Crystal - 12/27 – Thigh deep powder run after run

It was a pretty big crowd today, at least in the parking lots. With all the lifts open there was not much of a problem on the hill. Due to a sore throat, I slept in and arrived in C lot at 8:50. Traffic on 410 moved nicely but at Sand Flat we came to a complete stop for unknown reason, then a reasonable drive the rest of the way. There was about a 5 minute line at Chinook and things were looking good for the first run of the year. Then I got Rex’d with a hard 30 minute stop. Once on the hill, there was several inches of nice new snow on top of variable hardpack. Not perfect but very skiable stuff everywhere (everywhere with sufficient coverage). With a bad taste from the Rex stop we headed over to 6 for a couple of chair side runs and then a powder bowl. Visibility was only fair but good enough to enjoy the soft new snow. Later in the day visibility deteriorated and a 2pm powder bowl was much less fun. The top of 6 was a little rocky but nothing unexpected. Since Northway was open for the first time this year we took a respectable Paradise Bowl run but the rest of the runout was thinly covered. Most of the area back there was closed off and not worth a repeat run. So over to GV for several runs; West Face, Grubstake, Stockholders, last pitch under the chair. All pretty good stuff but pay attention to the Grubstake traverse on the way up for best results. Forgetting the early Rex problem we made a few Sunnysides (thinking of poor JD stuck on the beach in CA). Again good with decent visibility but last runs around 3:00 were just too foggy and the legs were getting a little loose so it was time to go. In contrast to some previous posts, traffic leaving was well paced until we got near the Greenwater Community Center. There was a memorial for Josh Rudnick going on. I don’t know the story but I see he was a volunteer firefighter there. The slow traffic was putting me to sleep so a caffeine stop at Wapiti was needed to make it home feeling pretty good and looking forward to a cold, sunny Monday.

Twas the day after the day after and the slopes were awash in a sea of nice light white, full lots, plentiful of shuttles and a good time had by all. Seemed like a lot of folks that normally ski/ride/slide other areas made the trek up 410 to sample CMs good. Storm last night filled in a lot of sparse exposures, with little sharks just lurking under fresh exposures. The new and improved Chair six was a performing in admirable fashion, I wish the same could be said for the 2 oldest chairs in operation, Chex and Rex. I opted for Chex this am, skipped the Gondy line only to be stranded at Rex whilst watching the Gondy cabins trundle onward and upward. Lots of kind words from the lifties, sorry for the delay etc etc. The quality of my ski day depends on the decisions I make. Free refills the word of the day, Northway opened without much fanfare, nice patches and pillows however a little thin at the bottom. I am very encouraged by the volume of white stuff and grateful for all the skier compaction. Next weeks forecast has lots of sun, a little snow so good times to be had by all. i remain your faithful scribe, embedded in b-Lot. BTW did I mention how well the new Mantras work ?

Glad to see DDK is wearing off on the rest of the CM TAYers!

Glad to see DDK is wearing off on the rest of the CM TAYers! 

Sorry might be back....