Jarring at Times

It was difficult for me to get excited about the potential of making turns in soft powder when I looked out my window early this morning. Rooftops held a thin layer of white, but the road was just sprinkled with white dots. The snow that was promised and did fall overnight appeared to be less than a dusting in my neighborhood. The ski area reported that a couple of inches of snow had fallen overnight. Reading this raised the excitement level from slightly below zero to seven. The thought of two inches of new snow covering frozen moguls and firm clumps of snow, piled by skiers the day before, certainly turned down the excitement meter. However, you never know until you go.

I expected the air to feel cooler than it had over the past couple of days. The temperature at the top of Summit Chair was 23 degrees this morning with a slight breeze, but it felt warmer. I was just overdressed today. By the noon hour, the temperature at the base area had increased to just below 40 degrees. The sky was again clear today. Our short storm was over.

Riding the Summit Chair this morning put a smile on my face as I sat taking in the views of fresh snow. Even though the snow that fell overnight did not fully cover frozen moguls or tree tips that have been sticking up through the surface, the mountain looked fresh and clean.

Before making my first turns of the day, I stood looking out at beautiful corduroy trails and untracked slopes with snow filling troughs between moguls whose tops looked like frozen coral heads. I was unable to stop myself from going for the soft, unblemished slope. I slipped off the edge, turning right at Tower 19. It was not my choice. A turn in soft snow led to a bone-jarring ride over frozen coral heads, followed by more of the same. I should have taken the smoother ride down Sunspot. Alpine Bowl and Wolverine were pleasant enough, as were Werner’s, Charity, Dance Floor, and Yellow Trails. I skied off-piste in D7, which is filled with large moguls, but they were not frozen. Terry’s Return was enjoyable. A few smooth turns in two inches of new snow were soft and quiet just above the groomed trails.

I attempted to negotiate my way through Chicken Leg, which looked lovely, but all I found were more frozen coral heads. It was not an easy ride, but I love getting off the trail even if I lose a tooth or two.

As some of you know, one of my favorite spots on the mountain when the new snow accumulation is thin is Scott Meadows. I had to try it. Today, all I can say about this low-angle slope is OUCH!

In the afternoon, Sherwood slopes softened, offering some spring-type snow. The Sherwood Run was smooth, but it is showing rocks and dirt within its relatively narrow trail. I skied the Sherwood Face around 12:30. The coral heads had softened, allowing me to make some turns without losing my teeth.

It was a beautiful day, and any amount of new snow makes me happy.

Enjoy your day,

Andy