Ditto the reports from CM and Summit Central. Crowds were vanishingly light. The initial Big Chief frenzy disappeared into oblivion on the backside. There were literally 10 empty chairs for ever occupied one on most lifts by the afternoon. The weather was almost perfect: cold and cloudy til about 10:30, then the sun came out and inflicted mild damage on the back, but I've seen a LOT worse. By the afternoon the clouds completely vanished and there were great views of the snowclad north Cascades in the waning light from the ridgecrest. It was basically impossible to find any bad snow. Paradoxically in the gut of Orion bowl I touched a little ice: it must have been heavily moguled during the weekend. Estimated 6-8" new most places. Best runs of day included Nancy/Bobby chutes including the transitional fans below 7th lift, and dropping W off Skyline towards Grace Lakes: thigh deep in places. First lift ticket of the year and maybe the last given schedule, and my desire to be picky, but today was a good choice.
