4-14-24

Even with a temp of 40 Degrees in the parking lot at 7:45AM, there had been a hard freeze on the hill, which made for some interesting sliding. Mineral Basin was offering the best consistency for the opening bell, and the Grooming made traction easy and smooth. I did some laps on Baldy and found some smooth dialable lines that kept me coming back. On the front of the hill, the Peruvian Gulch was very firm, with Anderson’s Hill being smooth but extremely firm. I opted to visit The Forklift early and let softening occur

The front of the hill began to break around Noon, with Mark Malu getting some nice smooth traction and some excellent sorbet feel. Anderson’s Hill broke and offered back county smooth that made each turn a treat. I was able to ski with the top down all day and it was nice to have the wind in my hair and wide open slopes. Traffic was super light with back to back top to bottom Trams easy to make. Tomorrow, look for some stormage to have moved in, making visibility difficult and, depending on accumulation, some variability issues. Dress for storm sliding, and check for big changes in the operations. Get a look at the situation and chose the smoothest lines. Keep it tight!!!

4-13-24

That cloud deck that moved in yesterday evening, moved off overnight leaving a cloudless day and really warm temps on the hill. The break was early and fast, making the prepared lines soft and carvalicious right out of the chute. Super light traffic made back to back walk on Trams a great feature to take advantage of the short window of good sliding. These are the last couple of days of full mountain access so I will be taking advantage of the last runs down the lower mountain on the Gad side of the hill.

Tomorrow, look for another warm day with a very early break in the pack. I will be looking for more light traffic on the front side of the hill and back to back walk on Trams which are a real treat. The Grooming Crew has done a masterful job of keeping the hill in smooth shape even with the difficult spring time consistency that make it hard to work the mat. See you there for the fast and delightful morning session and music on the Plaza deck in the afternoon. Remain Standing!!

4-12-24

The temps were quite warm this morning with no overnight freeze, however, the residual cold in the mat did freeze and firm up most of the lines on the hill. Mineral Basin was offering the sun softened lines that broke first. On the front of the hill, Peruvian Gulch was given a fresh till, but efforts there had been scaled back, however, the tenderizing efforts left sweet lines that let you dial in full platform engagement right out of the chute. Around 11AM, Mark Malu really hit the high note, with soft silky consistency that let you dial in the high edge angle and wrap the turn where needed.

With the no freeze overnight, the break went off very quickly and by Noon, there were very sticky section on the very bottom of the hill that kept you on your toes.

Tomorrow, look for more spring conditions and chasing the break around the hill. The Peruvian Gulch will be offering good lines, but Mineral Basin will be offering the Sun from the word go. Look for more tenderizing efforts to have been performed which will aid in finding those smooth sugary lines that are a delight in those early morning hours.

I think there will be some overcast skies, as a cloud deck moved in late this afternoon. Great spring conditions are on tap and great music on the Plaza beginning at 2PM. Lay it over like Mikaela!!!

4-11-24

It was warmer this morning, but there was still a real nip in the air, which has been really going a log way to preserving the pack. The machine worked lines were offering great lines with Mineral Basin offering the Sun and smooth, but Peruvian Gulch was offering the smooth top to bottom back to back pace that gets the motor running. I love the Sun and the sunny aspects, but I just love dialing in the empty wide open 3000′ ground pounding lines with full effect. Later, as the Sun worked the pack, the break did occur, which made the ride much more silky as the softness filled in.

Tomorrow, look for more great spring time fun with top to bottom machine worked lines, sunny prepared lines lit with Sun in Mineral Basin and continued light traffic. I will be checking out Mineral Basin in the AM as I have been focusing on the front of the hill, and I need to get a close up look at the Basin. It should be warming up even a bit more, and I anticipate being able to drive with the top down. Yay!! Keep it real!!

4-10-24

It was another cold morning, with fast moving clouds moving over, and visibility becoming flat with the changing cloud cover. The clouds would move off after a bit leaving the hill bathed in bright Sunlight. Once again, excellent prepared lines were on tap on all sides of the hill, so it was a choice of vertical combination and traffic concentration that would make the call for me. I chose to get the untracked corduroy of The Peruvian Gulch, which was smooth, consistent, and dialable top to bottom. I just love freshly buffed lines with absolutely no traffic. Mark Malu was also offering some deluxe dry chalk, that just felt great underfoot, with plenty of room to stretch out.

