There was 15” of 6% Essence deposited on the hill overnight, making the total 55” since all this started earlier in the week. The coverage is improving rapidly with more terrain being opened little by little.  The new snow is cold and dry, which explodes as you move through it.  This is the great part of this early time of the season, the snow quality stays good all day long no matter what aspect you hit.  Regulator was the only thing open for most of the day, with Gad 2 opening later.  The overall consistency is much improved, with the old layer still in play but becoming less of a concern day by day.  It was nice to see the Sun today, as it illuminated the sweet lines still to be mined.  Here is a shot of the Lower Cirque look sumptuous.  The hill is really beginning to hit it’s stride and it will be a very happy Holiday Season as we are expecting yet more snow in the next few days.   Tomorrow, look for the Peruvian Gulch to open as I do not think they opened it today.  The off trail over there is becoming much better covered and I plan to begin mining the lines that I have been avoiding so far this season.  The Grooming will be very nice for the early runs before things get worked over too much.  It will continue to be cold, and there might be some morning snow showers to add to the cushion.    Since Star Wars opened today,  Chubacca decided to duck the hubbub and get some of the goods here on the hill, who could blame him.  Plus, he had some very nice company with whom to shred.  Traffic is still light after the initial push for the day, so you can expect to get some serious vertical in.  Speed Safely!!

There was a light dusting of Essence on the Trailer this morning as I left for the hill.  It was snowing lightly on the hill with a few inches of overnight accumulation.  The Cat Crew did a nice job preparing the smooth lines on both sides of the hill, and I was sticking to the beaten path.  On my second run down the Peruvian side I dipped my toe in the off trail and quickly had a ski removed by a covered feature.  Low angle lines were feeling the best, but the hard pack is still in play, though it is becoming much more covered over all.  I did not go over to Bananas today to check on the new terrain there.  I will check it out after the next storm.   The right side of Regulator was opened and was getting a lot of traffic.  I watched from the bottom as the folks worked through the lower sections and you could see it requires full attention.  Here is a shot of the trees flocked with the new cover.  Tomorrow, look for additional accumulation to be the key feature as an impulse is predicted to move through with the Northerly flow.  The Grooming Crew will have prepared lines that will only be better with some fresh Essence covering the dance floor.  Visibility may be a bit variable as it was today, but I was able to get plenty of reference top to bottom.  I took this shot of the Stairway To Heaven as the Sun tried to break thought.  It is such a mighty mountain indeed and heaven it is when you get there.  The thing about climbing this knife edge is there is no turning back, one step at a time, some very interesting perspectives, and a rush of adrenaline that keeps you moving.  I am looking forward to it.  Get ready for more freshness and more on the way for the next while.  Yea!!   Stay Frosty!!

There was an overnight extra delivery of the Essence that was even lighter than the day before.  The faithful were on deck early and ready for the festivities which began with Regulator only off the top.  Gad 2 was a great option with some deep lines that had been neglected by the majority of the attendees.  The cold temps. and continued flurries preserved the quality of the new installment, but the old crusty base was still in play, however, it was much less of an issue as it was yesterday.  The low angle lines were much more consistent and were offering the full contact carve feel that I have been waiting for all season.  I recently posted a shot of the fire pit in front of the Forklift covered with a large accumulation after a long dry spell early in the season a few years ago.  I asked that we all visualize the same result for this season.  Here is a shot of a much more modern fire pit in front of the Forklift with a similar accumulation of the Essential Substance manifested as sure as shootin’.  Nice work everyone, and this once again demonstrates the power of positive thinking.  Let’s keep up the energy and bring in another dose just to cap it off before the Holiday Season begins.  The Peruvian side of the hill opened a bit later in the morning, and the folks were standing at the rope line waiting for the drop. The deep fluff was explosive and dry, delivering face shots top to bottom.  Perhaps soon we will see some more terrain open as the Patrol gets the control work done.  I will be keeping and eye out for any eventualities.  Here is a shot of the Crew from Crested Butte who were really soaking up all the goodness that the Bird delivers.  Here they are partaking of the Forklift Tradition were all the notes are compared and contrasted.  It is great to have them here with us for the kick off of the season.  A big shout out to the Crested Butte Crew that read this report and keep an eye on the energy in LCC!!   Tomorrow, look for cold temps again, great Groomers after the Crew works the new snow into the mat, and some great soft power off the beaten path.  Keep your eye pealed for new terrain to, perhaps, be available.  That old layer will still be in play but, with the Grooming, should be just a hint.  See you in the AM for the carve fest.  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

