It was 41 degrees on the ridge top and 51 at the base and a clear sky in the morning, and thin light clouds overhead this afternoon. Warm overnight temperatures softened Sunspot early today as well as Tower 19 and 20. One offered creamy corduroy on the first lap and the other presented small moguls and snow balls that were still just a little stiff. By the second or third tour of this short slope below Tower 19 and 20 undulating surface had turned to corn.
The usual groomed areas were just right today. Wolverine, Werner’s, Alpine Bowl and Terry’s Return were creamy as usual. It does take Dance Floor longer to softened in the morning as it freezes more firmly overnight.
Scott Chair was silent this morning. Seats were being covered as the lift is slowly put into summer hibernation. If you like spring mush sprinkled with corn, sometimes to soft and other times just right then get off piste. It was a little too soft under Idiot’s, but not bad.
The same was true for Beaver Bowl, which Barbara and I skied at about 10:30 from the top. Getting to High Beaver Bowl is a little tricky as you either carry your skis up to Idiot’s Delight on a combination of snow and dirt from the Wolverine Saddle, or you stay lower and walk the PCT trail where it is snow free and then put your skis on and take them off a couple of times (less vertical but more effort). There is still a pretty good sized cornice along the ridge, but we found a spot to jump into the bowl. Plenty of snow but somewhat variable conditions until you hit the untouched groomed part of Kangaroo which was perfect. Hiking to a less used slope that has been baking in the sun is what regular Alpine Meadows skiers and boarders are supposed to do in the spring.
After our tour, we hit the Werner’s side of Sympathy which was more firm than all the south facing slopes. This was followed by a couple of trips up TLC to take advantage of smooth slopes once again.
Enjoy your day,
Andy