Archive for December, 2020

SNOWIN’ N BLOWIN’

12-11-20

The fast moving front had dropped down on the Peak as the morning began, with snowing and blowing conditions top to bottom. With the return of cold temps, the snow making program was fully engaged on both sides of the hill, providing sections of Gun Powder that were a treat when you encountered each installation. The pack was very firm indeed, and was being blown clean by the wind, making for some interesting variations in the very limited visibility. Traffic was light once again, and back to back Trams were easy to make. It was great to see some fresh natural snow on the hill, and it will be even better as these next impulses come through in the next few days. I spent some time checking out the off trail to take note of the features that will be covered by new accumulation. I was paying close attention to the fat areas to note the limits of cover in those spots for further reference.

Whiskey was pushing the pace hard despite the visibility and was really dialing in the best turns in the new product.

Tomorrow, look for another storm to have moved in, which is promising some significant accumulation. This pattern is forecast to last for some days, so we can look forward to much improved conditions of the pack. The temps have dropped significantly, and I had to return to the locker after the first run to dress up. I got too used to the balmy temps of late. Be sure to dress for the cold, as it is here for real now.

Team Fast and Early were enjoying the ambience of The Forklift, and filling up on energy for the fresh turns of the day.

It is so much fun to reconnect with friends who I haven’t seen since last March, back again and ready to begin a new season. The Forklift daily visit is the highlight of the day. Stay Frosty!!

CHANGING PATTERN

12-10-20

High clouds were still on tap for the morning session, but the Sun was shining through, making the visibility much more detailed, especially with the reflected light coming from Superior. Temps were cool and snow making efforts were in place on both sides of the mountain, providing sections of Gun Powder that were sensational when you encountered them. Those soft, silky, smooth, and dreamy sections of vertical made each run a treat. The Grooming was really good with smooth consistent surfaces, which let you trust the line when the flat light made the details go away.

When I see a shot that looks interesting, I get as close and personal as I can to squeeze the angles.

While tooling around the hill, we encountered amazing corduroy sections that were a real treat and made for some interesting perspectives of those perfect carpets.

Perfect corduroy makes for some interesting visuals if you get the right angle. Turning on a surface like this is a joy!!

Traffic was very light again today, and back to back Trams were easy to make with a consistent pace. Thicker clouds moved in around Noon, making the light go flat, flat, flat, and I bailed for the day. Tomorrow, look for prefrontal conditions as the pattern is about to change, which promises to bring significant accumulation for the next while. The forecast looks good and it is coming none too soon. Traffic should be light, but the visibility may be difficult. IBBY!!!

SOFTER FEEL

12-09-20

There were high clouds and a bit of wind as the Tram docked on the peak this morning. Still, the Sun was burning through the high overcast and there was very good visibility, though the morning flat light was still in effect. The Grooming Crew performed extensive tenderizing techniques on the machine worked runs, making them feel softer with a lot more traction. It was nice to dial in the turns with a bit more confidence in holding the line. Once again, traffic was light and back to back Trams were easy to make if you kept up the pace.

A first Tram shot at the top of the Zoom Chair indicates how dark the morning light is in contrast to the sunlit Canyon wall.

After breakfast, I was able to dispense with the had and goggles and drive with the top down and Maui Jim sunglasses for that wind in your hair feel. Tomorrow, look for some more wind as the approaching front is not far off. More clouds may be in the mix as well. I expect continued light traffic, with the Groomers offering wide, smooth, and dialable lines top to bottom. It’s great to be back on the hill and get those grand vistas off the peak. Speed Safely!!

VERTICAL PARTY

12-08-20

The morning temps where quite balmy on the peak, with no wind, bright Sun, and smooth tracts of corduroy to ply. Light traffic on the hill made it a total vertical party, as back to back Trams were on tap, the chairs were walk on fast, and the firm lines remained smooth all day. The Peruvian Gulch still has the driest, cold feel, and it is so much fun to work the carpets with unmitigated audacity. Off trail lines seem to have consolidated, and staying with the gut should be good to go. I am still working the smooth till we get a bit more accumulation.

