Today…
Skiing and riding remained the same today. The parking lot was full and shuttles kept arriving from Squaw with more skiers and snowboarders, arriving in waves every 20 minutes or so. The groomed runs were exceptionally crowded. There were plenty of times that there were just too many people on the slopes. Reportedly, a patroller was injured yesterday after being knocked down while doing speed control. Yup, too busy on the groomers. We again spent much of our time finding interesting lines on Yellow, Skadi Hill, and Ladies Slalom, where things were relatively empty.
The lift lines were pretty consistent at both Summit and Roundhouse again today. However, things were different because people moved quickly and efficiently. Thanks to Kevin and Brian for keeping control of things at Roundhouse. It made things quite a bit smoother today.
Later In The Week…
Everyone is jumping on the snow bandwagon, which builds confidence that we will see at least one storm this week.
NOAA, which has been pretty pessimistic about change, is now supporting the idea of at least a temporary pattern change. Heres the pictorial they supplied on the breakdown of the RRR this week:
There’s a few other updates to the forecast today as well:
• The Tuesday storm is coming in just a bit stronger than previously forecast. It will still expend much of its energy in breaking down the ridge, but the possibility of some precipition is being considered. The snow levels on Tuesday are expected to be above 7,000 feet, so precipitation that did fall would be in the form of light rain showers.
• The timeline for the second storm has also moved up. Yesterday’s models showed most of the activity Thursday through Sunday, while today’s models placed most of the action from Wednesday until Friday.
• Rain and snow amounts were also moderated just a bit, with models limiting expected moisture to 2 inches by Saturday morning, or approximately 2 feet of snow. As many have indicated, it would certainly do a lot to refresh terrain that is already open, but may not have a big enough impact to open terrain in areas that are currently close to bare.
• All of the models are still persistent in bringing in at least one storm, but the amounts of precipitation varied more widely. Yesterday’s models all relied on the front picking up tropical moisture. Today’s models do not show that connection, hence the reduced amounts of precipitation. Today’s models were more consistent in rebuilding the ridge next week.
• BA noted the change in MJO that we have been seeing. The MJO has become active in stage 6 and is moving to stage 7. Stages 8, 1 and 2 are our normal wet phases. Continued progression of the MJO should result in even more activity about 10-15 days out.
It’s still possible that things will continue to change for the better. We’ll keep you posted here.
Yes, it was crowded today and line control makes such a difference doesn’t it? The Tahoe Junior Freeride Series will be held next weekend so I really hope this storm pans out so these kids can be at their best with fresh product under their feet. We noticed slow zones today were heavily manned with patrol and now I understand why. Mid week skiing RULES! If it snows………we are all playing hookie!
Squaw’s lift lines were empty at GC, Reddog and Squaw Creek even though the carpark was decently full given the limited terrain.
Squaw Creek skied really nicely and fast – but a rock jumped out of nowhere and got me. 🙁
The conference of resort managers fom all over is at Squaw but it needs snow so here it comes.
In the Reception of a HOA, Managers and a homowner discussed IOV and KSL’s (old) Plans – they had no idea the Right Plan replaces the old Wrong Plans. How can HOA members be properly informed when their managers are that out-of-date? (I told them to read unofficialalpine.com).
By the way it’ll be interesting to see how well SV re-staffs if the season turns ‘on’ and if Andy speaks to people before the conference ends.
I heard that KSL want to speak to some people but I must ask: didn’t you just hold a ‘forum’? Why not have a real open forum where the People appoint the Moderator that a) doesn’t limit attendees to one question and b) gets full answers??? For example, how farsical was it to defer water questions to the PSD guy in the audience rather than get info on the tests that KSL obtained? Another xample was the question from the IOV guy: don’t side step a question, answer it.
Word on the street says KSL’s top boss wants to see some people face to face. However will he be whining and dining at the conference?
Mark, the amalgamation was underway for 2 years according to water execs qouted here: http://www.moonshineink.com/comment/25429#comment-25429
Are the town locals and the FosV and IOV on top of what’s going on, and why wasn’t the KSL/Property Association “question night” allowed to get real answers to the hard questions? Why didn’t Jennifer Montgomery say anything? Did the Museum’s experts know? Let’s have a real debate where the People appoint a Moderator with teeth.
Here’s the article about the years of (secret?) water amalgamation discussions.
OLYMPIC VALLEY, Placer County — Water utility service in Martis Valley near Truckee would be transferred to the Northstar Community Services District under a plan discussed Thursday (Oct. 3) by the Placer County Water Agency Board of Directors. The proposed transfer was reviewed as part of the PCWA board’s annual eastern Placer County meeting, which was held at the Squaw Valley Public Service District office. PCWA is a countywide water resource agency that is headquartered and normally meets in Auburn. PCWA operates groundwater wells to serve about 1000 water customers in the Lahontan, Martis Camp and Schaffer’s Mill communities in Martis Valley. The area is known as Zone 4 and is one of five service zones operated by PCWA. The other four are in western Placer County. Brian Martin, PCWA Director of Technical Services, said that Northstar CSD, which already provides daily operation of the Zone 4 system under contract with PCWA, is better positioned to own and operate the system. Northstar CSD General Manager Mike Staudenmayer said his district, located next to the service area, could provide efficient water service and benefit through increased numbers of customers. Martin said the transfer has been under discussion over the past two years and could become effective by mid-2014. He said the transfer must first be approved by the Placer County Local Agency Formation Commission. “PCWA has no debt on the Zone 4 water system, as the facilities were paid for and installed by developers of the properties,” Martin said. “We’ll continue to work with Northstar and support them during the transition.” In other eastern Placer County business, PCWA directors heard an update on the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) and briefings from local Tahoe/Truckee area water purveyors: PCWA legal adviser Elizabeth Leeper said the TROA, signed in 2008, has yet to take effect and is now under federal court review. The agreement documents available water supplies and is intended to govern water use in California and Nevada.