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Last minute decision to chase some lake effect snow this morning has paid off 👌

Day 3 - Even warmer Arrived at the base to partly cloudy skies and 28 degrees. Following yesterday’s warmup and puddles frozen seen in the ride over, we knew the lower half of the mountain was gii oh no to be firm. Decided to take the 8-pack out and look for some groomers on Andesite side. At the top of the lift, it looks like about an inch fell, which should make for some fine cruising, not! We couldn’t find a groomed trail over here at all, just frozen crud from yesterday. Back down to the base and up to the bowl, which should have better snow and visibility was far better than yesterday and the bowl didn’t disappoint. Lapped the bowl until everyone else on the mountain came up and the liftline became unbearable. Headed down through the woods to the one smoke shack nearby for lunch but it was occupied, so we took the Challenger back up and down to the base for lunch. After lunch we found a nice pocket of snow on Buffalo Jump but the snow has turned to mush and the run outs were becoming unbearable. Took a run down the park to check out the hump line but the snow was so slow that you could barely make it over the landing edge. Time to call it a day. Back at the house, hot tub, beers, grilled chicken & potatoes, nothing to write home mom about. Another warm one on tap for tomorrow. In the bowl… Found another one… Tagged… Chatting with Daryl…

Jay is off I off the hook. 4’ in last week

Yeah so cheap and still good Yeah! Went to crystal lounge today (Wednesday) again. I have to draft todays write up about the glacier. The Blackcomb Bowl and glacier was amazing.

Tuesday I woke up and was so excited to have my skis and my low light goggles. My legs were on fire from Monday. The heavy snow and the piles of ungroomed terrains / moguls made my legs jello. Skiing Whistler might be the complete opposite of somewhere like Deer Valley. I haven’t seen an inch of cord at Whistler. My legs felt trashed … like I just ran a marathon. But like a normal person who is sore after a marathon. Not like how Atomic continues to run and ski after a 50k race. So … Tuesday morning — I returned my rentals and grabbed breakfast at Gone Eatery. I had a chai latte and mushroom breakfast bowl while I took some work calls. I took the Whistler gondola up and chatted with Schif who is in Dubai and was drinking with one of my college friends. i saw a sliver of blue sky on Tuesday. I would love to see the full view. I started off on Whistler side and tried to find my brother. He was on Peak Express and I asked if I would like it. My brother described the Whistler Bowl off the Peak Express chair as “the cliffs are steep and deep. And the slopes are butt puckering scary. Visibility was nonexistent when I went down. Huge powder moguls and steep slopes. It’s legit butthole puckering terrain.” The above pic is looking at Peak Express. So … i continued to explore parts of Whistler. I was surprised by the snowballs rolling down the sides. In Colorado, it typically signifies that something is about to slide. Blue sky? Don’t worry. The visibility was variable throughout the day. By 12pm, it was back to low visibility. I went in for a quick lunch and to get my charger. Had a protein shake & headed back out. By 2pm, it was big Flake energy at the top. Then raining mid mountain. And slushy and misty at the base. I was soaked as I skied back down. My brother went back slightly earlier. He hit up the Olympics museum and said it was smaller than the one in Park City. He went to Pizzeria Antico and got margherita pizza that was on happy hour. Odd that they gave him scissors to slice his pizza with….. I missed happy hour but wanted to try a different pizza. I popped into Pangea for a Butternut Squash flatbread with feta & spinach. The Pangea hotel was weird. It looked like a WeWork for recent grads in China who like skiing. But the flatbread was delicious. The cocktail menu was full of ineundos like Citron My Face. i opted for a beer and kicked ass at Connect Four.

Skied the Blackcomb Glacier and checked out the ice cave today.

Skied 2 days so far at Taos and it’s been full on spring conditions, like 50 degrees. Everything has softened up at about 11 and it’s been nice. Lots of bumps so far, a couple hikes to the West Basin gnar and many Kachina laps. K4 and St . Bernard have been the best so far. A couple more days to come.

