A Winter’s Day

It was a beautiful day in the Sierra. I do not think anyone can argue that the day was not a skier’s dream. Perhaps not the perfect dream, but a pretty good stab at it considering that most of this year we have been trying to avoid rocks and patches of dirt. Our mountain looks like it should at this time of year. Most of the mountain is accessible, some for the first time this year.

The day began with a cool temperature and a slight breeze at the lower mountain and a fairly decent wind at the ridge top. Looking up from below High Yellow Face, it was easy to see winds whipping snow up into the air. Snow was blowing into areas like D7, creating soft pillows for those taking advantage of the drifting snow.

Of course, lines were long at certain lifts, but I did not find them as bad as I thought they might have been, given the number of people in Tahoe and Truckee.

Hot Wheels Gully has not been open this season due to a lack of snow coverage over the creek that flows through the gully. It is not filled in, and you can hear water flowing, especially if you stop below the waterfall. Skiing through the gully is fun, but it is currently tricky due to the lack of coverage.

I drove in from a friend’s house in Truckee early this morning and was pleased that traffic was moving at a reasonable pace. I believe it was backed up and very slow later in the morning. Traffic turning into Palisades was very slow. When I passed through the traffic light at the entrance to Palisades, cars were backed up onto Highway 89. A line of traffic from the village parking areas was backed up between the traffic light and Alpine Meadows. We think more people headed to Palisades this morning because the upper mountain at Palisades was closed yesterday. The gondola between Alpine and Palisades was closed all day. It was open on the Palisades side up to the top of KT22, but you could not ride from Alpine to Palisades. We were told this was to avoid the craziness that occurred yesterday when the large number of skiers and riders that had come to Alpine because of the upper mountain closure at Palisades were stuck for long periods of time in their efforts to return via the gondola or a shuttle. Even though the parking lot was full at Alpine, I do not think there were as many people on our side today.

This morning was not my best day for sharing trail ideas with my friends. I thought heading to Sherwood, which was closed most of yesterday, was a good idea. Instead, we encountered a million other people rushing down the groomed slope, creating a rather scary situation. Sunshine yesterday baked the snow on the open south-facing slopes. Skiing off-piste in the morning was not pleasant at Sherwood. It may have been more successful if we had hiked the High Traverse and come down from higher up the mountain, but around the lift was tricky. North-facing slopes held the soft, cold snow, allowing crowds to disperse to some extent. The D chutes were excellent, as were the Peril Ridge slopes. The Face looked very good. I skied it yesterday, enjoying it for one of the first times this year. Soft snow and smaller moguls. Yesterday, Low Beaver Bowl was a delight, and I assume it was today as well. Palisades, Low Saddle, High Yellow Face, Our Father, Treeline Cirque, Counterweight Gully, Sherwood Cliff, Art’s Knob, and Expert Shortcut had to have been in prime condition. I did not ski those runs today, but I looked up at them with envy. We did not ski Scott Chute or Gentian Gully, but my guess is they were also pretty good.

I quizzed a number of people on the lifts and in the lift lines. Everyone appeared to be smiling and having a good time. I really did not hear any complaints. Well, a couple of people were unhappy with the long line at Treats in the early morning. We all know the food is excellent at Treats. Many people do not seem to mind waiting to grab coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Not everyone is familiar with the Crest Café located at the base of the Alpine Meadows Road across from the River Run Condominium Development and just before the intersection of the Alpine Meadows Road and Highway. The food is excellent. They are open from 8 am to 3 pm. They do take pickup orders; that might work for some who want a quick stop on the way up the hill for coffee, lattes, and very good breakfast sandwiches. Their lunches are excellent; I know I munch on them often. Friends need a plug once in a while.

Enjoy your day,

Andy