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Verbier Day 1 Massive doesn't do it justice. Did the gondola up to Attelas for two quick warm up laps and them up to Mount Gele and the 3100' down to Tortin. Stopped for a beer, espresso, and tart before continuing down to Siviez to make the run a total 4100' descent. Worked our way to La Dent and saw a north face with what looked like good snow so did a short tour up. Snow was good and was an empty party of the resort. Played around at Plan du Fou with some chutes and drops before working our way back. Last run took 2 hours and stopped at 2 mountain restaurants and finally a third one that was right across the street when we walked off the snow. Had hot wine, Blanche and beer tataki, and finally another Blanche. Made for a 10 hour day in ski boots. Went to the Shed for burgers and they had a banging old school American ski movie rap classics playlist going and ended up staying for an extra drink. Our server said laughed when he heard we went to Mt. Gele since he knew it was crusty. Snowing now but supposed to clear soon. Heading to Bruson for the trees.

Wasn’t really sure where to put this. Our rescue team was called out on this avalanche on Saturday. I was first on scene at the firehouse. Once one of my team members arrived we were trying to assess what was the best way to access the victims. We discussed skinning up to them but that would take time. The terrain was sketchy and they were not in a great place. Then it was decided careflight would be called in. They would shuttle us one at a time to a landing zone above where they were. I was pretty nervous, both about the helicopter ride and the terrain. I said I would snowshoe instead of ski (brought both) as I didn’t feel comfortable on a 40+ degree slope. At what felt like the last minute, two other strong team members arrived who were good skiers. I was off the hook. I was happy to just help from the command base. Communications are bad here, with cell and radio signals. I helped coordinate info from the county sheriff to our team members on site and on their way. Mountain Rescue Aspen also sent 3 of their guys to help if needed. 6 of us (West Elk Mountain Rescue), 3 Marble fire personnel, 3 MRA guys in all plus the careflight team. Once a paramedic and 2 team members were shuttled to the landing zone and worked their way down to the victim, it was apparent he was not doing well. Head injury, kept losing consciousness, badly broken arm (arm was wrapped backwards around a tree) and leg injury. Chopper was low on fuel so last minute desist on was made for pilot to land in a sketchy gully and take patient. His friend was uninjured and did a great job holding it together, digging him out and getting him out of the debris field to a safer location. By this time it was dark and friend and my 2 team members had to ski out. They said it was survival skiing, breakable crust through a thick aspen grove and shrubs. Glad I stayed on the ground. We got a debrief from the friend back at the firehouse. He was very emotional at first, understandably so. He gave us a detailed account of how it went down. Luckily the friend was only buried to his chest. He was able to dig him out and somehow guide him down without any of his gear. It was very intense and it reminds you how unforgiving the mountains can be. This volunteer gig so far is very satisfying and I am learning so much valuable outdoor info. https://avalanche.state.co.us/report/98249357-2906-4534-b287-61e125e28a58

Have the day off today, wanted to ski but I felt like going someplace different / new. Caveat I wasn't feeling driving 3+ hours. So 104 minutes later here I am riding the cabriolet lift at Mountain Creek. First time here and New Jersey marks the 9th different state that I've skied in. My first impressions....it's pretty spread out. And the drive was mostly back roads which I was surprised by, the cabriolet is pointless and stupid and the base music is trash. Conditions are standard spring mashed potatoes. Definitely fun. Only skied great northern so far so more to come as I explore the place. Negatives aside so far a beautiful spring skiing day at a new place!

We out. Hella fun spring ski day. Beautiful weather and fun trying someplace new. MC is worth the trip if you've never been. Never got to South unfortunately (mostly terrain park pic below) but perhaps next time. The cabriolet makes no sense to me. Why stand and take off your skis when you can sit and keep your skis on? Its not like a gondola that carries more people and protects you from the elements. Probably my only gripe. Cool place and fun ski day for sure.

