Just A Lovely Day

We were greeted by a beautiful, clear blue sky this morning. The air was a touch on the cool side, especially when you were sitting on a chair in the shade with a light wind blowing in your face for ten minutes. I am not sure what happened, but we were sitting near the top of TLC when the lift stopped for about ten minutes. We recovered from the chill as soon as we unloaded and stood basking in the sunshine and drinking in our favorite views of deep blue Lake Tahoe. Sherwood was closed, but the slope looked inviting. I almost took a chance dropping below the closed signs to catch some turns on the slope leading down to the base of Sherwood, but I held back, knowing I would get a good whipping from patrol. I did enjoy a few powder turns in the Sherwood Forest, but it only lasted to the return road. Riley’s Run that leads to the base of Lakeview was also very tempting, but also closed.

The best news of the day was the relatively short lift lines. I do not think we spent more than five minutes waiting in a lift line. We stood first in line at TLC this morning with very few people behind us.

Waiting for opening at TLC so we could ride to the top.

Lower Saddle and the Keyhole slopes were open today, as was Lower Beaver Bowl. I think the lines were shorter today because Summit Chair was open at nine and more terrain was open. Skiers seem to be more spread out over the various slopes of the mountain, helping with the congestion that occurred yesterday when terrain was very limited, especially in the morning.

After receiving somewhat of a scolding from a friendly employee and specific instructions on where to place my season pass so the entry gate scanners open on a consistent basis, I had a less frustrating time at the base of each lift. The scanners are pretty high on the entry gates, causing them to reject people who have them in their pockets or hanging around their necks. Put them in a pocket on the left arm of your ski jacket so you can raise your arm up to the scanner. Oh! You do not have a pocket on the left arm of your ski jacket. Good luck trying not to embarrass yourself when you are rejected and end up holding up the line.

Winds were blowing from the east rather strongly this morning. Plumes of snow could be seen from the base area. By the time noon arrived, the winds seemed to be dying down.

Winds were strong over the ridge tops

Rumor has it that Scott may open tomorrow. Kangaroo was groomed this morning, but it was not operating today.

Sometimes I make a mistake when suggesting a slope to try. Today was one of those days. I thought Palisades or the area just to the Summit side of Alpine Bowl Chair would offer softer snow. It turned out to be windblown chunky snow that was really not the type of run to put a smile on anyone’s face. However, D8 was just lovely. Soft winter snow with reasonably small moguls put a smile on my face. I skied Werner’s Schuss, where soft snow existed, but moguls were pretty large. Conditions were variable, but overall, it was an excellent day to be on the hill.

The moguls on The Face were fairly large

Enjoy your day.

Andy