November 25 2011 Stevens Pass

Sort of lift serv, sort of not. Lots got full. Lines got long. Without backside or 7th open Stevens terrain is a little underwhelming. Did Chief Trees down to RV lot a few times, since that liftline wasn't too bad, but eventually got tired of that and picked up the touring gear.

Skinned up Double Diamond from Big Chief top, very wind affected there, had to do a little trail breaking to link old tracks that wind had mostly erased. Once reaching the top of Dudleys the snow on the other side was way better. Definitely denser than last weekends snow at Alpy but still plenty good. Maybe a dozen other folks also skinning the backside and good trail set. Wind calmed as day went on and partly sunny. There are areas of raincrust that had the snow blown off (like edges of Pegasus or steeps of Andromeda and Aquarius). Nasty but mostly these areas were avoidable if you thought like the wind ... Even at the bottom of the backside chairs the snow was pretty good. They were sort of running Jupiter only to knock snow off but Stevens website gives no evidence of a planned backside open. They did apparently open 7th about 11 Am, but by then I was already climbing DD and committed to the backside tour plan.

Good job on the climb. We were up today too, and they could use another lift open. The snow was excellent today on Brooks---like powdery margarine. A bit thin on Hogs but with plenty of fresh, and after 7th opened again it was still soft and lightly skied.
It's great to get a ride up the hill again....

Was there yesterday with my son and his friend for some easy lift skiing.  Groomer conditions were great.

Toward the end of the day, as the sky continued to clear, views from Hogsback included snowy Glacier Peak.