I skied Alta on 21 Apr 2024 for only the second time this season (1st time was a great powder day in feb). It was their closing day and a large and festive crowd turned out. Magnificent weather, 60 degs on the mtn. Snow pretty good until early afternoon, then heavier, but that's when we started grilling and partying. Wildcat lot at Alta full of partiers at 9am PS: I'll post some more in this thread shortly ..read more

My friend’s seasonal renters moved out on 4/15. He was lucky that Kirkwood extended their season for two weeks after originally scheduled 4/14 closure. He could not come up until late afternoon and will stay until 4/28 closing. I left San Jose at 525, (Altamont Pass sunrise with Sierra visible on horizon on the other side of CA Central Valley) arrived at 845 but didn’t get on Reut chair until 920 after gearing up including rubbing on wax to prevent sticking I experienced on my... Read more ..read more

We did not get an early start, about 9:45. This was no loss as the morning was overcast and the whole day was windy, 10-15mph with gusts to 30. Thus we started out Gold Rush, skiing off the back and spent the whole morning on Canyon/Eagle. Skiing Back for More and turning left at every fork will get you past the top of chair 15 and back to Canyon. Quicksilver/lower Gold Hill goes to chair 9 and in the morning had the best corn, though you must ski down to Eagle. We skied the Juniper and... Read more ..read more

So I moved to Val Thorens with the Snowheads people. Sunday and yesterday were incredibly warm. Monday I had a guiding/instruction session with a local pro. He took us on some just ok north facing high areas. To show us contrast between just ok and incredibly bad he took us on a run down the south facing off piste area from the top of VT to the Orelle valley. There were 5 of us in the group. Two were good skiers. The other three of us are average. Even the instructor had real difficulty... Read more ..read more

Without chair 9, does Canyon/Eagle add much besides a shorter drive from some lodging and a couple of runs that face SE and soften earlier than chairs 1 and 2. I realize chair 1 is now closed for replacement which will add more demand for chair 2 parking. I was thinking about waiting until next week to return to skiing, but saw today that Kirkwood is planning to close Backside next Sunday and run Timber Creek lifts until closing in two weeks so I may try to go later this week + next week... Read more ..read more

I assume the ability to spontaneously drive up to skiing on a weekend or holiday in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon will end soon. Given the success of the Tahoe Ski Resort auto reservation programs, it's only a matter of time. Likely, most Seattle resorts and possibly Portland ski areas will adopt it as well. An unpopular ski resort policy may be making Tahoe more livable Resorts say that requiring parking reservations reduces traffic and congestion, creating a better skier experience in Tahoe. www.sfgate.com ..read more

Did something different today for Eclipse Day, 8 Apr 2024, went up to Solitude, UT for snowshoeing and partying. This is what the eclipse looked like at peak totality in UT (~50%) at 12:30 pm MDT, not too different from a normal day? Here's what it looked like with a filter. Then we went snowshoeing with a happy crew, starting at Solitude Village. The snow is still gorgeous here and powdery, but it's going to cook later this week with rising temps. ... Read more ..read more

@Tony Crocker let me know if you want me to do a thread for each day. I caught the bus up to Tignes on Sunday 7th. A nice little minibus. Hardly any traffic so it only took 2 hours 40 minutes from Geneva. I got in about lunch time. It was hot. About 12 degrees Celsius at 2000 metres. I spent the afternoon getting a ski pass, doing some groceries, sorting ski kit and doing a gym session at the fantastic gym in Tignes Le Lac. I’m staying in a little Airbnb right in the centre because... Read more ..read more

A modest sized storm coming through had outsized winds with it making for some interesting snow. I think I burned 50% more fuel just going up with huge winds in my face. Loveland Derby ski race weekend. A very old and long running SL race with lots of history. A few inches of nice snow but almost literal no visibility on Saturday, with a combined 2 day total of 11" new by Sunday, but heavily wind affected (or blown off) in some areas and chilly (~10F to start and ~25F in the sun by late... Read more ..read more

Any of you guys telemarkers? I'm not, but sometimes I ski with a real good one here in Utah and he's pushing 70. I think he lurks on FTO. Here's a few photos of him from 6 Apr 2024 at Solitude, UT ..read more