January 1, 2013 Summit East

On the ride from Redmond, it was cold but sunny and a strong wind from the east.  Around 2000vf, the sky became overcast and it stayed until we left around 11am. Hillary, Dale, Jill and I were on the lift and the area was quite.. The groomers were in great shape but the Hyak Face was not groomed.  After 4 runs, I was at the lift and Hillary and Jill stopped before the lift and I knew the cold temperature had frozen the fingers. The temperature was in the mid-teens and it was time for breakfast.  The worst part of the day was getting from the car to the slopes and back to the car across the icy parking area.  The groomers were great but we are ready for the rising freezing level or our next storm. I'm ready for our next storm so I can ski untracked powder and remember.

#10 – 1/1/13 – Hit up Silver Fir and Hyak on a chilly morning. It’s been overcast and cold, so the snow is still in good shape. No freshies, but no ice either. Was able to test the snow depths in untracked – up top was 5.5 inches of well consolidated NW poohder, then another 6-7 below a mildly dense layer for about a foot on the pole push test. Crowd count was low – never had to wait more than a couple of chairs to load ahead of us. TomK & Kerry.

Hit Alpental with a neighbor-provided dog sitting-exchange comp ticket. Really cold with thick fog in the lower valley but a break out into brilliant sun at the top of Armstrong Express. There was an east -to-west fog waterfall flowing over the Pass all day; the tops of Summit West/Central never broke out. Skied-out packed powder with medium big moguls and zero crowds; chair 2 was ski-on all day. South facing slopes began to soften a bit at peak sunshine and there was a definite impression of a warming trend above the fog level. The fog was persistent lower down; 22 degrees back at the car at 3 PM. A great way to start the year and maybe my only lift day as I head overseas for 3 months on Monday. Hoping for a heavy snow winter.

Quite possibly the biggest collection of sledders/ snow shoers I have seen at the Pass. Heaving with cars/ people everywhere in the afternoon, though the /lifts themselves were without lines.

A great way to start the year and maybe my only lift day as I head overseas for 3 months on Monday.  Hoping for a heavy snow winter.

Alpy will still be spinning in April, and the coverage should be just past peak when you return. Ought to be very fine. Have a great adventure .