The morning dawned clear and cold, with a stout Northwest wind that had the windchill well below Zero. The new snow was cold and dry, offering sweet conditions top to bottom. The Cat Crew worked the product on the prepared lines and they felt as good as it gets. The Faithful were in full attendance, getting the real goods for the first time of the season.

Tomorrow, look for another clear cold morning with continued Northwest winds to keep the temps down. The Groomers will be offering carpets of AHHHH right from the get go, and the off trail lines will be offering improving range and quality with all this new product. Still, be on alert for low snow issues and proceed accordingly. See you there dark and early for the morning smooth. Watch your Six!!

Over 20″ of Utah Light was delivered for the Faithful, who showed up early and stoked for the day. The Tram was on wind hold to start things off, but the chairs were up and ready to get things rolling. Access to the hill is still limited, but the quality was excellent and had that denser cushion from yesterday to help the base.

Days like today send me back to the old days when the fire was blazing and we were kids stoked to be at The Bird. These days are quite similar as time keeps cycling around bringing the same spirit. Tomorrow, look for a cold day with fresh snow on tap, amazing groomed lines, and perhaps some expanding access. Keep your eyes open for openings. Stoke the Fire!!

The first powder of the season was falling on the hill this morning, with about 7″ on the peak to start out the day. There was a fair showing for the goodness, but the crowd spread out quickly and the line did not really back up. The new product was quite dense, but cold and dry up high, however, it was a fair bit wetter down low on the hill. It did not take long for the harbor chop to begin to rise up as the fresh snow got worked. The old crusty layer was still in play and slick spots were lurking, requiring a more cautious approach.

Tomorrow, look for continued flurries and fresh lines for the morning session. Check the Bird site for access and restrictions. Perhaps there may be some new openings, but we’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out. It sure is great to get this installment down and worked in, so that more of the hill can come on line. Be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and other folks on the hill. Stay Frosty!!

The wind was blowing cold out of the South this morning as the Tram hit the peak with the very few who were on deck for the occasion. Fast moving low clouds were beginning to form as the incoming storm begins to work it’s way toward The Front.

With so few folks, the runs were wide open and vacant, with fresh Gun Powder offering silky smooth turns underneath the guns and long throws of cold dust way down the slope. I stopped numerous times on the first run just to check out the vistas. Traffic remained light all day, and the lines remained smooth top to bottom.

Tomorrow, look for storm conditions, if the Weather forecast is accurate and dress for cold. There could be improving quality, as the natural snow is added to the existing pack. A good dose of the Essence is just what we need to spice up the program. See you there for the freshness!! IBBY!!!

The storm went South and the morning cleared off without leaving anything on the hill. The morning was cold and the snow making efforts are really taking advantage of the temps. The Gun Powder was in place and making the lines feel like velvet. The quality of the snow with these temps is a treat and you can feel the softness underfoot.

Tomorrow, look for cold temps for the morning session, but it will be warming up as the Sun comes up. The Gun Powder will be the feature of the morning lines and will feel great. Coverage keeps improving as they make fresh snow, and it is good top to bottom. I’ll be there dark and early to get the freshly blown lines. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

The red glow of sunrise illuminated the peaks this morning as dark clouds were gathering in the West. The forecast is looking good for the week as snow will be building in as a series of storms are taking aim. The Snow Guns were blazing this morning, with the cold temps making it prime snow making conditions. They were delivering delightful Gun Powder for the few early risers who were on hand to dial in those untracked lines.

The wind was much lighter this morning, but was still in effect, sending the snow from the guns wafting long down the hill, making for a silky smooth feel underfoot and solid traction on the still firm surfaces. Light traffic made it wide open and spacious on the slopes. The snow making efforts extended top to bottom, adding to the pack and quality. Tomorrow, look for light storm conditions as the heavy stuff is poised for later in the week. The temps were quite brisk, so dress for cold and stormy conditions. Off the prepared lines, there is wide spread interference patterns, so in the variable visibility remember the variations. It is great to have the pattern change and the hill is certainly ready to get the party started. Don’t touch that dial!!

Another fairly warm morning was on tap, however, the wind was nuking over most of the mountain. The Tram was on hold and went on to be shut down for the remainder of the day. Traffic was very light and the early morning light was very flat as we are deep into these shortening days. Here is a shot of Coalpit Gulch with the morning Sun illuminating the East Facing aspect.

With the wind nuking, I stopped into the Forklift to assess the options, and let the day begin without me. The pack remains firm top to bottom, with very good coverage holding up despite the recent traffic. The weather prospects are looking promising for the coming week and these high winds are just a precursor of things to come as the pattern begins to change.

Tomorrow, look for continued changes as the weather begins to build in. The pack will remain firm and the light could be problematic. Perhaps the wind will still be up, so we’ll have to see how it shakes out. I am stoked about the prospects!!! Straight Ahead!!!

The High Pressure is holding strong, keeping the inversion in place and the temps warm. There is, however, changes coming this coming week so we’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out. The hill remains much the same, with good cover on the prepared lines and firm snow underfoot, which does soften later in the day. Here is a long shot of the Peruvian side of the hill, which is looking good up high and the pack seems to be holding up.

Tomorrow, look for a carbon copy of today’s festivities, with higher traffic and warm temps later in the day. We’ll see you there dark and early for the First Tram. Don’t forget to SIZZLE!!

As anticipated, the pack was very crispy this morning after yesterday’s softening and the cool overnight temps. The Grooming crew performed a fresh till on the mat that provided sufficient purchase to keep the speed under control on the steep sections. Lower down on the hill, the consistency was much better, with some dry chalky feel that let you dial in a bit more angle into the turn. Traffic was very light once again this morning and the crowd was spread out nicely, making plenty of room on the slope. I stopped into The Summit to soak in the Teluric Vibrations and took this shot of the Twins framed by the massive vista wall. I just love stopping in there when it is very quiet and tranquil. It has a very nice energy to the room.

Tomorrow, look for another crispy morning with afternoon warming. A late start is not a bad idea. There should be quite a bit more traffic, so be advised. That possibility of Black Ice is still in play in the lower Canyon, and I saw quite a bit of shine first thing and again on the way down. A word to the wise. Straight Ahead!!

Despite the inversion going on now, the temps have been quite warm, which have been softening the pack in the afternoon. Those soft condition freeze over night making for some mighty crispy conditions for the morning runs. The Grooming Crew has been giving the pack a fresh till, which offers fair tooth to the mat to get some traction, but it is still quite firm and a conservative approach is advised. There was very light traffic on the hill for the first couple of hours, which took the pressure off the lines.

The pack softened again as the day wore on, so I expect some crispy conditions again for the morning session. Coverage remains very good on the main prepared lines, and interference patters have been well established off to the sides with some vegetation showing up as it gets scrapped in the troughs. See you there for the first Tram. Be aware of possible black ice in the lower Canyon as the inversion is leaving moisture on the road. IBBY!!!