IN THE DEEP

We uploaded a little early today, thanks to the best Gondola crew of the decade, and skied down to a deserted - and operational - Storm Peak Express. To our pleasant surprise they waved us through at 8:35 and we had the lift to ourselves for about 5 minutes, and as we climbed up to the peak we slowly started to see the glass-pressers ease in behind us.

We got to the top of Storm Peak and saw minimal tracks in 10-12" of new snow and decided without argument that we would just have to ski that untouched face. A little "set-up" on the top (it was about 10° warmer today at 25°), it was just firm enough to float over the fresh for a turnless surf under the liftline down to Cyclone. One word: Wow.

Cyclone promised a glorious second; tucked in the trees away from the wind, this snow was softer and undeniably bottomless. Craig dug himself in pretty good twice; we watched this pristine dream get chewed up before our eyes as riders passed us while digging him out. A true powder run back down to Storm, it was like we had a 2-foot dump last night, only we didn't.

Back up for another few laps... 2nd lap: Sunset had been groomed, but Storm Peak South was just as good as the North side. 3rd lap: Storm North again to our favorite meadow, some exposed rocks kept us skiers left down to an untouched glade next to the Four Points lift shack, and down Rainbow. That one was so nice, we did it twice. Last we hit Buddys, the fresh snow lying in piles on the left but a nice groomer down the middle to BC, and down the Daze, a veritable race course covered in beige snow machine chunks, ice, and attempted cord. Not the best ride down we've seen, but after the rest of the morning's bliss, who cares?

Rubber legged and well fed at the Egg&I, we're off to the hotsprings to soak the kinks out of these early season muscles.

See you in the deep-


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