Crystal Mt. 12/18/2007

Lots of snow. Snowed hard all day. Ski patrol blasting all day. They even shut down Downhill run momentarily to set of a charge.

Winds blowing hard. Avy conditions are getting crazy. In bounds ski cuts were producing breaks and slides.

Green Valley area was best in the trees.

I am so there tomorrow!

We were up there, too, mostly on the bunny slopes, since my two younger boys (8 and 12) were just learning snowboarding.  I got in a few good runs, and enjoyed telemarking the deeper untracked sides of the runs.  I saw a few other tele folk from a distance.

From one of the lifts, looking down, I saw an obvious uptrack that must have been set either early 12/18 or 12/17 (it wasn't filled in yet.)  Is Crystal OK with us freeloading on their territory?  Yesterday I was a paying customer, but I chafe at paying for the lift tickets, and enjoy the workout uphill almost as much as the rush down.  With the Avalanche danger so high, it makes sense to ski inbounds, if it's tolerated - or within our rights as taxpayers.  Any ideas?

Truly a great day to be lift skiing! 
The snow kept coming all day driven by consistant winds.  In some areas our tracks were filled in within an hour.  We were fortunate to find fresh turns nearly all day.  Skierlyles and I lucked out and were among the first dozen down Exterminator when patrol opened it a little after noon.  The pitch was perfect for the deep snow and it skied beautifully.  They were some of the best turns I have had in years.  Chair 6 never opened due to wind but we were busy with Shareholders, Snorting Elk, The Doors, Bear Pits, Exterminator and others to be bothered.
My thanks to Skierlyles for pushing hard all day.  We kept a frantic pace as it seemed that others were trying to get to our powder first.  We didn't keep track of L's but we sure got more than our share.
I wish that I could have rescued you from the bunny hill Don but powder protocol was in full effect as Scotsman may acknowledge.  He said that he would wait up for us but apparently his Spatulas dragged him down the hill too fast.  Just as well, his company is so sought after that he had no problem joining up with other friends for the remainder of the day.
And finally I would like to thank Crystal for the free ticket.  I hope that the new management arrangement does not disrupt the resorts participation with the Warren Miller film promotion.
It is a dirt bag favorite.

fak.

work interferes with skiing for tomorrow. Maybe friday.

Rusty Knees,

People regularly skin up next to the quicksilver lift to get to silver basin and it's no problem. I think the general rule is to stay to the side of runs and try to make sure that you're visible to people coming down. Actually, the quicksilver area would probably be the most pleasant since they don't run that lift midweek. You could yo-yo from the top of the lift to where tinkerbell comes in and enjoy fresh, safe lines all day. It's not very steep though, you might be walking downhill as well as up.

I'll be up there tomorrow. If I see you I'll say hello.

Marc