It was a full on sunny day, but the temps were still quite cool, and only warmed up after 1PM as the Sun rose up higher in the sky. The Groomers were offering some really nice corduroy out of the chute, with good traction, smooth surfaces and wide open lines to dial in some high angles.

Mineral Basin was offering the bright Sun on the first Tram, so those wide open prepared lines were fast and dialable. Lewis and Clark was also offering some nice lines, but there are still large areas that are quite dodgy with rumble and static that make those lines interesting. The Front of the hill was offering the top to bottom pace, with low traffic on the lifts, fast turnaround times on the runs, and fairly uncrowded sections to open up the throttle a bit. The pack got a bit slick as the nap was shaved off the corduroy, and I bailed after 1PM to save my knees. Tomorrow, look for more of the same conditions on the hill. Those early Groomers will be offering that carpet like consistency, and the off trail is still stiff and tricky. Dress for that morning chill, and follow the Sun for best visibility. See the Line, BE the Line!!

I got an early start on the day with an invitation to join the 7 Summit Tour. The Sun was just rising when we got to the peak and it was shining a golden light on the low clouds in the Valley’s, making it feel like Heaven.

The Groomers on all sides of the hill were offering smooth turning on the soft nap of the corduroy. The light on the front of the hill was flat, but some of the details were illuminated by the reflected light coming off Superior. Here is a shot of the Valley before the Sun rose up over the ridge.

After Noon, the machine worked lines began to scrape off, leaving slick tiles that kept me averaging the turns to even out the variations. Tomorrow, look for another great day on the hill with smooth groomed lines for the morning session, great visibility, and nominal temps to keep the ambient comfort pleasant. The off trail continues to present challenging conditions, with some dry chalk in the low spots, some stiff crud in the areas that have seen less traffic, and lighter traffic. See you there dark and early for the festivities. Watch your Six!!

Clouds were still floating over the peaks, as the Valley was washed in Sunshine most of the day. The floaty clouds moved up and down the Canyon, letting the Sun shine in the higher elevations. That last impulse missed The Front with no real accumulation after the expectations were built up all week. Conditions remain unchanged from yesterday, and the Groomers are still offering the real smooth that you can trust even when those pesky clouds float on in and send the visibility to ZERO ZERO. Here is a shot of my good friend Steve that I took the other day on the peak.

Tomorrow, look for more sunshine, smooth Groomers to make the early corduroy the draw as Mineral Basin has been offering those perfect carpets with very low traffic. The off trail remains difficult, with widespread interference patterns and rumble to keep you focused on the variations as they present themselves. Straight Ahead!!!

The Temps were cold just before the Sun cracked the horizon, but quickly warmed the hill as it rose up. The Groomers were offering amazingly smooth carpets of AHHHHHH on all sides of the hill. A beautiful rework of the line out on Powder Paradise made that shot the Morning Crew choice to get the ball rolling. The Road to Provo opened for the first time of the season, but with the long stretch of time that that area has been out of play, let the resident pack stiffen, slab with the wind, and consolidate, making all the lines I chose very difficult to navigate. I was reduced to some very rudimentary techniques to insure I remained standing in the extremely variable consistency. I quickly returned to the smooth soft machine worked lines that were just right for a sunny Friday.

After Noon, the traffic and temperature rise made the pack get very slick, which made the traction go away and moving through the turn became important to keep the footing consistent as you passed through the variation. Here is a shot that Jake sent of a Porcupine climbing up to the cover of the Summit tree cover for a lunch time nibble.

Tomorrow, look for an unsettled day with marginal visibility as a fast moving impulse brings some snow showers. Dress for wind and colder temps. The Groomers will be offering the smooth consistent lines on all sides of the hill. Stay with the tree lines for the best contrast in the flat light. Remember, the off trail is stiff and very variable, so plan accordingly. I’ll be taking the day off to rest up for the coming week, so enjoy the hill. IBBY!!!

The Sun was key this morning, as it lit Mineral Basin first thing and began to warm up the air. The first industrial smoothing of the season was performed on Powder Paradise, with a sweet meandering line that was preparatory for the future treatments. That fresh till was a real treat, which let you dial in that coveted full platform engagement. Lewis and Clark had a line prepared, which was the place to be as the off trail has really set up and is really bouncy and stiff. Here is shot I got of North East facing off of the traverse to The Hillary Step.

The front of the hill was offering very nice prepared lines that were consistent wall to wall with amazing seam matching. A bit shout out to the Cat Crew for such amazing corduroy. Tomorrow, look for more great groomed lines on all sides of the hill, and, perhaps, some prefrontal wind as another front begins it’s approach for the weekend. The off trail remains stiff, with widespread interference patterns and rumble. I will be looking for some overnight wind transport for the first lines of the day. See you there dark and early for the opening bell. Dial it up, Dial it in!!

