January 22, Crystal Mountain

Tons of new snow, blasting winds, big crowd. An early crowd of racers and "free ski" competitors were already parked and packing the lodge at 7:30. Fortunately, we loaded Chinook early and they dispersed to Gold Hills and Grubstake as the "normal" crowd was still big enough to keep Rex's line medium long.  The snow was/is awesome. The wind, however, also awesome as 70mph gust roared up the Frontside. Once off the ridge line, if you stuck to the trees for visibility, 12-24" of new covered everything. The face scouring whiteout demanded getting into the trees quickly. Our tracks filled in during each wait in line and ride up as most people weren't off-piste. The shortest route out of the wind was to the Doors and LS Trees. Blasting whiteout at the entry to the Doors, calm and deep at the bottom of Bear Pits. We stayed Frontside when Northway opened. Heard someone was blown off the backside traverse to NW. Rex closed some time after 11. We opted for one more run Frontside rather than the whiteout bowl to Green Valley (ddk will fill in that story) or Northway. Rex reopened 1 1/2 hours later but we were on our way home. Short day time wise, huge day powder wise. Dumping big time all day, will be great monday if/once the wind quits.

Ken

more ramblings

So sick of eating snow!!!!!

Overall, an awesome day where snow filled in our tracks between every run. The snow was dropping almost an inch per hour. However, as mentioned above, the wind was brutal on the top of Green Valley. I don't think High Campbell ever opened so if the winds die down tomorrow there will be some very happy skiers and borders.

And as “Paul Harvey would say: The Rest of the Story” I’ve been disconnected from the electric world this week, so I did not really know what to expect today – it wasn’t pulling into the sphincter of the A lot at 7:30, walking into a maelstrom of noise from what felt like a thousand ski racers. But things did improve, jumped into the early CHex line – row three of skis, but managed to sneak into row two of the lift gates. Big winds slow Bucket, early CHex opening allowed us to get to the top just after the first bucket and it was game on. Great snow deep wind blown pockets across the front of REX. I managed to get lucky and followed the ski patrol opening of Bearpits – worth a repeat or two. Managed to get lucky and get a slow ride to the top of REX just before it went on wind hold. Got lucky and went into the Valley and bumped into some friends, did a number of GV runs – Grubstake, Grubstake Trees!, SnortElk area, Old GV chair line!!. And one very nice Paradise Bowl run – but NW was running slower than HC on a good day, line was bigger at the bottom than I could suffer, so it was great snow will be even better tomorrow. I’m fired up. REX reopened so I did one last Door run to the bottom around 2pm. Parking lots full down to E. Got home early to power! Yee Haa. Ready for tomorrow. ddk

Gong show this morning!
Rob and I got sick of the lines once REx closed so we went for a tour in the Southback. We followed a very nice skintrack that used the terrain very well to safely access the ridge. 10/10 for whomever set that track and thanks for the trail breaking.

Snow was deep, light and stability was good but we still concentrated on terrain choice to safely ski down. Very deep and velvety.

Rob went home after the tour and Rex was running again and I got stuck on my own personal hamster wheel.. Employee Housing slide path to Kircher's house. By 3:00 pm it was lonely out there and the crowds were long forgotten.
Finished with a Frontside that was giving wind assisted face shots on every turn. Going to be good tomorrow..wish I didn't have to work.