Winter finally delivered an exciting and much needed installment of fresh Essence.  The Valley was actually hit harder than the higher elevations and getting to the mouth of the Canyon took a long time with unprepared folks splattered everywhere.  I made 3rd Tram none the less and found about a foot up high and 8 inches down lower on the hill.  The hard pan from this last stretch is still lurking underneath the fresh coat, making the ride quite variable on the steeper sections.  The lower angle aspects were feeling much better and I was able to lay into the ski like I wanted.  After all that shmoozing of turns on the hard pack it was nice to feel a full traction carve.  The Peruvian side of the hill opened around 9:45 AM, which offered more great lines that felt great underfoot.  I moved off the beaten path a bit and found fully knee deep powder that had that fluffulescent tranquility of new deep snow.  I always appreciate quiet world when all the sounds go away and all you hear is a soft woosh of the snow against the pants.  During the Forklift stop, I looked up to see the time on the Plaza Clock pegged at 11:11 AM meaning  that allis in Cosmic Alignment in full balance and purpose.  That is a fitting sign for such an auspicious delivery.  Tomorrow, look for more accumulation overnight as the system is slow moving and another impulse is poised to move in.  It is snowing here at the Trailer now and the horses are huddled in the lean to keeping warm.  Earlier they were out in the corral enjoying the fresh snow as much as I was.  Be sure to check the Canyon report for access. It may be restricted.  The conditions are vastly improved and is soft and deep, though those greasy spots still lurk here and there, so keep aiming for the piles and avoid the tiles.  Thanks for the excellent collective visualizations that you all did to manifest this dump.  Just like that picture of the fire pit I posted a few days ago, it happened in just the same way.  Stay Frosty!!

An inch of ultra light gossamer Essence was deposited with care by some happy little cloud that moved through overnight.  That extra fluff, in addition to the Gun Powder and corduroy nap, made the first few runs a treat top to bottom.  It did not take long for it all to get scraped off, but those few runs were very nice indeed.  Traffic was light, but the stoke was high as we waited for the first Tram to ascend.  Here is a shot of one of the faithful who brought all the stoke one can have to the hill.  He was ready for that frosty nip in the post front chill.  The Groomers had been totally reworked top to bottom, and the consistency continues to improve each time it gets worked.  The firmness is still a feature, but looking for the loose piles is a sure way to get the traction you are looking for when you need to bleed some speed. I am still sticking to the sides of the main runs as much as possible as that is where all the soft snow gets pushed.  I was also finding those long Gun Wash sections for smooth steep lines.  I have had much success getting first tracks in that freshness.  I made snow all the way through college, and I appreciate good Gun Powder whenever I find it.  Tomorrow, look for the storm to have moved in overnight tonight, so the driving might be entertaining in the AM.  It should be a storm day on the hill, and the traffic should be low.  The forecast is for significant accumulation, which is exactly what is needed in this pre Holiday stretch.  Think deep thoughts.  IBBY!!

I spent the day aligning the antenna array that pulls in the Andromeda Collective and the signal is strong.  I will be looking forward to the TRANSMISSIONS.  Up on the hill, the temps. were a bit cooler in the wake of the storm.  The Groomers were much more consistent for the morning session, but did get worked over quickly with the day’s traffic.  No new terrain has been added yet, which will have to wait for some more substantial accumulation to get the base up and running.  With the cold temps. the snow making efforts are back in full gear.  Yesterday that really helped with the natural accumulation and I was aiming for the wash to get the best of both worlds.  Here is a shot of some very cool clouds that Neil sent me via his phone.  Tomorrow, look for breezy conditions out ahead of a new storm that is forecast to arrive tomorrow night.  It will last all day Monday and into early Tuesday, so keep your visualizations going for the goods.  The Groomers will be offering some nice corduroy, which I have been have fun carving the nap off.  There still remains some greasy spots to be aware of, as you never know when you will hit one, so be ready for the unexpected.  See you there for the fun in the AM and a fresh report.  IBBY!!