Hey All, I’m back from another morning session at Blue mountain the true mountain. I arrived at the lower lot at 835am and it was 35 degrees under sunny sky’s with a brisk north wind. In the house were Atomic Jeff, Bethlehem Ford Guy, TP4, Drew and Gary. First run on razors was stiff cord but smooth, lazy mile was similar and revisited razors a few times and it got a bit better as the cord was scrapped off. Paradise was ok and TheDude4Bides was practicing his whirlybirds. Coming soon was groomed one car width wise on the right side and had the slickest snow on the hill. There were a moderate amount of people out, mostly booms skiing slow. Finished with some razors and was out of there at 1015am. Should be interesting weather this weekend...cold, wet, warm...an entire Smorgesboard on tap.

Last minute decision this morning to head beyond Montage, past Vermont, and cross the border to hit up Greek Peak. I saw the forecast calling for lake effect snow showers throughout the morning so I was hoping that the rain that we got overnight was snow up there. Left a little after 7:00 and got there for opening. Once I got beyond Binghamton it was a steady snow. Pulled into an empty parking lot and was pleasantly surprised with 4+" of snow that had fallen overnight with snow still falling. Redeemed my Indy Pass and was on my way. I had never been here before so I started out hitting trails off of the #1 lift since it was the only thing spinning. Best run over here was Olympian, by far, but everything else was good too. Depending on when things were groomed or wind the depth of the snow varied. Olympian was top notch. After some time here I saw that lift #4 was spinning so I scooted over there and by the infamous oil rig lift. Even less people over here since this zone just opened. In between heavy snow squalls some sun started to poke out. Trails remained empty and every run had untracked snow to be found. Got to the top of the lift to see that GP East was closed and was kind of bummed about that. Best runs off of this lift were Hercules (which I think I might have been the only person to even ski it since it was closed up top except through the glades) and Labyrinth. After some runs here, I got to the top of the lift as they were opening GP East. Jackpot. The whole place was untracked and I did 6 runs off of lift #5 with almost completely untracked turns each run. Some of the best meadow skipping I've had on the east coast topped off with a little booter onto the last headwall. A few more random runs off of the other lifts on my way back to the car and then called it a day in early afternoon. Overall 10/10 day. Would recommend. Not saying much, but this was definitely my best day of the season. JADIP 👌

They added Cham too which is massive, instant purchase for my family and my sister had already booked hotels. I've gotten ikon and blue for the last 3 and been very happy. Whatever the expensive version is pays for itself with one trip to DV and its the big dog mtns you actually want to ski. At least for the moment I'm spiritually opposed to purchasing an Epic pass no matter the mtns that are on it. I'll pay full price day pass and have at PC but I'm not buying an Epic unless they change how they conduct their business.

Sounds like another great trip! I saw lake effect in the forecast here this morning and decided to gamble. It’s been good, snowy, and empty.

Really stoked at that terrain! And was wondering why a monkey was by your car but realized the edibles were kicking in

https://www.skipasscalculator.com/

I'm thinking about buying the Dom pass. It comes with unlimited at Blue mountain visits and wherever else I go. It's pretty awesome.

I am stuck with Epic since that’s the only way to ski Crested Butte. But I do not ski any other epic resorts. I much prefer Eldora, WP and Copper. I will prob have to buy both again. Curious what Epic will do.

Just bought my Indy Pass for next season. After 5 days of use, and hopefully some more this month, it was an easy choice. They have a payment plan that spreads the payments out until next season so it is ~$25 a month and isn't even noticeable on the CC. Pumped to keep checking out some new spots and old classics.

headed up for a RAW this evening (ride after work)

Looks awesome toast... I think my plan for this weekend is Jay tomorrow and Sunday, Saddleback Saturday, and somewhere Monday. Bolton, Berkshire east, somewhere else, depends on conditions and weather

Last night had some pretty fun spring conditions. Had a nice first run on p-dizzle with @mute1080 and fam then hit up coming soon, sidewinder, lazy a few times, switch and main. All in my opinion were fantastic. Bummed I missed the box truck tailgate... One interesting note is I think it was the first night that you could smell spring in the air. For the time being I am choosing to ignore this.

looks like the first corner of NMDW!

