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Ad campaign for Snowbird with 1 star reviews talking about how difficult of a mountain it is. Great move and makes me want to go there

I think they did it a few years ago too......hilarious.

March 15, 2023 Vail, CO ——- On Tuesday night, Brian dropped @Schif and I off near Coors Field and we strolled downtown. I was blown away by McGregor Square. They had bars, stadium seating, and an arena style tv & surround sound- it felt as if you were in stadium. It was awesome. We had a rental car reservation through Kyte. It was significantly cheaper and I loved that we were able to specify AWD/4WD. On Tuesday night - We loaded up the Dodge Durango, watched some Ted Lasso with the gang, and went to bed. Wednesday, we woke up at 5:45 and we’re out of the house by 6:15am. No traffic to vail, so we checked in to the hotel mostly to get our parking pass at 8:30. I was surprised the room was already ready. We both had pretty low expectation for the Evergreen Lodge because it was the cheapest accommodations in Vail. But it’s great and so close. It’s next to the ice skating rink, library, and hospital near Lions head. We dropped our gear. Picked up a coffee and danish from the lobby and strolled to Lionshead. Eagle Bahn Gondola was closed so we took the lift to another lift to the top, then dipped into Game Creek. Snow was the best on the north facing slopes like the front and blue sky basin. We doodled around the entire mountain. We saw this area and I was reminded that @Johnny Law told us to pack pocket dogs to grill. We should have listened to him. But instead we stopped at the Dog Haus for a girthy dog with a Hot Mess Blonde Ale by Vail Brewing. We hit up Poppyfields which was fun then it felt like it funneled you into a natural half pipe. The tight gully can be seen in the white narrows. We skied about 50 miles, 30k vert and we’re both exhausted. We came back to the hotel and had some cookies, champagne, and beer. Appetizers of champions. We napped then hit up Vail Village for a couple of hours. We saw these ice skaters, and couldn’t help to think they were paid by Vail to ice skate - they were legit so good. … but maybe I’m just use to the shit show of an ice skating rink in Center City Philly. We stopped in Frost for a beer. Schif had a Coloradan IPA. One of my fav runs was off of Pete’s Express, so I had Pete’s Stash by Vail Brewing. Awesome day and went to bed excited to do it all again

Weather is looking promising for Utah next week. Doing Brighton Tuesday, forecast is 6 to 10" through Monday evening. Deciding on snowbird or snow basin for Friday

Forgot to post the closing pic!

March 16, 2023 Vail, CO — @Schif and I woke up at the Evergreen Lodge. Earlier this week, the reports were showing about a foot of snow. We woke up to only 5- 6”. Booo. but it was still great. We had some coffee and microwaved breakfast We took the Lionshead Gondola up. There were about 4 people ahead of us in the singles line. We dipped into Game Creek again. It had some untapped powder but got tracked out quickly. If you watch this video, mute your sound because I’m clearly out of breathe. This is after a couple runs. 😂 We dabbled on the front then headed to Sun Bowl and down Wow & Windows. It wasnt quite crust on dust... It was like crust on dust (in a frat boys house where the cleaning lady never came.) It was thick crust. Around 12, we were at the top of Blue Sky Basin. Had some water, carrots, and granola We skied all over. Got lost. Used the find my friend with EpixMix. I rested then we reunited. I skied about 20k of vert. Schif got 36k of vert. He’s insane. we cracked some champs & beers, freshened up and hit up the apres scene. but first - hot pocket. This is my fav post skiing hotel snack. I don’t care if the top of mouth is forever burned. We strolled to the village and we saw a @GrilledSteezeSandwich lookalike. Then we hit the George for their happy hour. It was $5 beer & cocktails and discounted food. We got duck quesadillas and buffalo fries. Duck quesadillas were amazing!! it was a cool scene. I loved it. We chatted with at least 4 Lehigh valley people, Penn State alum, and a pittsburgher. we headed back to the concert in the village near the ice skating rink. there we’re free high noon “samples.” We snagged a lot of samples. I really wanted their ski outfits though. Someone… Did some shots with strangers while the Sponges played house music Then we stopped at Frost and found some rad acoustic music and eventually headed back. it was fun but the scene really ranged in vibes. It felt like the apres ski concert area was trying to be Whistler but there were just too many khakis and furs in the concert area to really hype it up. We’re finishing off the champagne and beers, while Schif is saying “We are” & I reluctantly respond “Penn State” while penn state plays Texas a&m in basketball.

