Here it is, Foot Ball season has just begun, there is a new snap in the air, and today a quick moving front rolled through leaving a tantalizing dusting on the high elevation peaks.  It is time to drop into your best full tuck position and jam towards opening day.  Here is a shot to get your head creating those visualizations.   It wont be long now!!

Superior

The BIRD WORLD in summer

Just a quick post from across the Cosmos to touch base.   The Summer is in full swing and the Wild Flowers are really going off on the hill.  It is a great time for a hike or just hanging out to catch the general vibe.  Here are some shots  that Jay, from POWDER SHOTS  took recently as he was hiking about.  It is interesting to view the hill sans snow to get an appreciation of what, exactly, we are skiing over.  It also occurred to me that , with the exception of the stray rock hit to the bases, we really never touch the ground.  We are suspended on that ephemeral layer that disappears as if it had never been there.  Just a thought.   I hope all is

Mineral Basin

going well with everyone and we are on the down hill side of the summer season, so the FUN ZONE is right around the corner.  Ciao!!

Hello everyone,  I am back from the far reaches of the COSMOS to be here for the 4th of July, and while the snow pack did not quite make it to the end, there is still quite a bit of cover up high if you have the temerity to go hiking for it.  I was checking out the Little Cottonwood creek the other day, and remembering  the dumps we had and getting the goodness as it fell.  I could not help reflecting that the recycling process was underway to get the moisture ready for next season.  The Creek went off big, tearing out the bridge by the Power Plant, and stacking up large trees like cord wood.  Quite a sight indeed.  Here is a shot taken last season by the POWDER SHOTS folks somewhere out in Mineral Basin.  Have a great summer and check back now and again for further updates, reflections, or BEST OF posts as I learn how to add content for next season.   Ciao!!!   Photo courtesy of POWDER SHOTS.

Blasting light wind slab

Saturday’s traffic had naturally smoothed the traffic lanes improving the ride in many areas.  Again the cold overnight temps.  put the heavy freeze on Regulator, which did not even begin to break until  after 11:00 AM, after which it became the next place to be after Little Cloud had gotten too soft.  The Road to Provo was, again,  rasty in the early morning hours requiring extreme deceleration techniques to keep the speed down, as one caught edge would send you flying off the edge, and that would not be good.   The Sun had lightly softened the first exposed shots providing perfect corn descents with very little traffic.  As the morning progressed the faithful were getting after it to celebrate Father’s Day as well as the  Last Day of the Ski Season for this year.  I had a great time, but took the Tram down to be sure I got my last order of Power Spuds at the Forklift,  AKA The Planetary Office, before the breakfast window closed.  I have my priorities well established and today was no exception.  On the Plaza Deck the Father’s day festivities were well under way with a great BBQ buffet and a great Blues Band for entertainment.  For my self, I will be moving through the EVENT HORIZON for continued deployment in the ongoing DARK MATTER WARS.   I will be no longer posting daily as it is difficult to get a direct link from untold light years distance, but I will filter through this year’s posts to give a BEST OF series  to let you keep the VISUALIZATIONS  going to give next season a kick in the WEATHER PATTERN.  Thanks for SKIING!!! Powers.

Low overnight temps and rain during the week consolidated the snow pack making Saturday morning quite crusty for the first Tram crowd, who had to work hard to get an edge on the sun cupped surface of Regulator.  The Road to Provo is now a Back Country access, with the Cat track out to Mark Malu very tricky, though well covered.  The snow pack in general is excellent on the upper mountain offering a wide variety of terrain choices.  The Sun began to soften the East facing aspects that saw the first rays, so they were the place to head to avoid the frozen nature of the due West facing.   With a 40 Degree peak temperature and brisk winds Regulator was going to be breaking around 11:00 AM. Tomorrow, look for continued excellent skiing and good cover up high, but check the morning and overnight temps for timing.  Skiing to the bottom is not recommended with the last 1000′ dodgy on both sides of the hill.  There are threads of cover here and there, but it will require several ski removals to transit the melted off areas.  The best option is to hike back to the peak and ride the Boat back down.  I will be there for first Tram in the AM to get the last of he lift service skiing of the season.  See you there!! Ciao!!

