Leaderboard

First off - everyone in the group was pinging (beacons) and had shovels/probes and back country training. I was least experienced of group. As beautiful as Cody Peak is it’s no joke back there. You can see slide debris in some of these pics and earlier today read a story about two guys from SLC who went out a gate during the storm Jan 28 and didn’t get rescued til almost midnight. https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/cops_courts/rescued-skier-no-excuse-for-bad-decisions/article_7a8c4bf6-793b-58e4-86ca-abdca9587f93.html Crew was hoping to go get a look at a line called Four Shadows (red circle) or perhaps No Shadows (yellow circle). So the exit gate is far right on a Rendevous Bowl so you need to stay on the high traverse which usually has a bunch of tracks. We hiked up to the purple circle area and decent wind gust hit us. Stayed there a few mins and after a few more gusts the group bailed on the Shadow lines and went for easier Powder 8s. Local intel all said not a good hike when the ridge line is windy. So just drop down into there and there is a well established boot pack. Below pic2 purple circle you can see slide debris fur early week. Boot pack was pretty set but still a few spots you could get hip deep into snow. (Pic red line) Moved pretty good through that. The final climb was not to bad but I don’t think I could have gone further that day. I try to take pics and just my luck another wind gust starts and blew snow all around making pics foggy looking. Snow here was best snow all week. It’s was tracked out for sure but still a lot of fun. I should have had done pics down in Rock Springs area just below but I guess that will have to wait for a future trip So be nice steep pitches and features to try down in there That area also waa very tracked but it was easy fo get back in bounds at Lower Hobacks. Total time was about 3 1/2 hrs Took a long break before final hike. Worth it? I think so, such a beautiful day and good snow out there. I don’t think I would ever consider going out there in poor viability or weather.

Beautiful sunrise for a minute this morning before the clouds rolled in

Second ski day and everyone was up relatively early again, though not as bad as the day before. Stephen cooked breakfast again, eggs at least, but I opted for just my traditional Colorado ski trip breakfast, avocado toast. Somehow despite everyone being up early, everyone started running late. I noticed it was about 8:15 and everyone was nowhere near ready. I announced I was leaving the room in 25 minutes and thst seemed to spark motivation. We left the room not too long after my warning target time, went downstairs to get the gear out of the ski locker, and walked over to the gondola. It was about 10 after 9 when we got there and then waited about 10 minutes for Pops to finish his boot up process. He walked over from the bench and asked Stephen if he was skiing without poles today. Homie had left his ski poles in the locker room, so we told him we would meet him back at the gondola, and he went to retrieve them. Pops and I rode up the gondola and took Cranmer down to Village Way over to Larry Sale to run back to the bottom. Stephen was waiting for us, and we got back on the gondola to ride again to the top. Well, Pops and I did. Homie was halfway into our cabin and suddenly retreated and got in the next one. I think the operator had yelled to the next group to get in the next one, and he thought she was talking to him. At the top we elected to run Cranmer again because it was so good, but we ran it all the way to the end and got on the Prospector express. My goal for Tuesday, after acclimating everyone yesterday, was to make it all the way up to Parsenn Bowl. Having looked at the weather forecast, there was significant wind forecast for Wednesday, and I didn't want to leave it for the last day on Thursday. We got on the Prospector and took the short Tweedle Dee down to hook up with Wagon Train and get over to the Pioneer express. We weren't quite ready for how flat Wagon Train was and gave a little too much respect to the "Slow" signs near the lifts at it's entrance, so that long flat run sucked even more than it had to. But we made it there with relatively little poling, and took the Pioneer up. We talked about whether we wanted to do any of the blue runs over there but decided to just head higher right away. So we took Gunbarrel over to the High Lonesome express. From there we skied down Edelweiss and boarded the Panoramic express. We got to the top and took in the views for a few minutes, took some photos. We elected to take Parry's Peak, the run that follows the ridgeline, back down to the Pano and took it up again. GOPR0139_1675918487138.mp4 We talked for a bit about what to run and ended up heading skiers left down Village Way for a bit and dropped into the lower part of the bowl, ending up on Edelweiss again. Decided it was time to stop in for a warm up and chili stop, so we took the Sunnyside lift up to Lunch Rock. We went in and like Sunspot the day before it was difficult finding a table. We spotted some people gearing up and checked, they were leaving but one gentleman who wasn't with them was staying behind. He had no problem letting us join him which was nice. Turns out he was from Southern MD, so we talked about MD for a while. Pops and I both had the chili, which was a hatch green chili with a braised pork base. It had beans and corn chips, and I'm sure some other things as well, and I added oyster crackers. Stephen wasn't sure what to get, and I let him know that the turkey pot pie was supposed to have quite a reputation, so he decided to have that. He said it was so good that he wants to get back there before we leave to get another. Once again after stopping and eating everyone was pretty much ready to head back in for the day. The intent was Whistlestop down to meet up with Village Way and catch a blue to the base, but I took us on a wrong turn right from the start and we went down High Lonesome instead. We decided to ski down Lonesome Whistle and take the Looking Glass double up to where we could get on the portion of Village Way that would get us to Larry Sale and the base with minimal cat trackage. The skis have been feeling a bit grabby so Pops and I both dropped our skis at the tuning shop and then we headed back to the condo. I was wiped out, feet in crazy pain in my boots and sweating like a pig on the walk back. Pretty soon after getting back to the room we decided to hit the hot tub and hung out there for a couple hours with some adult beverages. We headed out to a pretty late dinner, we had been kicking around hitting the BBQ place in town but got a couple of hot tub recommendations for Hernandos so we headed there. Pops amd I both got lasagna, and Stephen got fettuccine alfredo. Plus we ordered a small shrimp scampi pizza for the table. Forgot pics, but both the lasagna and the pizza were delicious. Headed back to the condo and bed after a bit of TV. NEXT — ski day 3, or how many blues haven't we hit?