With the cooler temps, the snow stayed well refrigerated and kept you on your toes. Tomorrow, look for more great prepared lines, some still good lines on the High North aspects if you feel adventurous. Cover is amazing and temps are going to be warming with each day. Stay Frosty!!

4-09-24

The temps were still frosty this morning, but I was sliding in sunglasses and a hat, which was great. There was no shortage of amazing choices for prepared lines on all sides of the hill, so it was a matter of approach that made the decision. Lone Star and White Diamonds were on tap and perfect for the opening bell, with a totally vacant Peruvian Gulch to work, back to back and non stop. The untracked corduroy was impeccable, calling for repeat visits. Side country was open and folks were taking advantage of some rare lines.

With light traffic, back to back walk on Trams were on tap, with top to bottom smooth which kept me comin’ back for more. The pack held up for a long time as the cold temps held up the break. Tomorrow, look for more great prepared lines. The Cat Crew has been doing a stellar job of making the hill better than ever. Carpets of AHHHHHH! I expect light traffic again tomorrow, so get ready for a vertical extravaganza. IBBY!!

4-08-24

It was a cold morning, with some clouds moving in and out, but with larger windows of Sun to balance out the mix. As anticipated, the machine worked lines were just amazing as the new product got worked into the mat. Chips, Anderson’s Hill and Lower Primrose path were buffed out and smoothed to perfection top to bottom. It was likely the best quality I have ever experienced on that combination….Ever. No kidding. I needed a cigarette right after that first run. Mineral Basin was offering great lines as well, but I opted to hit up Peruvian Gulch as it was totally vacant. With the cold temps, the quality held up all day long and did not become manky. I was on the peak for the eclipse, just to be there for the event.

Tomorrow, look for more amazing lines to be on tap on all sides of the hill. I think the temps preserved the pack, so the prepared lines should be really good in the AM. I expect continued low traffic and wide open top to bottom hot laps. The high north aspects are still holding the dry cold, so those lines should be good to go for off trail action. I will be looking for that perfect velvet again on all those prepared lines and, perhaps, another fresh till on Lower Lower. See you there dark and early for the warming trend. Dial it up, Dial it in!!

4-07-24

Fresh essence covered the hill over night, adding to the cushion and quality. The clouds and cold morning temps, help preserve the quality of the new product and kept it from the morphing too quickly. With the recent slow build up of pack, the substrate is quite smooth overall, making for some full on top to bottom drive lines that I have been waiting on all season long.

Tomorrow, look for still soft snow all over the hill, but some aspects that caught a shot of Sun may be variable. The prepared lines will be off the charts delightful on all sides of the hill right out of the chute. Check the grooming report for new and exciting lines.

Look for some still active weather to be happening, but I expect a stellar day. See you there dark and early for the vast array of choices. Speed Safely!!

4-06-24

A fresh Spring installment of Essence was delivered and The Faithful were on deck and ready for fun. It was great to have the hill in such smooth overall shape so that the new cover got worked into the substrate. Visibility was an issue, but staying with the trees payed dividends.

Tomorrow, look for more overnight accumulation and excellent conditions. Forecast looks like an active pattern for a couple of days, so there will be refreshed lines. A little at at time is just fine. I’ll be back on the hill in the AM. See you there for the festivities. IBBY!!

4-05-24

The wind was blowing this morning, and the clouds were moving mighty fast. Windows of sunshine passed quickly, so the visibility was pretty good though a bit flat at times. The prepared lines were smooth and firm, however there was enough dust and velvet in the mat to get enough traction. On lower aspects, tenderizing efforts had been done, making the mat much softer and sugar like. The front moved in around 1PM and the storm was on. Good to have got a good look at the hill before it gets covered up.

Tomorrow, look for overnight accumulation to be added to the mostly smooth pack. That old surface was pretty crusty, so expect some feedback. I am hoping it comes in a tad wet to cushion the ride. Dress for storm riding and have fun with all the freshies. Remain Standing!!