It’s Day 100 At Alpine Meadows

Today marks Day 100 of the ski season at Alpine Meadows. After having the season pulled out from under us just under a year ago, I know that each day I can spend on the mountain this season is a gift. That’s one reason that I have skied each and every day of the season so far. Also, there’s nothing better to do in the winter during a pandemic.

It’s important to remember that nobody was even certain that the ’20-’21 season would happen. We reported in April on Alterra doubling the pass renewal discount to get people to believe in the upcoming season. Later that month, we reported on the introduction of the “Adventure Assurance” program, which aimed to bolster confidence that a ski season would happen. Then in September, we took an in-depth look at choosing your best option for the assurance program. Yet, I still know people that chose to take the entire season off, fighting for a backcountry parking spot and avoiding dog poop on the skin track.

On November 24th, our ski season started, one day earlier than scheduled. We have skied without interruption ever since. It took a lot of planning and adapting to make that happen by mountain management and we know that has not been easy. We can’t state enough how happy we are that they were willing to make the effort, even if it meant that the bottom line could end in the red this season. We’re getting closer to April 11, and it looks like we just might make it through the season without a COVID related shutdown that would result in anyone getting a credit. I would feel silly asking for a credit at this point anyways.

• 

• 

I’m not the only person that has skied Alpine Meadows every single day this season so far. My friend Randy has as well. You’ll find both of us at the top of the Alpine Meadows Leaderboard. Both of us are missing a day or two there due to Apple watch malfunctions, in my case forgetting to charge. I am most certain we’re not the only ones that have perfect attendance. There are others with the same passion and we salute you too.

Is it second winter or third winter next week?

Our delightful spring days will be coming to an end beginning Saturday. Next week started out looking like a depressing spate of inside sliders bringing us “loud pow” conditions. The more recent model runs look more like we could see a real Gulf of Alaska low dropping into the Sierra by early next week. The 12z run of the GFS shows the potential for feet of snow falling. The Canadian model also shows a stronger storm around Tuesday, but is not quite as hopeful in amounts. It’s an interesting development that bears watching. We certainly need the additional snowpack, and not just for skiing.

Here’s the GFS estimate of total precipitation over the next 7 days:

So the corn season will continue the next two days before another batch of winter arrives Saturday. See you out there…