Crystal 2/13

After spending a mostly wet week at Whistler last week, we returned home on Sunday to the news that Crystal was going on very limited operations. Oh well, figured we wouldn't ski for a while. But after 5 days, we couldn't take it and headed for Green Valley today. Pulled into the parking lot at 9am in the second row of free parking and was in line for the gondola by 9:10 which wasn't loading yet. This past week, Crystal was averaging only 100 people a day so they actually removed buckets from the gondola just to save wear and tear. They were putting them back on this morning which caused a slightly delayed start. Also heard talk that they are expecting crowds this week-end, so are going to open Lucky Shot and REX tomorrow. On the gondie ride up, did a quick web check and sure enough, Crystal announced REX would be running tomorrow. A look at the bottom of REX on the ride up revealed mass amounts of dirt. I really don't know how they are going to farm enough snow in there tonight to make it skiable. More on this later.

Once in Green Valley, the coverage is great…some of the best of the year. And the grooming was amazing. Not only was the left side of the valley groomed as well as Pro Course, but they also groomed a wide swath right down the middle of the bowl. And, the grooming they did in Snorting Elk bowl left a great layer of corn snow all the way down. The sun was out and the temps warm, but off piste was frozen firm. We cycled groomers in the Valley and Snorting Elk. By 11:30, the sun had softened Grubstake, so we spent the rest of the day skiing spring slush bumps in Grubstake and the left of groomed in GV. At one point, we actually had a couple minute line at the bottom of the chair, but for the most part, no lines. While it was very warm, no sticky snow anywhere.

On a day like today, it's easy to complain about the lack of powder or the limited terrain. But, having the physical and financial ability to ski whenever we want is a blessing that should never be taken for granted. And so, we had a really good day today.

Around 2, the snow started setting up. We had 31 runs in GV, but that left us a couple runs short of the CD Minimum ™ vert. Oh well, off to download. Segue: During the day, we talked to a laid-off liftie who told us he had poached Lucky Shot yesterday and skied all the way to the bottom. He explained his route to us. So, as we're just starting to hike to the gondie, a group of long-time Crystal skiers were ducking the rope to the backside trail to Lucky Shot right in front of ski patrol. We watched and they didn't do anything, nor did they radio anyone. So, without a moments hesitation, we jumped in with the group and headed down Lucky. It skied great until we got closer to the chair. Again, I have no idea how they are going to open that tomorrow. Past the bottom of FQ and down to Tinker Bell. From there on, really sketchy. Had to ski across straw in a couple of places, but actually made it all the way to the bottom with minimal ski damage. There's no way it will last another day of sun. At the bottom, they were starting to cycle Chinook, so I suspect they will be uploading/downloading using Chinook as well tomorrow. With the extra vert from skiing down, we achieved the CD Minimum ™.


Anyway, it was a BIG adventure skiing down today. For more on BIG ski days, check out JJ's excellent post on ddk's big ski days in January:

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=33637.0

That's the longest report I've seen with only 2 BIGs.

31 runs = 9.2 minutes per run for 4.8hrs ( I did the math) wins the persistence award. I've had whole seasons doing less than half that many GV runs.

kkz

they actually removed buckets from the gondola just to save wear and tear

We were joking on Tues. that some of the buckets must be seasonal and therefore had been laid-off, too.

I really don't know how they are going to farm enough snow in there tonight to make it skiable.

Have you been to Summit this season? Up until now they've been making something out of nothing... perhaps they pulled a few of those wizards in to help?

...
Around 2, the snow started setting up.  ... Segue:  During the day, we talked to a laid-off liftie who told us he had poached Lucky Shot yesterday and skied all the way to the bottom.  He explained his route to us.  So, as we're just starting to hike to the gondie, a group of long-time Crystal skiers were ducking the rope to the backside trail to Lucky Shot right in front of ski patrol.  We watched and they didn't do anything, nor did they radio anyone.  So, without a moments hesitation, we jumped in with the group and headed down Lucky.  It skied great until we got closer to the chair.  Again, I have no idea how they are going to open that tomorrow.  Past the bottom of FQ and down to Tinker Bell.  From there on, really sketchy.  Had to ski across straw in a couple of places, but actually made it all the way to the bottom with minimal ski damage.  There's no way it will last another day of sun. 

Shortly after closing bell at 2:30, we chatted with the patroller directing traffic and made sure they were OK with us ducking the rope and heading down the Lucky Shot/Broadway/Tinkerbell/Quicksilver route to the base.  He just made sure we knew that there was likely to be down hiking spots, so we buzzed on down along with the rest of a dozen or so in a loose group (including a couple of patrollers sweeping/tailgunning).  Fun end to the day.