Day One

We ventured over to the Other Valley because Alpine is not open yet. Construction continues around the lodge. We decided to go over and see what was happening just for the fun of it and to make sure we had our winter gear within reach when winter really arrives in Tahoe. I did not want to be the first in line for the Tram or the Funitel, not the last one standing in a long line at the opening bell so we headed over later in the morning.
The parking lot was well stocked with automobiles, but we found a space not far from the village entrance. We were happy to see no line at the Funitel and hopped on with a few other riders ready to brag that they skied in October before Halloween. Although the line at Gold Coast looked pretty long, especially the single line, we took the plunge and joined the crowd. Surprisingly the wait was only 10 minutes. The run down was less than exciting. It was groomed, but a warm sunshine had already turned it to a sticky spring surface. Of piste was worse. A ride up Big Blue where the line was minimal and then, just to say we rode them Mountain Meadows, Bailey’s Beach, and Belmont. Sticky spring conditions, but no line. We did not head over to Shirley Lake because a friend had send a text that it was not groomed and that the snow was crusty and no fun with a very thin run-out at the bottom. I have to assume the line for Shirley was pretty long at one time which we had not interest in joining.
An hour or two later we were sitting in the Funitel with a few happy people that enjoyed being outside, and we happy they took the day to hit some slopes. None of them, skiers or boarders, were discussing the conditions other than less than fair, but still happy they tried it. Perhaps those that were playing in the terrain park enjoyed the conditions more as they seem to be having fun sliding over rails and boxes.

Line at Gold Coast