When I arrived at Alpine Meadows around 8:30 this morning the parking lot was on the verge of filling. It did fill completely as the morning progressed. I must admit that I almost turned around and headed home. Roundhouse, Yellow Chair, and Treeline Cirque were the only lifts scheduled that accessed intermediate and expert terrain. When I reached the top of the steps leading from the breezeway to the lodge deck, I took a deep breath. In front of me was a huge looking line at the base of Roundhouse. Skiers and boarders were anxiously waiting for the lift to open.
The line at Roundhouse before opening
The new gondola and the new maintenance building obscure the few of the base of TLC lift so it was not possible to see how many people were lined up at that lift. I knew before I rolled out of bed that it was going to be crowded today. 20” of new snow at the beginning of the season was bound to fill the ski area and create long lines. It was too late to turn back so off we went to TLC where the line was shorter.
It was a beautiful sunny, cold, clear morning. The mountain looked like it wanted to be trashed by happy skiers and boarders. Rocks were covered to a certain extent, trees had snow clinging to there branches, and the thought of a few fresh powder turns put smiles on everyone around me. I must say that everyone I came in contact with today seemed happy and civil. I did not notice a lot of pushing in line nor did I hear complaints. People were kind and civil today. I hope this lasts for the entire season. I was also surprised by the movement of the lines at all lifts. They moved relatively quickly. The lines looked long, but they moved rather quickly.
Soft groomed run at Weasel
It did not take long for the untouched white blanket that covered the lower portion of the mountain to be etched with our tracks. Yellow Trail, Werner’s Schuss, Charity, Weasel, Rock Garden and Dance Floor were well skied within minutes. The Face was hit soon after. It did not take long for skiers to make a track out to the lower section of Keyhole and beyond. People were jumping off rocky knolls and skiing between rock bands.
Wet snow is coming Saturday and Sunday which is what we need to cover the rest of the slope so we can ski the entire mountain. Hopefully there will be enough new snow in this next storm to allow the upper mountain to open.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Imagine if there was still competition between Alpine and Palisades…would Palisades have fewer days where they seem to be caught with their pants down and completely unready for opening after a storm. Imagine how different it would have been at Alpine if Palisdaes opened with 5 lifts on time.
This comment is spot on.
I knew that today would be crowded. It didn’t need to be that crowded. Skied some cut up powder, carefully. It helped to have been there a lot lately. Zero rocks hit. Got tired of disorganized lines with zero line control and fencing that was too short. There’s a long season ahead.
Thx for always being so freaking real!! Rare &!appreciated!! Thx