5 inches of fresh cover was delivered overnight.  It was a welcome addition to the pack, that really needed a shot of freshness.  The medium density Essence felt nice underfoot, but that firm layer was fully in play and I was working the sides and piles for the cushion I was seeking to avoid the glazed spots. When I got to the locker room at the normal time, I thought I was in the wrong time line.   Either I was late or there was no one around to get the goods.  When I got to the Tram line  I knew that I was late and everyone was chompin’ at the bit to get the first tracks.  The consistency was a bit variable, and I felt the  low angle lines were feeling the best. The Sun came out to light the dance floor and the crowd got spread out, making wait time no issue.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering much more consistent lines after the fresh product gets worked into the mat.  Traffic should be steady and pressure for the early lines might be something to take into consideration.  The off trail guts are looking better with the traffic it has been getting.  Here is a shot of the clouds building up in the valley, which later turned into showers.  Perhaps there may be some more accumulation overnight.  We’ll see.  I am taking tomorrow off, so work the dance floor for me.  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

There was two feet of wind this morning as the approaching weather system pulled the air up into the Low.  The first ride up the Tram was very entertaining as the wind shook, twisted, and swayed the car.  It was a very strange sensation.  Needless to say, that was the last trip of the morning and I made a hasty retreat to the Forklift Chair to assess the options for the day.  The hill was extra firm as the wind had scoured very thing that was not nailed down. There was a bit of spauling on the Cat Tracks as the wind hammered the ledge rock on the side of the path.  The Cat Crew had done some tenderizing passes to offer a bit of purchase on those steep sections and that made the difference.  I took a Gad 2 lap after breakfast just to see how that side of the hill was holding up and found more firmness top to bottom.  With the warm temps., Snow Making has not been ongoing and those sections of softness are absent.   Tomorrow, look for accumulation and storm conditions to be the order of the day.  It is raining here at the Trailer as I write this, so up on the hill that translates into fresh Essence.  Look for variability to on tap, so be prepared for inconsistent lines.  Stick to the Fat off trail sections if you are looking afield, but I am still sticking with the solid base that has been established by the Snow Guns.  Here is a shot of the Snow Goddess Aetheria who was holding the balance on the Tram during the high wind ascent up the cables.  It is great to have her here ushering in the new, and much needed installment of Essence.  Think deep thoughts.  Stay Frosty!!

With persistent South winds continuing all day long, it is an indication that the weather is changing.  The forecast is for a series of impulses moving through for the next week.  Up on the hill, the Groomers were offering much more consistent lines with good traction top to bottom.  The Lower Men’s Down Hill Chute and Lower Chips Face were extra nice, with smooth dust and clean lines top to bottom.  Regulator was crispy, but an edge could be had on the nap of the corduroy.   Dr. Pepper made his first appearance for the Season, and I can look forward to some interesting conversations with him in the locker room.  The Locker Room is such a great place where much information is passed from those arriving with those leaving.  The morning sessions are full of anticipation for the days events, and the extra time taken to finish the fresh brewed coffee is a nice tradition.  Here is a shot of Lilly and Ira, two very good friends, who were stoked to be getting out and experiencing the winds of change after I gave them a blow by blow evaluation of what they may expect out there.    Tomorrow, look for weather to begin moving in for the duration.  Light and visibility could well be an issue.  Go with the Peruvian side of the hill for best visibility with the trees that reflect the light.  The main runs will still be firm, so plan on dealing with deliberate turns to keep the motion even and smooth in the variable light.  We will have to see what the wind brings, as you never really know until the fronts move through.  I will be there early for the first turns no matter what.  Here is a parting shot of little Mikey, who was stoked to be shredding today with his Dad.  You know he will be one to watch in a few years.  You can see he is really digging the snow.  IBBY!!

That overnight rain left a light dusting on the hill for the morning crew to sample.  It was very warm at the base and there had been a rain event on the lower 800′ of the hill that made the lower section a bit entertaining.  Up high there was an inch of dense dust that gave some well deserved cushion to the ride.  It was that last bit that was tricky, but I found that if you hung to the smooth sections, that crust broke up and pealed off under the edge.  As the morning progressed, the consistency got better and better on both sides of the hill.  With the overcast skies, the light was flat and variable, but overall it was nice to have some new product to taste.  Here is a shot of Hoot, who was getting ready for a run down Regulator with his personal mascot Rocky along for the ride.  I know he had a great time as I spoke with him later in the day and he was getting all the goods in that he could find.  During the morning Forklift Experience, I was introduced to Mikey, a future shredder who was getting his initiation in the Forklift Tradition.  He has a life of great times ahead with this kind of a start.  Tomorrow, look for the hill to be worked over with machine work, continued overcast skies as this flow persists, and warm temps. as the cold is holding off for a bit.  The fat off trail sections are getting a lot of attention and look fairly well covered, but I have not ventured there for obvious reasons.  There remains some very tricky wind slab out and about, so stick with the prepared lines for best results.  Lastly, here is a shot of two great friends Lori and Dan, who were working both sides of the hill with full attention to the details.  It was great trading notes on what we all found.  See you there for the first Boat.  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!