Some steeper pitches here and there. Definitely thin cover in places. Don't see this place surviving too long after this week. Good terrain and they definitely make the most out of almost 1100 vert. Just funny to me how 40 something trails can be so spread out. So much mountain that is untouched in between. Riding granite now as I don't feel like getting on the cabriolet. Heading to South and bear next

Croissants, Pain au Choclate and ham sandwiches are 90% of my diet in France, Euro bread in general is le titz..... There are trips where you look around and in the beauty and enormity of it all and wonder how the hell did a kid from PA end up here ? Pat yourself of the back while your ripping some insane face over a mtn village that has better wine and cheese than all of Philly at 6k feet up a mtn.

flying out to Spokane Tuesday night 3/25 and back Tuesday afternoon 4/1. not exactly sure where I'm going yet - 49 degrees north for sure, Silver...maybe Brundage/Tamarack and/or western Montana? Being there for a week should give me plenty of time to drive around, even if places are further away

If you do Tamarack be sure to read their story, the mtn hasn't had a coherent concept since they started and its all of the industry shit in one mtn. Some peeps even claim it killed Jumbo but I think jumbo has always been a fantasy and if you can point the finger its at Patagonia.

Rode with C1er this morning, more of the same but lower crowds meant it held on longer. Plus when it got beat up around 10 Razors had gotten enough sun to soften up and got super nice. I renewed my pass today and the desk lady had a whole talk about when you can claim your benefits LOL Is that like a thing ? Isn't it just $50 ?

Friday at Mt. Ellen was great in the morning if you stayed on the groomers, they stayed nice and grippy all day as the clouds and wind moved in. Enough to close the lifts a little early around 3 but we had had it by then anyway. Finished the day with a stop at Lawson's and American Flatbread, Saturday put the sugar in Sugarbush, checked out Lincoln Peak. Ungroomed trails looked enticing but had you quickly looking to exit back on to the groomers. Mrs SnoBunSki thought the conditions were better than Friday but the flat light and another day of groomers left me somewhat uninspired so we headed back to Lawson's again, then dinner at Mad Taco. Love the eats and drink in the Mad River Valley! Sunday we we stopped and ski'd Pico on the way home for more of the same, capping off a nice weekend of getting your carve on some firm cord, some great food, company and beers!

tfti btw

makes me want to hold a cigarette and snob my nose at people.

The train system is awesome and goes right through Bern. We had a transfer there.

Kinda bummed you weren’t there this morning. Hope you get better sooner than later.

Yeah I’ve done been a celebrity..I really hope to be back next weekend.

Toast I don’t know how you do it, I missed a couple Sundays party rocking Saturday nights but two weekends in a row no skiing is Cah Rahzy…sounds like you got a pass..now we just need to get Root and Zonked back and it will be like old times.

After the thaw and rain yesterday was expecting everything to be locked in, pleasantly surprised to find pixie dust on corduroy crust morning conditions and views exceeded expectations in a groomer zoomer sort of way Snow stayed grippy and edge able all day as winds and clouds increased enough to shut down the Mt. Ellen lifts and head to Lawsons

Currently sitting at a wine bar in Chamonix after 19 hours of travel with no issues. Philly direct to Zurich, train to Geneva, bus to Chamonix, walk. Stopped in the Black Crows store and even though I didn’t buy anything, my new skis were on display in their window and I smiled. Caesar salad at Geneva airport waiting for the bus, charcuterie in chx. The plan is Les Grand Montets tomorrow and then Verbier for 3 days. Maybe Zermatt for the last day.

JF Dan, Johnny Law, schif, Nancy, Mixilplix, BenM, DirtWolf, Toast, Bethlehem ford crew, and some others in the house. Conditions ranged from firm to sugar but low crowds made for a fun day.

That’s badass barb, salute!

Wow Barb that’s nuts.

Don't you put that evil on Knoebels

sounds crazy, great job on getting out there and volunteering. Normally I'd make fun of you for posting in last year's (2023/2024) ski season thread, but given the situation, I will behave myself

Appreciate the insight @toast21602/ @Johnny Law...I think my plan is 49 degrees North, Silver Mountain, Lookout Pass, Brundage, and Tamarack - hopefully somewhere in Western Montana too. Lost Trail Powder Mountain and Montana Snowbowl both look cool

looks like something that should be at knoebels.

