4-19-26

It was 32 Degrees in the parking lot this morning, so the freeze was on, but the Sun was shining and the day was warming up quickly. Mineral Basin was the draw with Sun and machine worked lines, with those direct aspect softening first. The machine worked lines on the Peruvian Gulch were reworked to perfection, retilling the dry chalky material into the mat. That consistency let you dial in your turn, carving the nap of perfect corduroy. Having the entire side of the hill was like a private resort. Nice touch. Traffic was super light and back to back turn arounds were fast and fun.

The pack held up nicely and began to fully break around 11:30 AM, when it hit the sorbet stage. Tomorrow, look for the usual Spring changes in the access situation. Check the Bird site for all the details of closures and opening. The hill opens at 8 AM so plan accordingly. The weather is expected to continue to warm up so the break may be happening earlier. Coverage remains good, but the melt off is changing things up daily, so stay alert to the changes. Heads up!!!

4-18-26

It was a sunny Saturday morning with cool temps to start the day, and, as anticipated, that fresh installment gave the Grooming Crew much better material to work with. The prepared lines were much softer and consistent than that untracked day, however, the firmness was still fully in play. Consistency is key when the variations are variable. Temps warmed up rapidly as the Sun got high in the sky, so keeping an eye on aspect was important to keep in the soft zone.

Tomorrow, look for more good Spring sliding, with the machine worked lines offering the best consistency and overall softness. Still, expect firm conditions and use extra caution on the lower elevations. Check out the Bird site for up to date info on the upcoming days of operation as there will be changes in the up hill access. Also check the run availability as the lower elevations have thin areas that may present some areas to negotiate. Stay Frosty!!!

4-17-26

It was a clear cold morning and not at all like the warm Spring days that we have been enjoying. 5 to 8″ of fresh Essence fell overnight, making the entire mountain bright white and fresh looking. The Faithful were on deck and ready to get after more of the goods. With the very cold temps during the last two days, the pack had a really deep freeze, making the substrate super icy and difficult. The new accumulation was medium density and was very cold, so it did not bond well to the old layer, making very inconsistent variations turn to turn. Staying with the known smooth lines helped keep as much consistency as possible, but as the new snow got worked the tiles and piles condition began to happen, making a longer averaging turn a solid choice to avoid the torque of the variations.

The crowd got spread out on the hill and there was fast turn around times on all lifts. Finding those smooth sections was key for the best ride. The cold temps really helped maintain the quality as the day progressed, but the substrate was not going to soften at all.

Tomorrow, look for the machine worked lines to be offering very nice lines as the new product gets worked into the mat. Use caution on the lower mountain as the exit lines are variable with some narrow sections that require a much slower approach. Traffic should be moderate with fast turnaround times as the crowd gets spread out. Expect cold temps in the AM, with warming as the Sun gets higher in the sky. Watch for the Sun to make the direct aspects sticky before it begins it’s morph into the corn cycle. There is a lot of fun music and activities on the Plaza deck with bright Sun to bask in when you get off the hill. Remain Standing.

4-16-26

Clouds hung low over the peaks to start the day with blue skies in the Valley. The cold front was moving fast and the morning air was cold giving the pack no chance to break. Staying with the prepared lines was key as the off trail was difficult and variable. Traffic was very light and the visibility was fair until the front came through with bluster and wind. The accumulation began with intent, making the smooth lines feel softer and more dialable. Stormage continued all day long with varying degrees of intensity, but any new product is welcome. The storm clouds abated as cold clear air moved in as the day ended.

Tomorrow, look for a cold morning with some new accumulation, still light traffic, though it might bump up a touch with the new snow. Staying with the smooth machine worked lines will offer the best feel. I expect a serious freeze to the pack and not much in the way of a break. We’ll just have to see how it shakes out. Every little bit helps as we eek out these Spring days. Keep it real!!!

4-15-26

It was cold on the peak, but the Sun was shining high in the sky. Mineral Basin was offering some machine prepared lines that got the Sun first. The Front side of the hill had been given some really excellent smoothing that was the most consistent quality I’ve seen as the snow begins to morph. Traffic was super light and back to back Trams were easy to make, though care needed to be taken at certain lower sections on the hill. Softening really kicked in around 11:30AM as the Sun started warming up the pack nicely. It is a short window but so worth the wait.

