January 11, 2013 Alpental

Headed back up even though it didnt really seem to snow that much last night. Groomers were a notch better then yesterday. Almost just ran laps until I decided to head up.

It was a good idea. Headed once down Nash/Lower finding some nice turns yet still very scatchy underneath. But it inspired to go take the Nash gate and see what it was like.

More then pleasantly surprised. I would say a good 12 inches in spots (where it came from is hard to say, telemetry does not show that much precip) and very good quality. Underneath was an ice cube. A smooth ice cube, but an ice cube nonetheless.

Turns were sweet, and I mean sweet, if you used just the right amount of pressure. Get a little too heavy and the ice cube wanted to spin you around. Fun and funny at the same time.

Main reason for not heading out immediately was yesterdays report of it being a bear getting out and the trees were way worse then open spaces. Still true today but it wasnt that bad to get out and 11:30 AM when I took this run I was making first tracks down Gun Barrel trees which softened the ride out. Not smooth or soft, but softer then expected. Bonus.

Anyone head out to DD or Great Scott?? Or anyone see tracks down Pineapple??

How were what Alpental marketing now call the " back bowls" , skiing well?

That is kind of a funny "new" name. I think long ago they were considered the "back bowls", but that was like the early 70s when there wasnt technically an area boundary line down Nash.

Anywho, the run I took was down Sharons, one of the "back bowls". As noted, it had the nice inches on top of the ice cube. Really fun though. And sun too.

Soup, BTW, was................uh oh...........no clue. LOL.

Wish we had food worth stopping for...............

I remember a few years back when Crystal was all hyped up about there "New Bowls"...mostly now they smell pretty bad after the early pre lift morning rush.

I also seem to remember enjoying the food and beer at Alpy! Hows the night skiing? Got some days to burn at the Pass.

I remember a few years back when Crystal was all hyped up about there "New Bowls"...mostly now they smell pretty bad after the early pre lift morning rush.

I also seem to remember enjoying the food and beer at Alpy!  Hows the night skiing?  Got some days to burn at the Pass.

It's all skiing as I remember. Maybe the best is yet to come.

IMHO the food is awful. Chicken strips about the only they can't f up. The pizza was good in 80s, hasn't been the same since. It's sad.

The soup reports are great.

So is Helen in the bar!