The Spring temps. continue with more balmy weather for the first of March.  Flowers are blooming around the corral and the horses have been excited about lolling in the Sunshine.  Up on the hill the Spring feel has been working the pack on those very exposed aspects, but there is plenty of base, so that really does not pose any issues.  I think we are going to get all settled into a false sense of the end of Winter and then…. BAM!!.  Here is a shot of the spires short of Toad Hill illustrating how much cover there is.  I don’t remember seeing those shots so filled in years.  So, not to worry, the season will offer much more of the steep and deep.  I am going to enjoy these days of Mineral Mornings while they last, as I was missing them during that last blast of weather that kept those Lewis and Clark forays out of reach.  Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering the goods out in the back, more balmy temps. to keep the Spring feel, and great conditions all around the hill. The High North is still holding the cold, and it seems that some of the aspects are smoothing out with the traffic.  I will be back on the hill in the AM. and will have the first hand look at the day.    When the Morning Crew pulls in to ride the Forklift Chair for the daily debriefing, we are always greeted by Brianne, who makes the Sun shine inside just a brightly as it does out on the hill.  We are blessed to have such great folks taking care of us during those beta throw downs.  See you there for the morning session, and another great day on the hill.  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!

The days have been warming up as we head into March.  There was still a bit of a nip when first Tram hit the peak, but out in Mineral Basin the softening was happening quickly.  On all sides of the hill, amazing Groomers had been prepared, with lines in Mineral Basin that rarely ever get the industrial smoothing.  Today, Dean’s Gully got the nod for the first time, and that steep direct pitch was worth getting  every bit before the crowd sussed it out.  I was able to pound out 4 fast laps before anyone figured it out.  Here is a shot of the buff from the bottom of the line.    On the Front of the hill, the Anderson’s Hill-Lower Primrose Path combination made the lower two thirds of the hill a ground pounding extravaganza.  Over on Gad 2, Upper Zooks was given the treatment, offering dry chalky smoothness even after Noon.  By 1 PM., the lower elevations began to really soften up, making some of the sections a bit sticky indeed.  I was dialing back the roll  to avoid a possible ” over the handle bars” incident.  A high cloud cover began to screen the Sun’s full rays, and the lights seemed to go out a bit.  Tomorrow, look for more great Grooming on all sides of the hill.  Be sure to check out what new and exciting lines may have been worked for the morning session.  The High North is still holding the cold, but he low rumble is building and the interference patterns are really building up on the high traffic areas off trail.  Still, there is plenty of terrain to find great off trail fun, but avoid those due South and West aspects until softening occurs.  With the recent warmth, that softening will be happening fast.  I will be taking the day off tomorrow for R and R, so go get those rare lines that may well be offered in the AM.   Speed Safely!!

The temps. are beginning to warm up, though there was still a nip in the air on the peak, however, I was OK dressed in my light shell for the morning session.  The Groomers in Mineral Basin were offering very nice corduroy, with White Diamonds and Lower Silver dipper offering the ground pounding fun that was worth lapping many times.  Here is a shot of the top of Ski PatrolGully that illustrates the wind stripped aspects that are down to that crust we got a  month ago.  The wind giveth, and the wind taketh away.  On the front of the hill, the High North was offering some great lines that were dry and chalky and that steep exposure really makes you pay attention.  Over on Gad 2, really fun lines were to be found and the upper trees still were  holding the cold despite the warmth.  Here is a shot of these ladies who were ripping up the hill.  Don’t let the whimsical outfits fool you, they were on the gas in a big way!!    The day did warm up and the usual aspects that take the heat were absorbing a lot of the Sun’s rays making them feel quite Spring like indeed.   Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to be offering the best lines, and Mineral Basin is the place to start out ripping in the bright Sun.  Watch those South and East facing aspects as they will be very crunchy after and overnight freeze.  Regulator should be left for later, as it took the heat hit and will be tres crispy in the AM.  The High North will still be holding the cold and those high hanging wind lines will still be good to go. I had a great time taking my time tooling around the hill during the afternoon today and I met the Connecticut Crew on the Tram.  They read the report daily and have all read Snowbird Secrets.  It was a treat meeting them and getting some feedback on how they assimilated the information in the book.  Great meeting you folks.   “…. Explode Into Space!!”