The bird is the word It's one of the best, it always feels like the mtn is mad at you while your skiing there but in a sexy mistress telling you you've been naughty kinda way. Most of the place is seemingly designed to be uncomfortable, beit the lodge or the tram it's always cramped and there is no where to sit down. The weather can be terrible and off the tram in particular its always windy and you can't see shit. Every way down seems steep or steep AF, there are like 2 legit greens everything else is a cat walk. It's one of my favorites on earth and very different from other hills even the other bro bra type hills. It's super challenging and if I could have grown up skiing only one hill it would probably be the bird.

Rode this morning with Mixl and root. At first I thought the weather man was smoking crack as it was raining hard most of my drive up but 15 mins or so before 9 it cleared up and got super super nice out. They took a bit of a beating in coverage, on switch the groomer got into it a bit and now has a large racing stripe for 200ft. NM/DW is just plain thin most everywhere. The snow was absolutely fantastic, perfect hero snow and generally very smooth. Set them up and let them go all day with low crowds. Challenge was perfect for the first hour and razors wasn't far behind. Really really excellent spring skiing hopefully they are open during the week next week.

Im grabbing some Donuts... dont steal my thunder!! lol

I've been fighting a respiratory virus for a while so planning to get to bed early for the long drive so I thought I would be a good idea to pound some vitamins and take a couple puffs on the inhaler that the doctor gave me , what could go wrong ? Well apparently I discovered a new type of stimulant that kept me buzzed for 24hrs but not in a good way . I gave up trying to sleep at 3 am and left . The drive was easy peezy with no traffic , last 1/2h was snowing a bit and places the roads had an inch or so . Got to Platty at 7am second car . It was blowing like crazy and 23f. Ticket kiosk and sat in the lower level waiting for a line to start at the double . I ended up 3rd chair . On the ride up I was amazed at the size of the snow drifts 3-4' in some places and like a ridge across the slopes. First run was under the double to hoots and hollers everywhere. 30" of untracked snow . It was not as I thought it would be ,light on top and very heavy below . Stopping was to be avoided if possible as you would sink down and expend a lot of energy to get going . Plattekill is a steep place and usually doesn't present a problem getting started again , todays snow was an anomy . I've storm chased a bunch of storms and this one was very different . I lasted till lunch and after getting a bit sloppy with some turns called it a day . I wish I could have stayed all day the woods were awesome after the trails got cut up.

Yep I'll be at powder mountain next Wednesday and Thursday.

Brighton is a gem. Way more fun than it really should be based on the size. I do love it there and it has such a good vibe too.

Brighton might be my favorite place. if its not, its right up there. I would love to get back to snowbird, and for that matter snowbasin too. if for nothing else than to go to the bathroom there.

i will have some pre cooked breakfast stuff. Everybody knows im a sucker for breakfast foods.

These are the best times at Blue. So good right now

Uphill day at Buttermilk. Storm fizzled out. Was supposed to get 10-20” but got 6 and yesterday was sunny and nice instead of all day snow as predicted. I wanted to go skiing yesterday but we really had a lot of stuff to did out here in Marble as my snow shovel got hurt his back and hasn’t been here for a while. my dog could just sit outside for hours scanning for any movement in the trees to chase. or up on his tall perch Our resident fox came by for a visit. Luckily my dog was inside napping at the time. The roads were nice and dry on the drive to Aspen. Decided on the easiest lap, West Buttermilk. I didn’t have my watch last time I did it but I now have the stats; exactly 1 mile and 922’ to the ski racks at Cliff house. It was 20 but felt tropical in the strong sun, I shed a layer after 15 min and took off my gloves. 56:25 to get to the top and took a quick snack break inside. When I was going down somehow I took a wrong turn, things look a lot different going down then going up. I stopped to check out the map and realized I was on the front side and there was no way I could get back to my car. So at the base I asked the liftee if he would let me in without a scan so I wouldn’t waste one of my 3 remaining days just to get back to the parking lot. He said, “You could always skin back up”. I said I could but asked if he would take pity on me and he did. So back up and went real slow until I was sure I was on the correct trail down. Whew.

imagine riding the lift with snow mounds on either side. Jesus. Kirkwood.

Anymore, i think all of the Cottonwoods resorts are a little more crowded these days on snow days. If i were going to Alta/Bird Brighton/sol on a pow day, i would be up at the ass crack of dawn and up the canyon by 7 am or so.

