The storm moved off overnight leaving clear skies and cold temps.  The faithful were in full attendance at the opening bell, having heard the Powder call.  Up on the hill, the cold temps. preserved the quality of the fresh Essence that was still waiting in the wings.  When the rope line dropped there was a huge push for the goods and it did not take long for Mineral Basin to get worked.  The same event happened with the Road to Provo, but despite the push, there was plenty of incredibly light fluffulescene to give everyone  the goods.  I opted for some more obscure lines to keep away from the push, where I found very nice thigh deep lines that were absolutely perfect.   I stopped in to the Forklift Chair to consider the options and was greeted by these two beautiful smiling faces who wanted to know all about the morning session.  The Forklift Chair never disappoints.  Tomorrow, look for some residual accumulation as a storm skirts by to the South, but I think some swing back impulses could be happening as they come back from the East.  I will be looking for smooth lines on the Groomers, but, with all this new snow, they have been feeling a bit punchable if you stick your edge too hard at any one point in the turn.  It is better to smooth the pressure and stay on top.  Interference patterns are building up again as the traffic has been high in the usual lines, but the soft snow cushions the variations and there is a good cadence to the spacing.  There is still plenty to find all over the hill, and any line you choose will offer very good snow wall to wall.  Even the far out lines are holding the goods if you are willing to look for the pockets. See you there for the opening bell.  Dress for another cold morning and overcast skies.  IBBY!!

All of the storm signals were going off full on this morning, with a closed road, heavy precipitation, and a pent up stoke that was hard to contain.  Up on the hill, overnight accumulation was cushioning the already softer conditions that we have been enjoying this last week.  Most of the well defined interference patterns have been mitigated for the most part and are not really presenting much of an issue for smooth arcing lines.  I saw lots of posts on the fine quality that was being enjoyed.  Here is a shot of Mr. Brian Beck getting the goods today.  This is great evidence of a full effect turn.   Tomorrow, look for a bit more accumulation on the hill, areas that were not open today will be waiting in the wings, and a hill that is ready for a big line if you dial it in.  With all this snow, it reminds me of years in the far distant past.  Here is a  shot of some activity that has been etched in my memory.  This is also a subject lesson on obeying the signs.  Pictured here is my friend Chris, who was part of a very ambitious crew of back country visionaries, who went places no one else was even thinking about.  This next shot is evidence of these visions, where he and the crew were out getting the big lines off Toad Hill long before there was a lift accessing Mineral Basin. Note how fat this pitch is during that year so long ago.  They were busy as you can see.  Now, we get to access this terrain all before breakfast.   We all used to drool about the possibilities of a lift back there and now we have it and so much more.  See you for the early morning fun zone!!   Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The storm that is on it’s way was a bit slow to arrive, leaving an entire morning session bathed in beautiful Sunshine.  There was a stiff breeze blowing, and out in Mineral Basin smooth wind lines were filling in and were offering some fantastically smooth off trail fun.   No one was after these lines so they were all for the taking if you kept after it.  There had been a trace of precipitation overnight, which had been piled up in areas by the wind.  These areas of fluff were a lot of fun on the perfectly prepared Groomed lines that were available on all sides of the hill.  Once again, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path were given another stellar treatment, and the overnight fluff that laid in the bottom of the gut felt ultra silky and transcendent for those first few runs.  Very light traffic for today’s offering left the lifts walk on available, and the vertical was piling up fast.  Around 1:00PM the clouds moved in with light precipitation beginning to fall.  Conditions continued to be fun, but the details went away and you just had to trust the smooth when dialing in the lines.  Tomorrow, look for weather to have been working the hill overnight.  It will be a storm day for sure, so dress for the conditions and check the road report for restrictions in the AM.  The hill is in great shape wall to wall, and all lines will be good to go with new accumulation covering the dance floor.  Remember those due South faces did get a bit crunchy with the Sun playing on them, so they may be a tad tricky with cover.  I skied from one end of the resort to the other with this lovely lady who was skiing from the Heart and getting every bit of juice from every turn she made.  The big steep lines were her favorite and she dialed them in with full effect.  See you Sunday after my day off. Straight Ahead!!

