April 14, 2011, Alpental (sucks)

The lifts were turning today, but only for patrol's "safety laps".  I knew that season pass would come in handy!  Grr.  Does Alpental EVER open??  :  I guess they didn't get the memo about how March and April are historically the biggest snow total months of the year in the Cascades.

Skinned some laps to Gunmount; the first on wide pow skis that were entirely inappropriate with the supportive mush layer.  After a few laps, swapped to some narrower touring skis.  This was the cue the entertaining weather gods needed to turn on the juice.  The moderate snows increased to heavy for the remainder of the afternoon, and I was once again on the wrong skis.  Another ski swap, and more laps, and I was satiated. 

Snowed all day.  4" to 8" of new colder, quality snow fell through the afternoon, and still coming down hard when I left.  No instabilities to mention.  Patrol will likely be doing some control work tomorrow in preparation for what is currently scheduled as the final weekend of operation.  Looked mid-winter there today. Hard to believe they closing so early.

Gotta say I was kinda disappointed when I checked the Pass web site and noticed that this coming weekend might be Alpy's last and that they were closed....I've always enjoyed some late season ski days there...expecially Cinco de Mayo...but if Crystal comes through with the plan....oh boy.

No matter how offensively early they close it, I'm NOT paying for a tram ride at Crystal. :

Guess I'll have to suffer the rides with out you. :'(

You misread the hours page. It is central's last weekend but Alpental is open this and next w/e and likely a couple more.

Gotta say I was kinda disappointed when I checked the Pass web site and noticed that this coming weekend might be Alpy's last and that they were closed....I've always enjoyed some late season ski days there...expecially Cinco de Mayo...but if Crystal comes through with the plan....oh boy.

Hag, ddk did in fact read it properly.

Summit changed their website for the 4/23 - 4/24 hours from "TBD" to "9AM-4PM," as it currently reads.