Got about 2” of snow overnight. The mountain skied weird today. We went right up Silver Queen to Paradise bowl and the snow was like cream cheese. Some parts were wind blown and icy, the fresh snow was very sticky. After 2 runs of that nonsense I told Dan I wanted to go over to the front side and see if it was better there. Skied some off the front and it was more groomed but still icy. Found the best snow off the Teocali Lift. Didn’t seem affected by the wind at all. But that lift is so painfully slow. Think it’s about 12ish min. I could only do a few runs there. Temps were cold w a brisk wind. When I checked my phone at lunch it was 12. But sunny. Only took a few pics off Teo, hands were cold. Dan still on the mountain.

sure was.

It was perfect, so hard to stop skiing.i forgot to add, the bald eagle made several appearances from the nest. Last one was spectacular, as he circled low, then dove into the edge of the trees, I’m guessing he got some good eats. I have to take my binoculars over there and try to spot the nest.

Skied from 930-430, with a couple short breaks. Probably best day this season. Snow was perfect- a little crunchy in the am, but softened up perfectly, no sugar piles anywhere. Went back out after a quick tailgate. Snow firmed up as soon as the sun was off of it. Perfect bluebird day, did a total of 24 runs. Only trail I wasn’t happy with was Razors.

Short but fun session with @PSUFlyand @antman12..Once the sun dropped the snow started to firm up a bit...Only got four laps in cause the lift line was just maddening...Not the biggest fan of riding there when it gets a crowd...But always feels good to get out and slide on the snow....

Maybe Sunday, or might hit montage. Or Bear Creek since they have all their black diamonds open

First real ski lodge lunch I had all season so far. I usually cheap out and just bring pocket snacks. I had a Korean beef BBQ bowl that was very tasty. Dan had chicken fingers and fries. I stole some of his fries, I was hungry don’t judge.

Ngl, big fan of ski2live gettin sassy. Mainly because Doug can't help but take the bait. Ever.

Barney’s bumps are now freshly seeded.

Everything else is decent. Hard but edgable in the middle. Some sugar on the sides but not the dry ankle deep shit we were skiing 2 weeks ago. Got the headphones on, weather is nice. Life is good

Great time riding with @antman12 and @Mixilplix Pretty crowded but snow wasn't bad

Skiing with friends from New Zealand.

I'm pretty sure Dan isn't thinking about Blue.

