Blowing in the Wind

Expectations, within my cluster of friends, were not particularly high this morning. A number of the regulars were sitting in the locker room, wondering if Summit and/or Alpine Bowl Chairs would open. Our UA app indicated winds were blowing strongly over the ridges, and both lifts were shown as delayed openings. It is a weekend, and large crowds arrived as expected. Temperatures were colder today than yesterday. I noted many people adding layers as they readied for the slopes.

At 9 am, the temperature at the summit was 18 degrees with a wind chill of -7. Winds were gusting to 80 miles per hour. Obviously, Summit and Alpine Bowl Chairs were on wind hold. This windy condition lasted all day. At 3:30 pm, winds were still gusting to 56 miles per hour with a temperature of 26 degrees and a wind chill of 6 degrees.

Colder temperatures indicated that yesterday’s beautiful warm spring day was not going to repeat itself. As many of you know, soft spring corn snow turns to hard, icy snow when temperatures fall well below freezing. Today, many ungroomed slopes that were soft yesterday were very slick today. I do not think any of the well-frozen, non-groomed slopes softened today. Off-piste slopes that have remained in the shade are firm but have not turned to solid ice. They are filled with fairly firm, huge moguls that are not the nice, rounded variety I enjoy. Long, steep-sided moguls can be pretty rough on the body.

The good news was that groomed slopes were in pretty good condition. New quiet snowmaking machines ran all day, sending plumes of snow into the windy air. Snowmaking occurred on Dance Floor and Weasel Run, creating a softer surface than that found on Ridge Run, Bobby’s, and the main Sherwood Run.

Reily’s Run, Fall Line, and Ladies Slalom skied well. Red Ridge also held an edge, as did Rolls and Knolls. I did not ski the steeper slopes that are shaded and filled with moguls, but they should have a chalky feel and hold an edge. Counter Weight Gully, Our Father, Palisades, and perhaps Gentian Gully would fit in this category.

Be careful when trusting the information on the Palisades app, which is where we obtain our information for the UA app. This morning, I was excited to note that High Yellow Gully had been groomed. Of course, I knew better because I do not think this very steep, narrow gully has ever been groomed.

It was a clear day and chilly, but not really all that cold. Skiers and riders were sitting at the ICE Bar and on the Chalet and main lodge decks, having hot chocolate and lunch. It certainly was uplifting to see the snowmaking guns blasting away instead of sitting unused as they have been for so much of this winter season due to the warm temperatures we have endured.

I did pop into the main lodge bar this afternoon to listen to the live music. DJ Chango was playing, but I was not able to stay long. They sounded good to those filling the bar.

Enjoy your day,

Andy