Small Slides On Pali

This morning we had a small, natural slide in 2nd Bowl on Pallavicini. Later in the day, our Snow Safety Team deployed explosives from 1st Bowl to The Face triggering several more small slides running as much as 200 feet. The crew has been busy ski cutting and packing snow in Lenawee Parks, West Wall and Slalom Slope. With each storm and wind event, our avalanche workers are going to be busier and busier.

Small Slides On Pali

This morning we had a small, natural slide in 2nd Bowl on Pallavicini. Later in the day, our Snow Safety Team deployed explosives from 1st Bowl to The Face triggering several more small slides running as much as 200 feet. The crew has been busy ski cutting and packing snow in Lenawee Parks, West Wall and Slalom Slope. With each storm and wind event, our avalanche workers are going to be busier and busier.

Lenawee Opens Friday

Lenawee Mountain Chairlift and Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch ski trails will open for this season Friday morning. I took a spin on the Upper Mountain this afternoon. Beautiful. The Tuesday day and Tuesday night snowmaking session was a big boost for Dercum's Gulch. Those bony spots I mentioned yesterday look really good. Tonight and tomorrow night the snowmakers will put the final frosting on the trail. The cat drivers will put on the final corduroy groom and the ski patrollers will do the rope closure, pad, sign thing. The Lift Ops and Maintenance have been ready for weeks. The skiing is exceptionally good and we will have a very fun opening on Friday.

Lenawee Opens Friday

Lenawee Mountain Chairlift and Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch ski trails will open for this season Friday morning. I took a spin on the Upper Mountain this afternoon. Beautiful. The Tuesday day and Tuesday night snowmaking session was a big boost for Dercum's Gulch. Those bony spots I mentioned yesterday look really good. Tonight and tomorrow night the snowmakers will put the final frosting on the trail. The cat drivers will put on the final corduroy groom and the ski patrollers will do the rope closure, pad, sign thing. The Lift Ops and Maintenance have been ready for weeks. The skiing is exceptionally good and we will have a very fun opening on Friday.

Lenawee Update

I just took three ski runs on Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch. There has been a very nice improvement over the last several days. There are a couple of bony spots, but overall it is in much better shape. Mother Nature's snowfall has been kind and the snowmakers have had some success. The snowcats have been along the entire length of the trails. The cat drivers have done the initial Lenawee Face pile dozing. There is more to go. The Ski Patrol has set up a number of snowfences. The lift crew has Lenawee Mountain Lift licensed and ready to go. We are still not quite ready to say when, but we are much closer to getting that zone open.

Lenawee Update

I just took three ski runs on Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch. There has been a very nice improvement over the last several days. There are a couple of bony spots, but overall it is in much better shape. Mother Nature's snowfall has been kind and the snowmakers have had some success. The snowcats have been along the entire length of the trails. The cat drivers have done the initial Lenawee Face pile dozing. There is more to go. The Ski Patrol has set up a number of snowfences. The lift crew has Lenawee Mountain Lift licensed and ready to go. We are still not quite ready to say when, but we are much closer to getting that zone open.

3,555' Before Breakfast

The first Rando Race of the season was a big success. 86 "Skimo" (ski mountaineering) racers participated. Skiers started in the base area and skied as many laps as they could up High Noon and down Ramrod. The leaders completed 5 laps. That is 3,555 vertical feet of climbing before breakfast. Not bad. I continue to be amazed by how fast these athletes go up hill. Even their transitions (putting skins on or taking skins off) is fast. Whenever I do something with my skins, I also have to change clothes, figure out where I am, get a drink of water, eat an energy bar and discuss life's issues. These gals and guys are tremendous.

3,555' Before Breakfast

The first Rando Race of the season was a big success. 86 "Skimo" (ski mountaineering) racers participated. Skiers started in the base area and skied as many laps as they could up High Noon and down Ramrod. The leaders completed 5 laps. That is 3,555 vertical feet of climbing before breakfast. Not bad. I continue to be amazed by how fast these athletes go up hill. Even their transitions (putting skins on or taking skins off) is fast. Whenever I do something with my skins, I also have to change clothes, figure out where I am, get a drink of water, eat an energy bar and discuss life's issues. These gals and guys are tremendous.

First Rando Race and Upphill Access Update

The biking weather hung in there for a while, but now it is time for a little Rando Racing. This season's first  Randonee event will be Tuesday, November 29. Patio has come up with a great event to offset what Mother Nature has delivered so far. Starting at 7 AM sharp, skiers will cruise up High Noon to Black Mountain Lodge and then descend Ramrod. Racers will ski as many of these laps as possible with no new laps being counted after 8 AM. Looks like a good event to work out the summer and fall kinks and work on your transitions.