Hard work by the Cat Crew made Shredtastic lines happen on all sided of the hill this morning.  Mineral Basin was bathed in bright Sun, with nice fresh corduroy to dial in dead accurate arcs on every turn.  This was the type of day you could lay it down like Ligety and really feel the Gs.  On the front of the hill,  that Anderson’s Hill- Lower Primrose Path line had been prepared once again, that kept me hitting that smoking line for the rest of the morning until the Forklift Break.  Regulator was offering fast and smooth lines wall to wall, with the lower lines in Gad Valley offering excellent carpets of Hydro Velvet as well.  Off trail, the crud is still holding up, though it is setting up in places.  Those due South aspects continue to be worked by the direct Sun and are deteriorating in quality.  The High North and shaded West aspects are holding the cold snow that remains soft and blastable.  Here is a shot of Lower Primrose in the late afternoon Sun looking as smooth and carvelicious as you could wish.  Traffic was very light, and back to back Trams were easy to make with a consistent pace.  At Noon, I went into the Summit at Hidden Peak and spoke with George and Fred, who are responsible for the cutting edge format of the new facility.  I will be  getting some more shots of the different stations tomorrow.  Tomorrow, look for all the usual lines to be re dressed for the morning session.  Clouds look to be part of the mix as a new system moves in for the next few days.  We might even see some precipitation during the day.  Dress for weather, and remember the old stand by lines to be sure of a smooth relaxed ride.  As a parting shot I offer this shot of my friends, who have been part of my life for these past 40 years.  It is so great to still share the Mountain in just the same way we did when we were kids, but then this hill keeps you forever young.  Speed Safely!!!

Today offered 100% ground pounding perfection top to bottom on all sides of the hill.  The Cat Crew prepared lines that were as good as it gets no matter which carpet you chose to work.  Another perfect combination of Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path was the most sumptuous line for the entire morning session.  It gets deeper, but it does not get better.  Off trail, the soft snow was still wide spread, however, those direct South aspect had been kissed by the Sun and were setting up.  The High North and East aspects were fully blastable, even though there was a under current rumble that seemed like it would be bouncy, but it just blew up with a direct line arc thought the turn.  Here is a shot of the East Twin from the Path to Paradise which gives you an idea of the great cover that is going off on the hill now.  Here is a shot of my friend Brian Beck  blowing through some deep pockets that are still to be found all around the hill if you use just a bit of imagination in your line choices.  Tomorrow, look for another incredible morning of picture post card blue sky, perfect corduroy that will take your breath away, and light traffic for the morning session.  Off trail will continue to be good on most aspects with only those South aspect to consider.  The Sun will be keeping the visibility 20 20 no matter the lighting.  Only those early morning hours will have that flat light in the shaded areas, however, there is reflected light coming back from across the Canyon.  Here is a shot of Mineral Basin, courtesy of Neil, who got this angle from the Lewis and Clark area.  The hill is in great shape wall to wall and you will find some of the best carving you can imagine.  See you for the morning shred fest.  IBBY!!

There were a couple of new carpets prepared by the Cat Crew on the front of the hill that called me to do 5 fast laps before breakfast.  Lower Primrose Path was given the treatment, and in combination with Anderson’s Hill, provided a jaw dropping smooth carve fest on the lower half of the Mountain.  I had to bypass my usual foray into Mineral Basin to get as much of that perfection as I could squeeze into the morning session.  Out in Mineral Basin, the wind was beginning to move some product into some wind buffed lines.  These lines did not have the required support yet, but they looked good. Here is a shot of some interesting cotton ball looking clouds out in Mineral during the first Tram.    The Groomers out there were benefiting from the transport with smooth buff filling the nap on the corduroy.  The Road to Provo and the far reaches of the Exotic Trees opened today, which offered really incredible un tracked lines for the folks who were on hand for the treat.  Here is a shot of my turns- the ones on the left- out on the Rasta Chutes.  I have not skied this line top to bottom for a very long time. I usually bail two thirds of the way down to get over to Hoopies, but not today.  When the far line to the Exotic Trees opened I was able to get a great line that was good to go top to bottom.  Again, perfectly smooth terrain was covered in bottomless goodness that just made me glad to be one of the first.  Here is a shot looking back up to the traverse.  What a bonus day of openings that offered perfection without the full court press.  Tomorrow, look for another beautiful day with reworked Groomers that promise to be truly exquisite on all side of the hill, soft snow still to be found off the Road to Provo, and light traffic to make it a vertical bonanza.  The hill is good to go on all aspects and the Sun has only lightly kissed the South facing aspects. Soft snow is ubiquitous, so dial in your line and enjoy.    In closing I offer this shot of a fellow seeker who was looking for the way to the far reaches.   I showed him just where and how to find it.  Just to make sure he got it right, he followed me again and it was just as good.  Good times.  See you there for the shred fest.  See the Line, Be the Line!!!

