February 16, 2009, Alpine Meadows

My initial plan seemed to make sense. We would drive to Sherman Pass and tour on Sunday. Then ski at 49 degrees North where I have a free ski ticket, then to Mt. Spokane for some cruising. Then ski Silver Mountain with another free lift ticket. Finally, a day at Lookout Pass, ID where senior tickets midweek are $19. The van was packed and, at the last moment, I decided to check the weather forecast and radar one more time.

“Jill - look at that system around the Lake Tahoe area - Holy Sh##!”
Within 10 minutes the maps and guides were swapped and we were heading for Tahoe. Damn, I'm feeling much better!

It took 2 days including chaining up for 41 miles near Mt. Shasta and another chain event for 48 miles east of Nevada City, CA to Tahoe City. Plus, 2 chain failures – a first. It was snowing until we reached Truckee and then a clear sky. The 6am report for Alpine Meadows was 10” at the base and 17” on top in the last 24 hours, with the upper lifts closed the previous day due to ridge top winds over 70mph. We bought our $39 senior tickets and caught the first wave on the 6 pack. The top of the mountain was wind hammered and the collection areas were stiff. From mid mountain down it was boot to calf deep powder. Some of the best runs were off the Lakeview chair and the sheltered runs off Sherwood Express on the backside. The coverage is light compared to previous visits, so we skied cautiously around ridges and stayed in the open treed areas. The next storm cycle moved onto the mountain around 10:30 and it turned into a full-on blizzard until we stopped at 2pm. It was falling at 2” an hour in the late afternoon. The backside was deserted after 11:30 and the blizzard kept refreshing each run.

We forgot the camera for the morning session and after lunch we only captured a couple of shots during the storm.

I feel reborn after my first powder day in way too many weeks. Here’s the forecast:
Monday evening 5-10”
Tuesday 6-12”
Tuesday evening 8-12”

We’re staying awhile.

Zap & Jill

Good for you two!
IMHO-The sweetest snow is in the eye of the storm!
Been looking at the front hitting Kirkwood for the last week, ohhh mmmmyyy,gosshhhhh!
Have fun!

I am so envious. I've never skied in California. Have fun you crazy storm chasers.

Good game time change of plan decision. Sounds like you made the right call. Heard they were getting hammered down there. Glad somebody is.

Sounds fun! Bring some powder back for your SLC free heel friend.   I am sure you are looking foward to more French Fries and Pizzas back at SLC. 

Fred
 

The most mail I've received from one sender in some time has been the automated daily reports recently from Skireport.com that Kirkwood has had more than 12 inches of fresh...