A high cloud deck filled the sky this morning, which strained the full blast of the Sun, and the stout high elevation winds made the air seem a bit brisk.  All of those South facing aspects were a bit crispy to start out, but the North facing lines were still holding the cold right down to the bottom of the hill until later, when the ambient warmth began to morph the pack.  There was big doings on the Plaza deck as they set up tents for an event that will be held this weekend.  The High North off trail aspects were offering some very nice lines, as the wind had transported some nice filler that made those exposures smooth and naturally consistent.  As the day warmed, those crispy lines began to soften, offering a more Spring like feel.  Here is a shot that Neil took of me yesterday, driving the wide corduroy goodness on Lower Silver Dipper. This will give you some idea of how great these  vacant opening Mineral Basin lines are for the early risers.  When it is this good, you can do no wrong.  The pack began to get a bit choppy after 1:00PM, so I wrapped it up for the week.  Tomorrow, look for some weather to be moving in as the pattern begins to change.  The forecast is for a series of storms to roll though all week. The hill is in fine shape to get this added product, and coverage remains excellent wall to wall despite the warm temps.. Those South and West aspects may be crispy once again in the AM. so look to the High North for the still cold product.  Here is an interesting shot of the West Twin with Pipeline centering the image which I took from the upper deck of the Summit.  I will be taking the day off tomorrow to rest up for the coming storm fest.  Dress for weather and enjoy the smooth offerings as they will be ground pounding fun.  IBBY!!

As anticipated, exquisite corduroy was prepared by the Cat Crew, who out did themselves with today’s offerings that were to be found on all sides of the hill.  The morning feature was the White Diamonds-Lower Silver Dipper combination that was so good I almost fell over just from the rush of perfection beneath my feet.  Here is a shot of White Diamonds that shows off the smooth goodness of those first runs.  The temps. were balmy, but the snow pack was still holding the cold and felt Winter velvety, with not a hint of crust.  On the front of the hill,  there were numerous buffed lines to choose from that were really hard to choose between, so the only thing to do was to make extra hot laps and get them all.  With the warm morning temps. the quality was not going to last long, but even after the pack began to warm up, the consistency continued to be excellent.  I went looking for some High North off trail lines, and I found soft blastable crud just where I thought I would find it.  I also ran into Snoopy, who was ripping this line under Old Reliable. Notice the straight ahead attack and calm posture.  Tomorrow, look for another warm day with great Groomers to be the high light of the morning session.  The High North aspects are still holding the cold and will be well worth hitting those lines before the warmth of the day begins to affect even those exposures.  Traffic has been quite light, with only a brisk flurry for the first couple 0f Trams to get things started.  Watch those South facing aspects as they did get hit today and will be a bit difficult before they soften up.  See you for the morning shred fest.  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!

There was a wild blast of rain that pounded the Trailer early this morning, accompanied by thunder and lighting, as an impulse moved through the Front.  Up on the hill, the 2 inches that was resident in the parking lot did not reveal the goods that were waiting higher up on the hill.  Very high winds made the First Tram a challenge, with some wind affected accumulation in areas that were taking the hit, but in the protected aspects, additional accumulation made for some very nice turns indeed.  Here is a shot of the Snowbird Subaru with the fresh coating.  Some areas were delayed opening as the fast moving, late arriving impulse pushed back the control work, but when areas opened it was a real treat to get that high density sugar that went a long way toward cushioning the ride.  The bottom layer was indeed in play, but looking for the low guts and wind deposited areas kept the bottom features barely noticeable. With the rain in the Valley, there was not much of a push on the hill and the traffic was unusually light for a powder event. That was a real sleeper surprise that does not happen often.  Here is a shot of Superior shining in the Sun that broke out after the first hour or so of the day.    Tomorrow, look for those High North aspects to still be holding the cold, but the Sun did affect those direct shots that get the full blast.  The Groomers will be refreshed once again with the new product, and will be offering super Hydro Velvet for the morning session before it gets too worked.  Partly cloudy skies will ensure good visibility that will let you dial in the lines you are after.  Be aware of the old layer that is still in play and stay with the smooth lines that are still available.  I seem to be having some kind of glitch with the site, where the dates are missing and the older posts button is not there.  I am working on getting these issues fixed ASAP.  In the mean time I will be writing the date as part of the post until I can work it out.  Stay Frosty!!

