IN THE DEEP

Well I can say it's finally here, and ya'll should be excited, 'cuz we sure are. We got first chair on the Gondy today (thanks to both Keith and Erin for helping us with Craig's rig, chair, skis, etc, man we'll be glad when they open up Thunderhead!), and that first smooth run down left side of Rudy's was mint... mind you it was cavernous in spots, but still tastycakes-good, from the cord to the 6" of fresh. It was about 11° up there so the snow was super-loft soft!

BC Lift was all we had from there, and the first lap up was frustrating with about six stops, but they got it smoothed out quick and the crowds made turn after turn after turn among happy shouts of ecstasy. We were some of the happy few to head down Lower Rainbow, its right side had some knee-deep Champagne and a blacktipped weasel sighting, complete with a mouse in his mouth (that's GOT to be some kind of sign). No clear shots of him, as he was bobbing in and out of a foot of fresh.

Fourth lap was down Norther, famous for bumps mid-season, this run was deLIGHTfully soft, fluffy, and bottomless, despite the only monoski-burial of the day. With help from Matt, Craig got dug out and back down the run in no time. Bottomless isn't always good.

Last and most epic of the day, they opened up the Daze at 10am (you literally had to download the Gondola if you wanted down before that- I know, right?? WHAT?), and it was like the freakin' Cowboy downhill- snowcross-like chaotic madness until clusters of powderhounds started filtering off down the right runs; Oops, Teds Ridge, Vertigo. We chose Teds and it was easily the nicest we've seen it in a long time, perfect pitch, perfect snow, face shots; eat your heart out... WE'RE BACK.

Tomorrow they open up Storm (if they don't screw us all and open it this afternoon) Peak and the madness truly begins. FA LA LA, Happy December.

See you in the deep-