- Posts: 1538
- Thank you received: 3
Crystal - 04/13 Last Tuesday at Crystal
- ddk
- [ddk]
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
Less
More
13 Apr 2021 15:57 - 13 Apr 2021 15:59 #235009
by ddk
Crystal - 04/13 Last Tuesday at Crystal was created by ddk
Ski Report - Arrived extra early to a small early crowd, big blue skies, big east winds up top but the winds did not impact the important lifts (Bucket was on hold for most of the morning). Grooming better than yesterday, MIFB was very IB early, but got nice and soft by mid day, winds slowed down a little, warmth happened, but it was still cool enough to not go full on Hawaii world. Valley bowl skiers right was doable but bouncy, groomers in the Valley were very nice. #1 had a great big long ski day (we made it to 2pm - ouch!). Only did one PB run, was interesting with nice packed pow small bumps - shoulda couda done it a lot more. Fun day lots of fast vert early with nicely tuned EXP's (thanks to the shop at the base, sharp edges are very nice and I havent had them in a very very long time). Great last Tuesday all in all even with the big winds up top.
Other - Did a short visit late morning to CB lodge, eating our own food and drinking our beverages of choice. Saw lots of Elk this morning - most around Krains Corner and the Crystal Ranch area. Otherwise the drive up and down were pleasant end of season week day.
Other Other - Dont want to steal any of Binx's thunder but in case he does not post, we were following him and on the last straight before the Blvd he had a wolverine race across the road in front of his car! Wow! Very big and impressive thing to happen.
Other - Did a short visit late morning to CB lodge, eating our own food and drinking our beverages of choice. Saw lots of Elk this morning - most around Krains Corner and the Crystal Ranch area. Otherwise the drive up and down were pleasant end of season week day.
Other Other - Dont want to steal any of Binx's thunder but in case he does not post, we were following him and on the last straight before the Blvd he had a wolverine race across the road in front of his car! Wow! Very big and impressive thing to happen.
Last edit: 13 Apr 2021 15:59 by ddk.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- CD
- [CD]
- Offline
- Senior Member
Less
More
- Posts: 406
- Thank you received: 5
13 Apr 2021 16:26 #235011
by CD
Replied by CD on topic Crystal - 04/13 Last Tuesday at Crystal
Ditto ddk. Only thing to add was the best snow on the mountain was the right side of Snorting Elk Bowl. Wind kept blowing loose snow in there and every run was a mix of smooth powder and packed powder. Also, Kelly's Gap was great from 10:30 on. Later in the day, you could throw up big splashes of snow on every turn and it never got sticky due to the east winds. So, the run of the day which was repeated many times: Elk Snort and out the gap. I know Binx discovered it. Bumps on lower E are huge and were big fun once they softened.
The biggest herd of elk we saw on the drive up was 1/2 mile from our house in the cow pastures between Lake Tapps and Buckley. They actually looked uncomfortable like they were trying to blend in with the cows. Woulda made a great Far Side comic.
The biggest herd of elk we saw on the drive up was 1/2 mile from our house in the cow pastures between Lake Tapps and Buckley. They actually looked uncomfortable like they were trying to blend in with the cows. Woulda made a great Far Side comic.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- CMSkier
- [CMSkier]
- Offline
- Premium Member
Less
More
- Posts: 539
- Thank you received: 0
13 Apr 2021 18:05 #235012
by CMSkier
Replied by CMSkier on topic Crystal - 04/13 22nd Tuesday
Knowing that the cold east wind would delay or stifle any softening, and not wanting miss a chance to ski the 22nd tuesday of the season, we opted for a late arrival and later departure. After a casual drive up we got on the mountain just as a few runs were softening. And, benefiting from our early arriving buddies, avoided the icy groomers and jumped right into some awesome Valley areas (the main bowl is rutted and hard).
CD gave us the tip on Elk Snort and it remained the Pitch-of-the-Day. Mr Toad’s Ride was soft and slushy and fun if you grabbed the correct line avoiding the frozen shade. So, the Gap Series became the repeated run and Lower E won my Hoot-of-the-Day award. We thought Powder Bowl would be good, it was hard with ice patches. Almost got blown off the top by a gust that was blowing face-blasting ice from my friends turns halfway down the Bowl all the way to the top. Gully Gully softened a narrow line that was fun - getting there wasn’t. The Frontside needs a LOT of skier grooming to be pleasant even in the upcoming heat. At 2:30 what had been soft was freezing again as the shade began the re-harding. No elk, no wombats, only a few drivers that have to brake for every corner on 410.
CD gave us the tip on Elk Snort and it remained the Pitch-of-the-Day. Mr Toad’s Ride was soft and slushy and fun if you grabbed the correct line avoiding the frozen shade. So, the Gap Series became the repeated run and Lower E won my Hoot-of-the-Day award. We thought Powder Bowl would be good, it was hard with ice patches. Almost got blown off the top by a gust that was blowing face-blasting ice from my friends turns halfway down the Bowl all the way to the top. Gully Gully softened a narrow line that was fun - getting there wasn’t. The Frontside needs a LOT of skier grooming to be pleasant even in the upcoming heat. At 2:30 what had been soft was freezing again as the shade began the re-harding. No elk, no wombats, only a few drivers that have to brake for every corner on 410.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Binx
- [BINX]
- Offline
- Junior Member
Less
More
- Posts: 53
- Thank you received: 0
13 Apr 2021 18:53 #235013
by Binx
Replied by Binx on topic Crystal - 04/13 22nd Tuesday
No need to talk about the skiing, as ddk,cd & kkz took care of that in fine fashion.
The highlight of the day was having a Wolverine cross the highway in front of me.
They just found a Reproductive female and a couple Kits in Mt. Rainier last year!
The first time in over a 100 years. There are only believed to be about 300-1000
in the lower 48.
Pretty awesome sight especially right in front of me. ddk was a short distance behind.
A once in a lifetime event!
The highlight of the day was having a Wolverine cross the highway in front of me.
They just found a Reproductive female and a couple Kits in Mt. Rainier last year!
The first time in over a 100 years. There are only believed to be about 300-1000
in the lower 48.
Pretty awesome sight especially right in front of me. ddk was a short distance behind.
A once in a lifetime event!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.