The "Special Note" at the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast says it all. The persistant high pressure system continues to haunt the Northwest and it's time to leave town. Up until 5pm on Feb. 15, we planned to head to BC and join the group at Rogers Pass but then I pulled up the Wasatch Range forecast. Left early on the 16th and arrived in UT just in time for a half day of cruising in powder and packed powder at Snowbasin. The sun was out and there was no wind as we got off the top gondola at the starting shed for the men's olympic downhill course. It's a screaming 3000vf descent on perfectly groomed terrain. With a 114" base, the area had great coverage. The ski patroller said we missed the best day of the year on Feb 15.Hmmmm. Still untracked in the trees and gulleys on the fringes. It felt great to ski without worrying if the untracked lump was a potential core shot. What a great start to a month long ski adventure.<br><br>Zap & Jill
