Archive for the ‘Snow Reports’ Category

FRONTAL PASSAGE

2-05-25

The wind was howling again all night as The Front moved in. Temps. were warm ahead of the arrival, but the temps were about to drop quickly with it’s arrival around 11 AM. The Canyon was closed mid day due to a fallen power line just to add to the excitement of the day. The prepared lines were offering the best consistency on the hill, but some of the wind smooth lines were holding up a bit better under turn pressure, however, it was always good to expect variations in the ride.

The Tunnel is fun to transit and get a look at the pieces of mining history. It is amazing that folks worked in the earth for so many years, and probably never imagined the activities we get to enjoy here in the high country. We live in a very special window of time indeed. Tomorrow, look for a bit more relaxed weather pattern, with, perhaps, a peak at the Sun. I will be looking for those wind smooth lines in areas as they open. The prepared lines will also be offering excellent carving quality top to bottom. Traffic should be moderate and fast laps will be on tap on all sides of the hill. There is more weather upstream, so enjoy these days of better visibility and wide open driving. Speed Safely!!

MORE WIND

2-04-25

The wind was rockin’ The Trailer all night long and it did not let up when I got to the hill. The Tram was down due to the velocity, but the Peruvian Chair and Mineral Basin were on line to fill out the terrain package for the day. With the wind continuing to work the pack, some of that breakable crust was becoming supportable, however, a careful approach was needed to avoid a glitch in the flow line. Traffic was light and back to back laps were happening on all sides of the hill. Visibility was quite good, but that flat light smeared the details, keeping you on your toes.

The Jazz Man was out and about looking for those wind filled and smoothed lines, finding pay dirt which he worked all day all to himself.

It is always fun to follow your inner guidance and be rewarded with some of the best naturally smooth lines of the season. Watch the wind and keep those hunches close to the vest and cash in on goodness. Tomorrow, look for a storm day as an impulse moves in. Wind will still be in the mix and those smooth lines will still be holding up the feel under additional accumulation. I expect there still to be light traffic, with moderate temps, but plan on a storm day. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out after all the wind and changes in temps. Syrup Won’t Stop ‘EM!!!

NUKIN’ WINDS

2-03-25

There were nukin’ winds this morning, sidelining the Tram and putting a delay on The Peruvian Chair for the opener. I decided to ride the Forklift Chair to see how things shaked out as the morning progressed. There was a great turnout at The Table to discuss the options and get Beta coming off the hill. The Peruvian Chair opened later in the AM. which offered some interesting wind worked lines that varied from breakable slab to perfectly carvable corduroy that let you dial in some deep turns. Getting the juice out of the turn was the call for dealing with that level of variability.

We remember Walter “Chairman of The Board” Klemment at The Table today. He represented a keystone in the history of The Bird and found his Bliss on the hill, just as we all do every day. Tomorrow, look for more wind worked lines on the hill, and, perhaps, we might get The Tram if the wind backs off for the morning session. Some of the North aspects are getting filled in with the hard wind direction, so keep an eye out for much better access and line quality as the wind keeps amplifying the cover. Temps should be warm once again, but still dress for the wind as it really cuts through the layers. Keep it tight!!

STRANGE PATTERN

2-02-25

This has been a very strange pattern, with the front moving up and down through the Northern part of the state, bringing high winds, warmer temps, and a chocked off delivery of the goods. Today winds were super high and there were day long delays. The wind and new accumulation will be working the pack and I will be looking for some nicely filled in areas as well as newly scoured sections that will require a first hand look.

Right out of the Canyon the snow was still pumpin’ and the lights were on low beam to get the best resolution. Tomorrow, look for a full reset as we get a better look at the hill. I’ll be keeping in mind my go to smooth lines and will be looking out for some of those newly filled lines that have not even been on my radar of late. It will be a good time to scope a lot of the hill out from different vantage points. I expect moderate traffic and we’ll have to see what happens with openings. Patience is a virtue on days like these. Stay Frosty!!!

JUST BEGINNING

2-01-25

After a long dry spell a significant cycle is just beginning, which will bring the hill back to soft and blastable life with days of storms lined up for the week and beyond. There were a few inches of overnight accumulation to get the party started, and the machine worked lines were offering silky smooth surfaces with the new product sweetening the feel. It was good to have the hill etched in my memory so I know where the tight spots live. I’ve been giving those dodgy spots a lot of room, but now, with new snow, I can push the margins a bit more.

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Remembering Leopard Man on a day like today. He always found the joy in every day and just loved storm skiing. I really miss his super positive vibes on the hill whenever I saw him out and about!! Tomorrow, look for additional accumulation as the impulse has just got started and will continue to bring snow well into Monday. The off trail will be improving quite a bit as the new product will cushion the rumble and static that has been building during the dry spell. There will still be reverberations from the substrate for a bit yet, so expect some variations from the old layer. Traffic should be brisk in the AM, so work the chairs to get a jump on the day. Speed safely!!

