This weather system got right down to business and delivered a heapin’ helpin’ of medium density Essence that was very deep and luxurious. The wind was howling, and the snow was dumping as hard as can be, making the visibility quite a challenge. I was sticking with the trees to get some reference, but even then the face shots obscured the field of vision and you needed to use The FORCE. Much of the front side of the hill opened quickly, which opened up the options quite a bit. Using the chair option got you out ahead of the crowd and vacant lines were to be had with a little looking and you could have it all to yourself. Here is a shot of the fresh accumulation flocked on the deep trees.

The full depth installment went a long way to covering the old layer, but there were still some echos of the rumble and interference patterns that were extant widely, but it did not present any real problems as it well could have.

Here is a great shot of Barbie showcasing the deep accumulation that started the day. It was snowing hard and never let up. Tomorrow, look for more unsettled weather, with snow showers still in the mix. There is a lot of wide open lines still waiting in the wings and will be an added Spring time bonus. The Groomers will be off the charts soft and dialable, but the off trail will still be offering great lines wall to wall. Speed Safely!!

The temps were warm, the clouds were lowering by the minute, and incoming weather was the watch word of the day. It was time to take a good look at the hill, so that you will know what lies under the new installment that is now being delivered as I write this. The Groomers were the place to find the smooth, and the flat light made it hard to discern the variations. Mineral Basin offered freshly tilled lines that kept you dialed in and moving forward. I ran into Stacy and Dianna, who are two of the Legendary ANGELS. I haven’t seen them in over 35 years. It must be noted that Julie, the third ANGEL was missing from today’s meeting.

Snow started falling around 11 AM, but the front did not really move in until around 2PM, when the energy really kicked in. Tomorrow, look for fresh frosting to start and a stormy day on the hill. With luck, the heavier moisture content will help cushion the ride as rumble and static are wide spread. Traffic will be heavier and expect limited openings. Look to the Groomers for the smooth if, like me, you are avoiding the impact zone. The hill is in great shape and this is going to be a fun cycle.

I met Lance and Lawrence on the Tram today and had a great conversation. They were stoked to be getting a look at the hill and how big it is, all in advance of the incoming weather. See you there for the morning’s explorations. Watch your SIX!!!

It was a beautifully sunny morning with balmy peak temps., ultra color visibility, freshly groomed carpets of AHHHHH, and low traffic to start out the week. Lone Star had been given the smoothing efforts right from the very top, offering sorbet quality Spring consistency right off the bat. I had to put down 3 laps there before it got crowded and beat up. On the front of the hill, the pack was still quite firm, but tenderizing effort had been employed on the steep prepared lines that made gave them plenty of tooth to get your edges in. Working the Sun was key today, but after 1PM. the ambient temps. broke the freeze and the lower elevations became very sticky, with the dreaded sticky spots threatening to throw you over the handle bars on the flats. That would be bad!. Here is a shot of Team Peregrine, who were charging hard and were making the most of the top to bottom Spring conditions.

Tomorrow, look for the beginnings of the next storm cycle that will last a few days and bring a fair accumulation to the hill, and, perhaps, push the season’s total over 600″! Over all the hill is fairly smooth, with widespread rumble and static on most aspects. The High Traffic areas have well developed interference patterns, all of which has to kept in mind when it all begins to get covered. I am expecting dense quality to start, and I feel confident that all that rumble will get lost in the storm. Dress for weather, expect some visibility issues and stay with the Groomers for the best ride. IBBY!!

The visibility was good, but the light was severely flat, and the details of the surface were very difficult to discern. Mineral Basin was offering smooth groomed lines including White Diamonds and Lower Silver Dipper. Lewis and Clark was also smooth and consistent with a sugar feel where the tenderizing efforts had been employed. On the front of the hill, the visibility seemed a bit better, with some reflected light coming back from Superior. Once again, the grooming efforts made up for any lack of detail, as they were smooth, consistent, and carvalicious top to bottom. The morning Crew stopped for the daily recon meeting, and I got this shot of my cup with a shot I took of the Tram years ago.

The clouds remained thick and the light was not cooperating, so I bailed for the day after Noon. Tomorrow, look for a Sunny day, with good visibility and plenty of detail. Look for the extensive Grooming efforts for the best snow on the hill. Off trail is interesting and will require your full attention.

In closing, here is a great shot of Wynonna experiencing an ebullient moment of Gratitude. She has achieved new levels of performance in recent weeks and it is fun to watch her shralp!! Keep it tight!!

It looked like a misty day on the hill, with just a light dusting delivered overnight. The Groomers were offering the consistent smooth that you can take to the bank in variable visibility. Breaks in the clouds lit up portions of the hill from time to time. I took the day off to rest after last weeks shredathon. Here is a shot I took last week of the smooth lines under The Bookend Chutes.

Tomorrow, look for a much better day as a High Pressure moves over the Front for the next couple of days before the next cycle begins next week. You can expect awesome grooming efforts on all sides of the hill. Look for those rare prepared lines that almost never get worked over. Temps will be much warmer, and the lower elevations will get a bit manky later in the day. I’ll see you there for the morning shredfest!! Stay Frosty!!