The Mute's are bringing a box of joe, I'm going to make some cupcakes and marinated meat for @enjoralas to grill

Not quite the umbrella bar but nice break after a few bump runs

Monday, March 13, 2023 Butler Gulch / Jones Pass Trailhead @Schif and I worked remotely in the Denver area. Shut down our computers at 3pm MT and packed up the car. since day lights savings time just happened, the sun sets at like 7pm’ish so we drove to Jones Pass Trailhead / Butler Gulch for a quick touring sesh. I’ve done this a few times, read the avy reports, and knew we were going to stay under treeline. The goal was mostly to exercise and try out the new gear. as we got there, the Jones Ridgecat Tour company was loading up their bus of people and here’s Schif splitboarding it up past the ridgecat. There were a few others touring. It was a mellow go but glad we got out. We’re basically like cody townsend and elyse saugstad if they were out of shape Pennsylvanians without a TGR deal or sponsorship. Mike skinned up a short section to hit up some powder turns. then we headed back to the car on the cat track as it started to snow. we snapped a photo at the bottom … talked about the Henderson Mine and molybdenum, then headed into Idaho Springs. we strolled the Main Street of Idaho Springs. I snapped this photo because I know this forum has train enthusiast and then we got a small beaujoes pizza (“Colorado style”).

i usually set mine on "permanent press"

Nice! .. enjoy; I'm heading out mid April(11-19).

I can make sausage gravy or something, or pick up donuts. I'll bring plenty of beer, stuff for bloody Mary's, and solo cups

Nope. My hands get so cold. If he thinks I’m degloving, @Schif doesn’t know me

Three years ago we weren’t even skiing on march 16th and they haven’t even set up pond skimming yet…people can poo poo this season but we were skiing in November and might go to April.

Day 35.

The powder day rush at snowbird when you reach the top of the mtn is a fun time. Unfortunately half of SLC shows up these days. Somehow I actually got in line before opening and had the first 2 hours of opening before the place got nuts

RIP Big Boulder Parks, that was a very special era in PA freestyle. 🥺

Because BB was their higher traffic mountain when the parks were open, especially late season. Not hard to get park rats out as long as there's a park.

That sausage gravy was banging last year so I suggest that.

I've got a bunch of meat, multiple types of sausage, maybe smash burgers. Some sort of steak. Barbecue meats. Cheese on the warmer this year is a Smokhouse Jack, Wegman's didn't have Raclette. Got some baby dills, potatoes for that. Possibly some other amuse bouche. Happy to set the grill or griddle up in the morning if anyone brings something, but I'm not planning anything for breakfast.

Love it ! Especially the skiing ants pic ! @antman12

I have nothing to do but go home and watch documentaries on ancient Egypt until I fall asleep on the couch. Probably hanging out till close it's too nice. Easily the best night session all season

Still here. Too nice out here too leave

Nordica Hell & Backs 132-90-118 170s https://www.drugs.com/albuterol.html B vitamin, Vitamin E and a Healthy Testosterone support multi . At your own risk of course LOL .

Sunday, March 12, 2023 —— 5:30am Thornton, CO The gang left for Loveland at 5:30am. It was a struggle bus as the clocks sprung forward. We arrived to Loveland early at 7am. Brian & Schif got the basin breakfast with gravy. I got the burrito with green chili. We stopped in the ticket window for our ridge cat card. And we’re in line by 8:10am, about the 4th chair or so. Me & Brian rode up with a liftie who told us to hit up Spillway to Richards Run. Schif took Tigers Tail to Cats Meow which is skiers right after you get off the lift. He said it was dust on crust. Brian & I had an amazing fun on Spillway & Richards. I did it twice. We migrated towards 4, ptarmigan (aka Parmesan), 9, and 8. It was a powder hunt and so fun. Here’s a short video that my brother took of me & @Schif around 11:30am, Loveland started bombing runs around on the ridge. It was pretty cool to see the dynamite and the watch/hear it run out. the yellow is a group from the ridge cat and the pink is some dynamite and avalanche mitigation Even at 11:30… between the 8 and 4, we kept finding some powder stashes at the end of the day, I felt like this kid though. we had some cuties and a beer. This beer was rad. It’s a raspberry blonde. then Loveland chili cheese friends 😍 After Loveland, we drove back to the Denver area. We went to the gym mostly for the hot tub - steam room - sauna and cooked dinner at my brothers’.