Wow this thread went downhill fast. Probably both days

I wish for this to be a day of kindness

At the exit of the VOFS, across the road, in a field seemingly owned by or rented to Elk, you see this sign: You can’t not see it, it’s in your face and that seems to be the point. Note that it’s addressed to owners, renters, guests and their visitors and their families. Effectively anyone owning, living or visiting VOFS. So yes there’s still serious ill-will being projected. I used to deal with and got to know a few well-connected people in the area (none are owners in VOFS), well connected with local banks and builders and such. They scratch their heads when explaining it’s now (after 10+ years of court/legal battles) a personal thing coming from the 80+ year old owner of Elk in an effort to drive down property values in VOFS. They say in all other aspects of business and commerce the 80+ year old is savvy and astute – is/was on BOD of a local bank, etc. – it’s only this isolated thing that seems to be his pet peeve where he channels his ill will. I also heard about the VOFS side from the legal types, the history is there were two or so VOFS owners than adamantly resisted any and all settlement with Elk. These peoples have since sold their properties and now the VOFS is left to deal with the results . Locals say Elk will not sell season passes, locker rentals, etc. to any VOFS owners, renters, etc. It’s day tickets only if you want to ski. This is somehow strictly enforced behind the scenes, to the point of having background checks done on season pass applications. There’s a “you are guilty until proven innocent” vetting process in place. Don’t know about kids racing programs, or employment as instructor or patroller positions. If you are thinking about any of these suggest you deep-dive investigate and get it all in writing before you buy, you want no surprises. Disclaimer, all this is from three years ago. I don’t think it has changed or else the people I know would have said so. That picture of the sign was taken a few years ago but as of last autumn the sign was still there. Edit to add: Trivia, at one time VOFS had one ski trail and one chair lift, last I looked you could see both these from Google Earth images. If I were you, i.e., someone getting serious about buying there, I’d do two things, 1-get a different RE Agent. You discovered what he/she told you about LLC owners doesn’t hold true. RE agents are supposed to know the local market, on this alone the agent you engaged does not, he/she should be telling you all this stuff instead of you getting it from a ski blog. 2- Pay for a few hours of a local attorney’s time and have him to talk on the record to the VOFS BOD and their attorney to clarify what I mentioned above, and (for extra credit) have him contact Elk or their attorney to ask for confirmation of the no season pass, no kids ski programs, no ski patrolling, no instructing, no gate access, no lockers, day tickets are the only thing they’ll sell to you. You want no surprises in a RE transaction like this.

Ski2Live stay out of my thread with your non Blue talk.

Rode from open till 1:30 today and all it could be described as just another day in paradise..... 🤗

Conditions are really good tonight. Coming soon is $$.

Lapping bumps on grizzly, had had plans of setting some slush bumps but things are pretty firm. Down Samsquanch once

aw c'mon man. Didn't you hear? you can have an EPICTM time at hunter, its like skiing on the cross bronx expressway, with a longer drive!

I guess I’m in good shape for a Boomer 😂

Haha. I didn’t learn to ski until I was in my mid 40’s. Hooked the first group lesson I took at Bear.

Amazing pictures, and you all are brave.

Glad to see they are making money. I learned to ski at BC. Has a special place in my heart

Back to the topic. I won’t be there. Working Saturday, off Sunday. Just can’t take the weekend crowds. That being said, I wouldn’t go to JF or BB either. Or Montage. Blue has the best terrain around these parts.

I successfully defused the tension between Grilled Steeze and Ski2Live and now this is a day of kindness for all

AIDS

Cool. See you Saturday at Blue

That looks pretty freaking awesome and Barb he better let you steal his fries because I know you made sure the fridge was filled with deliciousness

Not judging…

Thanks for trying to keep the peace around here. Very admirable.

Montage also has lots of blue runs open, but I find their black ones more exciting. Unlike Blue, Montage has all their black runs open

That's great, thanks for letting me know. If Blue was 100% open maybe I'd consider there

JFrost is 100% open

I am thinking Montage Sat - got all the blacks and double blacks open and never much of a line - use our 2nd IndyPass day there

Despite all it's quirks, Blue can be magical sometimes.

Stephen is the star of the show so far!!!

LOL .Thanks for the cameo I'm in the second gate from right . Yeah it was nuts for a week night , Drexel kids and Basket weaving night .

That's a nice set up..I'm really curious to see it in the flesh....You'll dig it...

Here’s a classic..

Nice! I've contemplated getting a split board, just not sure how much use I'd get out of it. Never Summer boards are awesome, I may get another if they do the end if season sale again

I got this new board but it broke right in half. Never Summer Icon Split board and Spark R&D Surge ST bindings

NMDW, along with park features and you finish off the run by going thru a giant inflatable clown mouth. 😇😇

You should use that on your Tinder profile.