Light snow was falling for the morning session and continued throughout the day. There was very light traffic on the Tram with walk on easy making it a breeze to do back to back laps.  The snow guns were turning out some very nice product that felt velvety smooth under foot.   I was dialing in some slow deep turns to extract maximum juice from each arc.  Both sides of the hill were similar in consistency with groomed smooth lines that were offering fun cruising all day long.  There was little or no build up of cross chop, which was a treat when the legs started to feel the burn.  The Forklift recon meeting was a great time, as new faces arrived to get the low down on how the hill was shaping up.  Here is a great shot of the folks who make that place special.  Tomorrow, look for snow all day long.  The forecast is for a long cycle setting up, so dress for storm riding and expect very limited visibility.  Check the Bird site for specific updates on the access.  The hill is in great shape for this next installment, and this will really push the quality up and off the charts.  Exciting times indeed.  The off trail may be getting a bit more manageable with some soft snow on top.  I will be rechecking the aspects to get a better read on the developments as the weather kicks in.  IBBY!!

There was a few inches of fresh, very cold snow on the hill this  morning, which made for some very slow going as the snow dragged with the cold.  Wax may have helped if you had the right combination, but I was running with no wax  and it was a struggle to get rolling.  On the hill the fresh installment felt smooth and consistent despite the drag.  The snow guns were turning out fantastic quality with the cold temps, and those untracked lines of Gun Powder was a treat top to bottom.  Here is a very cool shot that Neil got this morning early as the flakes filled the sky.  There were light effects going on all day long as these clouds would roll through the resort and filter the Sun.   I did a couple off trail forays to see what was up and found the West facing aspects to be quite difficult with wind affected consistency that made me glad I was just passing through.  The Groomers were offering the best lines of the day, and I was still getting un tracked Gun Powder later in the day.  I met my friend Donovan’s crew today on the Tram and caught up with them later on the hill. They represent a contingent of The Jim Dandy Ski Club.  Here is a great shot of them ready to hit the next line after I worked hard to catch up to them after they ripped Regulator.  Donovan charges the hill hard and the crew was staying right with him on the steep lines he was showing them.  It was great to see them enjoying the great conditions.  Tomorrow, look for  more good sliding on both sides of the hill.  Look for those sweet Gun Powder lines that are stretched out below the guns.  The quality there is excellent and you can trust the transitions as you pass.  I went to Kazoodie’s Pizza Extravaganza last night to christen his new pizza oven that he built.  Kazoodie has been working on making the perfect pie for a long time and this time I thinkhe has hit it out of the park.  Here is the first pie coming out of the oven.  This oven is HOT as blazes and cooked that pie in very little time. This is great apres ski fare in LCC.  It does NOT get better.  Don’t Skimp On The Groove Sauce!!

There was a fresh carpet of delight this morning after the Cat Crew worked their magic on the hill.  Both sides of the hill were feeling edge-able and smooth, which let you dial in the turns you desired.  Gone was the breakable slab of yesterday.  Off trail was still stiff with the chop and interference patterns a wide spread feature.  I was sticking with the smooth and silky, working the long sections of Gun Powder that was being deposited top to bottom.  There was some incredible quality down on the lower mountain that was being ignored in the flat light.  I kept getting fresh un tracked every run.   Here is a shot of the Mine across the Valley taken from the peak.  I never get tired of contemplating this view from the peak.  Tomorrow, look for more great machine worked lines, with some fresh essence that will fall overnight.  There are flurries happening now as I write this, so I am looking forward to a treat.  The forecast is looking very active for the next week and I think we will be seeing a great stretch of accumulation coming up.  Now is the time to scope out the lines that I have been avoiding to get a heads up on them when they get covered over again.  The hill is poised for greatness with any significant dump, where the interference patterns and rumble will be gone, giving away to ground pounding excellence.  That is my vision and I am sticking with it!!  See you there for the first Boat!  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!

A few inches of fresh product had fallen on the hill, with just a trace here at the Trailer.  The stout morning wind, delayed the Tram a bit, and pushed the dense installment into piles stretching across the hill in waves.  With a very firm machine worked surface in between the waves, it made for a very interesting morning dealing with the very variable wind slab.  I started out on the Peruvian side of the hill, then checked the Gad side where I found similar conditions at the higher elevations.  The consistency improved markedly as the cover got worked and broken up, which was good.  Off trail, the existing worked over areas are stiff, with serious rumble to negotiate.  On the lower mountain, wide spread interference patterns are building with short sharp transitions that require a deliberated approach.  I am staying on the machine worked runs to take advantage of the Gun Powder that continues to provide nice consistent velvet.  I am still getting my ski legs back and anything I can do to make it a less painful process will be good. .  Here is a shot of the Lewis and Clark area that is still in need of a bit more snow until we can begin the explorations.   Tomorrow, look for a clear cold morning before more flurries move in later in the day.  The Groomers will be offering the best consistency, and don’t underestimate the Gun Powder, as it has been off the charts carvelicious in the past few days.  Dial down the roll and extract as much juice as you can from those velvety smooth turns.  MMMMM good!!    I stopped by the new tribute grove to my good friend FITZ, who left us last year.  He had been here longer that me and was a great guy and is missed.  Here is a shot of his memorial picture.  This shot is also a reminder of all the great folks who have gone on to do the recon work in the big Powder Fields in the Sky!!   Rock ON FITZ!!

