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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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-
It's been snowing since around 2am, and it's piling on!! I heard today that over last weekend we got up to 3 feet at the top, and some wiseguy at the gym told Craig that he'd skied Hurricane and it was sick. Reminding a monoskier you can hike to get your turns, some nerve. [chuckle] Not that hiking UP Rainbow sounds like our cup of tea anyway.
So Craig has vowed to get his rig sorted out today (whence last I wrote he had issues with the shock jamming) while we're up at the activity fair at the Grand, so we can ski tomorrow and Saturday.
They announced they plan to open the Gondola and Burgess Creek tomorrow and Storm Peak on Saturday (lifts) and we're excited for more terrain, to say the least. Tomorrow might even be our first powder-blue-bird day, folks; stay tuned. I've got to get some pictures of him for PMGear with his new skis, so expect some good shots over the next couple days-
I'm off to hike the hill behind our house for some cardio work to get me up to speed so I can keep up.
-See you in the deep (for REAL this time)
If small towns churn rumors like coffee beans in the grinder, Steamboat is the Rumor Mill...
Word is they're opening a few extra runs this weekend, but no more lifts: The bottom of Valley View (exit stage right off Christie) and See Me (next to See Ya). Now, that's unconfirmed, but the runs have been tilled by the grooming crew, meaning they are at least fixin' to do somethin' with them! And NOT a rumor: To entice the skiers Steamboat's offering Ski Free tickets till Christmas if you book lodging; an unheard-of deal and a sign of the times.
It's unseasonably warm today, but the skies are blackening, there's something dark red on the satellite moving across the CO-UT border as I type, and there's snow on the forecast until Thursday night. One can only hope at this point, 'cuz my snow dance seems futile; Mother Nature has a mind of her own.
At least we'll be in ridiculously good shape by the time Steamboat opens full steam, but I'm a little bored with this "ski conditioning" by now for sure.
Dreaming of Face Shots- Craig's one and only cover shot; SNS0307.
Craig also jacked his rig down, jammed into the compressed position. After all the work he did on this, its just another issue with the ProComp. The shocks that come on those are weak.
Gonna bring the camera up when we open up....
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