East Wall and Ski Patrol

These guys and gals put a lot of work into getting the East Wall open.  Many very early mornings, lots of hiking, ski cutting, pit digging, and lots of general schlepping.  They talked to every guest that skied the Wall Saturday.  They love doing it, but it is hard work.  They got a bit of good skiing in also.

East Wall and Ski Patrol

These guys and gals put a lot of work into getting the East Wall open.  Many very early mornings, lots of hiking, ski cutting, pit digging, and lots of general schlepping.  They talked to every guest that skied the Wall Saturday.  They love doing it, but it is hard work.  They got a bit of good skiing in also.

Just Another Good Day

It was just another good day at The Basin.  Plenty of smiles.  The North Side skiing is superb.  The East Wall opened.  The grooming is awesome.  The Beach is "ALIVE."  We are going to cap it off with a big wedding bash at Black Mountain Lodge tonight.  Congratulations Alex and Jenny.

Just Another Good Day

It was just another good day at The Basin.  Plenty of smiles.  The North Side skiing is superb.  The East Wall opened.  The grooming is awesome.  The Beach is "ALIVE."  We are going to cap it off with a big wedding bash at Black Mountain Lodge tonight.  Congratulations Alex and Jenny.

East Wall Open Today

With grey skies, a couple of sun patches, and a few snow squalls, the East Wall opened for about an hour today.   Assuming the forecast holds true, it should be open again tomorrow for a bit in the afternoon.  While there are definitely some rocks out there, some excellent turns can be found.  I skied it four times.  The traverse might be the toughest part. Opening the Wall is a very dynamic situation.  The patrollers will continue to heavily monitor and manage the snow.  It may not be open all the time, but when it is, there will be some fun to be had.  We might get a decent storm Monday.  

East Wall Open Today

With grey skies, a couple of sun patches, and a few snow squalls, the East Wall opened for about an hour today.   Assuming the forecast holds true, it should be open again tomorrow for a bit in the afternoon.  While there are definitely some rocks out there, some excellent turns can be found.  I skied it four times.  The traverse might be the toughest part. Opening the Wall is a very dynamic situation.  The patrollers will continue to heavily monitor and manage the snow.  It may not be open all the time, but when it is, there will be some fun to be had.  We might get a decent storm Monday.  

Great Coverage

Take a good look at these photos.  There aren't too many dark spots on the snow.  With the February and March storms, the snow coverage on our trails is excellent.  It makes my day to see those big white spaces.  Kudos to the ski patrollers and snow cat drivers for all their hard work snow fencing, snow farming, dozing, grooming, and managing the snow.  All the "other guys" are going to be shutting down soon.  That means it is A-Basin Time.

Great Coverage

Take a good look at these photos.  There aren't too many dark spots on the snow.  With the February and March storms, the snow coverage on our trails is excellent.  It makes my day to see those big white spaces.  Kudos to the ski patrollers and snow cat drivers for all their hard work snow fencing, snow farming, dozing, grooming, and managing the snow.  All the "other guys" are going to be shutting down soon.  That means it is A-Basin Time.

Thursday Update

A few good updates for the day.  The Ski Patrol did some big routes off the ridge line into Willie's Wide, Snorklenose, and North Pole.  The Snorkle Door is the gap where skiers can slide from Upper Willie's into the top of Snorklenose.  It has one of the coolest views in the ski area.



Each of these routes gets us a little closer to opening the East Wall.



The cat drivers dozed the road on Pali - Wog.  That makes for a much nicer ski out of Pali when you are tired.



I am hearing that Hot Wheels is coming together nicely.  I may have to take a spin in there Friday.



Chance of snow every day for the next week.

Thursday Update

A few good updates for the day.  The Ski Patrol did some big routes off the ridge line into Willie's Wide, Snorklenose, and North Pole.  The Snorkle Door is the gap where skiers can slide from Upper Willie's into the top of Snorklenose.  It has one of the coolest views in the ski area.

Each of these routes gets us a little closer to opening the East Wall.

