The Shadow

The Shadow

High Country Conservation Center (HC3)

The festival for HC3 was a big hit. People demo'd a lot of different skis. There was some serious social activity going on in the village. Smokey the Bear was a hit. We raised a bunch of money for the High Country Conservation Center. Thanks to everyone that chipped in.

High Country Conservation Center (HC3)

The festival for HC3 was a big hit. People demo'd a lot of different skis. There was some serious social activity going on in the village. Smokey the Bear was a hit. We raised a bunch of money for the High Country Conservation Center. Thanks to everyone that chipped in.

The Snorkel Door

Snorkelnose is open. After a long, steep, brutal hike up the Willy's Wide staircase skiers can pop on their skis, traverse North and slide through the Snorkel Door into Snorkelnose, maybe the coolest place at A-Basin (and that is saying something). It was my first journey up there this season. It just opened Thursday afternoon. I was expecting it to be kind of rough. I was totally wrong, the skiing was beautiful.

The Snorkel Door

Snorkelnose is open. After a long, steep, brutal hike up the Willy's Wide staircase skiers can pop on their skis, traverse North and slide through the Snorkel Door into Snorkelnose, maybe the coolest place at A-Basin (and that is saying something). It was my first journey up there this season. It just opened Thursday afternoon. I was expecting it to be kind of rough. I was totally wrong, the skiing was beautiful.

Save Our Snow Celebration

Saturday, come join us for the Save Our Snow Celebrations.The event is a day of environmental education and awareness and all proceeds go to the High Country Conservation Center. The Big Onions will be providing the music from 11 AM - 2 PM. There will be a prize drawing and silent auction with goods from Patagonia, Unity Snowboards, Skilogik, Albritton Skis, Meier Skis, Faction, and Never Summer. Join us for some good fun and a good time.

Save Our Snow Celebration

Saturday, come join us for the Save Our Snow Celebrations.The event is a day of environmental education and awareness and all proceeds go to the High Country Conservation Center. The Big Onions will be providing the music from 11 AM - 2 PM. There will be a prize drawing and silent auction with goods from Patagonia, Unity Snowboards, Skilogik, Albritton Skis, Meier Skis, Faction, and Never Summer. Join us for some good fun and a good time.

North Pole Staircase

Here is one you don't see too often. To access the North Pole region, we typically open the hiking gate near the Summit. Skiers and riders hike up the ridge line to Little Lenawee Peak and traverse East dropping into 1st Notch, 2nd Notch, East and West Vertical Cornice, Narrow North Pole and North Pole. The wind can affect the upper reaches of these lines. When the skiing gets too bony at the top, we will close that gate and, if conditions allows, set a staircase right up North Pole.So for the last couple of days, people have been hiking and skiing the North Pole staircase. You will, almost certainly, see the North Pole gate open again.

North Pole Staircase

Here is one you don't see too often. To access the North Pole region, we typically open the hiking gate near the Summit. Skiers and riders hike up the ridge line to Little Lenawee Peak and traverse East dropping into 1st Notch, 2nd Notch, East and West Vertical Cornice, Narrow North Pole and North Pole. The wind can affect the upper reaches of these lines. When the skiing gets too bony at the top, we will close that gate and, if conditions allows, set a staircase right up North Pole.So for the last couple of days, people have been hiking and skiing the North Pole staircase. You will, almost certainly, see the North Pole gate open again.

I Just Had To Ski It

We ended up getting 11 inches out of this storm. Let's call it a foot. While the daily totals were reported over the last three mornings, most of the snow actually fell in the 36 hours between 1 AM Tuesday and mid-day Wednesday. This storm was very, very kind to the East Wall. The Ski Patrol kept up with the storm running hand routes, ski cutting, and firing the avalauncher. This morning they opened the Wall and the Willy's and North Pole staircases. I just took a spin out on the traverse. After getting below Snorkelnose, I stopped, took a good look and I just had to ski it. Absolutely, A+ fantastic. Thanks to the Patrol for making it happen today.

East Wall Tip - Skiing out the traverse, a skier will cross small ridges and micro-gullies. The deepest snow is found in the gullies.

I Just Had To Ski It

We ended up getting 11 inches out of this storm. Let's call it a foot. While the daily totals were reported over the last three mornings, most of the snow actually fell in the 36 hours between 1 AM Tuesday and mid-day Wednesday. This storm was very, very kind to the East Wall. The Ski Patrol kept up with the storm running hand routes, ski cutting, and firing the avalauncher. This morning they opened the Wall and the Willy's and North Pole staircases. I just took a spin out on the traverse. After getting below Snorkelnose, I stopped, took a good look and I just had to ski it. Absolutely, A+ fantastic. Thanks to the Patrol for making it happen today.

East Wall Tip - Skiing out the traverse, a skier will cross small ridges and micro-gullies. The deepest snow is found in the gullies.

All In One Day

A little sun, a little snow, a lot of good skiing.

All In One Day

A little sun, a little snow, a lot of good skiing.

More Snow

2" new at 5 AM. report time.  Still snowing at 8 AM. We may see an additional 2-3 inches by the time the storm tapers mid-day. Yesterday morning the skiing was excellent. I expect more of the same today.

More Snow

2" new at 5 AM. report time.  Still snowing at 8 AM. We may see an additional 2-3 inches by the time the storm tapers mid-day. Yesterday morning the skiing was excellent. I expect more of the same today.

Snow Overnight

While not a total surprise, the 5 inches of new snow we reported this morning was certainly a treat. Perhaps the flat tire on our Bobcat guaranteed plenty of new snow. The skiing should be top notch this morning. The clouds have broken up a bit, but later in the day we could see more activity rolling in. Don't be surprised to see the same amount of new snow again by mid-day tomorrow. Good, good, good.

Snow Overnight

While not a total surprise, the 5 inches of new snow we reported this morning was certainly a treat. Perhaps the flat tire on our Bobcat guaranteed plenty of new snow. The skiing should be top notch this morning. The clouds have broken up a bit, but later in the day we could see more activity rolling in. Don't be surprised to see the same amount of new snow again by mid-day tomorrow. Good, good, good.

Ski Touring The Beavers

Whitney and I had a nice afternoon ski touring in The Beavers. We found some decent corn to ski, enjoyed some nice time in the woods, and had a good skin back uphill. Topped it off with a late lunch in The 6th Alley and we called it a day. Back to work tomorrow.