Crystal - 3/11

4 out of 5 day.

Free parking began at the bridge and only A-lot filled up today...the resort felt deserted. Blue bird sky most of the day. Cooler temps in the morning due to the time change. Never got warm enough to shed the coats, but that was OK because it helped preserve the snow quality. Weather was a 2 out of 2 today.

Snow was a 2 out of 3. Groomers were perfect and north facing off-piste was soft chalky snow. Best snow I skied was Powder Bowl mainline chute (many repeats), followed closely by Snorting Elk right, GV chair line, GV right, and Bear Pits in that order. Our last run out was via Kelly's Gap where Sluiceway had softened in the sun, Berry Patch was fairly smooth and fast, and lower E in the sun had huge moguls that had also softened.

Due to the time change, we skied a bit later today enjoying the weather, but watching the new front move in from the west. Biggest vert of the year for us today.

And a few more words - Very nice day! Nobody on the mountain, sunny, warm (almost to warm in the afternoon - finally got to remove some layers), great groommers early and all day since nobody was on the mountain, big views, great packed cold snow on north facing slopes - well GV Bowl and PB, actual springish softening in some south facing slopes I did - MIFB afternoon, lower E bumps skiers left side and the (old) number 1 slot in BP's! Bump heaven now for me and they are getting bigger in some places. #1 had a great day skiing.

Other - Had to much to eat at CB lodge (Chicken Noodle and a very big nice slice of Barbecue sauce Chicken pizza - hate when they both happen on the same day, but it made the after lunch skiing big). Pay lot nice sized and actually had cars in it, rest of A full with some overflow towards C lot. Drive up and down was at happy speed. All in all a very pleasant fun day!