As anticipated, the recent installment was tilled into the pack, which offered fresh carpets of delightful corduroy for the morning session.  With cold temps. and bright Sun, it was a full on carve fest that let you dial in your inner Ligety.  Mineral Basin was calling with great lines both on and off trail as the the High North aspects were still dry, chalky and soft.  On the front of the hill, the High North aspects were dry and soft as well, and with the low traffic, back to back Trams were clicking off like clock work. Here is a shot of the East Twin showing off the fresh Essence. The last of the traverses opened this morning and was just as good as it gets, with that buoyant feel that came with the High Density grauple that was piled up on top of the smooth pack.  It was a real treat to get those lines with absolutely no pressure.   Our debriefing meeting at the Forklift Chair was animated with conversation about the unusually excellent quality that was still holding up.  Here is a shot of the Morning Crew comparing notes and planning the after breakfast options.  Tomorrow, look for some flurries to have deposited some freshness on the hill,  perhaps some residual clouds, and more excellent ripping on the freshly prepared Hydro Velvet.  There is nothing like being able to lay a deep laceration in the pack, knowing it will hold up with no slip.  If you are not careful you will be spit out of the turn like a rocket.  The High North and Northeast facing aspects are still holding the cold soft product that was fully preserved by the colder temps. of the day.  The Sun should make an appearance, but when is still up in the air.   Here is a parting shot of me working the Eddie Mo traverse where there was sumptuous Essence still to be had while the throng was working the back of the hill.  This shot was taken by Will Saunders of The Locals Project as part of the profile they were doing.  It sure was fun working with this crew.  They are off to Jackson Hole to continue the project.  Straight Ahead!!

The Essence that fell late yesterday and during the overnight hours was cold, dry, and dense, making this installment just what we needed to have for the transition back to a soft pack.   That old layer was still evident here and there, but the consistency was really nice on all sides of the hill.  The Faithful were on deck in full force for the opener, but as the crowd moved up the hill, the pressure lifted on the front of the hill.  When Mineral Basin opened, all the pressure was felt there, but those who were on hand for the drop got the goods in a big way.  The Road to Provo was excellent as well when that opened and did not last long at all.  Cool temps kept the quality high for most of the day, but the harbor chop did build up later in the day and the Sun’s radiant effects were transmitted to the direct aspects.  Here is a shot I took out in Mineral Basin as I was traversing under the Bookends on my way to the High North aspect further out.  North and East facing aspects seemed to hold the cold all day and continued to provide great lines even after the pack had been worked over.  It was great to be able to dial in a full turn in the new soft snow, but I did spin out in one spot when I hit an old crusty spot that I did not anticipate.  Doh!!  While I was out on my tour of the far reaches, I came across Avery, who was really throwing down some solid fall line turns under the Sunday Cliffs.  I just had to stop and watch as I appreciated how advanced he is at such a young age.  Priceless.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be refreshed with the new product, the High North aspects to still be soft and explosive, and more Sun and fun.  The old layer is still in play, but the new cushion will still be offering the soft feel.  It may be cold in the AM. but it will be warming as the day progresses, and the Sun will be working those direct aspects, so stay out ahead of the Sun. Conditions are very nice indeed and there is still a bit waiting in the wings.  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The wind was rocking the Trailer this morning as the cat walked over my face.  That was a clear signal that today would be interesting. High density Spackle was being blown by a very stout wind out of the South West.  This wind favored the North facing aspects and was filling in the low spots and guts.  That was the place to make the best of the 5 or so inches that started out the day.  The High Density bonded nicely to the old crusty layer, which would be evident where wind had blown it clean.   Here is a shot, Will Saunders took of me working Lower Hanging Bowl.  I was skiing with the crew from The Locals Project who are doing a documentary series, and I am going to be on the first episode.  I was stoked to be doing the far explorations looking for the fresh lines and showing them the hill.  The wind was helping keep the consistency improving all day.  Heavy snow would move in all day off and on, so it was free refills.   Tomorrow, look for more accumulation as it is snowing here as I write this. The density is  sticking to the old layer , cushioning the variations and will have transformed the conditions. Still be looking for those spots stripped by the wind. Areas that did not open today, will be waiting in the wings.  Here is a parting shot of the The Locals Project down in the locker room at the end of a really fun day.  Be sure to follow them on Instagram @ locals_project and FB.   IBBY!

There was a high cloud deck that obscured the Sun but did not lower down to make the visibility a big issue.  The light was flat, but the prepared lines were predictably smooth, and with warming during the day, the pack would be softening for the afternoon.  After yesterday’s warmth and the effect if had on the pack, those ultra smooth North facing lines did have a bit of static that was not present just the other day.  Here is a shot from my archives that will help with your Powder visualizations that will soon be reality as this next storm moves in tomorrow and Monday.  It is nice to see the weather changing back to a snowy pattern after such a long stretch of High Pressure, but those days were excellent in their own way.  Tomorrow, look for wind and weather to be moving in as the day progresses. Be sure to dress for the conditions, as those fair weather temps. will be gone for a bit.  All the lines on the hill are in good shape, but remember your smooth lines, and go with the Groomers when in doubt, to make the ride as smooth as possible.  The high traffic lines will have the interference patterns, and those South faces will be crispy for sure.  Think deep thoughts.  Peace Out!!

