Crystal - 02/17

Big early morning sucker whole above the bottom of REX made for a few big sunny nice runs, but like many days recently the fog/cloud moved up the mountain and got worse in a lot of places as the day went on. Started with to big nice PB runs in the sun – smooth center, new snow (how deep? Deep enough to make it fun), lots of runs down OF and a few into BP’s – which definitely were not awesome, doable smooth and nice in spots..but. Spent most of early morning under the Throne – nice snow, easy fast smooth traverse over, but while the vis was good PB was the big run. When I got back over to REX the lift line was pretty minimal (all day actually on REX and HC) did a few runs in the Valley, nice snow as report on shady slope, not so nice on sunny slopes. ElkSnort was very nice. Did a run out Kellys Gap, not to bad, Sluice way nicer, far skier right under Rock Face! (sorry), Lower E nice rounded icy bumps – just flow like water. Bucket had what I would call big lines every time I saw it. FQex had the typical 10:30 big line (don’t know about later in the day). What I impact areas I skied, definitely were impacted by the crowd. Lots of gate racers walking up to Chair 4 this morning and heard that the FreeRide Comp was happening out North. Also heard the NW was even foggier than the rest of the mountain early – that NW wind!

Other info – Soup was CCC, everything else pretty much the same. Big news is that Chicken Noodle was promised for tomorrow – Yee Haa! (please done let me down). Parking lot were pretty much pact (even mostly the Pay lot), saw cars in the F lot plus a bunch of RV’s. Nice day all in all.

First runs in PB and BP were quite nice with a bit of fresh but there was a stiff crust everywhere. Spent the afternoon on north faces in Abasin, the King and Silver basin. The trees were best.

PNWBrit( Banned) and I took our wives touring. First time dropping the sidecountry for my wife ( at Crystal)and she did great although much hilarity ensued as they negotiated some steep kick turns.  They managed to get their legs into positions that I've only previously seen in porno movies.

Although a very slow pace it was very rewarding to watch the girls continue to improve and challenge themselves.

We need snow!