March 2, 2010 Kirkwood

Arrived Sun pm after driving via Villa Lagos waterski lake near Red Bluff, great scenery on the way down, missed the part on the Kirkwood web site about not trusting Mr Garmin and wound up on the super twisty FiddleTown-Shake road. Glad for once it was not snowing. Monday at the 'wood was bluebird and skied out. I swear there wasn't 6" of uncompacted snow. Skied by several spots that looked like sudden death. If the cornice drops didn't get you the rockbands would. YIKES ! Best snow of the day involved booting up Thimble then dropping into Thunder ridge. By the end of the day I was wondering why so many folks spoke so highly of a resort with 2000 vert. Woke Tuesday to sweet bliss. 9am chair yielded 6" on the groomers with the oft piste filling rapidly. Skied Sentential ridge, Wagon Wheel, The Wall, and Palisades lap after delicious lap. No lift lines, several solitary tree runs. The rumor is the locals don't come out for less than 18" Looking forward to the freeride comp which starts Thursday, more snow in the forecast. I'm not sure if I've got the big ones to ski the Cirque when it opens for the finals. Might be best left to the young guys with uncut knees.

The forecast certainly looks encouraging for Wednesday and Thursday. A couple years ago we had a midweek pass for $199 and spent most of "Miracle March at "The "Wood". The terrain, snowpack, high angle groomers and open backcountry policy provide a unique area. The terrain below Glove Rock into Sentinel and Palisades Bowls seems to hold powder stashes awhile. Have you been out to Covered Wagon Peak or below Melissa Corey Peak ? Sounds like a perfect time to be there.

Jill and I are departing on a Road Trip in our campervan. Planning to visit areas in OR,ID, WY,MT and UT. Then maybe to Alberta and British Columbia. What's your schedule ?

I'll be skiing in the cottonwood canyons starting Monday, March 29, for the week. Will you guys still be out on the road then?

I'll be skiing in the cottonwood canyons starting Monday, March 29, for the week. Will you guys still be out on the road then?

We just arrived at Timberline, then heading to Anthony Lakes, Brundage, Soldier, .... Then Brighton in a week or so for a few days with our freebies. Then up to Teton Pass, Grand Targhee and Big Sky.

Hoping to be up in British Columbia near the end of March.

Chasing snow storms.

Yesterday was good. today was gooder. Over a foot of fresh this am,then snowed all day, patrol claimed 3" per hour. Tracks filled in every lap. I now understand and embrace the Kirkwood myth and ethos. Such a very simple mountain to ski, 2 major lifts heading to the same ridge on the frontside, choice of straight, left or right. So many delightful chutes, ridgetops and gullies. Backside has been closed 2 days straight, over 3 feet of untouched to be had. FWT US Freesking Championships start tomorrow, so much fun to watch those guys rip. From time to time I start to think I know how to ski, then I make a lap with some of the competitors and realize I will never learn to ski ! Best part of the day was finding out the road up was closed this AM thus no crowds ! Perhaps Crystal could close the road any time it snows a foot and I'm in B-lot. Will here thru Sunday, then try Squaw for a couple of days before heading to Alta/Snowbird for the US Freesking Nationals. FWT come back to Crystal the first week of April for the Junior Championships.See you there.

Chasing snow storms.   

Head back to Tahoe .