Back to back Trams were going off with plenty of room to move. So great to be back.

I dropped my hat and Goggles and drove with the top down for the rest of the day. What a treat this early in the season. Tomorrow, look for continued smooth wide machine worked lines to be key for the day.

Steve and Tramrat working their way into the day last season, and we were all sitting in the very same place this morning doing the exact same thing. Time flies!!

I made a couple of afternoon lines on Regulator in the Sun later, and it had a touch more traction than the earlier session, plan ahead.

Kanoa, on the Peak and ready to get the day started. It was a beautiful day on the Peak.

I’ll see you there dark and early for more smooth slidin’. Straight Ahead!!

WARMING UP

12-07-20

The morning temps are a bit warmer, with the afternoon temps becoming quite balmy. The Groomers were offering very nice, consistent, lines that were perfect for top to bottom laps to take advantage of the low turnout today. The Tram line was wide open and the morning session was back to back.

Jake was trying out his new fisheye lens for his phone. This was a very relaxed Tram ride.
This is a shot I took from the other direction. It was a very ballroom dancing ride.

The grooming Crew did a great job of smoothing out the hill on both sides of the hill, but the Gad Valley was quite firm. however, it got softer as the day warmed up. The Peruvian Gulch was dry and chalky, with the lower elevations getting firmer with afternoon traffic. Steve and I stopped in to The Summit to enjoy the Sun streaming into the huge open area. What a place to dial in the vibrations.

The Summit on Hidden Peak was quiet and beautiful with the Sun streaming in, and The Twins in the picture.

Tomorrow, look for more smooth cruising on both sides of the hill. The Peruvian Gulch is still the best line for the early Trams, as the Gad Valley is very dark. The Peruvian Gulch has been getting some reflection back from Superior across the street to give the contrast a boost. See the Line, BE the Line!!

LIGHT TRAFFIC

12-06-20

The traffic was quite light on the hill today, with walk on Trams for the first hour before there were to many spaces filled to make a back to back. The chairs were wide open and a brisk pace could be kept with no waiting. The Sun was a long time rising to illuminate Regulator as the days become increasingly short. The Peruvian Gulch was the call for the morning session, offering dry chalky machine worked runs that were smooth and had plenty of tooth to keep the pace in check. Regulator was still quite firm at Noon, when I got back to it, but it too had enough traction to move through the turns while keeping things real going into the bottom section.

Walter’s 4 hot peppers, when 3 is not enough and 5 are too many.

The above has been a standing metaphor of the Morning crew that gives a wink and a nod to the importance of being here NOW!! Tomorrow, look for light traffic, clear skies, and continued firm conditions. The Groomers will still be providing ample traction to move through the turns, and the folks with sharp edges will feel right at home. These are the perfect training conditions for stamina development, as it is very difficult to simulate the rapid fire muscle action it requires to keep up with the terrain changes. It will be a tad warmer again as it was today, so you can dress a bit lighter. I dropped a few layers after breakfast. See you there for the morning shred fest. See the line, BE the line!!

GAD 2

12-05-20

Another cool clear morning greeted The Faithful this morning. The groomers were offering smooth lines on both sides of the hill, and, with the addition of the opening of Gad 2, a lot more terrain was available to branch out and explore. Regulator was still quite firm and dark for the opening bell, but the Peruvian Gulch was offering a much drier, chalky consistency that lets you dial in the turns while the Sun comes up and illuminates The Gad Valley.

A sneak peak into Mineral Basin from the Summit

Yesterday I took a bit of time to hang out on the peak in the sunshine and pleasant ambient temps. I was scoping out Mineral Basin and looking at the areas that were poking through the pack to get a handle on the areas that I want to steer clear of when things open back there. Tomorrow, look for more excellent early season sliding with both sides of the hill open now. I will be going over to Gad 2 to scope things out and make some laps there where some of the terrain features are really fun to flow down. See you there dark and early for the festivities. IBBY!!!

