T Shirt Weather

It was T Shirt weather today, especially in the afternoon hours. 55 degrees at the base and 50 at the upper mountain is a little too warm. You know it is warm when the lift operators are working in short sleeve shirts.

Thank you to the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol for opening the skiing accessible via the High Traverse both today and yesterday. This morning we hiked over the Upper Saddle and made happy turns in Sun Bowl and Big Bend. The snow at 9:15 was just right. A thin layer of soft spring snow in the back bowls showed no signs of stickiness.

The back bowls were not open for long either day. This is an effort to allow the surface to cook down and remain smooth. Sherwood trails were just about right when we hit them after our High T tour. Expert Shortcut receives early morning sun at this time of year making the surface soft, not corn, but enjoyable. The moguls were a little mushy, but then I like the slow easy turns that soft snow allows me to complete. Returning to Summit Chair allowed us to take advantage of excellent groomed areas of Alpine Bowl, Terry’s Return, Wolverine, and D8 before heading to Scott where Bobby’s and Ridge Run were just softening. I understand that Lakeview trails were very good just before lunch.

A rumor for those of you who are in locker room three. We may receive new carpeting this summer along with completely upgraded restrooms (perhaps the complaints from certain women who use the ladies restroom adjacent to locker room three helped this decision along). I cannot say this is a done deal, but I did hear a rumor regarding this item this morning.

Perhaps I should mention a rule that Alpine Meadows Ski Area enforces every day of the year.  I have watched some people hiking uphill on skis with skins attached to there bases.  The Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol does not allow uphill skiing.  Thus, you are not allowed to skin up from either the main lodge area or the base of the Sherwood Chair. Any area within the mapped ski area is off limits.  I have seen a couple of people hiking up slopes in the Sherwood area ( Big Bend or S.P Bowl heading to the ridge top.  This is not allowed.  I have seen patrol stopping people and sending them back down the hill.

Hopefully the snow surface will firm up overnight, even though the forecast for overnight temperatures does not indicate it will dip below freezing. A couple of more very warm days and then we are back to cooler temperatures and possible snow.

Enjoy you day,
Andy