Today was similar to yesterday. The groomed runs were lovely first thing this morning, being winter snow etched into a corduroy pattern. It is excellent snow for carving long wide turns or snaking down the slope making quick short turns. The nicely groomed snow allows a person to set an edge instead of just sliding down a slick smooth icy surface. Actually, I was not on the hill early in the morning so I missed the calmness that corduroy delivers, but I am sure it was just fine. I hit the slopes late today hoping that the sun drenched trails would have soften into a pleasant spring surface before my skis hit the snow.
My first tour down from the top of the Summit Chair was similar to what I enjoyed the day before. Pygmy Forest and Palisades across to the lower slope of Keyhole proved to be just as good today as it was yesterday. Winter snow that holds an edge formed into many different firm, shaped, deep, mounds that create a slope looking as if it were a real mountain range. If I have a rhythm when turning within these nonidentical mounds of snow, the run becomes fun. It is less of a strain on the body if each turn is slow, and weight is lifted off the surface as the turn is completed.
After a pleasant run down Pygmy Forest, I tried Sunspot, hoping for soft spring snow. The surface was somewhat less frozen than I expected, but not really soft enough to call it spring snow. These conditions make for a bit of rough ride. I always consider this something that should be avoided, but it often becomes a personal challenge. Once in a while I have to prove to myself that I can still ski down a chunky, frozen, mogul field. I found the far side of Wolverine Bowl in a similar condition. Perhaps both of these slopes eventually soften, but I decided to go a different direction rather.
My favorite turns today were made in D8. The snow, although piled high with moguls, remains in winter condition. I found a rhythm in this mogul field that brought that fun feeling back to my soul. After a couple of tours down D8, I veered to the skiers right and played below Peril Ridge, in the North Peril terrain. The snow was also has an excellent winter surface in this area. Moguls are not as large. The only issue in North Peril is that everyone on the Summit Lift has a chance to criticize the skier as he or she tackles the slope. Of course, Summit riders can also criticize those sliding down D8.
I also found Werner’s Schuss, Charity, Boomerang, and Banana Chute enjoyable, although slick in some spots. I even wandered into Chicken Leg where the snow has not really been fully skied out. It was more of an exploration of off-piste snow than a trail to recommend to others.
I spoke to a number of people while riding the different chairs and found all of them happy with the conditions, especially for this early in the season.
Today and yesterday the number of people racing down the only groomed slope off the Summit and Roundhouse Chairs, were a negative experience for me. These areas were basically the lower portion of Alpine Bowl, Rock Garden, and Dance Floor. I felt it was frightening to stand on the side of the trail and watch the flow of people skiing and snow boarding at speed. A person had to be part of the flow of the mass of skiers to feel comfortable on these trails. This is true even though there were not all that many people on the mountain this weekend.
Andy
Editor’s Note: Andy’s not our weather guy, so I am going to jump in and note that Monday will be significantly colder. The high temperature is expected to be 30° with a strong east wind that could affect Summit operations. It probably won’t be a day where much of the mountain thaws out! Still the groomed slopes and north facing slopes should be fine if you bundle up. – Mark