January 27, 2011 Crystal

Dave, Art and I arrived a bit after 9 to a dry parking lot, no wind and sunshine.  I picked up a ticket in Guest Relations and had my first ride on the gondola. Very quiet and pleasant.  I arrived at the summit about 2 minutes before the guys.  What a day for cruising the groomers.  Most slopes in the sun were softening by 10am.  It progressed from firm to carvable to corm to slushy and back to chunky as the sun went behind some clouds.  We stopped for an early lunch at the top restaurant with a magnificent view of the Mountain.  Around 1pm a cloud layer appeared and then the sun broke thru again.  The sun exposed ungroomed runs were soft around noon.  Around 2pm my quads were burning after a Memorial Forest descent and I headed down.  The boys made a few runs down Exterminator.  I stopped into Bootworks and spent some time with Martin Rand catching up on stuff. 

I have accepted the current weather pattern as a preparation for our trip to Tahoe and The Sierra.

We spent the day (post 10:00) skiing the Frontside and Upper Bull-Lower E.  Even better than yesterday since it was warmer earlier and softer.  A huge, soft, bumpfest day.  Unfortunately, it will be VERY ugly if it doesn't get sunny and warm tomorrow.  Even with temps at 44 degrees, the shade was still not pleasant today.  Sticking to the sun, however, it just got better as the day went on.  More:
If it is still warm tomorrow and there some morning sun, might get another day out of it.

Zap, would have been great to see you, give a shout next time you're head Crystalward. Musta been close to you as we left the Frontside around 2.

Zap, would have been great to see you, give a shout next time you're head Crystalward.  Musta been close to you as we left the Frontside around 2.

Ken,  that would be enjoyable. 

Second hand report from today, 1/28. Off piste, unskiable, groomers (Valley, Iceberg, Luckyshot) groomed surprisingly well and turned to some slush-corn late morning. Started to snow lightly at noon.

Started to snow lightly at noon.

Interesting.... telemetry shows no precip at all.

Have I mentioned that Brit should be brought back?