It was a very balmy morning that just got warmer as the day progressed.  The Groomers were already softening up out in Mineral Basin for the very first runs, where a Spring like corn goodness was feeling very sweet underfoot.  Before the day really started getting warm, the High North was still holding the cold and there were very nice dry chalky lines to ply off trail.  The South facing aspects were happening, as there was barely a freeze overnight.   On the front of the hill, Grooming lines were excellent as well, with lower Who Done It offering  a deep sugary carpet that made me dial it back to soak up as much of that delicacy as possible.  Once the day warmed up, even the High North was affected finally after all these warm days, and the interference patterns began to build up.  A quick lap on Gad2’s Gadzooks was the real tip off, as yesterday it was solid dry chalk.   Here is a shot of an interesting cloud building up behind the Little Cloud ridge line.    Tomorrow, look for another warm day, with a light overnight freeze that may be thawed out by first Tram as it was today.  Those High North aspects, while they did get affected by the warmth, will still be offering nice lines, though there may be some static on the surface that was not present previously.   Coverage remains excellent despite the warm temps. and all lines are holding up well.  Traffic should be much more brisk for the weekend, so get out ahead of the crowd and work the Sun around the clock.  This is little Tristan, who is styling some very cool head gear.  He will be a future shredder in a few years, and with the advances in equipment, technique, and performance levels, one can only imagine what this little guy will be bringing in, say, 20 years.   Yesterday, Tramrat took a shot of myself and Morgan from Autsin Texas, which I was going to post up, but his phone did not register the image.  So here is shout out to miss Morgan who was a real delight on our ride up and out of  Mineral.  Rock on Morgan!!   IBBY!!

High clouds filtered the Sun all day today, but it did not keep the temps. from climbing up well into the balmy zone.  Mineral Basin was  calling with a freshly prepared White Diamonds that had that Spring time feel that made me dial in some tight back country turns to draw out as much out of each turn as I could extract.  The early warmth made those South facing aspects feel like that sorbet that you get only much later in the Spring.   Here is a shot looking over the other side of the fence, where that high exposure is still un trammeled and smooth.  On the front of the hill, excellent lines had been prepared and presented smooth consistent offerings that kept me lapping them Tram after Tram.  Over on Gad 2, that Gadzooks shot is still holding that smooth dry chalk that has been a treat for quite a while now.  It has miraculously resisted any sort of static build up at all.  Here is a fresh shot of that first pitch that I took today. Tomorrow, look for another warm day to be on tap.  The forecast is predicting a big change in the weather pattern that will see these Spring time like conditions returning back to Winter.  In the mean time we can enjoy the pleasant temps. and soft afternoon snow pack until we get back to the Powder Cycle.  The High North is still holding the cold and smooth lines, which will still be good in the AM.  Watch those due South faces first thing until softening occurs, which today began around 11:00AM.    I was out and about looking at different aspects later in the day and found this great shot of The Rasta Chutes with the back  light highlighting the interference patterns that have built up there  The wind seemed to be filling them in just a bit, so keep an eye out for some smoothing there in the next couple of days.  Enjoy the warmth before the storm.  See you dark and early.  See the Line, BE the Line!!

There was a surprise light dusting that fell on the hill overnight, which made the conditions just a bit more interesting.  The cold temps. were still a feature, with stout winds out of the Northwest that really made it feel quite cold.  The light dusting had been blown into threads of freshness in between very firm pack below.  A lap in Mineral Basin was a good place to start as the visibility was great with bright Sunshine and well worked lines.  Those High North aspects out there were still the best on that side of the hill and that aspect was holding up on the front of the hill as well.  The firmness really made you steer for the dust pockets, which you could link together for a bit better traction.  Here is a shot of the Snowbird Subaru with that dust on the front.  Even with all that Sun, it did not really warm up all that much, and the snow surface was slow to soften.  Wind buffed lines continue to offer some very steep options that make you really pay attention, but reward you with dry chalky excellence that feels great underfoot.  Tomorrow, look for another great morning of hard pack sliding.  Tenderizing efforts will be implemented, so I will be looking for those early fresh lines.  Here is a rare shot of a feeding frenzy of the avian variety out in a discrete location somewhere out in the far reaches.  There was a lot of competition for the seed and there was also a crowd on the snow pack waiting for spillage.  All these birds seemed so happy and glad to get a morsel.  Dress for another cold morning, but it is supposed to be a touch warmer.  See you there for the first Boat.  Speed Safely!!