As anticipated, there had been some residual accumulation overnight, but I did not expect such a stunning installment of the Righteous Utah Light to be delivered in such volume.  Here is a shot of the accumulation of the 5% Essence that was piled up overnight on the tables of the Forklift Patio.  Up on the hill, the combined accumulation from yesterday with today’s  addition, made for totally bottomless conditions that were absolutely perfect!!!  Sections of the hill opened in order as the control was completed.  I made my way all the way out the Cirque Traverse for the first time of the season, and found exquisite lines that had yet to be touched.  Here was no pressure, not a sound, and a full experience of the bottomless perfection.  Later, Mineral Basin was opened, where, for some reason, the density was markedly higher, but still the quality was perfect and the feel was fully bottomless.  I took advantage of some laps out on the Lewis and Clark area, where the push for the goods was non existent. I made numerous laps there, putting one fresh track right next to the other.  At the Forklift Debrief, the crew compared notes on the different lines found, with a full agreement on the stellar quality of the morning.  Here is a shot of Kelly, who was getting the 411 on the various opinions and plans for the after breakfast session. Tomorrow, look for clearing skies with much improved visibility, more untracked areas to be opened that did not get the nod today, and more unreal conditions to be on tap for those who show for the goods.  The Groomers will be off the chart perfect as well, as this product will be dry chalky and perfect.  See you there for the fun fest in the AM.  Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

Another beautiful delivery of Essence was the present we all received on this day that I completed yet another lap around Ol SOL.  While visibility was at a premium as it continued to snow, it did not hamper the full on enjoyment that such luxurious fluffulescence delivered.  Many places were over knee deep, and when Mineral Basin opened, it was even deeper after the wind moved some product to add to the depth.  Everyone was going off and getting as much as possible.  I was looking for the lines that I have been waiting to fill out, and I found them to be well worth the wait.  You could not choose a bad line today no matter the aspect, and that is one of the great things about this time of the season.  After everything got opened up, the lines abated and there was rapid fire lifts to the peak.  That was a great feature that kept the stoke going.  I had to wrap things up around 2PM., when the harbor chop began to build as the pack got worked.  There were plenty of side stashes to keep you finding the fresh if you looked a bit.  As today’s visibility made it tough to get a shot, I offer this shot of the center panel of the old front door of the Cliff Lodge.  This is an example of one of the little classy touches that makes Snowbird so great, plus the history that it reflects.  Tomorrow, look for a bit more accumulation as the storm moves off.  There is plenty still waiting in the wings, so if you missed out on today there are lines still waiting for you.  We should be seeing some clearing, making the visibility much better.  The Groomers should be off the chart smoking in the AM. before it gets too worked over.  See you there for the opening bell.  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

As I write this post the rain is pelting the skin of the Trailer with a relentless patter that is sending me to sleep.  Up on the hill, that translates to more Essence coming to add to the very nice pack that has been building up this last cycle.  Today was a bit of a flat light day as the high cloud deck moved in ahead of the system.  The Groomers were offering the guaranteed smooth lines, and if they were anything like yesterday, and I do believe they were, that was the place to find the full carve mode we have been seeking.  I hearken back to the early part of the season when any traction at all was a plus, and now we can trust that high edge angle turn to hold up with no slip or slide, unless of course you are trying to dial back the G’s.  Here is a shot I took the other day of the Valley as the clouds parted for just a minute.  That was about all the visibility that day would offer.  Tomorrow, you can expect added goodness to the dance floor, and how much we will get is anyone’s guess, but I think it will make for yet another stellar day of snow sport sliding, and I am unanimous in that.  The Groomed lines will still be offering the dead accurate smooth, but off trail has been getting increasingly better as the interference patterns are mitigated by the continued installments.  There are still very large interference patterns in the deep trees, but the cadence is much improved and there are round lines to find.  Check the road report for possible restrictions in the AM.  I will be back with another first hand report for tomorrow’s post.  I had a very nice Rest and Relaxation day.  Stay Frosty!!

After all the snow settled over the last couple of days, the Cat Crew did an incredible job putting together top to bottom carpets of perfect Hydro Velvet.  The medium density product that graced the hill was the perfect material with which to build such smooth lines.  Mineral Basin was bathed in sunshine that made those big buffed lines clear as crystal and a tour of Lewis and Clark was rewarded with consistency that let you lay it down like Ligety!!!   On the front of hill, the buff job was incredible as well, with Anderson’s Hill offering a jaw dropping line of dry chalk that demanded a full commitment to the perfect turn.  ZOW!!  The off trail was beginning to set up a bit, especially those due South aspects that I was indicating yesterday.  Also, all the remaining areas that had been closed were opened, which let those who might have missed out yesterday get some of the great quality that was still holding up.  Here is a shot from the Red Lens Line as I made the long traverse to the goods that awaited just around the corner.  Tomorrow, look for more great Groomers for the morning session, and some high overcast in advance of the next storm system that is poised to move in tomorrow night.  Look for some wind lines to, perhaps, be happening if we get some overnight winds, as the wind was really picking up as I left the hill today.  The hill is good to go wall to wall, but be aware of the South aspects that saw all that Sun today. They may be a bit more challenging than all those other choices.  I did an interview on Alta Radio. Com this afternoon, and I got this shot of Superior looking fat just before I hit the air waves.  It was a live interview, but they recorded it, so it may show up later as well.  I am taking the day off tomorrow, so go get those awesome lines that will be on tap for the morning session.  IBBY!!