Big Moguls and Narrow Run-Outs

When I pulled down the shades from my bedroom windows this morning all I could see was a thick dark gray layer of cloud cover overhead. I let my head drop back down onto the pillow and closed my eyes. The morning temperature was below 40 degrees on top of the mountain. It was not all that motivating to me, but sun rays showed themselves within a half hour of my first peek out the window. By the time we sat down on the Summit Chair Lift blue sky and bright sun were overhead. My mood changed dramatically once the sky turned to a more spring-like nature.
First turns this morning were on a slightly firm surface. Overnight cool temperatures set the surface up more firmly than it has been the last couple of ski days. This kept the inevitable stickiness at bay for a couple of hours. Long spring daylight hours have been doing there job of melting the winter pack. Snow farming continues to hold hope for the ability of skiers to reach the base of our chairlifts on July 4th. However, snow farming is also limiting skiable terrain and creating narrow runs-outs at the base of the most popular runs. Charity, Banana Chute, and Boomerang are not longer viable for skiers. Sympathy Face has a road cutting through its mid- section with a tall wall on the uphill side making it less than appealing. Yellow Trail is burned out for the season.

This is the narrow runway for all skiers to return to the base of Summit or Roundhouse from Werner’s Schuss and Dance Floor

Snow Farming has eliminating skiing on Charity

Excepting the narrow, and crowded run-outs at the base of Dance Floor and Werner’s Schuss, skiing is still enjoyable. The lower mountain runs, Rock Garden, Dance Floor, and Werner’s Schuss are getting narrow, but still wide enough to enjoy. This morning they were well groomed and just soft enough to allow turns that were not sticky.

Another look at the twisty return to the base area

Better skiing is on the upper mountain. Alpine Bowl, Sunspot, and Wolverine were groomed. Smooth soft snow covered these runs in the early morning. Not everyone in my gorup was enamored with skiing groomed trails. Some of us worry about being hit by others skiing too fast on crowded slopes, and then there are those of us who tire of skiing groomed runs over and over again.

Werner’s Schuss first thing in the morning

Dance Floor still has amble coverage

Luckily, there are still areas to ski that are not groomed. We worked our way through rather large moguls in D6, D7, D8, Pygmy Forest, and Palisades. I watched other skiers make there way down The Face that also sports large soft moguls. I have mentioned my enjoyment of skiing through large soft moguls before, and today they brought a smile to my face once again.

Patty making her way through the mogul field at the lower portion of Pygmy Forest

Palisades was delightful this morning

Arriving early has guaranteed the best skiing over the past couple of weeks. If you are planning to drive to Alpine or Olympic Valley over the weekend of the 4th, do not forget to reserve your parking spot. You might want to check the Palisades App, or website, to review special offerings being made during these last few days of skiing for the 2023 season. Discounts for food etc. if you complete a certain number of lift rides is one special offering.

These tickets were printed for skiers on a Valentines Day in the past.  Old style tickets that were not digital.  Does anyone remember what year they were used.

Enjoy your day,

Andy