Tomorrow, look for a storm day as a fast moving front is on the doorstep. Look for the machine prepared lines for the best consistency, dress for weather, and stay close to the trees for reference. Traffic will be light, and check the Bird site for lift access if the wind kicks up big before the front arrives. Stay Frosty!!

4-14-26

It was a cold morning and the pack had frozen. The new accumulation of yesterday was worked into the machine worked lines, making the consistency on the upper two thirds of the hill so much better. Visibility in the AM was variable, but good enough to keep the details in view. The pack began to break around 11:30 AM, offering some very nice lines on the front side of the hill. The traffic was light, making the pace and feel relaxed and smooth. Sun broke out, but the cold air helped preserve the quality longer in the day.

Tomorrow, look for more fun spring sliding. We’ll have to see what happens with the overnight temps, but I expect a similar break tomorrow. Look for those machine worked lines to have the consistency for those early morning laps, and the softening later in the AM. It was prime when it hit today, it will do it again. More weather upstream. Remain Standing!!!

4-13-26

There was a light coating of cold dense Essence overnight that freshened the pack and offered another chance to get some untracked goodness. With only around four inches, the medium density gave a bit of cushion on top of the substrate that was fully in play. With the variations of last weeks softness and melt off, it was wise to take a very cautious approach to the lines. That old layer is mighty crispy and is quite weathered as well, making those off trail lines very interesting. The Sun was out, and the air was cold, which helped extend the surface quality. By Noon, the very lowest flat aspects were getting that sticky feel and the pack began to break. Traffic was light and back to back Trams were easy to get.

Tomorrow, look for machine worked lines to be offering the smooth and best traction. The off trail will be quite variable after the Sun worked it later in the day. Traffic will be light, and the sliding should be fun and wide open. Stay Frosty!!!

4-12-26

Just as I supposed, the month was going to be active. The sky was in motion and moved through fast. Sun and clouds making an added dimension, so you could focus on being smooth. The machine worked lines were the best place to be with consistent smoothness, however, there are spring time variations that need to be expected.

I love those windows when the snow gets that deep sugar consistency that provides that full platform engagement. Doesn’t last long these days but it sure has been great. Tomorrow, look for more unsettled weather and the energy is building and will be delivering some interesting conditions. Look for the machine worked lines for the smooth. BE ROUND!!

4-11-26

It was a wild weather day as that Low pressure system moved over The Front overnight. The clouds were low and the freeze was light. With the visibility being marginal, staying with the prepared lines was the call. Mineral Basin was challenging to see during the day and thunder storms forced a couple of lightning holds on the hill. There were periods of heavy graupel falling that added a bit of variability to the pack.

Tomorrow, look for more weather to be the variable on the day. The pack is holding up, but certain sections are feeling the heat and getting thin, so keep a sharp eye you for some of the open melted off sections and avoid those dark spots under the snow that may indicate a very thin covering. Look for the tenderized lines on the hill that will give you some nice granular turns. We are heading into a fairly active period for the next while, so visualize the DEEP and see what we can pull out of the Morphogenic Field!!! Stay Frosty!!

4-10-26

There was some overcast over the hill to start the day, the light was a bit flat, however, the high cloud deck burned off and the Sun began to shine on the hill. With the overnight overcast, the pack did not freeze as hard as in previous days. Mineral Basin had a head start and was good to go for the first hour and offered much better visibility. The Front of the hill was just breaking around 9:30AM, with the tenderizing efforts offering some sumptuous lines that felt great underfoot. The pack has been through enough freeze thaw cycles to now offer some wonderful corn goodness which holds it’s quality quite a bit longer before it hits the slurpie zone.

Tomorrow, look for some scattered showers as a low pressure is working through. There may still be some Sun windows, but I don’t think we’ll see a hard freeze with the clouds that have been moving in. I expect light traffic and some freshly tilled lines to offer some very nice early morning runs. There will be music and festivities on the Plaza to make this Spring season fun and the place to BE!! Remain Standing!!