WEATHER COMING

1-31-25

A bright morning Sun was shining for the first few Trams, but with weather coming, some clouds began to move in making the light go flat from time to time. Mineral Basin held the details better than the front of the hill and the machine worked lines were smooth and consistent. The Grooming Crew has been doing an amazing job of creating big mountain smooth top to bottom. Lines were holding up nicely all day long, and it was good to get a close look at the hill before it gets covered.

We got a good morning start with a Lewis and Clark exploration. Sully giving it his stoke for a ground pounding dry chalky line. Tomorrow, look for a stormy day, with variable visibility, however, you can trust the prepared lines for best consistency. This past week was just an amazing quality snow sport sliding. More snow on the way and, perhaps a healthy cycle. Giddy UP!!

WIDE OPEN

1-30-25

The hill was wide open today, with bright Sun and smooth turns in Mineral Basin, to more hard drivin’ front side lines that tested your top to bottom stamina, with warm temps to let you explore at a comfortable rate. A little bit of greatness for every one was on tap and the traffic was quite light. The machine worked lines offered a real big mountain smooth feel that let you dial in as much or little juice to each turn. What fun it was to stick a turn and take the snap, crackle, and Pop that comes back from the loaded edge.

Wide open lines were in full resolution today, and the good quality really holds up all day long this time of the year. Tomorrow, look for more ground pounding fun on all sides of the hill, though I do think the wind is going to pick up ahead of the next weather system that is predicted to move in over the weekend. Traffic should remain light, with vacant lines on the front side for the opening bell. It is great to have the big vertical all to yourself with no pressure. See you there for the full force dance fest. Dial it up, Dial it in!!!

FAST & FUN

1-29-25

With amazing prepared lines on all sides of the hill, the vibe was fast and fun top to bottom. Dry chalky lines were on tap, which let you dial in perfect turns on every prepared line. I opted for the Peruvian Gulch draw of Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose path for the morning session to take advantage of the totally vacant lines that let me dial in the line with no pressure and no hype. White Diamonds and lower Silver Dipper were buffed and held up well till after breakfast when I checked it out and dialed it in for the first time in days.

I had to massage this shot a bit to bring out the details in the pack as the reflected Sun just maxed out the lens on my camera. The pitch was fun, fast and dynamic with just the right amount of transition softness to lay over a wicked turn. Soooooo fun!!! The quality held up all day long, with smooth buffage keeping the interest high. Tomorrow, look for more great lines to be happening and no matter which option you choose it will be a winner. There are still some wind buffed lines on some of the North aspects that are worth a peak, so look around and spy the sections. Stay Frosty!!

SMOOTH LINES

1-28-25

There were smooth lines top to bottom on all sides of the hill this morning, with White Diamonds getting the first till of the season, which was smooth, long, and rippin’. In the Peruvian Gulch, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose Path was as good as it gets, offering dry chalky perfection, which was billiard table perfect and totally consistent top to bottom. I had to lap that all morning before breakfast to extract as much of the perfection as possible. It held up all day as well as it was not getting much traffic with all the other options available. Out of area touring was open today and there were takers going for the goods and getting it. A perfect time of the season to go out.

Mikey M’s crew stepping out after gaining the ridge line off of Gad 2, and by the looks of it getting a look at the Birthday Chutes. There is a lot to take in these days and the host program does a lot to make Snowbird accessible to everyone.

Gather here for daily tours of the hill if you are uncertain, and you will be shown the entire span of The Bird wall to wall with these fine folks. Tomorrow, look for more great ground pounding fun top to bottom. You just can’t make a bad call on all sides of the hill. Traffic should be light, with more amazing lines freshly tilled for your shredding pleasure.

Here is a great shot of Eddie Jacobs, who was a heli guide when I got here in ’76. He’s still killin’ it on the hill and enjoys those smooth dry chalky lines. Temps should be moderate and watch for Black Ice in the lower Canyon in the AM with this inversion layer. It can sneak up on you. Drive carefully. IBBY!!!

FUN SUN

1-27-25

It was fun in the Sun this morning, with warmer temps, great visibility, and ground pounding fun on all sides of the hill. The call was Mineral Basin, but the Peruvian Gulch and Regulator made a strong case for a full on front side assault. That Anderson’s Hill – Lower Primrose Gully line was on fire, with dry chalky smoothness that is as good as it gets. Back to back walk on Tram laps were soooo much fun. Another high point was the opening of some fresh lines in Mineral Basin and Out of area touring, which offered smooth cold powder shots with no pressure and no hype

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Olivia Kennedy was getting the goods all to herself out on a White Pine aspect that let her dial in her inner Powder Goddess.

Mike McCarthy send this great shot of the upper line under 13 Turns, which was offering smooth deep powder lines that let you make lap after lap of goodness. Tomorrow, look for more ground pounding fun, as fresh machine worked lines will be happening on all sides of the hill. The off trail is feeling good, but there is that rumble and static still to deal with. Those traverses and entrances are still very sketchy and require an astute approach to avoid the features. Temps should be moderate again, which have been great in the AM. Low traffic is amazing with back to back walk on Trams easy to make. Keep it real!!