Snowpack at 196%

10" new over the last 48 hours. The snowpack for the North Fork of the Snake River Basin is 196% of the long term average for May 11. Heavy snowfall and a delayed start to runoff have led to the deep, late season pack. Year to date precipitation is 137% of normal. These numbers come from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. They maintain a series of SNOTEL weather sites throughout the Western US. The "Grizzly SNOTEL" site is very close to A-Basin and can be used to gather snowpack and precipitation information for our immediate vicinity. To find this info Google SNOTEL and start surfing. All kinds of info for you snow nerds. When I say snowpack, I am referring to "Snow Water Equivalent" (SWE) which is the amount of water within the snowpack on the ground. Enjoy today's photos and it is still snowing.

Bird's Eye View of The Basin

Thought you might enjoy these photos. A friend of my sent them to me last week. As you can tell, spring is here and in full form.

Fans of A-Basin

Caroline, Gaby, and Felipe Moore.

Hazel Miller - May 21

One of my favorite singers and bands will be playing at The Basin Saturday, May 21 from 1 - 4 PM. She is absolutely incredible. Belting out blues, jazz, pop, and gospel, Hazel can really get an audience going. I have heard her sing many times over the years. Last summer I saw her in Frisco on the 4th of July. As always, she was wonderful. Put the day down on your calendar. Come ski in the morning, grab some BBQ at Black Mountain Lodge for lunch, and spend the afternoon with Hazel. Check out hazelmiller.com.

Finally, Spring Is Here

We have had an amazing run. For the most part, we retained winter snow conditions until early May. No matter what we do, however, the temps will get warmer and the days will get longer. The shift from winter to spring finally happened this week. The forecast the next few days is clear, sunny, and warm. CLASSIC A-BASIN SPRING SKIING. This is a change from what we have been used to, but it is beautiful out there. Bring your sunscreen and enjoy this weather.

1st Notch and Corner Chute

I know I continue to rave about the skiing. Sunday, Kay and I spent a few hours enjoying the place on my day off. We had several great runs on the North Side. It was still winter conditions with sweet skiing on The Spine, The Face, Standard, Slalom Slope, and the 3rd Alley. After a good warm up there, we headed to The East Wall. After hiking through the North Pole gate up to Little Lenawee Peak, we dropped into 1st Notch. We first opened that chute from the top in the early 90's. I have to say that Sunday had the best snow cover I have seen there in 20 years. From there it was up the Willie's Staircase to the Snorkel Door. A traverse and a little ski to the North put us in Corner Chute. With only one set of tracks before us, we had perfect untouched boot-deep powder skiing. Tough going into work on your day off.

April Snowfall Record, 87"

OK snow nerds, we have a new April snowfall record, 87". That is 162% of average April snowfall. Year to date we were at 405" April 30 which is 130% of YTD average annual snowfall. This might help explain why we have had extraordinary skiing and riding. Interesting factoid - the snowiest month on record at A-Basin, January 1996 with 136". And............we started May with 3" new this morning on top of perfect winter skiing yesterday afternoon. Pretty good.

North Pole Photo

Jon Rayeski from Ft. Collins sent us this cool photo. He took it while hiking and skiing North Pole Saturday. The view is from the ski patrol toboggan at the top of North Pole Proper looking West towards Little Lenawee Peak. Great photo Jon. Thanks.