Cyrstal - 02/23

What a day, the Coombas were in heaven. If you thought there wasn’t enough new or that the crowds would be to big – sorry. The snow was deep and sweet everywhere that I went and I’m sure it was even better everywhere I didn’t. Everything was open and the crowd was big enough to cut pretty much everything up. Heard about big lines on HC (early opening and pretty early Southback opening) and Northway (somebody skied out to the E lot rather than stand in NW line and paid the price waiting for a very slow shuttle). The bucket had almost an opening day line before opening. CHex line at 8:40 was as big as I’ve seen it in a while. Was on second REX chair in the morning watching all the FirstTracks folks skiing up the front side – ouch, I made a comment at the office when I left about that extra over the top bonus for them. Skied from Memorial to Bearpits and you could find ice under the new but it was easy to not find it also. Great but short day. Lines on REX but not to bad for a powder Saturday.

Other – soup was Ched Broc, special was spicy Teriyaki bowl – very good and way to much (gotta stop eating at CB). Parking lots were all full including the F lot – ouch. Should be great packed pow in most places for a while now. Yee Haa.

I got there late after skiing all day yesterday and as I passed the Old Northway shuttle stop there must have been 20 people waiting for a lift and 10 already hoofing it.
I stopped and it was like the last helicopter out of Saigon.  My truck was overwhelmed with humanity trying to get in it.
I had to tell them I couldn't take them all but I did mange to cram 6 in plus all their skis and packs. I took 'em to the plaza and was rewarded with a front line parking place thanks to the car park attendant who took pity on me for doing my taxi service.

I took one run from the top and I couldn't handle the crowds and lines and so I called PNWBrit( banned) and we went touring to escape the madness.

Found deep snow and conditions that demanded good terrain choice but skied very well.

Does anyone have the wrong Black Diamond carbon fiber poles? I left the Summit House around 2:15 and grabbed my poles and skis. Only to realize 30 minutes later they were 15 cm too short. Not sure if I grabbed the wrong pair first or someone else did. If you are skiing around with BD poles that are 15 cm too long, get in touch.