The rain pattered on the skin of The Trailer for most of the night signaling an overnight installment up on the hill.  The 7” of reported accumulation seemed deeper in places as the  wind swirled on the hill.  The faithful were on hand early, with lots of folks following up all morning long.  Those smooth lines were offering the best ride, with lots of options to choose from.  Those off trail sections that were sporting the sharp rumble were still reflecting through the freshness.  Visibility was variable all day long, but there were some bright spots from time to time, with some flurries moving through later in the afternoon.   Here is a shot I took of the fresh flowers that Julia brought to the Forklift.  The flash really made it pop with color on a gray day.Tomorrow, look for a skiff off accumulation overnight, with more accumulation during the day.  The Groomers will be offering dialable goodness that will let  you lay it over like Ligety!!  The off trail will be improving as the traffic works the product into the pack.  Look for those smooth lines that were operative this week for the best ride.  I am still going to be leery of those South and West aspects due to the crusty nature that was living there recently.  Mineral Basin will be the place to start if the crowd pushes the base early.  Of course visibility will be an issue, so factor that into your line choice.  See you there for the fresh cover in the AM.  Peace Out!

The brief morning Sun gave way to clouds moving in fast out of the South.  The stout wind was still transporting the snow to the High North, and the wind lines were really special with a sugary consistency that made them feel delicious.  I was woefully under dressed for the cold peak temp. and biting wind, but I did take the time to get this shot of the clouds moving in.  With the arrival of the clouds, the visibility began to vary greatly, with very flat light obscuring the details.  I was just going with all the lines that I had worked yesterday, but added the Lower Primrose Path line that had got a fresh till top to bottom.  That un tracked corduroy was delightful and very consistent, making any visibility issues irrelevant.  With all the warm afternoon temps. recently, the West and South facing aspect were particularly crispy, but there were many great options to ply, with that transported snow covering the mat with dry dust.  Traffic on the hill was high, but the lift lines were vacant and max vertical was easy to pile up.  Tomorrow, look for snow to have fallen overnight with continued snow during the day.  I am hoping for some medium density to cushion the old layer.  That is what was offered up during the last installment, so I feel confident that the conditions will be great for the Holiday weekend.  Look to the High North for the best underlying pack, and expect those South and West aspects to be a touch interesting.  I will be taking the day off  to rest up for the coming week.  Stay Frosty!!

It was clear, sunny, and quite breezy, as a stout South wind began blowing out ahead of a series of storms setting up to move through during the coming weekend.  The clouds held off until after Noon, when high clouds began to move in and filter the bright Sun that had lit the entire morning session.  The Groomers were offering the goods on all sides of the hill, but Regulator was a bit firm after getting hit by those direct Sun rays yesterday afternoon.  On the front of the hill, the cold dry chalk was still holding strong, resisting any damage by the traffic of the day.  Shaving un tracked corduroy was a real treat, as no one seems to seek out those perfect lines, so it was left to the Morning Crew to work those lines close to the margins.   Here is a shot of El Presidente, who was enjoying the great ambience on the peak.  He was working the same rare lines as I was and was throwing down some serious turns on the steep chalky pitches.  The wind really picked up later in the day, which left only laps through Mineral Basin to get back to the top, where the gusts were 70+ MPH.  That wind was really beginning to move the product around, making those High North and Northeast aspects fill in with sugary consistency.   Tomorrow, look for overcast skies, wind lines on the High North, and maybe a touch of new product as the storm moves in. Dress for storm riding as the temps. will be significantly colder than these last few days.  The hill is in great shape, however, the off trail is still sporting some stout rumble, with some interference patterns built up in the very high traffic areas. Stick with the known smooth lines for the best ride in the marginal visibility.  IBBY!!

