Mar 11, 2014, Alpental, Only Locals

You know you're early when you beat Silas to the line for first chair. Approx. 12 Alpentalics loaded Armstrong at 9 o'clock SHARP and funneled onto a loading chair 2. The skies were blue and the surrounding mountains blanketed in fresh snow from yesterday. First few laps up top were dreamy, with 8-12" of medium-density snow ontop of a firm but edgable crust. The sun went to work, cooking the snow to a heavy chowder over the course of the morning. North facing aspects with elevation (read: powder bowl) continued to offer superb turns. Upper Nash was wind affected but rideable and the debris down the middle of the bowl offered some of the softest turns. Snake Dance was open from the get-go, but mediocre and difficult to turn down. Groomers started off firm but started to corn up by 11. Other than that, it was all about finding open areas which the sun had softened. This afternoon should offer great spring-like conditions, unfortunately I'll be spending mine in a windowless office

Couple photos now that I've had time to decompress:

En route to the top via the padded seats inexpress:


A pair of "geezers" contemplating the entrance options into Rollen


No clouds and no crowds

Hey I recognize those geezers.    The one on the right is 35yo tho.  Yeah, great fresh turns 9-1030 off c2.   Then lower international and smooth sunny slopes off chair 1 were 2-4" nice fresh butter.   Glad most recreationalists must have been boating or golfing, Alpy had a quiet country club atmosphere.  New Silver Fir lodge for lunch, blue bacon burger is recommended.  Sunny sloppy afternoon turns at central were nice.  Napping now before early evening session at central with the ladies. 

At the rate I'm going, my knees will be equivalent to that of a geezer's by the time I'm 35 :

enjoyed the morning of course but the adventure was past the gate. want to watch snow balls of steel and debris rich rollers smooch down the slope? visit any steep pitch and give it a push, see how far you can make it creep.

jack must have felt better because there was some attempt at grooming selective trails.
enjoyed the day with griff and dom et all.
b

Hey I recognize those geezers.    The one on the right is 35yo tho

40 this year thank you Still a young'un plenty of turns hopefully in the next 25 years to catch up to the Master