Nothing is ever perfect, but there was some near-perfect corn snow lying on the mountain this morning. Grooming was not overdone, but the corduroy that existed at 9 o’clock this morning did not disappoint me. I believe I told a friend that I was in love when I hit the bottom of Alpine Bowl on my first run. The snow was just smooth, soft, and a dream for making slow, arcing turns. The corn/corduroy was about an inch or perhaps two inches deep. Wolverine was the same on my first run. Today was Earth Day. Sunshine filled the sky. The air was warm, and winds were light. A perfect day for awesome spring skiing. I had to pinch myself as a reminder that the morning was actually real. We are so lucky to be able to experience a spiritual connection with nature.
Of course, the corduroy does not last long. Once a number of skiers and snowboarders have made turns on the soft spring snow, the smooth surface changes character. Snow piles up on the outside of each turn, creating a rougher ride that is not unpleasant but not as dreamy as the untouched slope.
High Traverse required attention this morning. We did not have time for more than one run, but the tour through Big Bend Bowl and S.P. Bowl put smiles on our faces. It was not perfect, as sun cups and skier tracks from previous days had not completely flattened, but it was still more than enjoyable. A quick trip done in the Power Line area was worth the effort. I really also enjoyed the turns through the large, soft, corn moguls on Art’s Knob.
We played off God’s Knob, Rolls and Knolls, and Banana Chute before making turns on Red Trail/Dance Floor and Yellow Trail. When Scott opened, we hustled down Bobby’s and Ridge Run, wishing we could have been the only skiers on the hill today. I would have paid extra for two or three chances to ski each run before the lift was open to all of us. Both trails were delightful.
Before heading in for the day, we enjoyed the corn-topped moguls on West Palisades and Pygmy Forest as well as Tower 19. Our last short slope was still a little firm and had too many sun cups on it, but Gunner’s Knob still made us smile.
I did not make it to Gentian or Promised Land, but I bet they were delightful. Sherwood closed around 11 this morning, followed by the opening of Scott Chair. It would have been nice to have made a couple more turns on the Sherwood slopes, but nothing is perfect.
It was an excellent day at Alpine Meadows.
Enjoy your day.
Andy
Was a little bit not happy to see sunspot ungroomed this morning though within an hour it was really fun. I didn’t get around to wolverine and instead had my sights set on Ladie’s Slalom, eventually retreating to roundhouse so as to optimally hammer on it, though I should have proceeded directly to Sherwood. Some may say it closed too early this morning.
Scott was good for a couple of laps first thing, then we decided to try out the keyhole while some of the off-piste licks we were after cooked for a while longer. If it were any more awesome it would have to be called Gold Coast and have a ramen bar. Pushing the lightly frozen corn evoked something like popping bubble wrap or shooting beer cans, and was worth skiing twice. I like to stop on top of a mogul and watch small rivers of snow hiss past me.
Was out today with some friends and lovers today who in spite of my great wisdom made some unorthodox terrain calls, however, in the late afternoon we wound up settling into subway cirque and the adventurous traverse back to Scott. One of my interns reported Gentian proper was better around this time. Got a buff wax this morning and will probably seek another one tomorrow. All in all it was a memorable Alpine Meadows day, many people were smiling.