It was a much warmer morning, but the wind on the higher elevations kept the wind chill down in the single digits.  The first Tram pulled the faithful toward Mineral Basin where some nice Grooming had been done, which offered total carve confidence.   I opted to try and get the last remaining area for freshies and was rewarded for the patience by getting the rope drop to the Deep Exotic Trees.  Here is a shot of the open area that The Tramrat and I punched out on the first run there.  The quality on this upper pitch was very nice, but got progressively denser as you got down to the lower elevations.  Here is a shot of The Tramrat getting the goods and making it look easy.  On the front of the hill, wind had worked some of the High North lines overnight, which left some very steep, dry, chalky lines that really kept you turning.  All the old features are now buried and a full on fall line approach is good to go almost anywhere you choose.  There are still some very stiff lines on some of the off trail aspects, but it is well worth the effort to explore and find those gems that seem to get ignored.  Tomorrow, look for clear skies as the system has moved East and the High Pressure is building in.  I was able to dress in much lighter gear for the afternoon session as the day did warm up.  I think I can dress for a warm day from the first Tram.  I will be looking for the Groomers to be offering more Hydro Velvet goodness, and I will be looking for those wind lines to still be offering some very challenging turns.  Keep It Tight!!

Today offered the promise of leftover goodness that was waiting in the wings after yesterday’s variable conditions.  The Groomers were offering excellent lines on the front of the hill during the early hours, and the off trail had become more consistent with yesterday’s traffic that stirred up the wind slab.  Here is a shot of Mineral Basin waiting for go time.  When this area finally opened, the faithful found a wide range of consistency, but for the most part there was deep, high density, Essence that was easy and fun.  There were definitely sections were the wind had scoured the pack, but adjacent lines seemed to be available with just as slight shift in aspect.  The line back there got quite large with the pressure for the goods and the front of the hill became very vacant with walk on Trams.  I took this shot of Old Ladies’ from the top of Gad 2, and you can see that the wind has worked the pack hard, and this area offered a full  range of challenges and bliss, it all depended on aspect.  Clouds moved in later in the afternoon and the lights went out.   Tomorrow, look for overcast skies in the morning, and great Groomers to be offering the Hydro Velvet carpets that will let you explore your inner Ligety!   I will be looking to see if the wind worked up any wind lines overnight. The off trail is becoming stiff and lumpy, but, there are some sections that are offering  good lines that are worth the exploration.  I had the pleasure of riding The Tram with Team Jill, who were all fired up to get the smooth lines that were waiting on the hill.  The choices were myriad, but there were only a couple of first choices, both of which were worth getting fired up about.  I know they got the goods and Jill was just the perfect person to lead the charge.   See you for the morning session.  IBBY!!

I attended another stellar Pizza tasting at Kazoodi’s in West Alta last night.  We had a great time baking off designer pies in his new oven.  They were off the charts amazing.  Here is the first one out of the oven.  While there, the Cold Front hit LCC and unleashed a blinding blizzard of snow.  It all started at 7:00PM and by the time I left for the Valley at 8:00PM a full 4” had fallen and the wind was howling.  Overnight, the accumulated snow had been worked by 100 MPH winds on the peak, that left today’s offerings interesting to say the least.  There were some lines of excellent medium density goodness, but other aspects were sporting some variable wind slab that took considerable concentration to remain vertical.  I was looking for those smooth lines from yesterday and found them where I left them.  That made the variations much more manageable.  On the Lower Mountain, the wind did not affect the pack, and I foundthis beautiful pitch just waiting for me to dial it up.  The Sun came out for a second to illuminate this line just for the shot, because the lights went out right after I took it. The West facing aspects took the biggest hit from the wind, so I avoided those exposures and stayed with the deeper areas.  The open areas got worked over quickly by the faithful, but the lines on the chairs were fast and easy once the folks got up on the hill.   Tomorrow, look for more fresh lines to be waiting in the wings.  I think we should expect wind work to be present on many of those aspects as well, but we will have to wait and see.  With all that snow and wind, the High North is getting super fat, and those steep lines are good to go wall to wall.  Look for those openings as they occur tomorrow, but go in expecting conditions to be interesting off trail.  The Groomers will be incredible and well worth the early start.  Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!

The wind was still pumping, but did not cause any Tram issues.  I was looking for the wind lines from all the South wind, but found just a few thin sections that were close to where I thought I would find them.  There were other High North aspects that did not hold the snow and were quite scoured, leaving some very interesting rumble to negotiate.  Mineral Basin had some nice grooming, but the off trail was very difficult after the wind and Sun had it’s way with the pack.  The Peruvian Trifecta, which is Upper, Middle, and Lower Primrose Path getting the Grooming treatment, offered perfect consistency top to bottom.  It was so smooth and buttery that it seemed like 40” of Zero %, and it never got tracked out.  My friend Andrew from NZ. was enjoying the last day of his Powder filled trip.  He got all of the great storms of this last cycle, especially the coveted Friday, low traffic, blower deep extravaganza.  The Bird delivered in a bit way.   The Sun came out later in the morning, shedding light on the hill. It was only a bit later that the clouds returned and the lights went out again with continued wind.  Tomorrow, look for a storm riding day, as the front is forecast to move in later in the evening.  A fair installment is expected, so we will be getting a fresh coating on the hill.   Look for those smooth lines to be offering the best ride, but everywhere should be good as the rumble seemed to be smoothing out as the wind worked the pack.  I will be checking the road report in the AM. for Canyon restrictions.  The hill is in great shape, the entrances to the big drops are fat, and lines that have been not been happening for some years are good to go.  See you there for the opening bell.  Stay Frosty!!