My thoughts exactly. I will buy a day pass for an Epic resort before i buy the pass, at least until they have undone what they did.

We did see The Dude doing a live whirlybird ... he was trying to impress some chick he was skiing with.

@Benmare you gonna add your day at Montage to your stats?

So for my kids and I it would actually be cheaper to do Belleayre passes (with holiday blackouts) paired with IndyPass than to do Montage passes paired with IndyPass. And plan to use the IndyPass during Holiday Blackouts. Prefer Belle to Montage. But it is a bit more of a hike for a day trip. Still thinking might just do IndyPasses and find other discounts for other days.

the rules are here. I assume your vaxxed? they check vax cards everywhere. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada It’s not that bad. Just more rules than I prefer to have in my life. If your fully vaxxed, you have to schedule a test at like CVS. You’ll likely get results within 24-48 hours. CVS opens their testing schedule 14 days out. - 3 days before you arrive to Canada do a covid test at a place like CVS - 2 days before you arrive to Canada … do another test at a place like CVS (just in case you don’t know how to count like me or something goes awry.) - if you don’t have your test results before you leave, there are rapid test places but they charge you for it (they don’t bill through insurance). you have to download the ArriveCAN app and you upload your vaccination and test results there. when you check in for your flight, the desk agent will ask to see your vaccinations, covid test results, and ArriveCAN code. When you go through customs, you have to show your vaccinations, covid test result, and ArriveCAN code again. After customs, I was randomly selected for yet another PCR test. I must have taken like 4 PCR tests. Ha. I was such a negative nancy 🏆 ——————- when I flew in Canada the rule said “Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your entry to Canada by land or water” then if you had a connection, the wording was confusing. They basically check when you first arrive into Canada. I had two questions. (1) do I know how to count? I thought … 72 hours from my connection? Or when I arrive in Vancouver? And do they factor in time zone? Clearly, I over thought it and took an extra test the day before I left (just in case) (2) will I get my results in time? With a PCR test, the time to get a result varies. In December, it took 5+ days. Fortunately, turn around time is like 24 hours now. I was prepared to get a rapid RT-PCR from vybe and pay the $150 in case I didn’t get the results Hope that was helpful!

Pulled up to some guys tailgating in a Thomas’ English Muffin box truck tonight, which was a first. He def caught me taking a picture. Quad line was dumb, wish they had the 6 running. Caught a lap with @Dirtwolfand ended at the triple since she likes the “rollers.” Spring coat nights are nice but glad it’s going to get cold again for a little.

Chose Burke today and finally got a good day in . They picked up 5” but on top of bones surface so while a hoot you had to be careful. ROTD was east bowl and upper and lower power line. Still getting freshies at 2:30 if you did not mind picking branches out of your helmet. tomorrow meeting a fellow number at jay. They seem to be in a good cycle so 🤞

Day 2 - Warmer Outta the house to wait for parking lot tram to overcast skies and upper 20’s. Didn’t get much out of system overnight, maybe an inch. On the tram a few raindrops were felt. Since some snow fell, decided to head for the bowl fist thing. Up the lifts the drizzle turned to snow, great! It would continue to snow off and on all day. Up to the bowl, visibility began to drop. Into the bowl turned white out, not good, but enough to make you unable to see bump abs so we bailed. Looking at the wind direction, maybe the Southern side would be clearer. Headed around the mountain to the Shedhorn lift past all the mega-million dollar houses of the Yellowstone club. The plan was to head for the Dakota lift area but it was closed. We later found out from a worked that they rarely run it, mainly because of maintenance issues. The employee didn’t know if it would be running this week or not. Bah! Visibility was better over here but the snow coverage was dust on crust pizza b pretty much all the trails. Had a long lift stop and during so the snow stopped for the time being. At this point it was nearing lunch, so we headed back around the peak. Decided to head all the way down to the Madison base to eat. With the rising temps, the snow was getting really slow and sticky. After lunch we tried to stay in the upper parts to avoid the sloppy snow. The snow has mostly stopped so went up to give the bowl another go, but even without the snow, the flat light made skiing it not fun, so we went looking elsewhere. Headed down and up the Challenger and found Little Tree. This thing starts out mellow and gets progressively steeper, then tightened into a chute, unfortunately with little snow and lots of rocks. Fun! Lapped Challenger trees, but the snow had gotten too sticky, so headed home. Hit tub, beers then down to Big Sky for dinner, edibles and some groceries. Had a $17 bison burger at Choppers, pretty good and prices were not outrageous. Random shots… Madison base… Another safety shack tagged… Bison burger…