The sky was clear this morning with great visibility and an area of new terrain to explore.  The Peruvian Gulch was open and offering beautiful machine worked lines as well as off trail leftovers from yesterday.  Rat’s Nest opened later as well, which gave access to the lower section of the entire Cirque up to a new rope line.  The turns in there were very nice indeed, and getting some untracked lines was a real treat.  The Groomers were feeling very nice as well, with the snow guns turning out some excellent Gun Powder that was untracked on the ignored lines that hid out in that early morning flat light before the Sun comes up over the ridge.  Here is a shot I took from the entrance into Mineral Basin from the Chips cat track.  With more snow on the way in the next few days, it won’t be too long until we get back there to revisit the favorite lines and  Lewis and Clark explorations.  I am looking forward to that with great anticipation.  The Gad side of the hill was feeling very nice as well, with the snow guns on Regulator pumping out the velvet all the way down the right side.  I stayed over on the Peruvian side of the hill for most of the day to check out the different areas.  I will be staying on the beaten path until we get more snow, just to be safe.  Here is a shot that my friend Mike took of his line just out of the mouth of Great Scott.   Tomorrow, look for snow flurries that will be continuing throughout the day.  Not much in the way of accumulation is expected, but it will be nice to have some fresh product on the hill.  Conditions are really looking up and there is great snow to find and  extract the most out of the turn.   See you dark and early for the first boat.  IBBY!!

There was a high overcast deck over the Valley this morning, that was high enough to keep the visibility good, but the flat light made the details a bit tricky from time to time.  The Peruvian Gulch opened today, offering excellent powder for the faithful to ply for the first time on that side of the hill.  All reports were stellar, with many of the more out of the way lines holding up for a number of runs.  Knowing the ignored lines pays dividends.  Some of those underlying reefs were cropping up here and there, but staying with fat guts were a safe bet.  I got this great shotof that Northeast facing aspect of Mineral Basin.  That is still waiting in the wings for sometime in the future, so if  you missed the opening of the Peruvian Gulch, you can catch the first opening here.  Stay tuned.  The Gad side of the hill has been holding up really well despite the concentrated traffic this week, but the snow making efforts are a huge improvement and are providing some stellar Gun Powder.  Here is a shot I took the other day where the Patrol Shack used to be to, once again, give an idea of the clear vista that is present there now.  Tomorrow, look for the snow to still be soft over on the Peruvian side of the hill, with machine worked lines that will be fresh and fun.  Freshly machine worked lines are always so delightful, with the corduroy making perfect turns a snap.  I think you will have a great time no matter which line you choose tomorrow, so get there early and ride the fresh lines.  Stay Frosty!!

Early morning flurries and late afternoon flurries framed a beautiful day of smooth sliding.  A few millimeters of fluff accumulated before the first Tram got off the dock, and that was a delight on top of the re worked lines that were smooth and dialable.   The Snow Guns were blazing once again, turning out some very nice velvet that was begging for some deep round turns.  Here is a shot taken from Peak in the space that the old Patrol Shack once occupied.  It is great to have this great view unobstructed.  The trees are flocked with the fresh snow that has fallen in the past few days, kept fresh with the cold temps that we have been seeing.  I am still wearing my cold weather coat despite the Sun.  The Peruvian side of the hill did not open today, and promises to open tomorrow.  There are some beautiful lines waiting for the folks who show up for the opening. The quality over there is all time and will be blower and sweet.  Here is a shot of the Lower Cirque looking sweet in the low angle Sun.  It will be good to get that area opened so it will all get packed out and become more consistent for the next accumulation event.  The pack has come a long way in the last week and the pattern looks like it will continue to bring more to the hill in the next while.  Here is another shot of the Lower Cirque I took from the Tram with the window scratches making for some interesting texture!!Tomorrow, you can count on a great day of new terrain that has some very high quality product just waiting for the Faithful to work it in.  It will be good sliding on both sides of the hill.  I will be taking the day off for some rest and relaxation.  Enjoy the great early season conditions.  IBBY!!

There were light flurries all day today, which made the visibility interesting as the clouds moved in and out.  The first run had some ultra light dust that had fallen and it felt great on the already soft lines.  Regulator was open off the Tram again, with the snow guns putting down a beautiful layer of Gun Powder that just seemed to mount up run after run with the perfect temps. making the product exquisite.  I dialed back the roll to extract as much juice from each turn as possible.   With a rework of the Regulator machine worked line, the consistency improved markedly from yesterday.  Very light traffic was another nice feature that kept the runs wide open with no pressure.  The Peak is has a whole new feel with the old Patrol Shack gone. It is wide open and the view is clear.  Today, you could not see much, but during one lap I stopped into the Summit at Hidden Peak and soaked up the ambience as the storm raged outside the doors.  Before this building, it was tough to spend much time there in bad weather, but now you can sit and enjoy the energy of the peak Vortex with a warm and inviting space.  Here is a shot of some of the great folks who provide the comfort food that is available there.   I am going to be getting some of that Pizza very soon, it looked sooo good.  Here is a great shot of the 3 guys who make the Summit hum.  Executive Chef George, The Manager Mark and the Assistant to the Manager Roger.  I got to spend some time talking to them about the coming season.  Tomorrow, look for more great groomers to be on tap, with, perhaps, some overnight accumulation as we are still in a Northwesterly flow.  There may be some continued flurries during the day as well.  I heard rumors of a possible Peruvian Gulch opening, but I am not holding my breath. We will see, and keep your eye on the Bird’s site for official updates.  Conditions are very good, especially when you think of what we had just less than a week ago.  It’s here!!   Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!