I hope the 49ers win this weekend, and I would not be upset if they won 21 to 8. However, the score in the title of this report refers to something totally different. The score noted, 21 to 8, refers to the number of lifts operating this morning at Palisades, 21, and Alpine Meadows, 8. If I were from out of town, and searching for a place to ski, I would head for Palisades at Tahoe. They obviously have more lifts by a huge margin and a lot more terrain. If you are reading this blog, think twice before you decide what side of the mountain to ski at on any particular day. Alpine has additional lift capacity, but the lack of snow this year is limiting the number of lifts that can be put into service.
There were more people on the slopes at Alpine Meadows today then there have been the last few days. I guess Friday is the new Saturday. The upper parking lot was pretty full by noon. The lift lines, however, were not very long. It was possible to ski a good number of vertical feet during the morning hours. Tomorrow might be a different story as I understand the Free Parking lots are full.
This morning the sky was once again gray and the light flat. Most off-piste trails were very firm at the opening. The somewhat limited groomed trails offered a reasonably nice surface. Honestly, skiing the same groomed runs over and over tends to be a little boring. In addition, there were too many skiers and snow boarders on the limited groomed trails druing the morning hours.
In past years more of the mountain has been groomed offering ways to spread out the crowd. Lack of snow may be the reason for Wolverine and Yellow Trails, along with a few other runs, remaining in off-piste condition. We should mention that Werner’s Schuss or Blue Trail was groomed this morning. This is the first time I have seen this trail groomed all season.
The morning’s surface was firm under gray skies. Sunshine broke through the clouds around 11, bringing with it warmth. Actually, the temperature was in the mid-thirties at opening, but the cloud cover kept the surface firm. Once the sun showed it’s face, surface conditions softened and the skiing got much better. The bumps on Yellow Trail softened, as they had been well skied the day before. God’s Knob turned to early spring condition. I am sure that Sunspot and Wolverine were delightful in the afternoon, but I was no longer on the mountain.
I am not sure this is great news, but the upper portion of TLC opened this afternoon. Mark sent me a couple of photos that show tracks in the Sherwood Cliff areas and a sign indicating a Closed Area. I do not think the Sherwood lift was running so skiing from the top of TLC might have been limited, but I was not there to check it out.
Weather is coming over the next few days. I received a winter storm warning alert this afternoon stating that heavy snow is possible with 8″ to 16″ of snow between 6000 feet and 7000 feet with 1 to 3 feet at higher elevation between 10pm tonight to 10pm Monday.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Today was my first day of the season coming up from Sac and I really appreciate your guys’ updates. Thanks to you I spent the afternoon on Wolverine and while a little crunchy, it wasn’t terrible. Even Alpine bowl, which I tend to avoid, was moderately soft in the afternoon. You guys are awesome!
I was happy to see the top of TLC open, as it’s a big step in getting Sherwood ready. Cutting in the Return Road across the bottom of Expert Shortcut and Shuttle Cornice is kind of a big deal that took some extra cat time. Sadly, I forgot to look up and check the status of the Sherwood unload area…maybe tomorrow’s report.
A lot of people were still filtering in on Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm, starting the weekend early.
What a silly “official” blog from Palisades Tahoe today. I know I have heard it called the “Excuse Blog”. Here’s why ice will delay openings all weekend, we ran WaSheShu for COVID, but now we dont have too, even with huge lines. Here’s 10 reasons why we can never open Headwall. Thanks to you guys, they don’t try to make those sorts of excuses here at Alpine. Thanks for the “Truth Blog”! 🤣
When you get most of your $ up front from all the pass sales,you tend not to look for other ways to spend it away…
Not running all possible lifts when lines are all over the mountain? Bad form!
The official excuse blog basically confirmed that money holds are back. No Headwall. Emigrant, Wa She Shu, Far East, Yellow, and ABC weekend/holiday only. No overtime for employees. Zero hours for part-time employees in many departments. Read Gaffney’s Headwall eulogy if you are on Instagram. Free Headwall!
Is there any truth to the rumor that Alpine lost a few groomer staff due to the late start, and that’s why we’re not seeing as much grooming so far? I think the “too thin” reason is no longer plausible.
Yes and yes.
As far as that other mountain not opening more lifts, it has to do w lack of employees, lift ops etc and icy chunder conditions thus LI’s Liability Insurance Hold requiem after the fatal avalanche to reduce potential more lawsuits due to opening to all these ikon jerry’s in more challenging conditions.
This being said, another careflight heli evac at that other mountain today.
So yah, sliding down slippery slopes is still a very risky activity that is not ever mentioned in marketing blogs blah blah blah, when it is completely oversold as like an activity for families at disneyland.
It’s sad to see ABC and Yellow not on the schedule mid week. Lift Ops is very over staffed and most are only getting 4 days a week. Talking with a few lifties it was possible for the first time in a long time to live somewhat decently last year after big raises ($20 minimum from $15) but now with only 4 days a week, clocking in at 7:45 compared to 7:00 and zero opportunities for overtime most are starting to move on. Alpine Lifts has long been overseen directly by Mountain Manager Jeff Goldstone but now and for the first time since the Squaw Alpine merger they now deal and report directly with a Palisades puppet named $$$$$$ who oversee’s both lift op teams at each mountain (along with Terrain Parks). Seems his goal has been to re-write the budget and cut off all the fat in lift ops to hit Altera financial goal for his own little Christmas bonus. We really hope $$$$$ can build a nice pool in his backyard this summer or maybe even a nice trip to the Mediterranean. At some point very soon the true love for Alpine Meadows will finally be outweighed by the financial burden they have put on there staff this year and force longtime loyalists to move on. They really are straining out the good hard working people for maximized profits #FreeABC #FreeHeadwall
Or did they just rehire A. Wuurth as a consultant? Asking for a friend.
Omg. Not Wirth back. Please. Or Maybe Ms Cushing too ?
Appreciate the grooming that is done and the difficulties in doing it. However, grooming is limited and even when done does not seem to be up to past levels. So, too many skiers are on the available groomed terrain.
I’m a grandmother and long term Alpine skiier. For six decades. Skiing now with young grandkids. . It’s pretty dangerous on very crowded slopes. Yes they fall! Sometimes really abruptly. Occasionally takes two to get them upright, skis back on etc.
Last weekend while trying to regroup after a 7 yr olds fall on TLC, we got a lecture from a very good skiier and his companion about stopping in the middle of the slope! Crazy. They doubled the number of skiers while standing there!
More grooming on more slopes would help a lot with crowding.
Carol, I’m only at 5 decades there, but fully agree on all the points you’ve made. The grooming has not been as good as recent years, and the crowds on the limited groomers / return roads have been scary enough to have our family call it before lunch time on most days.