April 3 2009 Crystal Mountain

Another amazing day at Crystal despite the snow missing the mountain last night. You couldn't find bad snow on the mountain today, except for Left/Right Angle trees being heavy. The frontside was a tad heavier than Northway and Green Valley. I'm still wearing my winter ski clothes!

A free-skiing competition was taking place on Northway Peak. It was amazing to watch some of those guys.

A free-skiing competition was taking place on Northway Peak. It was amazing to watch some of those guys.

Lotsa good turns indeed, and since Team Wally hasn't chimed in yet, the comp was the junior freeskiiing comp championships, announced by Team Wally! Tomorrow they compete on the King!

Thanks for the pic. Nice!

OK, so I must jump in on the Freeride comp: We had 50 competitors, 12-14 and 15-17 years old, boys and girls for the IFSA North American Jr Freeride Championships. Actually one young guy from the CM freeride team was only 11. Ran 20 of them through a Qualifier on Elk Chutes Thursday to ascertain their ability to handle the bigger exposures then moved on to Northway Peak Friday for the 1st round. The fog had it's way with us Friday and we wound up calling it off after the girls got their 1st round in. I am totally blown away by the competence and judgment of these young athletes, our own jr tayers' included. ( hint hint oft) Today we moved the live show to the King in glorious Blue Bird conditions, still plenty of soft untracked up there to be had. These kids did 3 laps on the King, inspection, 1st round and finals. Over 50% of the competitors hailed from areas other than Crystal which I think speaks quite highly of the quality of our mountain. Boldest move was 16 year old, North Parker dropping into Brain Damage with a left 3 (old school speak= helicopter) ! Hats off to all the moms and dads and to Kieth Rollins, Wayne Greavy, Elliot Marsh and Sean Boldt's Jr Freeride program for preparing them all so well. Kudos to Patrol and Cat Crew for all their help and Ty for the killer pizza at the awards. I remain (in the loudest pants, humbly Uncle Craig. That is all.

What a great day to be skiing. Bluebird, soft spring conditions, light dry snow on the north aspects, fantastic. Thanks to Team Wally for stoking the crowd during the Junior Comps. Those kids were really showing some skills off The King. Ran into John Kirsher. He is healthy and back on skis. So good for him and wish him good health for his future.

Thanks to Team Wally for dedicating himself on a powder weekend to be the play by play man for the comp. His voice is becoming legendary for those events, like Kevin Callaboro was for the Sonics.