Highly recommend Lookout Pass. It isn't on Indy but they have 50% lift tickets with a season pass/Indy pass/Ikon pass/etc .... I think Monday-Wednesday.

Actually ended up back at Vernon for a few not then back to granite. The sojourn trail (which takes you to South and bear was supposed to open at noon according to a guy I rode the cabriolet with. Now a liftie is telling me it won't open and if I want to ski over there I need to drive. That's not happening so it looks like I'm staying on Vernon and granite unless sojourn opens. Side note... There are litter and lose pass signs everywhere. You can do it blue!

empathy from toast? did hell freeze?

@GrilledSteezeSandwich I'm back home from a radical trip to Vail. Time for a good, bad, ugly summary: The Good: skied perder The Bad: United's Kiosks SUCK The Ugly: The dryer at the condo SUCKS

Nice report it honestly hurt not to go skiing today, I even thought about going up just to hangout at like 10 but not how I do..it was surprisingly chilly this morning. Ski yall Saturday or during the week.

Enjoyed this morning even though conditions were mediocre. It was good to see y'all. The sun was nice, too!

Day 51. Same old, same old...

The snow was a bit of every condition but redeemable in spots and low crowds is always dope. I do way more laughing at the very least then if I was home in bed. GSS, everyone and their brother had asked me where you are. If it makes you feel better and if you didn't already know your a bit of a celebrity.

Hung with it and the clouds finally broke and the sun started blazing. Snow turned hero 11:15ish and the sugar began to congeal, everything turned Spring fun snow after lunch, Barney's, CS bumps and ditch were a hoot. Falls was a minefield of bumps eating up the unwary. Great Spring skiing afternoon!

On the train to Martigny then 1 transfer to Verbier. I did a good job hydrating while traveling so I'd be ready to ski and threw it all away party rocking late night in Cham. YOLO We planned to let the snow soften up anyway so it worked out. Grabbed a full bus around 11 and was lucky to get a seat. For as warm as it is in town, the snow was nice fluffy chalk up high. Groomers had some skied off spots but we were off piste almost the whole time. Some north facing slops had better soft snow but only found a couple of those zones. Stopped at Plan Joran for bite and beer(have to get back on the horse sometime right?). We talked about doing a skin tour skiers right but we were pushing time to catch our train so we split to get some laps. Still took the rocky traverse across to check it out before they headed up. Did a top(ish) to bottom for the last lap and the legs were screaming. Watch said we finished with a little over 15k vert. Verb tomorrow and mad hungry as it's 8 pm and haven't had dinner yet.

I don’t know.. @saltyant you see this. I haven’t watched yet but will.

I'll check it out later - I may actually do a similar trip to @toast21602 next month or early April. Montana Snowbowl or something in Missoula is on Indy and isn't terribly far from Spokane/Northern Idaho.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2025/02/23/67-day-week-skiing-we-put-indy/

He's like 40000mg too deep

Great read, thanks for sharing.

Here’s a good article on an Indy pass road trip from Salt Lake City to Missoula Montana. @PSUFrankenstein @toast21602 would enjoy.

Five honeybuns isn’t what it used to be..even if it now costs six fiddy considering the gift card. As noted earlier I like the installment thing was like $100 a month and that’s a great option for blue to have…especially considering back in the day folks didn’t have to purchase their season pass until the fall and with installment thing it’s paid off by fall and no interest or anything.

with 2 buddy passes. thats a steal. I hope they will do the $50 with the payment plan. i think they did it last year. i spend money like crazy this time of year so the payment plan hurts a mush less. Downside is with the dumpster fire that was Camelback this year, Blue is gonna be busier. I cant for the life of me figure why people continue to go there.

In the pocono ski rant group there are alot of camelback regulars and alot of them have seen the light..some former camelback passholders got the peak to peak pass this year and getting Blue mountain pass next season.