Thursday - Woooo Hooooo! A great day skiing.
Snow on the parking lot this morning. Trees up on the slopes were frosted with blown snow. It was cold enough with a stiff breeze up on the rim. Cloud deck was about 7,000 feet After lunch the GV rim and Bowl were in the fog. About 3:00 pm, I was watching about five skiers descend Powder Bowl, disappearing in the fog, then re-appearing as the clouds blew through.
Skiing was good all over. all surfaces were smooth, probably from wind grooming. And other grooming. Snow was a very thin layer of fresh on hard pack. There is a layer of old freshie, or windblown, under the new fresh that has nicely adhered to the hard pack, creating a real nice gripping layer. This grip layer is better than the boilerplate that we have gotten to know so well.
So the steeps were nicely skiable, whether groomed or off groom. Off groom was kind of like pow skiing six plus inches. Lower Magoo was either groomed or wind groomed... very unusual, but very nice!
Conditions depend upon getting a steady supply of fresh snow, every little bit helps. I think the winds had recycled some snow. Still there are some spots that show wear and are in danger of becoming bare. Suprisingly enough, the area between Luckyshot and Sunnyside provided some nice tree skiing.
Yea... go get it!
P.S. Thanks to to whoever spread some dirt on the ice trail that goes down to the Snorting Elk Cellar.... along the edge. This really helps. I understand that one of the ski gang took a bad slip and fall.... fortunately he was wearing his helmet.
