April 15, 2011, Stevens Pass

It was a legitimate powder day, 8-12" depending on where you were.
Started the day on the backside and was initially disappointed. Even at 10 in morning with limited sun, snow was somehow loose and heavy at the same time. Near the DD ridgeline east, was windpacked enough to have shooting cracks and shear off as small 10" slabs. Lower, skis would skid on the ice layer and cookies under and get out of control, although others didn't seem to have as much trouble with the stuff as I did.
Then switched over to 7th and Grace Lakes and there the snow was far better, no pesky layers under but still fast and light. Occasional moderate sluffs on 40deg slopes but easy to outrace or endrun.
Snow falling most of day, but that which was falling was often pretty wet, well soaked outer layers and gloves by end of day.

This was the first time I've missed closing weekend at Stevens in 3 Aprils---thanks for representing.  That's 3 straight years of freshies to end the season....

Great last weekend of debauchery at Stevens. Parking lot bbq's, ski sweaters, general me-ham. I even went skiing!