It was a simply sizzling day, with amazing groomers on all sides of the hill offering up that ground pounding fun.  The White Diamonds – Lower Silver Dipper combination was smooth dry chalk top to bottom, even after the Sun kissed it yesterday.  There is still enough cold in the snow to keep the carpet fresh and fun.  On the front of the hill, dry chalky lines were still holding up, and a fresh treatment of Lower Chips Face and Lower Lower were back country perfect and steep, steep, steep.  The day warmed up, giving Regulator Johnson some real Spring like corn goodness that kept me lapping that line to get as much of that sorbet feel as I could get.  I met Neil from OZZY and Kiwi Jenny from NZ on the plaza on my way to the Forklift.  I ran into them later on the peak, so I took this great shot of them in front of The Twins. They were having a great time hitting the big smooth buff that I had told them about.  It was really beautiful on the peak and the temps. were balmy, but the front of the hill was holding up the quality all day.  Only those very direct aspects were taking a hit from the Sun. The outdoor patio of The Summit was getting a lot of traffic, so I took this shot of some folks enjoying the great weather  and sipping some suds.  Tomorrow, look for more great Groomers to be on tap, with some of those High North aspects offering some smooth sugar as the pitches get worked.  Most of the off trail is very stiff right now and the rumble is formidable.  Look for those smooth wind lines and fresh corduroy carpets for the best of the morning session.  Traffic is very  light on the hill, so maximum vertical is easy to rack up.  Stay Frosty!!

It was another balmy morning, with just a light breeze, bright Sun, and incredible Grooming available on all sides of the hill.  Mineral Basin was offering the sunny buffed offerings that kept you lapping the chair to get as much as possible.  Another rework of Lone Star was another highlight, as it offered dry chalky smooth that rolled off to the steep lower section.  On the Front of the hill, Lower Primrose Path had been worked with a wider stroke, and that new line was just killer, with that steep fall line push that kept me honest.  Over on Gad 2, All three sections of Gadzooks had been given the smoothing treatment, and I had to pound out some top to bottom Zooks just to tap into that rare falling vibration.  Here is a shot of the upper section in the Sun.  That shot illustrates the smooth runnings that were going off all over the hill. A huge tip of the hat to the Cat Crew for such amazing lines!! The off trail has still got the stiff rumble going on, with only some of the Northeast aspects smoothing with traffic.  Tomorrow, look for more incredible corduroy to dial all over the hill.  That dry chalky feel is happening top to bottom, and despite the warm base temps., the quality is holding tough.  Here is a shot of Wynonna standing next to the sleeping Ice Puppy that camped out on the lounge chair.  The traffic is very light, and high volume vertical is a cake walk to get.  Be sure to hit the sunny side for the first runs, to get that un tracked corduroy goodness.  IBBY!!

It was a beautiful morning, with warmer temps. and only a fair breeze on the upper elevations.   The White Diamonds – Lower Silver Dipper line was buffed, making that line a real steep treat for the Morning Crew.  Lone Star was also given the industrial smoothing for the first time of the season.  Few were hitting that line and I was able to get a couple of un tracked corduroy runs there.  Here is a shot of White Diamonds during my first run.  This is a very steep shot, but it still looks like Big Emma from this angle.  None the less, the faithful were getting after it there and leaving trenches in the buffed surface.  On the front of the hill, smooth lines had been prepared top to bottom, with some wind deposited dust just to make it that much more silky.  I had to pound out a few extra laps on both sides of the hill to dial in as much of that baffage as I could.  Here is a shot of Boundary Bowl getting some nice lines in the fresh Essence that was waiting for those who wanted to hike to get the goods, and good it was!!  Tomorrow, look for more great Grooming to be on tap on all sides of the hill.  That rain layer is beginning to reflect through on the lower elevations of the hill, but there is ample traction to keep the turns consistent.  The High North is still holding cold shaded goodness, and some of the more worked sections are responding to the traffic by getting even smoother.  Got to love that development.  I had the pleasure of meeting the Tar Heels of Chapel Hill NC. on the Plaza this afternoon.  They are avid readers of the site and were having a great day on the hill.  I told them to stay with the smooth and that they did.  I know they had a great time getting the dry dust that was just waiting to be dialed in.   Be there early for the best corduroy, just waiting for you to shave off the nap.  Speed Safely!!

