Mar 24 2009, Alpental Morning Report

HI All,

As I drove to Alpental this morning I was wishing there was a blog about other skiers snow conditions/experiences. I came across this site, so forgive me if I put this minimal info in the incorrect place. If there is another spot to look, please let me know.

Today I went to Alpental, arrived at 9.20 am. First run on the groomer on chair 1 was great with 2 inches of fresh. Then went to Chair 2 and had hoped for great snow. Unlike the weeks of past, the 5 inches that fell were very heavy and difficult to navigate. In all, not light and fluffy as hoped. Departed Alpental 11 am (for work).

Any one have thoughts on Wed or Thurs projected conditions?

Cheers, MO

Great to have you join the forum.   The resorts aren't going to valid reports unless they match marketing requirements.  So, it is up to us.

Even though we have a great snow pack and getting freshies.... the reality is that we are in Spring time and near the end of lift based skiing. 

Usually, what I find about this time of the year is that snow may be skiable on higher elevations,  it gets sucky on the lower slope.  Usually there is a distinct level on the fall line where you can notice the difference.

However, it's actually kind of cold this week and we got freshies.  Not bad.  I am going to Crystal on Thursday.  Unless there is a temperature change, I expect pretty good skiing under some filtered sunshine, the best so it doesn't get too hot.  Kind of irritating to get dressed for Winter and then get cooked in the afternoon.  Temps can change rapidly from day to day and throughout the day.  So, you get what you get.

I would say that you want to get above 5,000 feet.

As stated above, here, we don't usually expect these dumps this time of year. Cliff Maas will tell you that after the first week of March, accumulation takes a major nose dive. Hooray for anomalies. It's cold (and expected to stay that way for next three months). I'm going to White Pass tomorrow - 4500' base and expecting 48 hr new of 2+ ft. It's snowing here now in Ashford area at 1700'.

You can always check the telemtry links here to validate the resort posting news...

Hey, I gotta March 25 Alpental report… DEEP POWDER DAY!!! Wow what a Wed morning, above Chair 2 must have been 20” dry pow with deeper deposits, sick “spring” skiing… I could get use to this

Yes, it was awesome, but the sun started zapping things around 2 p.m. or so, which is when I took a truly awful run down Elevator. Shaded stuff was still good, but the effect Larry mentions was there in full force in the afternoon. Pray for high T tomorrow if you're going.

What is high T? High Temp? That always sounds bad. I was hoping to hit the place at early opening for a couple of hours. Did everything get baked to bits? DK