Another blast of precipitation early this morning made the Canyon very greasy and began to lay down more stellar product all over the hill.  The frantic rate of snow fall made for another delayed start to the day, but Wilbre Chair was open, with fresh lines for the folks who chose that option.  The Morning Crew hit the Forklift Chair to get a jump on breakfast and be ready of the opening of the Tram, which did open access to Regulator for the Day.  The high winds were, once again, providing free refills with the new snow fall and the overnight accumulation.  Lap after lap was  an un tracked bonanza, with no pressure and exquisite quality.  It really did not matter that more terrain did not open, as those wide open wind swept areas were full on rockin’.  While  waiting for the hoped for on time opening, I got to meet Rick and Morty from Wichita, who were starting the first day of a western tour of ski areas.  They were starting here and this was anauspicious beginning to an exciting day and trip.  It is gonna get deep guys.   Gad 2 was offering excellent lines in the trees, as the pack gets fat and the terrain variations get mellower.  I took a couple laps there just to experience the silence and be in the trees.   I spent a few minutes on the Peak at The Summit having a hot chocolate and met Traveling Best, who were here for the firsttime at Snowbird and were excited to be safe warm and comfy in the Summit with the storm raging all around.  I am sure they found that line of wind buffed I told them about and will be coming back for more.  It was really fun to meet them and share their stoke.  Here is a shot looking out the window at The Mineral Express as the storm howled out side.  Tomorrow, look for another day of storm riding as yet another impulse is setting it’s sites on the Wasatch Front.  Check the road report in the AM for restrictions, but try to get up early before the heavy stuff moves in.  The hill is in great shape, and will be offering stunning quality where ever you point your self.  I have been dialing in some of the roundest turns of the season with this phenomenal Essence.  See The Line, BE The Line!!

The snow pack continues to build, as there was 5 or 6 inches of fresh frosting covering the hill.  The cold, high density frosting was the perfect addition to cover the light crust that had been deposited by that recent rime event a couple of days ago, but it is only and echo and did not really affect the quality.  The wind was whipping again today, which was transporting the goods around the hill and laying down some awesome lines that refilled all day long.  I kept lapping some of the old standbys, and was treated to un tracked lines with each visit.  Visibility was variable, however, there was plenty of detail to make line choice easy.  I still can’t get over how epic those wind lines were feeling, like “Frosting A Cake With A Paper Knife”  FZ.  Dr Pepper made his annual appearance this morning and he was really excited to get going on the fresh installment that had been delivered.  It is always great to see him here for the Season.     With the high density product, I thought the Harbor Chop was going to build, but the snow remained soft and totally blastable on all of the runs I took top to bottom.  Only the lower Cat Tracks got that linoleum feel, and that was only at the very bottom of the hill.  I met Cookie, who was with the Soddy Daisy Ski Club of Chattanooga, on one of my Zoom rides.  He was having a great time and had been here for several days.  We pointed him in the right direction for the best conditions.  Here, Tramrat is photo bombing the shot.  Tomorrow, look for another storm riding day, as the Storm Warnings are scrolling across the TV screen.  Impressive accumulation predictions are widespread and you know we are going to get our share. The warnings extend through Thursday, so we are in for more great snow.  Dress for the weather, as today, though the temps seemed mild, the chairs were very brisk.  The hill is in great shape and whatever line you choose these days will be good to go.  Speed Safely!!

The rain in the Valley finally turned to snow around the 7000′ level as I drove up the Canyon, with the wind pounding the Star Cruiser all the way up. The lifts were on hold as the wind and precipitation caused a delay.  The Morning Crew made the move to ride the Forklift Chair to wait for developments  and assess the options.  Here is a shot of the crew deep in analysis.With the wind still pounding, and the temp. on the freezing threshold, we all decided to call it a day and try again tomorrow.  Up on the hill, the lifts on the Gad side of the hill began to open around 10:45AM, with the new fallen frosting offering spreadable turns.  A front moved through the Valley around 2:00PM, delivering even more product to the hill with the associated wind.  It was an interesting day for sure.  Julia, from Living Creations, had delivered fresh table arrangements yesterday, so I found another explosion of color and form just waiting to be captured.  Tomorrow, look for more accumulation that will have fallen overnight as another impulse is on the radar.  The weather will continue to be unsettled, with more accumulation to be delivered in the next day or two.  The hill is in great shape, with the smooth lines on all aspects after all this snow and low traffic.  Dress for storm riding, and while today’s temps were on the mild side, it will still be blustery, so dress for fun.  See you in the AM. and we will try it again, and you know it is going to be great.  IBBY!!