The Faithful were on deck dark and early this morning in anticipation of the opening of Mineral Basin that was waiting in the wings for today’s festivities. High Baldy was also on tap and there were lots of folks waiting for their favorite line to open. The Groomers were amazing, offering velvet smooth textures that let you dial in the turns that felt effortless and silky. Here are some shots from Mikey M’s tour out to High Baldy where the goods did not disappoint.

The crowd made the jump to Mineral Basin as soon as it opened, which opened up the lifts on the front of the hill and left them walk on fast and fun. Here is a shot of the turns that Neil and Jake scored out on the Baldy Chair before the word got out.

Tomorrow, look for another great day, with still some soft lines to find on the hill. The traverses remain difficult and care should be taken on route. I think we’ll get a bit more Sun, so visibility will be 2020. The Groomers will also be offering great lines, but may begin to firm up as they get worked. See you there for more of the good stuff. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

The Faithful were in full attendance, dark and early, for this morning’s offering of fresh Essence. The new accumulation was very dense, cold, and dry, making it feel like frosting a cake with a paper knife. It was buoyant and smooth, which was a real treat. I was able to attain full platform engagement turn after turn. The wind was really nuking, taking the Tram out of service after 10:30 AM. The Cirque Traverse opened, where lines that I have been avoiding were filling in nicely. The 3.5″ overnight report seemed a bit low, as there was well over 10″ up high and some of the low hollows and gut had a bit more. Here is a couple of shots from Mikey M that show some of the down the line fun.

Traffic was high, so pressure for the goods was coming from all directions. The snow fall backed off around 11AM and full on sunshine took over for the day. What a treat. As the new accumulation got worked over, the ratchet chop built up quickly with the high density product, which sent me packing. Tomorrow, look for a nice day, with areas that did not open today to open after mitigation efforts are complete. Since the wind was so strong, expect some wind affected surfaces, which may be inconsistent. The Groomers should be off the chart smooth and plush. See you there for the morning fun with new snow, great visibility and fun with friends. Remain Standing!!

It was a cool clear morning, with the Sun warming Mineral Basin for the early risers. There was fair pressure for the opening bell, but getting to the peak and into Mineral Basin kept you out ahead of the crowd. Overnight wind work and smoothed and filled the low areas, filling many of the lines I have been avoiding. While the big sections looked smooth, they were still sporting the underlying rumble of the crusty substrate, requiring a lot more caution than one would expect by the surface. On the prepared lines, the dry chalky feel was a treat, but there were still some surprise slick spots that kept me on my toes despite the soft general feel. Here is a shot of Doc that Mikey M sent of Route 5 shot 1, which was smooth and filled with soft wind transported snow.

The chairs were pumping the Faithful up the hill quickly, and getting vertical was fast and fun. After breakfast, the Sun had moved the temps into the comfort zone and brought much more light into the dark zones on the front of the hill. Here is a shot of my good friend Terry, who was rippin’ the smooth lines on Regulator.

Tomorrow, look for a storm day to be on tap as a front will be moving in overnight and well into the day. Expect difficult visibility issues with the storm conditions and dress for storm riding. I will be revisiting the smooth lines that I was finding today, and avoiding those sections where the higher amplitude interference patterns live.

A big shout out to Wynonna, who was on deck early for her birthday celebration. She and the Morning Crew Ladies were out ahead of the crowd and could not be caught. Many try, …….and fail. Happy Birthday Wil !! Straight Ahead!!

An inch or two of very dense accumulation greeted the Faithful for today’s offering. The ne product was not a wet type of dense, but rather an accumulation of very fine granules that made for an very nice frosting on the other wise firm pack. With visibility at a premium, I went with a first line down the Peruvian side to take advantage of the wide open runs, and the trees to help with the navigation. Mineral Basin was the call to get away from the crowd, where the Groomers were offering consistent lines and that soft accumulation seemed a bit more luxurious.

Off trail continues to be tricky, with widespread rumble and interference patterns, which are difficult to see in the storm conditions. Solid, averaged turns work best then dealing with the variable surfaces. There were some very slick spots that crop up in the main lines, so expect excitement from time to time. Tomorrow, look for improving visibility as this impulse moves off in anticipation of the next impulse predicted for the next couple of days. Tomorrow promises a short window of clearing. It is still precipitating here at The Trailer as I write this, so I expect some additional accumulation on the hill. Remember the smooth lines from the past couple of days for the best ride. Stay Frosty!!!

A high cloud deck moved over the Front today, with some openings in the deck that let some Sun peak through now and again. Conditions remain unchanged, offering good traction on the prepared lines, significant interference patterns in the high traffic off trail areas and overall firm pack.

Tomorrow, look for weather to move in as a light front moves in ahead of more significant precipitation as the week progresses. You may get a last chance to locate the features before they get covered by new accumulation. I will be looking for any wind transported lines as well as the Grooming to offer the smoothest lines on the hill. I will be dressing for storm riding, and will be looking to the chairs for the fastest uphill options. See you there for the first lines of the New Year…. for me. Remain Standing!!!