PERUVIAN GULCH

12-04-20

The temps were a bit warmer this morning, with no wind, bright Sun, and Peruvian Gulch opened with the first Tram of the day. It was great to get the new terrain to explore, and check out the pack, which had a lot of different qualities depending on where you went. The Snow Making Crews had produced huge amounts of cover on the high traffic areas and sections that needed filling on the main runs, which made the ride consistent and smooth, with a dry chalky feel that was a real treat. A big tip of the hat to both the Cat and Snowmakers making the opening so much fun. Even Great Scott opened from the Rat’s Nest gate. Mikey M sent this shot of him dialing in the first turns of the season.

Smooth, consistent and pretty well covered for the opening day of the Peruvian Gulch, Mikey M was making the most of the goods.

With the Sun still low behind the ridge line, the Sun was presenting some great views of the upper section of the hill.

Jake took this shot of the Sun coming up over the ridge line in Peruvian Gulch.

The Peruvian Chair opened as well, taking the traffic push away from the Tram, which was walk on open all day. Off trail was very variable, with breakable lines, some supportable areas, and some righteous quality if you looked around a bit. I was staying with the prepared lines and the one foray off trail showed me that the prepared lines were best this early. Tomorrow, look for more good conditions to be offered on both sides of the hill. The Peruvian Gulch has the softest feel, while the Gad side of the hill is firmer. Expect higher traffic, so use the Chairs for faster uphill access. Use care off trail on both sides of the hill. Speed Safely!!

FIRM MORNING

12-03-20

The snow quality was quite a bit firmer this morning, as the Snow Guns were not working due to the higher temps. The Grooming Crew did a great job making the pack smooth wall to wall on the prepared lines, however, a cautious approach was needed to keep the pace from getting away from you. Here is a shot of the turn at the bottom of Regulator.

Wide open, really smooth and good to go for the early birds.

As the day progressed, the traffic began to dislodge the crystals from the pack and it made the feel and traction much better. After breakfast, Regulator had a much different feel. I took a minute and looked into Mineral Basin which is looking good, but fully offered anticipation for all of those lines to come as we get more snow.

The Lewis and Clark area looking thin, but beginning to fill in. Can’t wait to ply the smooth running to be found there.

It sure is great to be back on the hill and being able to look out over the hill and get that rare perspective.

Rocket Rod was just getting to The Bird and enjoying the Forklift for a perfect start to his first day ever at the hill.

It is so much fun to meet folks who are coming to The Bird for the first time. The stoke is high and you just can’t be disappointed with such sunny days and smooth conditions for the first days of opening. Tomorrow, look for more smooth training runs, with wide open lines, fast turnaround times that let you get maximum vertical. See you there for the morning session and snow sport highjinx!! Watch your Six!!

FAST LAPS

12-02-20

I got an early start on the day in anticipation of a great day of top to bottom training laps. The Sun was getting an early start as well, just kissing the top of Hellgate when The Star Cruiser pulled into the lot.

Crystal clear air, with the Sun just cracking over the ridge line was illuminating Hellgate. It has a super 3D look to it with the Shadows of the Morning.

With very light attendance, getting fast laps was easy and fun to begin working on the top to bottom stamina that will come in handy when the hill is ready for prime time. The Gun Powder was perfect as it stretched way down the hill in the still air.

The first rays of morning light back lighting the guns on Regulator, where the cover is amazing. That is my locked and loaded arc at the bottom of the frame. Such sweet consistency.

The cover keeps getting better and better with the product of the guns making the pack dryer and softer. The Grooming Crew is doing a stellar job of making the carpets consistent and predictable, especially in the early morning shadow.

Intensive snow making efforts are happening in The Peruvian Gulch, in anticipation of the opening of this side of the hill.

There are rumors of the Peruvian Gulch opening soon, but I have not heard anything definitive about when. The Grooming Crew has been preparing lines on the main runs, which look very well covered, but the off trail seem so be still in need of more snow. We’ll see how that shakes out. Tomorrow, look for cool morning temps., beautifully prepared lines on the Gad side of the hill, and light traffic to keep the Training Laps wide open for maximum vertical. Be careful of the Black Ice in lower Canyon in the AM. Straight Ahead!!