There was freezing rain down here in the Valley, with cars off the road as I made my way to the mouth of the canyon.  The precipitation turned to snow at 7000′, and while the temps. were slightly above freezing at the Center, the snow fall continued all day.   The wind was whipping, and the 5 or so inches of high density frosting was being blown smooth and filled all the low areas.   The quality was exquisite, as the cushion of the product made the ride whisper smooth and every turn was effortless.  I was working the wind lines in conjunction with the Groomers to take advantage of the big drops that had been prepared overnight.  Both sides of the hill were offering great lines, with the North facing aspects in Mineral Basin benefiting from the wind direction.  Where ever you went you could find amazing goodness and there were smiles all around.  Traffic was nominal for a powder event, and the up hill capacity made for short to non existent lift lines.   I was fortunate to meet Hitomi, who was on hand for the morning freshness.  She reads this report every day and was so happy to be on the hill for such great conditions.  I know she had a great day, as she was stoked beyond measure.  Tomorrow, look for more weather as the storm warnings are scrolling across the TV screen as I write this.  There should be overnight accumulation, with more expected during the day.  The wind will continue to work the hill, so look for some exceptional smoothness wall to wall.  It is so fun to have little to no rumble anywhere.  It is a lot easier on my knees.  We are still in the Zone of the Jet Stream, so more is on the way.  There should be free refills all day tomorrow as there were today.  You have to love days when it is always un tracked.  As Joe Man the Snow Man says ” Don’t Skimp On The Groove Sauce”!!

A new installment is on the way, and it is snowing here at The Trailer as I write this.  There are storm warnings scrolling across the TV screen, with the Weather Dude going off about the possibilities and the variations in the dynamics that are part of this system.  The next couple of days will be very interesting.  The hill was offering those corduroy lines that just let you get down and arcy.  There is no ice to worry about anymore, as it has been buried under all the recent accumulation.  I have been having a great time dialing in the juice and getting TIME stopped at will with the accuracy this Hydro Velvet provides.  And Stopping TIME is what it is all about.  Tomorrow, look for a storm day of sliding, with visibility being an issue.  You can count on the cover to be good to go, with fairly smooth lines on all aspects.  Only those lines that see A Lot of traffic will still be feeling the interference patterns, but the new snow will cushion the ride.  Here is a shot I took yesterday of the Sunday Cliffs before they opened.  The lines there were as good as it gets, with fresh frosting waiting wall to wall.  That’s spicy!! Kazoodi had another epic Pizza party the other night, but due to road conditions I was relegated to The Trailer while the further explorations in Pizza went on with out me.  Here is Mikey M with a fresh pie on the peel on the way to the outdoor Pizza Oven.   He is multi tasking here, but then he is a pro!!  Here is a close up of another of the Pies of the nightThis is designer Pizza at it’s best, and when Kazoodi and Mike get together it is a tour d’ force!!   I can’t wait for the next exploration in Pizza.  I am hungry just looking at it.  IBBY!!

It was a clear cold morning as the Tram hit the peak.  There were still several areas left over for a day of second helpings.  The Groomers were offering over the top excellence with several major new lines prepared for the morning session while we waited for the rope drops.  Lower Primrose Path was absolutely smooth, dry, chalky, and scrumptulescent top to bottom.  I had to make several extra laps down that side to get as much of that goodness as possible.  The Sun was really bright, and the reflected light from Superior was illuminating the dance floor with a golden light.  When the bowls began to open, there was a much more relaxed move into the goods.  I like it when the pressure is off and you can think about the anticipation and execution.  Here is a shot of the Boundary Bowl area looking as good as can be.  The lines out in the Exotic Trees, just beyond this spot on the traverse, testified to the amazing quality that was still there. The stoke was high among the light turnout for the day, and got to meet some great folks who were excited to be on hand for the goods.  Here is a shot of Team Dunn, who were here doing recon for The Wilmington Ski Club of Wilmington Del.  I was excited to turn them on to what to expect from the day, and I know they got what they came to find.  What a day!!Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering the Hydro Velvet on all aspects.  There are amazing corduroy lines to dial in and find your inner Ligety.  There will still be lots of soft snow to find out and about, but the East and South facing aspects are stiff and require a direct approach.  There are clouds coming this way out ahead of the next installment, so there may be some visibility issues.  Dress for the cold, as it will still be quite chilly.  Stay Frosty!!

