Soggy Day with New Snow

Before the lifts opened this morning clouds descended into the upper mountain bowls creating flat light conditions. A crowd, being held back at the lodge, awaited the opening of Summit Chair. A few minutes before nine the crowd received the okay to proceed to the Summit gates and move into the maze to wait for the lift to open. Watching from the Roundhouse lift line, it appeared to mimic the running of the bulls. A crowd of skiers and snowboarders running up the short hill to the base of Summit Chair. I guess first tracks are important.

I stood in the short Roundhouse line hoping to get a few clean turns in the 7″-8″ of new snow that had fallen overnight. There was a drizzle in the air, and a general feeling of wetness all around, but new snow, no matter how wet it might be, brings people out to the slopes. Our hopes of being one of the first to hit the new snow were quickly dashed when the lift stopped with us on it. We sat for approximately 20 minutes, according to a chair mate who checked his watch numerous times, while we watched others riding up Summit Chair.

After finally arriving at the top of Roundhouse Chair we hustled down God’s Knob to Yellow Trail enjoying some relatively untouched snow. I will not use the word powder, because it was not powder. It was not too deep, and not too mushy, allowing turns to be made and enjoyed. The snow consistency was the type that is acceptable until it is packed down by herds of skiers. Once this type of snow is skier packed, it transitions into concrete. The surface becomes hard and unfriendly.

We found snow in the trees on our first trip down from the top of Scott Chair that had not been touched. I love skiing between tight trees, especially when new snow fills in the spaces between them. This short run snaking between trees made me smile. I felt like these were some of the best turns I have all season. I watched a few people inch there way down Scott Chute, on our next lift ride, where new snow lay between moguls that with tops and backsides that were icy. It did not look all that much fun nor did it sound like much fun.

Later in the morning we rode TLC to the top (my first time this season). I found some acceptable snow in the Expert Shortcut area, but my ski partner did not completely agree with my assessment. We tried the Sherwood Cliff area where pretty large moguls have formed between relatively tightly spaced trees. A challenge to navigate and not the most friendly experience. Lower down we found softer snow without moguls.

A final tour down from Roundhouse, in a steady rain, led us back to the locker room where found our friends already drying out.

On our way down from Roundhouse we noticed that Hot Wheels Gully was open for the first time this year. Exciting new terrain is opening each day.

Will it snow 1 to 2 feet tonight as promised?

Enjoy your day,
Andy