Clouds surrounded the hill this morning, but there was a stationary window of Sun that lit up the day. In Mineral Basin, The Grooming Crew, once again, prepared some of the rarest lines that only get worked when we get this kind of snow. White Diamonds-Lower Silver Dipper, Lone Star, and Dean’s Gully got the nod, and I had to put down 2 laps in Dean’s to take full advantage of such an amazing rarity. On the front of the hill, The Big Smooth had been prepared, offering top to bottom smooth right down the cables. Traffic was moderate, and vertical was easy and fast to get. Here is a long shot of Dean’s Gully taken from the Mineral Chair.

There were a lot of folks here with the National Ski patrol doing practice on the hill and enjoying the wide open lines that were everywhere. Here is a young lady, who is representing the group and was stoked to be on the hill with all the Sun.

Clouds moved in for the afternoon session, and the lower elevations got a bit manky with the warming of the day. Tomorrow, look for weather to have moved in overnight. You can expect some fresh cover with the front that will pass around Midnight. There will be some clearing later in the day. Look for the Groomers to offer the smooth consistency you will need in the variable visibility. The hill is in great shape, all entrances and traverses are still fully fat and good to go.

Here is a great shot of The Three Amigas, who I have known forever. Time goes by so fast, it is nice to catch up from time to time. I will be taking the day off, so dial in some arcs for me. See The Line, BE The Line!!

It was a partly sunny day today, with clouds moving through all day long, but the Sun was shining through for the most part. The key today was to stay ahead of the Sun as the pack was going to be affected very quickly. Mineral Basin was offering ground pounding fun on the wide open groomers that had been prepared. Dean’s Gully got the rare machine work effort, which offered dry chalky lines that were really epic. On the front of the hill, more extensive smoothing had been prepared and was the place to be, as the off trail was very difficult with some frozen slab from that fog yesterday. Here is a shot of Team Nashoba Valley, which is my home town area and where it all started. They are all on patrol there as I was all those years ago. It was great to welcome them here.

Temps. warmed up, and the quality on the lower third of the hill began to get a bit manky, so I bailed for the day. Tomorrow, look for an usettled day. Look for extensive grooming to be offering great lines on all sides of the hill. Off trail is still going to be challenging. Traffic should be light once again and full on top to bottom ground pounders will be good to go. The Big Smooth was prepared today, so perhaps it will get a top to bottom refresh for the morning session. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!

The visibility this morning was difficult and the light was low. Fresh velvet had been delivered overnight offering smooth creamy quality, especially on the prepared lines. I was staying with the trees for reference and had to use The FORCE when I got shot across the Phone #1 flats in Zero Zero land! It was great to be able to trust the Groomed lines when the vis was short. With the new snow, it was fun to have that full platform engagement be so consistent. Here is a shot of my good friend Tomi getting all of one of last cycles deeper days.

Tomorrow, look for much better visibility, with great soft snow top to bottom. There is more waiting in the wings, so keep an eye out. That wide spread rumble is still reflecting through and watch those due South aspects. Stay ahead of the Sun. IBBY

There was a short window of Sunlight to start out the day, with incoming weather on the door step. There were intermittent flurries all day long, with some wetter flurries falling around 2PM which sent me down the canyon. Mineral Basin was delayed opening for the opening bell, but the front side offered ground pounding fun on both sides of the hill. Fresh Grooming efforts and a couple of surprise lines made it extra fun to work the sections with no one around. Here is a shot of Steve getting all of the smooth carpet in Hot Foot Gully. This rarely ever gets the treatment.

Mineral Basin did open around Noon, but I was having too much fun working the smooth on the front side with the trees giving all the reference points in the variable visibility. Here is a shot of my friend Lori, who was sporting some very cool goggles and lipstick to match.

Tomorrow, look for some overnight accumulation, continued snowfall during the day, light traffic, and great Grooming lines prepared to make the ride smooth and consistent. There is wide spread rumble and interference patterns on most aspects, so expect some rattle and hum if you drive off the smooth. Dress for weather, and don’t let the Spring feel catch you under dressed. See you there for the shred fest. Stay Frosty!!

The Grooming Crews have been performing some awesome industrial smoothing on all sides of the hill and today’s offerings were ground pounding fun wall to wall. Mineral Basin offered the Sun illuminated lines that included White Diamonds-Lower Silver Dipper, Lone Star from the top, Claim Jumper right down the middle of Lewis and Clark, and a Mid and Lower Primrose Path that really got your motor running. Twins opened for a while this morning and Pipeline looked as good as it gets. Here is a shot of Old Reliable with some of the fresh lines on a rarely opened aspect.

Cooler temps. kept the snow quality high all day, with only the very South facing aspects getting manky, and the lowest elevations softening up not much at all. Here is a great shot of Wynonna styling a fashion forward one piece for the day’s festivities. She rocks this suit like she rocks the hill. Full on rock and roll.

Tomorrow, look for a storm riding day as the next low pressure is on the door step. Groomed lines will be the place to find the smooth lines for the opening bell as the off trail has developed quite a bit of rumble and interference patterns in the high traffic lines. Wide spread rumble will make any off trail excursions tricky, but look for the High North to still hold some of the dry cold chalk underneath any new accumulation. The hill is fully filled and all lines are good to go.

In closing, here is a shot of a family in the full spirit of April Fool’s Day getting their picture taken on the peak. Thanks Jake for sending this for the post. Don’t Forget To SIZZLE!!!