Light flurries were still falling as the day began, after the storm left the hill covered with medium density Essence that was creamy and dreamy wall to wall.  All aspects were feeling beautiful, with total carve power easy to access.  With the brisk traffic for the morning session, I worked a contrarian game plan to stay away from the fray, and was able to get untracked lines with no one around.  The underlying rumble has been mitigated by the accumulation, and every where I went was just plain fun and delightful.  The day cleared off around Noon, and we were able to see the range in all it’s 3D glory in the pristine high altitude air.  With all the weather as of late, we have not seen this view in quite some time.  Mineral Basin opened later in the day offering quality that had hoots and hollers filling the bowls continually as The Faithful were stunned with the magic moments.  Here is a shot of the misty clouds that were floating around in back. Tomorrow, look for another clear cold day, with soft snow on all aspects.  Lines are ready for an approach of unmitigated audacity.  You will be able to carry any line you choose with no worries.  The Groomers will be off the chart luxurious, and the off trail is offering the best feel of the season.  This has been such an amazing cycle, and it is not over yet.  There is more upstream and it has it’s sights on the Wasatch.  There are still areas that have yet to be opened, so we can look forward to those openings for another chance to dig deep.  Hang on to each of these January days as they all go much too fast.  Don’t Skimp On The Groove Sauce!!

It was a very stormy morning, with a few new inches of high density Essence covering the dance floor.  The high winds shut down the Tram, but the Quads were accessing terrain that kept everyone busy working the hill.  The high winds were also moving the product around, filling in the guts and hollows as fast as it got worked.  It was free refills for all, all day long.  I kept lapping the same line, and never saw another track after the last lap.  These are the best powder days, with no pressure, sweet consistency, and turns to make one feel like Ligety!!  The trees were capturing the transported product, and beautiful lines could be found where there had been some stout rumble just the other day.  What a difference a couple of days make on the hill.  At the breakfast recon meeting, I met Team Smarty, who were celebrating  a 60th birthday for a core member.  I gave them the 411 on the prevailing conditions and recommended a few options for them to consider.  I know they found those spots just the way I described, and got all of it.  Thanks for reading my posts guys!!  Tomorrow, look for an early morning road closure, with an estimated 8AM. reopening.  Storm warning have been issued and there will be more of the Essential Substance on the way.  The hill is in great shape, with much smoother lines after the wind filled in all the  rumble with the dense product.  What a nice cycle to get for the New Year.  See you tomorrow for the continuing Shred Fest!!!  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The mountain was covered by an amazing installment of righteous Utah light that was as fine a quality as it gets.  The light density left the underlying substrate still in play, but the depth made the variations of no consequence.  There was a fair turnout  of the Faithful for the new snow, but the lifts moved them quickly, and the Tram line died out after Noon.  I got my first look at the far reaches of the Cirque Traverse, where I found very deep blower Essence that had not yet been found.  What a treat to get these lines with no pressure from behind.  The Exotic Trees were also open, where the trees were very deep, but the interference patters where well established, and the bottom was in full play.  I stayed to the edges to get the smoothest ride I could.  There really was great quality wall to wall on the hill, and anywhere you chose was great.  The wind was working the hill, moving some product here and there for some added goodness.  Here is a great shot of Sarah Cool, who was stoked to be back on the hill and visited with me for a minute while I was taking stock of the day.  It is always a treat to see Sarah.Tomorrow, look for more precipitation to be part of the mix as another system moves into the Front. When it will all start is anyone’s guess, but you can expect more great conditions to be offered wall to wall.  Look for some freshly machine worked runs that will be buttery smooth and carvelicious.  I sampled some of that goodness today on West Second South and was amazed by how exquisite it felt.  You can expect that same ” do no wrong” quality on those lines tomorrow as well.  Perfect is perfect no matter the dept.  These are the days we have been waiting for so throw down and power blast.  Speed Safely!!

8” or so of medium density Essence fell on the hill over night, making the conditions a real sensation.  The new product stuck to the old layer, and the extra cushion mitigated the rumble that was resident all over the hill.  I drove into some known interference patterns just for fun, and while they were still in play, the soft snow made them fun and workable.  I was finally able to go well off trail where I have previously avoided, finding very nice lines that made the effort well worth while.  Later in the day, the Harbor Chop began to build, but a slow round approach sliced right through the static and made for some very nice arcs.  Visibility was variable throughout the day, but generally all the important details were easy to see.  Traffic was a bit heavier, with a couple of Tram wait at times, but the chairs were offering walk on access.  Snow fell all day long and the moisture content got significantly lighter.  Traffic out of the Canyon was wall to wall at 2:00PM, so I had to wait until around 6 PM to start the drive down the canyon.  I stopped in the Cliff to check out the new remodel.  Here is a shot of the new Front Desk.  They did a stunning job with this remodel and I love the brightness and clean lines.  Here is a shot I took of the Atrium from the 9th floor.  It was a bit disorienting getting near the railing.  Tomorrow, look for significant additional snow fall, as it was seriously dumping when I left, and the forecast was for more accumulation.  The hill is in great shape and you will find great lines where ever you chose to point them.  With today’s snow cushion, additional accumulation will be icing on the cake, and what a cake it is.   Check for road restrictions in the AM.  IBBY!!