DSC03303Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering some very nice corduroy, which will be more consistent than today’s feel after it all gets mixed into the mat.  Traffic may well be brisk, but I think the lifts will be keeping pace nicely.  The off trail is getting filled in and worked over well with lots of traffic, so the interference patterns are building and the important features are becoming more apparent.  I am still holding out for just a bit more buffer before getting too far afield.  I will be taking tomorrow off to get some chores done here at the Trailer.  I will leave you with a shot of the top of Anderson’s Hill looking tantalizing in the Sun.  Soon it will be ready for prime time.  IBBY!!DSC03306