Day 1 - Let’s take it easy The plan was to not kill our selves the fist day, as we had 4 more to go and Big Sky is huge. Well, that plan went out the window the second run… Left the house at 8:00 to mostly overcast but with some breaks of sun and 20-something degrees. Out the back door the parking lot shuttle stops along the road up to the mountain. Was told they’d be running by 8, but none in sight, so we started hoofing it. That didn’t last long, so we stopped and waited. Couple minutes later shuttle picked us up. Decided to tour Andesite to start, so headed for the Ramcharger. First chair up and down Bighorn to get acclimated. Luckily they got some snow last week, but they’re well below snow levels and it’s pretty bony compared to the last time I was out. Bailed on the take it easy plan and dropped into Crazy Raven into Everett’s Anger, both steep and all bumps. Snow was firm and edgeable, which made for a lot of fun but exhausting. Thank goodness I didn’t wear the puffy or I would have been dying. Lapped Snake Pit a couple of times, which was ROTD. Lack of traffic left good pockets of snow and lots of fun. It wasn’t quite lunchtime yet, so we headed down headed for Wardance but ended up on Colter’s Hell trees, Mineshaft and lower Wardance, Lots of steep and good pockets of snow. Headed to the base for lunch of sandwiches we brought with and then out the the Swift Current since the lines lightened for lunch. Found some good snow in the bowl, so we lapped the Powder Seeker a few times. The Gully chutes were really bony and we did see a few coming down Big Couloir. Bailed on the bowl and headed for the Callenger lift. Unfortunately the winds we’re picking up big time and that’s a slow triple. Only did that one once. Came down Highway and into some crazy steep trees on St. Alphonse that also had some good snow. Had enough for day 1 and decided to pack it in and head back to the ranch, hot tub and some grilled chicken, potatoes and broccoli for dinner, washed down with some Big Sky Hazy IPA. Overall a great day, hopefully a bit of snow tomorrow to start. Hoofing it… Breaks in the clouds… Slim on Snake Pit Found and tagged a party shack… Dinner

For Midweek I would probably go for Blue for faster lifts and greater variety of top to bottom runs. For weekends Montage. On weekends the shorter lines at Montage make more of a difference than faster lifts at Blue. Also better glades, steeper steeps and more often stuff left ungroomed at Montage.

I have chosen Blue, the last three years. Currently im equal distance between Blue and Montage but previously lived 10 minutes from Montage and held a montage/sno season pass for several years. Now, my biggest draws to Blue is the high speed lifts and also the consistent longer season ( early opening date and later closing date)

Welcome! Sorry to hear the Epic/Vail fail is making you leave your ‘home’ mountain. Buttttt, anywhere but camelback. That place is a circus. Blue and Montage both have their draws but I enjoy Blue more just for the better terrain. You will get more runs in at Blue than Montage because of high speed lifts but Blue is definitely more crowded. Montage always seems eerily empty. Just my 2¢.

Guns are on ! Very spicy tonight, Skied TCS sideways . Hit Barneys in one or two places and stayed away from the polished snow in between.

I'm hoping Ikon is not going to make SLC busier...maybe just spread the Ikon passes out more across Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, and now Snowbasin.... Sorry I don't count those Ski only resorts. In th end, Ikon seems like a no brainer for SLC area

The Dude looks like a wookie.

Just back from another great day at the Creek. About 35 degrees at 9, snow was nice and buttery, smooth fast runs. No ROTD as all trails were really sweet. Did 3 runs off of B chair then hit the F chair side. Nice smooth snow everywhere. Grizzly was a bit firm as it is shaded. No crowd at all, never had anyone in line with us. Around 11:30 spring conditions ruled. Beer on the deck was perfect ending to the day.