The cat drivers dozed the road on Pali - Wog.  That makes for a much nicer ski out of Pali when you are tired.

I am hearing that Hot Wheels is coming together nicely.  I may have to take a spin in there Friday.

Chance of snow every day for the next week.

East Wall

The big question is not "Will the East Wall open?"   The big question is "When will the East Wall open?"  We have had about 10 feet of snow the last two months.  Right now there is enough snow to open The East Wall.  Yes, there are still some rocks out there.  The forecast for the next week and more is very unsettled and will likely bring more snow.

The Ski Patrol has spent a great deal of time out there.  The East Wall avalauncher has been shot extensively.  There have been multiple routes done in North Pole, The Tree Chutes, and along The Traverse.  Numerous slides have covered rocks down low.    Our situation now is continued and aggressive snow management.  While I cannot say when it will open, I can say it will open.  The Patrollers will continue to do what they do.  The time is coming.  Be patient.  I see a really good spring on The Wall.

East Wall

The big question is not "Will the East Wall open?"   The big question is "When will the East Wall open?"  We have had about 10 feet of snow the last two months.  Right now there is enough snow to open The East Wall.  Yes, there are still some rocks out there.  The forecast for the next week and more is very unsettled and will likely bring more snow.

The Ski Patrol has spent a great deal of time out there.  The East Wall avalauncher has been shot extensively.  There have been multiple routes done in North Pole, The Tree Chutes, and along The Traverse.  Numerous slides have covered rocks down low.    Our situation now is continued and aggressive snow management.  While I cannot say when it will open, I can say it will open.  The Patrollers will continue to do what they do.  The time is coming.  Be patient.  I see a really good spring on The Wall.

About 6"

It was officially 3" at 5 AM. We have had about 3" more since then.  There are snowflakes in the forecast everyday for the next week.  This is what you have been waiting for.  It is beautiful out there.

About 6"

It was officially 3" at 5 AM. We have had about 3" more since then.  There are snowflakes in the forecast everyday for the next week.  This is what you have been waiting for.  It is beautiful out there.

Zuma Cornice - Jump

I had another just incredible afternoon skiing at The Basin.  I toured around a fair bit and took 3 "Last Runs" on The Spine, my all time favorite run anywhere.  The wind has been kind there.  The other really spectacular spot I visited was out Zuma Cornice to Jump.  Skiing on top of the ridge, the 360 degree views are really cool.  There are extraordinary vistas of Independence and Santa Fe Mountains.  I dropped into Jump which is probably the steepest line in Montezuma Bowl.  The upper portion was wind buffed smooth and the lower portion wasn't quite packed, but it wasn't quite chowder either.  Good skiing.

Jump is named after Larry Jump, a 10th Mountain Division soldier and the first President and founder of A-Basin.

Zuma Cornice - Jump

I had another just incredible afternoon skiing at The Basin.  I toured around a fair bit and took 3 "Last Runs" on The Spine, my all time favorite run anywhere.  The wind has been kind there.  The other really spectacular spot I visited was out Zuma Cornice to Jump.  Skiing on top of the ridge, the 360 degree views are really cool.  There are extraordinary vistas of Independence and Santa Fe Mountains.  I dropped into Jump which is probably the steepest line in Montezuma Bowl.  The upper portion was wind buffed smooth and the lower portion wasn't quite packed, but it wasn't quite chowder either.  Good skiing.

Jump is named after Larry Jump, a 10th Mountain Division soldier and the first President and founder of A-Basin.

The Good Wind

Today it was all about the good wind, The Face, and The Spine.  Smooth.

The Good Wind

Today it was all about the good wind, The Face, and The Spine.  Smooth.

Terrain Park Expansion

With all the new snow, Terrain Park Manager Matt Hauke and his crew have been able to expand the Treeline Terrain Park.  In particular, they added several new features including the Rainbow Rail and Up Down Box.  Great for spring riding.  If spring ever comes. I am hoping for another month or two of winter.