An east wind was blowing chilly air at the top of the mountain this morning. We were slightly underdressed for the first hour. The good news was that the wind and cooler air froze the surface overnight creating excellent conditions for spring skiing. After enjoying a couple of runs on nicely groomed trails, I hiked up to Upper Saddle on the widened High Traverse trail. Hiking the wide road makes accessing Upper Saddle much easier than sidestepping up the slope.
The snow was good enough to entice me to walk the High Traverse three times this morning. I found the surface in the Sun Bowl to be spring corn on the upper section and just a little firm with small sun cups lower down. The second run was better. I skied Big Bend Bowl and scooted through the trees to lower SP Bowl. On my third trip it was just perfect from top to bottom. I traversed to SP Bowl as high as I could without hiking out on the ridge line. I was rewarded with sweet white corn. I believe the consistency on the surface remained very good into the early afternoon.
Looking out toward Grouse Rock from below the SP Bowl ridgeline
After enjoying the snow accessed using the High Traverse, I took a run down the South Face at Sherwood. Spring corn was scattered everywhere. Returning to the front side using Art’s Knob and Expert Shortcut, although filled with moguls, was pleasant skiing on a soft surface.
Not everything was soft spring snow before 1pm. Seldom Slides had not gotten the message to soften before one. The slope was still firm, as was Scott Chute. Bobby’s and Ridge Run were in fine condition in the early afternoon. They had been well groomed overnight.
We were about to head to the barn when someone suggested traversing from the top of Scott Chair to the Mountain View run off Lakeview Chair. Lakeview was closed today, but the trail had been groomed. It was obvious that very few skiers had taken advantage of the smoothly groomed slope. We traversed as high as we could without having to hike, passing under tree branches and over tree limbs. Although we were below the top of the run, we had plenty of beautiful soft spring corduroy to ourselves. These turns were as good as any that I made today.
Mountain View was just perfect
The long and the short of skiing and boarding today can be summed up in one word, “delicious”.
During my travels today I skied by an old sign that I have not noticed in a long time. Victor’s Line is the name of the run. Does anyone know where this sign is located? Just a test for the long time Alpine Meadows skiers.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Victors line is an old t-bar line between mountain view &winter road.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner.
Thanks Mark!
Every contest winner should get a prize. Since none was designated, I’ll pick my own……
Please answer this question.
What’s the difference between Jorg’s Legacy & the Twilight Zone? Both signs are still up,so there must be a distinction,but I don’t see it.
PS Jorg would be happy today, his “legacy” skied really well.
Twilight Zone is the official name. Jorgs is the tribute name. Yes, excellenter today than yesterday.
Despite the fact that I’ve been skiing then boarding Alpine since the late 80’s I don’t know the names of most runs you reference. Lol. Just not the way I operate I guess. Have you ever published your own “trail map”? Sans your secret stashes of course ;-).
Hmmm. Every run Andy referenced today is on the current trail map, except of course, Victor’s Line. Had I written today’s report, it would have included Solar Flare, Sherwood Right Face, Chute Zero and the newly named Chute Negative One, which only exists this year.