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Really? No regrets, uneasiness or fear of months to come? Solid budget, bottomless credit cards and the pure joy of freedom and independence?

Sure thing.

Ha, interestingly I'll be in Loveland on its closing day on 05/06 and Abasin on 05/11-12, but I bet it's gonna be totally different from what you're seeing now.

In what way? IDK, I told once to AtomicJeff that I was gonna try going West next year, and now that the prices of the next year passes are on the verge of going up, I'm trying to decide whether to go to Italy again or really get an MCP and check out Alta/Snowbird/Snowbasin or Squaw/Mammoth. Not sure if I'll like that powdery springy kind of skiing, and I'll probably have only one week off work to do it anyway. Kinda hate resort prices in the US (and resort lodging too for that matter), they're sky high.

Nah, those were serious question. I've already said a few times that I've never skied West, and look at conditions like those on the last but one pic as not very pleasant to ski. I realize that skiing deep snow requires a different technique that skiing groomers, and I obviously lack it. Still even with my limited understanding of powder skiing that pic is neither a groomer nor a uniform powder, so skiing it is not gonna be fun from any point of view. I think. For I bet that the snow is wet, and it will form a crust overnight. So when I said that you're gonna be screwed, I meant that this patch tomorrow will be neither pleasantly powderish nor supportive as a groomer would be. And you'll end up either searching for untracked stuff or will be funneled into a groomer with everybody else on it.

It seems to be snowing non-stop for you. Did you just luck out or is it more of a rule in that area?? Also, looking at the last but one picture... I can't imagine anyone could have any real fun skiing it. So assuming that it doesn't snow tomorrow, where would you ski? On groomers? Do they groom all trails at Loveland in between snow storms? Right now they say it's about 20% groomed, the rest is like that pic. So if they don't groom it all and keep a good share of trails in its "natural state" won't you be screwed then?

Brewing your own is fun... Can max out alcohol content and use craziest combination of hops. The only problem - batches are pretty big.

And speaking of IPA, did you try brewing it yourself?

So what are you gonna do all summer besides spinning wheels? I mean, look at GSS. He'll likely be heading toward great depression among tombstones real soon because he appears to be all in with skiing. And imagine you catching a nail or making an 8 out of your front wheel. What's your backup plan? Hiking, kayaking, fishing, diving (you do have a quarry nearby), camping? Don't come to NJ beaches though. After you looked down on MC this season, NJ isn't liking you so much.

The thread is Salty Q&A, so I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

I mean mulching, trimming and planting, what else?

Backyard season! Salty, do you have a backyard?

Juicy mash on the slopes, free BM stuff for grabs up top right now. Too bad the weather isn't tshirt friendly.

Whoo-hoo, only top lodge parkers get to listen to this.

Getting crowded too. With only six pack running the lines are up to the gates.

Can't wait! I even see some snow suspended in water I of course can't compete on my skinnies, but shall we see enjoralas on his brand new 108s?? But slopes are getting softer and mushier. Whatever is in shade is still ok.

Alright macho man. I'll leave you to fight another snowfall while I bask in sun.

Nah, it's just a cozier lodge. And I don't come to mountains to stay in a valley.

Awesome conditions. No ice, all groomed nicely, tons of snow and side to side coverage. Too bad they're closing today! But it's gonna be fun watching folks swimming in almost zero temps.

Well, well, well...

The plan is to start on slaloms and then switch to monsters. Need to sharpen one and wax the other pair.

LOL. Maybe I should sleep in tomorrow. 10am is probably when it will start melting.

So familiar. Monsters are begging to ski them fast, but with coverage like that all you can do is to crawl constantly looking for passable snow ahead. End result is that you're getting zero pleasure of riding the skis that you're also afraid to damage in every turn.

Here's the same angle from last weekend.

I think night rain had to contribute a lot to this, for they couldn't even groom properly. Tomorrow should be better. Plus sunny.