The wind was rockin’ The Trailer all night long, and the pre frontal winds kept pounding all day long.  The Tram was down for the day and Mineral Basin was also left out of the mix due to the weather.  There was plenty of snow for the wind to move, and that South wind was going to be filling the Northern aspects.  With little traffic off the Peak, those big High North lines were shaping up nicely.  High clouds filtered the Sun early in the morning, but there was some clearing as the day wore on, but the wind persisted and is still hitting The Trailer hard.  Here is a shot of Boundary Bowl that I took yesterday as I made my way to the Outer Limits.  While the snow there had consolidated, there was still plenty of fresh cold depth that made the grunt well worththe effort.  Tomorrow, look for continued wind to be hammering the hill ahead of the Front that is predicted to arrive later in the afternoon.  There may be some sunshine for a while, but I am not counting on it.  Be looking for those wind worked lines to be offering the big mountain smooth on many aspects that were benefiting from the transported snow.  There will be a lot of great lines to find, and I think they should hold up for most of the day.   As a parting shot I offer this portrait of The Bliss Brothers who were just gaining the Peak after a session out in Mineral Basin.  It is always a treat to see them on the hill as their enthusiasm is contagious.  Rock ON guys!!  See you all there to find the wind worked lines which should be epic.  IBBY!!!

It was a balmy morning with velvet smooth lines that had been prepared by the Cat Crew.  The White Diamonds- Lower Silver Dipper line was buttery smooth with dry chalky corduroy that let me explore my inner Ligety.  A few quick Lewis and Clark laps kept the flow going before heading back to the front of the hill as the faithful arrived for the Sun and Fun in the back.  Those dry chalky lines were silently smooth as there was no hint of firmness of any kind.  As anticipated, those due South aspects had absorbed yesterday’s warmth and were feeling a bit tricky.  The High North and sheltered West aspects were still soft, with easy transitions.  In the high traffic lines, the interference patterns have become well defined, but there are good round lines to get through them with ease.  Here is a great shot of  Wally and Kate Conley from Merrimac NH., who were ready to hit the hill.  I am glad they got the great weather before the next storm moves in as there is nothing like sunshine in the Wasatch.  They are both avid readers of the site and I was happy to meet them and share the stoke.    Tomorrow, look for another balmy day as the South winds begin to herald the coming of a Low Pressure swinging down out of the Gulf Of Alaska.  The day should hold up the clear weather, with the storm front not slated to arrive until Sunday afternoon.  The High North continues to provide the dry chalky feel, with the resident rumble easy to negotiate.  Here is a shot of Baldy Bowl, which opened today.  Here it is displaying the amazing quality that was on tap for those pushing for those rare lines.  Look for more amazing Groomers to be offering exquisite corduroy with that soft flannel feel.  The first hour in Mineral Basin will offer wide open Sun lit goodness.  Lewis and Clark will also be offering the Hydro Velvet goodness that keeps me doing lap after lap to dial in the deep involvement in every turn.  Stay Frosty!!

The air was clear cold and still this morning, with a sky that was ultra blue.  It was postcard perfect weather, and the conditions were picture perfect as well, with amazing Hydro Velvet lines on all sides of the hill.  Mineral Basin was bright and sunny, and laps there were fun and fast.  On the front of the hill, dry chalky lines were deluxe and Gad 2 was offering some beautiful drops that were off that charts sublime.  Here is a shot of The Road To Provo area before the opening.  The Essence there was dry cold and a real treat  to have fresh turns a few days after the storm.  The cold morning temps. kept the product refrigerated for a long time, but the bright Sun was going to be working the due South aspects as well as some of the East faces.  I ran into Nycha out on a Lewis and Clark expedition to the left over powder from yesterday.  She passed the 1 Million Vertical Feet mark so far for this season.  I think she will push way over 2 Mil. if she keeps it up.  The day warmed up after Noon, and the quality stayed excellent where ever I went.  I kept working the smooth lines to maximize the arc factor and give my knees a bit of a break.  Tomorrow, look for more Sun, great groomers, and still soft off trail snow that is easy and consistent.  Temps. should be much warmer to start and will warm up fast.  The High North will be holding the best dry snow, but be aware of those South and East faces in the AM. before softening occurs.  The hill is amazingly filled up with lines that rarely get covered, now fully covered and those features a distant memory.  See you there for the morning expression session.  Speed Safely!!