The weather was clear and cold to start the day, with Mineral Basin offering fresh tracks out on Powder Paradise, and later when the Sunday Cliffs opened.  The micro climate that was happening there during the storm, made the quality of the Essence absolutely spectacular, with blower depth and cold smoke trailing in  your wake.  There was a push for the early Trams, but getting out back bought you a quick turnaround to the goods that were standing up in the cold air.  Later in the morning, the Exotic Trees were happening, with more delightful Essence deep in the trees that held up for quite a while.  I stopped in to the Gad 2 Patrol Shack to inquire about the density profile and got this shot of Margie and Frankie soaking up the glorious morning rays.These two are an amazing team, and you know you are in good hands when they are around.  Thanks for the 411 on the density profile Margie!!  On the front of the hill, the off trail was variable, with some stiff rumble, but there were wind affected lines that felt sugar smooth and tasty, sending me back for seconds.  The Groomers were also stellar, with only a hint of that rain event echoing from time to time.  With the clear cold skies, the peaks stood out in super 3D.  Here is a long shot down the Canyon, capturing the amazing quality of this past installment.  Tomorrow, look for more great turns all over the hill.  The morning temps. may be cool once again, and the Groomers and wind lines will be offering more delightful consistency.  If you use a bit more deliberate turn approach, you can mitigate some of the chop that has built up off trail.  The interference patterns will be rebuilding as the traffic works the hill, but there is plenty of big mountain smooth to dial in some ripping turns.  The hill is once again in great shape and that brief rain event is just a footnote in the season.  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!

The rain pounded the skin of the Trailer all night long with a cacophonous din that signaled big dumpage up on the hill.  There was a very early and heavy push for the goods, backing the Canyon up clear to Big Cottonwood.   The mountain got partially open with the 9 AM bell, but sections would have to wait until control work was complete.  The new installment was medium density, with the steep high elevation aspects having slid, with the low angle sections holding the full depth.  With the crowd on hand, none of the fresh openings lasted very long.  Still, it was great to have that much added cover to give the hill a fresh surface for the coming week.  This is a shot of the Bingham Mine that I took yesterday as it emerged from the cloud cover.  It is great to still have the clear air filling the Valley.  Tomorrow, look for a sunny day with moderate temps., fresh lines still waiting in the wings, and Groomers that will be deep shag smooth. The traffic should still be fairly heavy, but using the Quads to avoid the Tram line is a good call and will get you where you want to go quickly.  With the medium density product, the off trail will be piling up quickly, so expect some harbor chop conditions in the high traffic areas.  See you there for the Sun and Fun.  Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

It was very warm again this morning, with threatening skies, and spring like snow on the hill.  Though it was warm, the Northerly flow promised to bring colder temps., which will lower the snow level to put a nice coat on the hill.  The high winds parked the Tram, so the Quads were the key to getting up the hill.  Up on top, there were wind smoothed lines on all sides of the hill that were very carve-able and predictable.  The middle of the hill was variable as the temps. warmed, and the consistency was variable.  The lower elevation was feeling like a May day with a snow cone feel that was very spreadable and fun.  There was quite a bit of traffic, as folks were coming from Park City where it had rained all night, and others were making their way down from Jackson where the weather created some serious problems.  Here is a shot of the storm clouds as they streamed down from the North.  Snow began falling later in the day, with accumulation continuing for the duration of the storm.  Tomorrow, look for colder temps., quite a bit more accumulation covering the hill, and a lot of pressure for the goods.  The hill is smooth overall after all that wind work, so all the fresh lines will be good to go and will offer smooth blasting. There may be some crusty crunch on the lower third of the hill that will be reflecting through the new product, so expect some static on that count.  Still, it will be great to have fresh Essence to work into the hill.  I will be taking the day off so enjoy the goods.  Speed Safely!!

The temps. were very mild this morning, but the snow on the hill had been smoothed by the wind and was offering very nice lines.  Mineral Basin had a bit of dust covering the Groomers, which made them feel smooth and velvety, but the wind sent me back to the front of the hill to take advantage of the long steep pitches that were in abundance there.  I was hitting the some of the lines that I have been holding off on due to the persistent rumble usually resident, but with the wind filling action they were deluxe and were holding up run after run.  By noon, the ambient warmth really began to morph the pack on the lower third of the hill into a much thicker consistency that made my knees begin to squawk.   I was able to squeeze out a few extra runs on the upper elevations before I called it a day.   Here is a shot of the upper deck of the remodeled Creek Side facility in Gad Valley.  It is very nearly complete and will be a great addition to the amenities on the Gad side of the hill.  I will get more shots when they open it up for the public.  Tomorrow, look for some very interesting weather to be on tap.  This warm pattern will bring rain to the Valley, but we will have to wait and see where the snow level settles.  The hill is very smooth overall, after all the wind, making the terrain ready for more accumulation.  Check the Bird Mountain Report for a better look at the temps.  See you there to see how it all shakes out.  Stay Frosty!!