It Really Felt Like Spring

Hello Skiers,
At the base of Alpine Meadows it felt like the first day of spring. Temperatures rose to 44 degrees at the base. It was still just below freezing at the top of Summit Chair, but a ball of sun was visible sitting in a sea of blue sky. A moderate wind was blowing in my face on the way up Summit Chair that gave me a chill on the first couple of runs. I was wearing a spring jacket that did not offer insulation against a cool wind. However, I was not uncomfortable anywhere else on the mountain.

Wolverine is being groomed again

We skied a number of groomed runs. All of which were delightful. Sunspot, Alpine Bowl, Wolverine, and Terry’s Return were smooth allowing me to hold an edge while making long wide sweeping turns. Werner’s Schuss (Blue Trail to old timers), Charity (Red-Green to old timers), Rock Garden and Dance Floor (Red Trail to old timers), Yellow, and Ladies Slalom were also in easy skiing condition. We even enjoyed Ridge Run, Bobby’s, and the two groomed areas at Sherwood Chair. I was skiing with my son today who thought it would be fun to lap Reily’s Run returning to the base of Sherwood on Ray’s Rut. Reily’s was well groomed and empty of other skiers.

Skiers and Boarders enjoying the main Sherwood Run

Sherwood was turning soft off-piste in the 10:30-11:00 time frame. We found a few untracked patches of snow that skied like corn. North facing slopes remained in winter condition during the morning hours. Our Father, Palisades, High or Medium Yellow, D7 and D8 were all nice packed powder with some growing moguls.

Nicely groomed trails from the top of Roundhouse

It was not all perfect this morning. We tried South Peril late in the morning, but it was still filled with frozen ruts from other skiers. We skied Low Beaver twice with the idea of ending at the top of Kangaroo and making first tracks on the groomed area of Kangaroo (the lift was not running), but the surface was very nice corduroy. The upper portion of Low Beaver Bowl had winter snow surface, but from the exit of Beaver Bowl to the top of Kangaroo we fought through firm rough rubble from previous day’s skiers. The rubble was softening on our second tour through the area, but it had not made the transition to spring snow.

It really felt like spring today.

The weather report I read this afternoon indicated high winds with periods of snow overnight and into tomorrow. It appears that high pressure is coming our way Saturday thru Tuesday with warmer than normal temperatures beginning Sunday. I guess we have to endure one more day of grayness with high winds before we are rewarded with a few warm sunny days.

Enjoy your day,

Andy