The Galactic War continues unabated as the SUN FIGHTERS wage deep incursions into the EVENT HORIZON, masking subtle assaults on the unsuspecting forces, who’s arrogance and petulance leave them dazed by BLINDING LIGHT.  In more Earth bound matters, the perpetrators of the invasive site infection have been dug out, re establishing the integrity of this site for all those who seek the inside story.   The Bird will be open again this Sat. and Sun. , but are strongly recommeding that  you ride the Tram back down due to the serious melt off on the lower mountain.  The cool  temps. this week has kept the upper elevation snow pack holding strong for this weekend.  Last week end the conditions were good to go from the first 8:00 AM. Tram, offering very nice carve-ability on the Groomed sections.  The off trail is quite sun cupped, but becomes approachable as the day warms up.  The feel is like slow motion with the heavy saturated granular requiring a deliberate approach.  Use caution on the high traverses that skirt the rock bands as they have melted out and might not support passage.  Last week I fell through one of those spots, falling in, and narrowly remained standing.  Great weather and the Brew Fest will make the week end a great wrap up to a great season.  Thanks to all of you who have supported my meanderings and I hope to add much more content and some surprises for next season.  Have a great summer and I will be thinking of you as I head back into the EVENT HORIZON.   IBBY!!!

This is the last day of the regular season and a beautiful day it was to be sure.  With light winds and warm temps. the spring skiers were out in force to take advantage of the great skiing still going on.  The base depth still has not fallen off, so all of the best shots are still full and entrances good to go.  Mineral was perfect for first Tram with the rest of the Mountain beginning to break at 10:30 AM.. BY 1:00 PM. the sticky spots began to become problematic toward the bottom of the hill, so I was calling it a day to avoid an injury.  Music was happening on the Deck for all the participants to enjoy.  Big snow is forecast for the week, but no lifts to get to it… oh well.  We will have to wait for next week end to get it back.  I will be rejoining my unit back in HYPER SPACE in the ongoing DARK MATTER WAR, so I will be thinking cool thoughts in the mean time.  Peace Out,!!!

From near deep space I am sending this early note to the ones in search of that corn goodness ” MAZOLA”.  These warm days and cold nights set up the perfect conditions for the another kind of perfection. Again, perfect is perfect and that sweet sorbet type, billiard table smooth, rendition of perfect is now fully in play.  Hiking to Superior or the shot of your choice is the place to be on these mornings,  then you can sit on the high reaches and await the perfect consistency , contemplating all manner of being.  Follow the Sun!!  I would be there, going for the goodness of MAIZE  myself, but alas the incursion continues unabated, requiring my presence.  Sip the rarity for me as I deal sternly with the DARK MATTER.  I will be stepping back through the GATE and be in attendance Sunday.  I will post more in the PM. after the Frey!!     High clouds covered the Sun for the better part of the day holding off the full effects, pushing the softening time in Mineral Basin to 10:30 AM.  The rest of the hill softened up nicely, so a nice day was on tap for this Saturday.  Tomorrow looks to be similar with some morning clouds to hold of the softening.  I will be there tomorrow to get the last of the regular season.  See you there.  Ciao!!

As I am still far far away and OUT THERE, only the faint communication link with my deep cover source let me in on today’s festivities.  With a 14 degree overnight temp. flash freezing the hill, the warming process was delayed for quite a while, seeing Mineral Basin beginning the break at 11:00 AM.   The Peruvian side had been tenderized to give the attendants a bit of tooth to get an edge set.  In the after noon the softening began to occur, but did not become sloppy as is usually the case.  Tonight will, again, be quite cold,so another crispy morning is most probable.  The tenderizing efforts are quite ski-able first off, offering fast laps for the early risers.  There will be  a few more folks for the week end, though I don’t think it will back up.  There will be music on the Plaza, so stick around for that.  I am still deeply involved in the PLANETARY DEFENSE efforts that continue with frenetic urgency.  I am hoping to be steeping back through the GATE for Sunday.

In the wee hours of the morning I quietly idled the green truck out of the drive way , only engaging the Hyper Drive Modulator when I was fully clear of the neighborhood.  The second in a new series of incursions by DARK ENERGY, has infiltrating this sector of the galaxy, necessitated a gathering of Commanders to deal with stern resolve this very close call.  Meanwhile, on the mountain, clouds hung low as well as the temps promising little hope of any significant softening of the flash frozen product.  Fog, wind, brief glimpses of Sunlight, and careful descents were the rule for today, with some of my deep cover sources claiming that this was the most arduous day of the year. Tomorrow may bring some relief to the situation, but be sure to check the weather for an idea of the possibilities.  I have been unable to break free of the altercation that rages in near DEEP SPACE, where the SUN FIGHTERS continue to reflect the DARK ENERGY back on itself…  We will have to see if this strategy holds the key to victory.  This truncated report can only reflect the immediacy of the conflict.  Hold the pole for the SUN FIGHTERS.  Peace OUT!!