So even though it’s a little late, I just had to brag about how incredible the mountain was on Sunday. Saturday was obviously a tremendous day for the end of March and the fun continued into Sunday. With warm temperatures in the forecast and Butch Butler, monoskier extraordinaire, in town from South Carolina, we decided to hit the mountain early in search of freshies. After a quite cold ride up the mountain (yep, temperatures stayed pretty chilly until late morning) we headed directly to Storm Peak to check out the fresh snow still waiting on the Face. So we skied the deep carpet of Storm Peak Face, veered right into the storm face meadow (a.k.a. Mustache) and shot over to Sunset to access Moonlight Trees which was still fresh and down to Sundown Express. Our net run took us to the top of the Wally World Cornice to skiers right and down through Black Powder and all the way out to Ramrod. If you haven’t skied ramrod on a 5 inch day you are missing out. Right side or left side you really can’t go wrong. Craig’s ridge was next and didn’t disappoint, especially when I cut into the trees at the bottom of wristband. This is a hard to find stash that is often missed and I had first tracks the day after a powder day! We skied Billy Kidd Trees, and High Noon, and all the regulars until I realized that it was my acciversary (14th anniversary of breaking my back on the mountain). So with the infamous Dougie Fresh in tow we headed up BC and over to the scene of the crime, Vertigo. It took me 5 years to be good enough to even ski Vertigo again and I ski it every year on that day. Today the bumps were huge and soft and I conquered my foe once again. It was a great was to end the day and as I skied up to my wheelchair I shouted, “I win!” See you next time…In The Deep
(Saturday March 27th, posted by Craig Kennedy)
It’s the end of March and there are no brown spots on the mountain. And despite what the report said this morning the mountain was in beautiful mid winter shape. The five inches that fell two nights ago and into yesterday morning with the 6 on the report this morning (and it snowed all morning too) made for over a foot of fresh (and more in spots) and barely a notice of the treacherous conditions lurking beneath.
After a buttery run down Rudy’s we loaded Four Points in the 15th position and headed directly for my favorite warm up run consisting of Sunset (right side of course) to Moonlight Trees. Riding with my BFF Keith we had to head next to Keith’s Ridge. Then we skied the top of Sunshine Lift line and cut back out towards one o’clock and onto Billy Kid Trees (it’s a secret, can’t tell you). After that we headed to my new favorite tree shot off of Sundial and finished with an untracked run down RamRod. So besides all the face shots (I am nice and low to the ground) the mountain was also empty.
Devoid of locals and tourists alike so tomorrow should be SWEEEEEEET! While the skiing was great, it had been a while since skiing a powder day and I felt a little off my game the first couple of runs. Then my armpit zipper on my jacket blew out so it was a cold morning but it was all worth it. There’s nothing better than end of the season powder days after you’ve already convinced yourself there won’t be any more. And hopefully we get one more for my lovely, but slightly injured wife.
See you In The Deep!
Yesterday's powder was so much fun, we decided to post more videos!
Craig's Ridge/Westside- barring the first 20 seconds of me getting my bearings (and maybe swearing about it, sorry!), Craig hits this jump on Westside like a champ!
Keith's shot down Buckshot- powder was in the trees today!
Ramrod- This one's long, but a nice tree run if I could only keep my hand straight. :)
-See you in the Deep!