I can smell those pics, that classic blue spring dank

Making tonight even better... The clean up crew is out picking up litter. Props to those guys and blue for cleaning up the trash. I hope they find some ones, maybe some fives and if they're lucky shit maybe some twenties. Snow is mashed potatoes... Best way to describe it. Love it!

Ahhh the beauty of blue evenings in the spring. Temps, snow crowds are all wonderful. Quad only right now which is a the only bummer. 80s station blasting at the base. Rolled up to voices carry which if you don't think is an awesome song then I can't help you (hush hush.... Keep it down now .. Voices carry)... That one. It's one of those nights at Blue!

Wow thanks for holding him accountable for his words. Lesson learned. Nothing gets by Ridge.

Wow doubled toast post. Thanks! Today was decent. More firm than anticipated. Full sun. Lots of snow left and although Spring is in the air, I’m hopeful for another month of good skiing.

Yeah I’ll be getting it again. I’ll get my money out of if this year but I’ll plan better for next year.

If you get an add on Indy Pass to a Montage pass you can ski every weekend & holiday on the Montage pass. You wouldn't ever use the 2 days at Montage on the Indy Pass.

The end of the pandemic will be announced tonight...what coincidental timing

Sad about that spring-feel but you gotta embrace it because it can sometimes be some of the best skiing and scene all year! WTGAI. I might try and get up there tomorrow morning.

Live look in. This doesn't suck

Today Woke up at 7am hoping for my skis but to no avail … i began my journey to rent gear. Unfortunately places didn’t really open until 8. i went to Spicy Rentals to get rental snow pants, helmet, skis and boots. I didn’t love the boots but I was a fan of the Volkls. Would not recommend ever going into a ski rental shop… I skied the Volkl Secret 92. It felt smooth and it felt like they naturally maneuvered the mountain. After the hoopla of rentals, I had peanut butter & banana for breakfast then scooted to the gondola. The inversion was thick this morning. The lines were crazy short but I knew people were on the mountain. I stopped in for a quick bathroom break on the Whistler side and I saw a billiojion people in line for food. Would 100% not recommend eating on the hill. I skied from 10-closing and most of the lifts. My goal was to mostly get a feel for the mountain. The place is huge. there was 6” of fresh snow in the past 24-hours. It was a lot of ungroomed soft powder that was tracked out. Visibility was tough so it was hard to determine when my knees would suddenly be in my chest as I flew over surprising bumps. Here’s a pic to show the visibility. Took the tourist pics by the Olympic Rings and Flags. weather improved but it was so variable depending on where you were on the mountain. Crazy how the weather changes drastically on the long runs. my last run was on red express lift at 3:25 and had a nice long run down. It was snowing and the visibility improved slightly. It was snowing up top and raining down below. as I approached the bottom, you heard the music pumping. The DJ was rowdy. The bar tenders came out with alcohol bottles with flames on them. People were dancing on the fire pit tables. I really felt like it needed some Grilled Steeze dance moves. Walked back to the hotel. The room is on the first floor, so I flung myself over the patio fence and crashed. For dinner, my brother got food at the crystal lounge. Someone recommended it on Reddit. A bit tricky to find but great happy hour. We eventually met at Tepley’s and had the chicken parm sandwich and some drinks. The sauce was a bit … seasoned? it had a kick. It’s definitely was not a bland sauce. Would 100% have it again. i stretched. Hot tubbed. And then my skis arrived ❤️ overall, great day. Started out a bit frazzled but I had low expectations with the missing skis. not sure the ROTD because I really didn’t look at maps much. I just pointed skis down the hill and went for it. It was awesome to meander a new mountain. Epic Mix told me 13 lifts and about 25k vert. Tomorrow - I’m hoping to check out some of the recommendations that toast and others wrote about above.

Arrived!! From the digs… Slim testing the snow depth…

Sunrise over the city… Our chariot awaits…