Some pics

Here's my 2 cents on the happenings of the past few days. Saturday at Loveland was out of this world good. 15 inches minimum but definitely spots where it was knee deep. Face shots to be had for the majority of the day. Lots of hoots and hollers. Le Tits McGee for sure. The vibe from the minute we got there to the minute we left was so on point. Banjo music playing in the lodge while the stoke meter was at the point of bursting for all the hardcore people eating breakfast that got up at 430am. We started out along with everyone else on Chet's Dream and took a nice completely untracked blue cruiser. I made a wrong turn and wound up back at Chet's where I was in a decently long line when the rest of the crew made their way over to Chair 6. I was a little nervous after that first run. My legs were on fire and I was definitely breathing hard. That went away as fast as it came though and i felt great the rest of the day. I made my way down to 6 and caught up with them. Lapped 6 for a bit, untouched snow the whole time before we moved over to Chair 4. First run on that I forgot that there is a midstation so I got off early but it didn't matter. Fresh untouched snow was everywhere to be found. Back up 4 a few more times until the sign at the midstation said Chair 8 was open. I took Sunburst Bowl down to the Zip Trail got to 8. 8 might have been the most consistent fun laps of the day. There was just so much untracked snow to be had it was amazing. The woods below Hook em' Horns were super fun as was the wide open spaces above that. On my second run here I was carrying too much speed into the trail that funnels to the lift and got bounced on a bump and took a nice little tumble. People were having some pretty good crashes all over but the snow was so soft you just popped back up and kept on going. Around 12 or so we noticed that they were finally loading people on Chair 9 so we took the long catwalk traverse from 8 down to 4, up 4 and then more fantastic floaty, slashy, deep turns in beautiful snow to get to Chair 9. This one takes you up to the top of the ridge and is a slow quad with a defunct midstation. The weather up on the ridge was pretty terrible, as it usually is. Wind was really rough. Worth the trip though as we went a little way skiers right off of the top and dropped into Primer Bowl for some insanely good turns. Just being at the top like that takes a lot out of you since it's so cold and windy so the rest of the crew dropped back down below and I headed up 9 solo. I hiked the ridge for a while and dropped into Jelly Roll. It was around 1:30 at this point and the mountain was getting mostly skied off so I cruised all the way back down to the lodge to meet up with the rest of the gang. All in all this was a 15/10 day.

Nice report Barb..

Hey All, I’m back from another fun session at Blue mountain. I arrived at the lower lot at 830am and it was 33 degrees under partly sunny sky’s. In the house were Atomic Jeff, Johnny Law, Bethlehem ford crew, Root and a couple hundred boomers. First run on razors was a carpet on the top half and still ok lower down..very nice. Next run on coming soon was really bad..solid and uneven and lower paradise wasn’t that good. Challenge looked bad but was pretty smooth and forgiving, lapped that’s again then another Main Street. Lazy mile was very good as well and then ended the session with a couple more runs on challenge. The snowmaking cannons were blowing in a few spots and Challenge and Coming soon reminded me of a Tom Cruise movie cause only the Top Gun was on. All in all a decent AM session. I’m hearing rumors that they are trying to stay open until the first weekend of April. I guess Mother Nature and crowds will determine that. I also finally hit day 50 today in a semi slacker season for me and sold a tombstone on the drive back into work. JADIP

can you ice skate? Being able to ice skate will greatly reduce the frustration with learning skiing as you’ll be familiar with inside and outside edges and the general idea of using those edges to turn. I made the switch back to skiing in 2016 and picked it back up relatively quickly after being off skis for 15 years. Start small and work on technique and control. I did not do this and it showed for the first couple of months. can’t speak on the equipment side of things, I’m sure there’s others on here more well versed in that kind of stuff. My suggestion with that would be to go to a shop and basically “get fit” for the right setup.

Yeah I was reading some old trip reports and seems like Brighton is a cool place, and I'm thinking probably less crowded than Snowbird on a powder day

I appreciate a good troll in moderation. The latter half of that seems to be lost on salty most days.

That looks accurate. @mbike-skistill bringing the fire pit? 😆

Snow was super sticky this afternoon so I spent some time working on front boards and front board 90 outs hiking yetti. Got some random dad to film one drop for me to see what I needed to fix. Around 6ish the sun was on its way down and the snow got fast again. Coverage is suprisingly good in most spots. Really hope we get midweek next week. All in all JADIP 😇 InShot_20230316_204801412.mp4

Everything is glorious tonight except the thin and brown areas of which there are plenty. Switch and nightmare dream may be @toast21602 after tomorrow. The base shrunk a good bit too. Soon, razors and challenge are in really good shape though.

ok.

On the road to Loveland now, about 30 min out - getting there around 6:40am. We’ll eat some lodge breakfast and get in line early for the 8am chair. open snow was predicting 1-3 feet of snow. Loveland’s website said at 5am there was 7” in the past 12 hours, and 10” in the past 24 hours. JDAIP