Feb 20th, 2011 Alptenal

Mountain had been groomed pretty hard and was firm but enjoyable when we caught our first chair around 8:45am. Did three laps on the lower mountain then headed up chair 2. Grooming extended to the top of lower Rollen. After a couple laps on that chair we did a loop out to Piss Pass and down. Stokes had some nice snow in the sun sheltered areas but the whole bc was pretty skied out. There's a couple surprise up and down spots on the traverse out there so pay attention. Once down in the trees the snow changed from acceptable to scraped off hardpack. Went back up to chair 2 for the rest of the day. Saw someone climbing the ridge above Edelweiss then they dropped over the other side, much to the viewing public's dismay. Nash got progressively more icy as the day went on and people were balking at both entrances. Lower entrance had a nice clear ice layer on some rocks.

Weather stayed fine all day but once the sun got below the ridge everything got really firm despite not softening much during the day. Not crowded at all either. The area is ready for some more snow.

That guy climbing the ridge looked like he had a death wish of some sort. That's pretty funny he ended up dropping the other side though, I waiting for a while but he kind of disappeared..

I had the same experience in the BC, did a couple of loops on either side of piss pass. The snow was best in the trees.. I did a few runs down rope line which actually still had some fresh stashes. Overall great sunny day, and there was no one there, which worked out great!