I think most skiers and snowboarders who were on the hill this morning had big smiles on their faces. I know I was smiling.
Most of the mountain felt like it was covered with excellent winter snow. Every trail that I skied, where it had been skied previously, was joyful. There were moguls, but they were nice and soft. I beat myself up skiing off the groomed areas in perfectly sized moguls. Sunspot, Pygmy Forest, Lower Palisades, and Wolverine Bowl were all what I have been dreaming about since the end of last season. Of course, The Face, Werner’s Schuss, Yellow Trail, Ladies Slalom, Chute that Seldom Slides, and Expert Shortcut were just as inviting. I did not venture out toward Beaver Bowl, but it was open from the top this morning.
The good news is that Sherwood opened late in the morning. I would not call the untracked conditions that I found in the Sherwood region winter powder, but the slopes were covered with a soft wind pack. This condition can be tricky, but it can be delightful. Any slope that is not breakable crust and has few, if any, tracks on it from previous riders makes me happy. I stayed away from the lower portion of South Face that was open and skied the Powerline area. There is nothing like being the only one enjoying fresh tracks.
On my way back from Sherwood, I noticed that snow was being moved at the base of Lakeview Chair. Perhaps they will turn on Lakeview in the near future.
Words of caution: 1-Be very careful with the safety bar on the Roundhouse lift. It will not stay down without someone holding it down. It will rise at speed if you let it go. 2-The area between the top of the Summit Chair and the lip of Wolverine Bowl is not groomed. Deep wind drifts exist just to the west of the cornice leading into Wolverine Bowl. I watched a person drop into a drift and stop with one ski deep under the snow. He most likely required patrol assistance.
A shout-out to Melissa, who has been playing retro music in the covered entry to the lodge. Keep it up, Melissa.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
People made it all the way out to Butt….that is great for early Jan after the Dec we just had. Thanks for the update.
A great day indeed, made my way up to Estelle which was deep and epic if not a little thick to get through
The conditions were delightful today! I’ve noticed all of the lifts have new spiffy speakers (did the resort provide them?) and all of the lifties are playing really sweet tunes. The music adds to the enjoyment of the ski experience! Thank you for all that you do for the Alpine faithful.
Great update! I can hardly wait until Friday!