Crystal 1/12

It was ugly as we arrived at 7:30 with rain at the base and winds into the 80's. Thought of maybe riding the Gondola up and down in the Rain but the closed it for the day at 8:30 without opening. At 9:15, Rex was on hold with wind ave at 50, 2 degrees warmer, and only Forest Queen to ski. We bailed for home with about half the crowd in the lodge. Looks like they opened Rex and Green Valley at noon as the wind died down. For me, driving home dry was more fun than skiing in the wet on FQ for 3 hours waiting for Rex. I'm sure some "Marketing" reports will come in bout how good it was later. Arriving at noon would have been the call. Gonna be hard to time the lulls in the wind and rain the next 4 days.

I'm sure some "Marketing" reports will come in bout how good it was later.

Upper mountain is now open and is covered with a thick blanket of heavy, wet, buttery powder! The freezing level is just above the base area. Grab your snorkel, swim cap, swim goggles and gore-tex. Any day on the mountain is better than a day not on the mountain!
[size=small]  -- www.skicrystal.com/Weather , updated 01/12/11 1:02 p.m.[/size]

They make it sound sooo good!

Anyway, I'm glad I decided at 5:30am to stay home and skip the day. Thanks for the frank report, sorry things weren't better for you.

I really wanted to ride today.  It took all the restraint I could muster to refrain from getting into my freshly-topped off car, but the telemetry doesn't lie.  But yea, thanks for the report and sorry you got wet.  I'm sure we're all cranky that this storm was such a bust.

I have to admit I'm feeling a little proud of myself since I've headed to the hill in the face of high winds/wet snow many times before hoping for the best, only to turn around and get right back in the car.  Maybe I'm finally learning something ?  Nah.

Anybody that tries to "market" today as fun better have pics to back it up  .

Aaahhhh, here is the long winded report…and I’m getting slammed again for actually going skiing on a bad day (someone has to pay the dues)…drove up today hoping for the best – other than gas and time no cost to me – might as well go out and see what happens since I was already sitting around in the lodge…it was very windy (yes) and the snow falling was fairly wet on the lower mountain, the early groomers were nice (yes even on FQex if you can ski those kinda things), the off piste was deep and heavy, steeper slopes were better (and folks were poking around in the woods). Lots of folks waiting and hoping for REX to open. Skied till 11am and went into Campbell lodge for a break and to change to my second pair of gloves (pretty good that the first pair lasted 2hrs). Came out at 11:30 to lighter winds, improved vis, no precip falling from the sky on the upper mountain (High Campbell looked very nice)….and REX was running with Patrol up loading and lots of big bangs going off on the upper mountain. Snow quality higher up seemed better at noon, Frisco old Chair 5 line was fun, heard that Bearpits was very good and worth repeats (from Big Bob, nice that your back). But lift op’s at REX did not have any good guess about opening time (hour or two?) and SMS was ready to bail…so sadly we left. A and C lots still had a fair number of cars (with a lot of empty spots). Managed to get the vert minimum to count another lift served day….though wish I had been solo, hope BB stayed long enough to give a report. Crystal web site marketing said enough on their 1pm update about today and since Amar already has posted the 1pm marketing report I will not repeat it…..but….I agree with the marketing department, my part of today was not the greatest – duh – but the folks that got to do the upper mountain after I left probably had some big fun. PS – CMSkier only got wet in the parking lot, were is that pay lot parking permit? And that I don’t have any pic’s…but you know marketing folks. Oh well I'm sorry ddk

Anyway, I'm glad I decided at 5:30am to stay home and skip the day.

+1 for me, and another +1 for that dirtbag PNWBrit who was going to go with me but can't post his own +1.

Thank you all for leaving early or not coming at all. The afternoon was fantastic with your help.