Just another good day of skiing The Basin, riding the chairlift with guests, checking on conditions, soaking in the view and generally having fun.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
A Couple Of Beautiful Days
We have been lucky to be able to enjoy a couple of spectacular, beautiful days. I have found some particularly fun skiing in West Zuma, Slalom Slope and just about everywhere I went on the North Side. Saturday should be another clear day with "snow" being a big part of next week's forecast.
A Couple Of Beautiful Days
We have been lucky to be able to enjoy a couple of spectacular, beautiful days. I have found some particularly fun skiing in West Zuma, Slalom Slope and just about everywhere I went on the North Side. Saturday should be another clear day with "snow" being a big part of next week's forecast.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
New Snow And Old Freestyle Skiers
The Basin ended up with 5 inches of new snow out of this past storm, 3 inches today and 2 inches yesterday. There was a strong wind blowing all day yesterday. For those savvy to the areas favored by the wind, there were "free refills" all day long. Today we are looking at sunny skies and temperatures in the 20's. The incredible conditions have brought out a few old freestyle skiers that still seem pretty dialed into their craft.
New Snow And Old Freestyle Skiers
The Basin ended up with 5 inches of new snow out of this past storm, 3 inches today and 2 inches yesterday. There was a strong wind blowing all day yesterday. For those savvy to the areas favored by the wind, there were "free refills" all day long. Today we are looking at sunny skies and temperatures in the 20's. The incredible conditions have brought out a few old freestyle skiers that still seem pretty dialed into their craft.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
A Good Windy Day
We are winding down a good windy day. By that I mean it was a bit blustery here, but the wind was putting snow in the right places. I had a soft afternoon run in Durrance in Montezuma Bowl and some smooth runs on the North Side. A favorable West / Southwest wind was putting snow in a lot of nice places making that smooth, velvety surface. Very sweet.
A Good Windy Day
We are winding down a good windy day. By that I mean it was a bit blustery here, but the wind was putting snow in the right places. I had a soft afternoon run in Durrance in Montezuma Bowl and some smooth runs on the North Side. A favorable West / Southwest wind was putting snow in a lot of nice places making that smooth, velvety surface. Very sweet.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Sunrise Top Of Pali
One of the great rewards of an early morning skin can be enjoying the early light. Here is a shot taken from the top of Pali on Christmas Eve. The sun is just hitting Tenderfoot Mountain and the Gore Range.
Sunrise Top Of Pali
One of the great rewards of an early morning skin can be enjoying the early light. Here is a shot taken from the top of Pali on Christmas Eve. The sun is just hitting Tenderfoot Mountain and the Gore Range.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Ski School Porcupine
It isn't too often that a Snowsports School group comes across a porcupine hanging out and enjoying the day. The instructor and kids were skiing the Lower Mountain when they found this guy perched on a small tree. Lucky kids. Lucky they didn't get too close.
Ski School Porcupine
It isn't too often that a Snowsports School group comes across a porcupine hanging out and enjoying the day. The instructor and kids were skiing the Lower Mountain when they found this guy perched on a small tree. Lucky kids. Lucky they didn't get too close.
West Zuma
Life is pretty good when you get to spend Christmas Eve (day) skiing the steeps in West Zuma Bowl. It was all good with a particularly fun run down Jump. I think that is probably the steepest pitch on the back side. The right flank has some big rock features that are fun to navigate through. The view isn't bad either.
West Zuma
Life is pretty good when you get to spend Christmas Eve (day) skiing the steeps in West Zuma Bowl. It was all good with a particularly fun run down Jump. I think that is probably the steepest pitch on the back side. The right flank has some big rock features that are fun to navigate through. The view isn't bad either.
Friday, December 23, 2016
It Might Have Been Perfect.
Oh Geez!!!!! 4" of new snow at report time. Montezuma Bowl opened side to side. Snowing in the morning. Bright, sunny, bluebird day by late morning. Zuma snow - awesome. Pali - fantastic. Front side groomers - wow. There were a few folks out there that really enjoyed the day. Hard to beat it. Today was what this "Ski Thing" is all about.
It Might Have Been Perfect.
Oh Geez!!!!! 4" of new snow at report time. Montezuma Bowl opened side to side. Snowing in the morning. Bright, sunny, bluebird day by late morning. Zuma snow - awesome. Pali - fantastic. Front side groomers - wow. There were a few folks out there that really enjoyed the day. Hard to beat it. Today was what this "Ski Thing" is all about.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
First Thing In The Morning
Montezuma Bowl will open first thing in the morning Friday. As your Lenawee Mountain Chairlift ride drops you off at The Summit, Montezuma Bowl will be ready and waiting for you just after 9 AM. The forecast tonight is for a few inches of snow. We will be looking at some fine skiing and riding conditions. As these afternoon pictures show, Zuma looks great.
First Thing In The Morning
Montezuma Bowl will open first thing in the morning Friday. As your Lenawee Mountain Chairlift ride drops you off at The Summit, Montezuma Bowl will be ready and waiting for you just after 9 AM. The forecast tonight is for a few inches of snow. We will be looking at some fine skiing and riding conditions. As these afternoon pictures show, Zuma looks great.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Friday Opening For Montezuma Bowl
The time has arrived. Montezuma Bowl will open for the season this Friday, December 23. The snow coverage is very good. Just about everything, except the Hike Back terrain will be open. The groomers, Columbine and Larkspur, will be in top form and the steeps in MGD and West Zuma will be a blast. Kudos to the cat drivers, patrollers and lift crew that has pulled all this together.
Friday Opening For Montezuma Bowl
The time has arrived. Montezuma Bowl will open for the season this Friday, December 23. The snow coverage is very good. Just about everything, except the Hike Back terrain will be open. The groomers, Columbine and Larkspur, will be in top form and the steeps in MGD and West Zuma will be a blast. Kudos to the cat drivers, patrollers and lift crew that has pulled all this together.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Major Progress In Montezuma Bowl
We have made major progress in Montezuma Bowl. The winch cat has been hard at work prepping the steeper blue trail pitches. In fact the snowcat drivers have made it all the way to the bottom of the chairlift. I was not expecting that for a couple of more days. There is still lots of work to go particularly on Larkspur and Middle Columbine, but the progress is good. The drivers will continue to impact as many areas as they can. This prep work allows the snow to set up a bit more solidly. In the long run, the snow holds up better and allows for good skiing in the groomed corridors.
Major Progress In Montezuma Bowl
We have made major progress in Montezuma Bowl. The winch cat has been hard at work prepping the steeper blue trail pitches. In fact the snowcat drivers have made it all the way to the bottom of the chairlift. I was not expecting that for a couple of more days. There is still lots of work to go particularly on Larkspur and Middle Columbine, but the progress is good. The drivers will continue to impact as many areas as they can. This prep work allows the snow to set up a bit more solidly. In the long run, the snow holds up better and allows for good skiing in the groomed corridors.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Montezuma Bowl News
I think these pictures speak for themselves. These photos were taken yesterday afternoon. We had two snowcats and a bunch of patrollers working in Montezuma Bowl all day today. I still can't say exactly when yet, but I am confident the lift will open this week. As we saw with the Pali opening, I suspect Zuma will have an exceptional opening also. Obviously we will get Larkspur and Columbine open. Who knows you might also get a chance to ski the 14'ers and MGD. This will be another good one.
