Crystal - 02/19

Really big day, big parking lot crowds (probably big lodge crowds – missed that part) F lot had cars in it (I parked for the first time in my life in the C lot !!!! at 7:35!!! Ouch), big sun, big views everywhere, some lift starting and stopping early, some big (not like the past) lines for a few rides on REX and FQ, happy line size on HC, very happy lift lines during the afternoon. Biggest lines I’ve noticed on the Gondy so far -limited my rides on the big bucket today. Biggest and best runs for us most of us today – PB!, GV bowl. And much fun in other places – BP’s, Throne area, various lines on the front side of REX, some folks liked the new groomer run dropping into IceFerkberg on skiers right from I think tower 13? 14? Not sure. Great day in the sun, fun group today, lots of new folks to harass and I really enjoyed talkin to joedabaker on the ride up HC – very nice. ddk

Almost turned around @ 7:30 when parking in the 3rd row of the lower ( lot.  But, good friends and great weather got me on the mountain.  Long lines, exacerbated by Rex going off line at 9:15 for 20 minutes and stopping lots after that.  Till, noon, then everyone disappeared (except Gondy line 10+ minutes all day).  Great to incredible snow in the shade.  Good lines later in the sun.  Will be a balance between getting enough skier grooming in the sun to break up the crunchy morning lumps, and not grinding down the rain-ice layer.  Best non-powder snow of the year on Powder Bowl today.  Had to look all the way to Oregon to see a cloud as Mt Hood was the only peak not visible.  More:  A few days off in order.

Zoo, Zoo, Zoo- But rightfully so as the skiing was great.
Awesome ride up and chat with you to DDK, great enthusiasm.
Side country runs in the sun falling victim to wind, sun effects. Some slabs, shade skiing just great. I heard that Alpental had no lines today, probably because they were all at Crystal.
Apre ski at the Summit House produced an awesome sunset!!!

I am surprised to hear the retirees were in attendance today. I was up with my wife so I can mostly just report that the conditions on Queens Run, Tinkerbell and Chicken Shot were very good. I did get sent out on my own for an ok C6 front side and a great PB/OF. Last run of the day was GV/Upper E/Gondola line/Lower E. The legs were still fresh (at 3:30) but the snow was not. Not a pretty sight.
We arrived a bit before 9:00 and were sent to the Upper C lot. I have been skiing at Crystal for about 40 years and had never even heard of the Upper C lot before. No shuttle service and a long trudge to the lifts. Did CMskier/kkz just drive by the parking attendant to get to B lot?
Campbell Basin lodge crowd was big but we somehow hit a lull in the food lines and had a nice chat with our tablemates from Belfair.
Saw sunset on Rainier from Enumclaw. Wow!

PNWBrit treated me to a First Track's breakfast for my birthday( great B'fast BTW) After a few corduroy runs in GV before the hordes arrived, we dropped off the backside and spent the rest of the day lapping perfect powder in the Park with over 5000 ft of skinning.
Spoke to Kircher at breakfast ( He was 53 like me, but on the 18th, we're nearly twins!).
He said Spring skiing season is going to start 3 days after they close for this winter season in early April. I was asking him about passes and he said they are going to be selling a Spring Pass and hope to keep open for the remainder of April, May and June.

Makes me wonder how it going to change things.
Post season Kemper's poach that many love... no longer possible???
Will only Gondola and GV be open and will skinning up Kemper's Ridge to get to Powder Bowl and Southback be possible.
mmmmmmH?

Spring Pass? Does that mean it won't be part of the 2011-2012 Winter pass? Like buy an additional pass to ski spring '11.

Heard more rumblings that a permit to haul mt bikes up the Gondola is in the works. Would require a summer pass?