The last day of any ski season is a sad event for those who really love the outdoor sport. Hearts pound with excitement on opening day, as we wait for lifts to begin turning. Hearts weep on closing day when the lifts stop for the final time. Today was the final day for lift operations at Alpine Meadows for ’23-’24..
It was a beautiful sunny spring day. A good crowd of people showed up to make their last runs of the season on a somewhat variable surface. Freezing overnight temperatures created a rough surface for the first few runs on the east and north facing off-piste slopes. A pretty firm surface on the limited groomed runs available reminded me to sharpen my edges before next season begins. Those who ventured over the High Traverse enjoyed some good soft snow for an hour or so. I found conditions better as the early day turned to late morning. Many more skiers and snowboarders were skiing Keyhole and Open Slope than is normal for Alpine Meadows. Conditions were perfect for challenging these runs.
We played around at Sherwood for awhile. Power Line, Chute Zero, and South Face soften nicely, but bare ground was beginning to make the main run difficult to maneuver.
My best runs of the day were in the slushy moguls formed in Pygmy Forest as well as in West Palisades. Evidently, Beaver and Estelle Bowls were open for a very short time. A friend attempted to access these slopes, but missed his chance by a nose. Signs indicated they were open, but patrol closed them just as he arrived at the access point. A frown was on his face for missing these less used areas on the last open day.
Although there are many areas on the mountain with diminishing patches of snow, and growing areas of brown dirt, many slopes are still well covered and in skiable condition. This makes real skiers frown, especially on closing day.
Of course, there was a party on the deck this afternoon. Boot Juice played for a very good crowd of smiling people enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Half priced beer, and good music, may have helped drown the end of season sadness.
Those of us who love Alpine Meadows cannot wait for opening day 2024-2025.
I will remember this season as a wonderful season of skiing, especially the part that was skiing with so many great friends. Thank all of your for letting me into your lives. It is time to think of things to do in the summer months as we wait for next season.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Below are comments from a couple of friends, both named Bob, on the last day of the season.
With today being the end of the ski season at Alpine Meadows I wanted to share some of my thoughts. I am grateful to have had an enjoyable season, especially considering I am still recovering for a serious injury that delayed the start of my season. There was some uncertainty if I would even being to ski this season and I am more than 50 days so far. I am also grateful for my friendships with my ski buddies, some existing and some new this season. And I look forward to these friendships developing past when the lifts close. Have a great summer!
Bob I.
You know how I feel about Alpine closing so early…but, I LOVE Alpine Meadows….always have…always will. Another year, another great season.
Bob L.
Great to see a pic of Purple Patty! I hate the fact that I have moved away and not been a part of the patrol for the last few years. Have a great summer!
Stephan
Thanks for the daily(ish) dose of AM conditions, happenings and drama. I haven’t been skiing there as long as many of you have, but I have great friends who have, so that makes me feel like I know what I’m talking about. When I’m not with family or patrolling at DP, I’m as Alpine. Thanks for having me.
Now on to the important stuff. … Who’s making the old school green AM stickers? I heard there’s an underground saint helping us out. Im in need of a few.
Have a great summer
BH
Thanks to you both for your daily missives. Not a day goes by without my reading your blog. After 33 years of past patrolling at AM, your writings leave me smiling with a million past memories of skiing moments, most from the past but still some from the present years. I only wish that I lived closer. Keep it up!
It’s been a very sparse ski season for this couple due to medical issues. I look forward to reading the daily Unofficial Alpine so I can feel like I’m skiing even if I’m not there.
Then I get a heads up on what conditions to expect when I do finally get up for a ski day.
The photos that are currently you’re well written updates sure make me wish I was there. Final day photos are fun. I want one of those Alpine Meadows hoodies you two are wearing which are probably collectors items now. For supplying a much needed AM fix to those of us who get much less than 100 ski days a season.
Sarah brings up a good point. Can someone make a run of those hoodies if they’re not presently available? Who owns the “AM” logo at this point? I imagine Mark or Andy has explained this but I either missed it or don’t recall. Thanks to a heads-up from Mark or Andy a couple of years ago, I am the proud owner of a dark blue AM logo zip-up hoodie, which I cherish.
Thanks for a great season of your reports, Mark and Andy.
The trademark on the Alpine Meadows logo was renewed in 2019 last I looked. That pretty eliminates the sale of that logo on any merchandise on a large scale. There is definitely a bootleg market out there.
Thanks Andy and Mark for an informative season
Tim
Fitting that Andy was there, a true Alpine icon!
Thanks you guys, I loved Alpine and had to stop skiing a long time ago, but your daily info was wonderful, it brought memories of my early am powder days and skiing with my wife and kids. Joan worked in the rental shop and we had free skiing – Nick B was wonderful to the locals – free kids skiing on Thursdays.
Sky
What a great pic of Andy! My first job was working the race department at Alpine Meadows. Andy’s brother Rick was my first boss. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to work for him. Do awesome guys; and if the lifts ain’t running, you better get hiking! 4th of July chuts await! :^)