April 4, 2010, Crystal Mountain

After reading the reports of the gigantic crowds and long lift line waits this week at Crystal I was reluctant to head up today. But I had to go to make up for my disappointing day at Alta on Friday.

I was shocked when I saw B lot was practically empty.

Today was about the wind. Though relatively calm below, as one approached the ridge (any ridge) the full force of the 53 to 76 mph gusts and the hourly averages of 31 to 52 mph were keenly felt, particularly when blasted by wind borne snow.

My son and I headed for north sides where the wind was depositing the snow from the scoured slopes at a terrific rate. During the course of the day, one ridge's cornice grew from ankle height to my chest.

Great wind deposited powder yielding face shots were found on the north ridge of Snorting Elk Basin, trees off the Otto Bahn, Horseshoe Cliffs, and we did, for our first time, Flyin' Floyd. After doing the Floyd, we rode back up the chair and our tracks were already wiped out.

Chair 6 closed by noon because of wind.

Also, the new snow and cold temps made for some creamy soft bumps.

Great day to return to the home mountain.

WSP was parked midway down Crystal Blvd clocking cars.

Glad to see you back at the home mountain. Winter has returned. It should make for a great closing few days of skiing. See you on the slopes.

We've had some good stuff, Keith! Saturday was one of the best days I've had at Stevens---
in April.