Late to the Party

Hello Skiers,

My arrival at the ski area this morning was delayed for a couple of reasons, but I was happy to find a parking space not too far from the locker room. I dressed for a warm day, but on my first ride up Roundhouse, and then Summit, I felt just a little chilly. It was the wind blowing in my face with just enough force to cool me down. As promised, the temperature rose as the morning progressed.

My thought was that skiing would not be exceptional as some of the slopes were firm under the thin layer of snow we received yesterday. Yesterday the morning snow was followed by wet snow or rain later in the day. My brain did not register that Summit was closed yesterday and any new snow might have covered the underlying roughness. It did not take me long to realize my mistake as I gazed at the early morning tracks while riding up Summit Chair. It was even more annoying to see short lines at all the chairs lifts, and the parking lot almost full, but not overflowing. Fresh snow without the overwhelming crowd I anticipated. Enough feeling sorry for myself.

My first idea as I watched a number of people heading across the High Traverse to Upper Saddle, was to following them. This turned out to be another mistake. I did not realize High Traverse to Sherwood was closed. The line of skiers and boarders was heading to Keyhole and Open Slope. After hiking halfway to Upper Saddle, I took off down Palisades. It was surprisingly good. Soft snow with small moguls. I was inspired and headed to High (or Medium) Yellow and Scott Chair. A few turns in Scott Meadows on my way to Sherwood lifted my spirits even more. At Sherwood I tested South Face as far out as I could traverse. I found enough untracked snow between other skiers tracks to have a really nice run. The snow was a little dense, but not sticky or rough under foot. It was good enough for a second tour, but the bottom was beginning to get sticky on round two.

Looking down South Face

Staying on the north facing slopes was a must at this point in time. Sherwood Cliffs seemed like a good choice. It was packed powder with small moguls laced with patches of deeper snow from yesterday’s storm. Another ride up Scott Chair and, of course, a run down Gentian.

Gentian was pretty much the same as Sherwood Cliffs, but sticky at the bottom. I felt bad about not completing the hike to Upper Saddle and heading over Keyhole to Open Slope or Low Saddle. Bad feelings were turned into happy feelings after hiking to the top of Open Slope and skiing down for the first time this season. It had been skied quite a bit, but it was still soft, wide open, and easy to complete.

Open Slope looking too easy

The last good turns were on D6 and through Waterfall. The lower mountain was becoming increasingly sticky as morning turned to afternoon.

Although I was late to the party, I left with a smile on my face. Another good day on the slopes.

Enjoy your day,

Andy

Editors note: I saw some details on the Beacon & Eggs beacon hunt tomorrow, Easter Sunday at Alpine Meadows and wanted to get the info out there. – Mark