After a brief flirt with winter last week, we’re back to more of a normal October pattern. Today’s temperatures reached around 60° at Boreal and climbed to near 70° in Truckee. So a lot of that winter look has left the area, with the exception of the Sierra crest, still coated in white.
Reports from Alpine Meadows this weekend included:
• Up high, where the temps remained warm, the snow had an ice crust in the morning, followed by a heavy manky stickiness.
• Down low, the Yellow chair area was still holding sugary snow on Saturday morning, which became more corny as the weekend wore on.
• Some wet slide activity was reported on steeper slopes
Attention turned this weekend to Boreal, where a traditional opening includes the Castle Peak chair, a WROD and a lot of park and jib features. The good thing is that last week’s snow allowed for more than one WROD. The skiers right line contained a small jump and a dozen other features. The skiers left line was a nice wide patch with far less crowding that allowed non-park skiers and riders a chance to enjoy some early season turns.
Warm temperatures did a number on the snow conditions though. By Saturday morning, spring corn conditions were in place. Small brush and mud patches started turning up, reminding us that it’s only October. In an effort to preserve the snow, Boreal will offer only night skiing through Thursday, from 3:30 til 9:00 pm. Boreal will reevaluate on Thursday to determine operations for next weekend.
Meanwhile, over the ridge, Donner Ski Ranch rolled chair 6, a short little chair offering beginners terrain. The scene at DSR was reported as much more mellow than Boreal. I have always loved DSR’s passion for the sport. Bootpackers at DSR found patches of powder and sugar snow on the north facing slopes of chair 2.
The weather forecast is looking pretty weak for this upcoming week. A zonal flow will provide a chance of showers Thursday and Friday, but we will be on the warm side of the jet, keeping snow levels up near 7-8000 feet. The warmer temps also prevent resorts from making snow. We’ll hope for better news once BA returns from a short vacation. At least we’re not facing a large hurricane…