Please note that except for this special event, uphill access is still closed to the public. With this week's forecasted snowfall and a little more snowmaking, our hope is to get uphill access open soon.



And it is snowing !!!

First Rando Race and Upphill Access Update

The biking weather hung in there for a while, but now it is time for a little Rando Racing. This season's first  Randonee event will be Tuesday, November 29. Patio has come up with a great event to offset what Mother Nature has delivered so far. Starting at 7 AM sharp, skiers will cruise up High Noon to Black Mountain Lodge and then descend Ramrod. Racers will ski as many of these laps as possible with no new laps being counted after 8 AM. Looks like a good event to work out the summer and fall kinks and work on your transitions.

Please note that except for this special event, uphill access is still closed to the public. With this week's forecasted snowfall and a little more snowmaking, our hope is to get uphill access open soon.

And it is snowing !!!

POW - Protect Our Winters

Protect Our Winters (POW) unites and mobilizes the snow sports community against climate change. POW focuses on youth education, climate advocacy and community activism. Climate Change continues to be one of our generation's most pressing issues. A-Basin is proud to be a partner with POW and support their mission. Our new uniforms sport the POW logo. To learn more about POW and A-Basin's sustainability efforts go to www.arapahoebasin.com/sustainability and www.protectourwinters.org. GET INVOLVED.

POW - Protect Our Winters

Protect Our Winters (POW) unites and mobilizes the snow sports community against climate change. POW focuses on youth education, climate advocacy and community activism. Climate Change continues to be one of our generation's most pressing issues. A-Basin is proud to be a partner with POW and support their mission. Our new uniforms sport the POW logo. To learn more about POW and A-Basin's sustainability efforts go to www.arapahoebasin.com/sustainability and www.protectourwinters.org. GET INVOLVED.

Just Another Beautiful Ski Day

Pretty easy to enjoy a day like this.

Just Another Beautiful Ski Day

Pretty easy to enjoy a day like this.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and your friends. The day started snowy and blustery, but by mid-morning, we were enjoying blue, sunny skies.

I skied off the top for the first time this morning. Previously I had been walking down. While not ready to open, we do have areas with excellent coverage.The terrain you can see from Black Mountain Lodge is in fine shape. The snowmakers continue to work hard in the weaker areas.

Molly Hogan Chairlift and trail will open for the season tomorrow, Friday. If you know that person that is ready to ski for the first time, Molly Hogan is the place to take him/her.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and your friends. The day started snowy and blustery, but by mid-morning, we were enjoying blue, sunny skies.

I skied off the top for the first time this morning. Previously I had been walking down. While not ready to open, we do have areas with excellent coverage.The terrain you can see from Black Mountain Lodge is in fine shape. The snowmakers continue to work hard in the weaker areas.

Molly Hogan Chairlift and trail will open for the season tomorrow, Friday. If you know that person that is ready to ski for the first time, Molly Hogan is the place to take him/her.

Another Walking Tour

I went for another walking tour around the snowmaking terrain this morning. Watching the morning sun hit The Professor is always a treat. Still making progress on snowmaking. I promise that as soon as I know when the Upper Mountain will open, you will know also. We are getting closer.

Another Walking Tour

I went for another walking tour around the snowmaking terrain this morning. Watching the morning sun hit The Professor is always a treat. Still making progress on snowmaking. I promise that as soon as I know when the Upper Mountain will open, you will know also. We are getting closer.

Today's Snow

We reported 2" of new snow this morning and it snowed lightly for much of the day. It is still snowing as I write this post. Our temperatures are very good for snowmaking. We are very judiciously making snow in key areas as our water supply allows. We are seeing success on the Upper Mountain as well as on Molly Hogan. With Molly being such a small area, it might open before Lenawee. Let's see what Mother Nature does these next few days. A dump or two of snow would be fun.

Today's Snow

We reported 2" of new snow this morning and it snowed lightly for much of the day. It is still snowing as I write this post. Our temperatures are very good for snowmaking. We are very judiciously making snow in key areas as our water supply allows. We are seeing success on the Upper Mountain as well as on Molly Hogan. With Molly being such a small area, it might open before Lenawee. Let's see what Mother Nature does these next few days. A dump or two of snow would be fun.

Another Day Closer To The Top