... this is about the time of year last year where we checked in with our loyal fans and began the official countdown of weeks... (we've all be counting days for about a month now)
Steamboat is only 8 weeks away from opening, and the snow has begun to dust our peaks with the reminder that fall is not a long season around here. The leaves change and fall over a course of only two or three weeks, and October always, always, brings us snow.
We got our first snow on September 21st like clockwork around our wedding anniversary (it snowed on our wedding day, 9.23.2006), and we got a second dusting this past weekend... reminding me that yes, I should in fact begin the countdown for IN THE DEEP!! Stay tuned, kiddos, we're almost there. . . pray for snow and record snowfall!
-See you In The Deep!
Today Craig tested out the KBG Monoski, designed by Kevin Bramble, whose name you might recognize from the XGames and Paralympics. After years of being disappointed by the upkeep and (lack of) durability of various monoskis on the market, Bramble designed and began manufacturing his own beefed-up model of monoski.
As you can see, the frame sits Craig up a little higher and straighter. He found it easier to load onto the chairlifts, and thought the shock was the smoothest part of the ride. Craig's complete review of the Bramble has been placed on our sister blog: http://accessanythingreviews.blogspot.com.
There were definitely some pros and cons of the rig over his Revolution (see end of blog); but its beefy model can't be beat. There are over a dozen models now on the market, so this test driving process will stretch to next season at least.
Despite not fitting into someone else bucket quite right (like using someone else's ski boot) and not having his powder ski, Craig bombed the slopes like normal.
We took a Thunderhad lap down Vagabond to get the feel of the this new machine; then met up with Bruce and Pam Reommich for some upper mountain fun. This Bramble lives at the Reommich's house during the offyear between visits of its owner Kevin Simpson from Scotland. A HUGE shout out to Kev for letting Craig test it out!
Once up top we took a look at 3 and 1 Oclocks; both had a slight amount of powder on them, enough to grab your boards a bit and still feel like fresh. The sides were softer, but the groomers with several inches of fresh were the nicest; a little heavy in the trees. The report was 5" at 5am, which was about right.
Next we tested out 1230 trees and where there was more snow, conditions were actually a little worse- the skiers struggled through a thick top layer while my board just sailed on through if I leaned back enough. The short little straight ski that was on the Bramble didn't do Craig any good through there at all, he needed quite a bit of pushing from his friends to get into those trees.
We look like we've got some more snow on the horizon though our days are dwindling... sad to say we'll be counting down the very last week of the season starting tomorrow... so it's now or never!
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Note the different frame of the ProComp Revolution. Craig's has about 2million vertical feet logged into it, so he's shopping for a new one.
Today was no foolin', another deep, epic day in the 'Boat. I had resigned myself to sitting this week out, but after two days of watching Craig come home with that poo-eating grin, I decided I had better make a few turns in this "triple threat" storm myself.
Where Monday and Tuesday were cold, (infamous local Y-Von even told me she was actually SORE from shivering yesterday) today wasn't so bitter once you got off the peak; about 15-25 degrees warmer by the reports.
However you know what that means. The powder was dense. I of course, having missed the cream of yesterday, and riding on a fat board,didn't notice. While they struggled on skis in the Three O'Clock trees, I bombed down Twilight laughing all the way. They also hit the bumps on Lights Out, while I cruised past to Moonlight Trees. I know that's cliche, but yea "it was in the trees today." But it seemed that you had to pick the right treeline with a very steep pitch that hadn't been touched since about noon yesterday to get the full throttle of today's accumulation in your face.
So we continued on in search. I think next to Twilight, my favorite run today was Cyclone, but honestly even Rudy's at 8:38 with 4-5" on a glasslike groomer was scrumptious. Next we headed to Pony, where many had been. But again, if you knew where to look, it was there.
Now I know some of you are now thinking of cherry blossoms, golfing, cycling and camping... but we're still eating it up like frosty white cupcakes here in the hills. Our base is a ridiculous 110+'' and the storms show no signs of relenting soon. We'll be back up tomorrow for more.
See you In The Deep!