Crystal - 3/23

Left the mountain before ddk today, so beat him to the first post.

What the heck happened? Tuesday, one of the finest Spring days and then today, a totally gnarly NW powder day.

Arrived at 8am and wasn't able to park in A lot. Figured the pay lot was huge, but not, just moderately sized. I'm beginning to really dislike the way new snow is bringing out the hordes at Crystal. I know, they had the Free Ride Qualifier today that also compounded the problem. Once on the mountain, it was obvious there were a lot of people there, but never waited in a lift line, so score 1 for crowds. All the groomers had 8 inches of new snow on top of the groomed and off piste on the north facers 12 - 16 inches of new. An awesome powder day. There were a few takers on the front side, but I knew what was underneath and didn't see many repeaters. But most everything else was going off. Bear Pits skied the best it has in weeks. I headed off to C6, only to wait in line for 10 minutes when they closed the chair due to wind. I'm sure those that got Powder Bowl early enjoyed it.

Sadly, I'm going to have to deduct some for the occasional challenging visibility and constant strong winds. The good news is, it puked snow all day. It was a very, very good 2.5 out of 3 day.

And many more words about a really big fun day! -

Short Report - I'm back!...Early morning look at the telemetry said go!!!...New snow, snowing harder before the lifts opened and snowed even harder a lot of the morning - free refreshing!  End of season light crowds on the lifts (other than a little bump on HC).  Hard pack was still there on the windy exposures which made the northerly facing slopes very happy and even happier all day.  Big winds late morning shut HC and the Bucket for a while...but luckily CD and his #1 left extra early and what?  Winds diminished and vis got big! And Hamster Heaven kicked into over drive!....Snow was great in the wind loaded areas, groomers will be big tomorrow, temps felt cold do to the winds (which were really big late morning)...Old body made me quit...

More Words -  Easy fast drive up...A lot was already 4+ deep and still very slippy walking on (more words about that later)...arrived extra early (just cause), but the crowd even with the comp was pretty light and I never stood in a real lift line (other than HC early)...Snow quality was hard core winter cold and it was dumping all morning refilling places I'd skied early...Got a PB run with just enough vis and very deep snow on the top skier right side...bottom part was very wind blown and still left over big icy bumps....Heard good things about BP's but for some unknown reason it never happened for me...Lucky Trees were great, Valley Bowl was awesome (especially during the 1pm hour in the semi sun and great vis) many repeats, still a lot of ice bombs and icy spots in high traffic areas...but my oh my! What a day! If you know where to go...or as the comp leaves north or as south goes off the next few days will be very very happy big!...And then happy sun early next week!

Other - Soup at CB lodge was Salmon Chow (sounded interesting), I had a Pepperoni Pizza (good)...lodge was fridge.  Almost couldn't find my skis when I left since they were buried under at least 4 inches of new.  Pay  lot was kinda big and kinda not full when I left...the bus that couldn't make it up into the A lot was still parked on the cars it had slid in to????...the lot was a sheet of ice with 4+ new when I arrived...and I was wondering about my ice skate shoes this morning....had 5+ on the Putty truck when I left....B and C lot had a lot of cars with no shuttle (cause of the bus...ouch!)...Gotta say it was just a very nice awesome bonus extra powder winter day on the 4th day of spring!  Cant post an opinion on the QF/CD 3 point scale...But you all know my scale the glass was way past half full and the Marketing department can post that it was a REALLY BIG POWDWER DAY!  (wish I was paid something by Xtal other than that they put up with me!)

OK, I can't help myself. While we did leave the mountain on the early side today, we didn't go into Campbell Basin Lodge, let alone go in so long that 4 inches of snow were on top of our skis!

Also, I can attest to the slippery parking lot. We were parked on the right side of the road just below A lot. When we got back to our car, an honest guy left a note on our windshield that he slid into the back of our car when he stopped due to traffic, then couldn't get traction when he tried to get going again. Just some scraped paint on the bumper, so not too bad.

OK, I can't help myself.  While we did leave the mountain on the early side today, we didn't go into Campbell Basin Lodge, let alone go in so long that 4 inches of snow were on top of our skis!......

Ahhh Yes! I spent at least 2+ hours during the massive part of the wind storm sitting in the lodge....where I did originally meet Ms CD....I was on vaca time...and I do really thank you both for your unrelenting fortitude for not going in....would make many other mutual friends proud....plus all the real hardcores that were skiing long after I left...

REALLY BIG POWDWER DAY!

That about sums it up. Light snow everywhere, all the high bowls delivered far more than forecast. Skis bottomed out at the entrance to various lines, and a few times there was whiteout or blizzard visbility, but every run gave up lots of untracked goodness. Grubstake, Elk, Northway & Paradise sides, and 6 all had tip-top softness. Lots of good skiers but there was room for all on a Friday.
We lunched at HC to warm up a bit. They said the soup was minestrone; I had chicken chili and it hit the spot.
Even the drive both ways was casual. From spring warmth back to deep winter in a few days!