"Board Meeting" at Powder Mountain

What a glorious bluebird day at Powder Mountain! Members of the Ogden Valley Business Association http://ovba.org had their monthly meeting there today.


After some serious business items, the group hit the slopes. Barb (Wolf Creek Utah), Rich (Ogden Weber CVB), and Terry (Wolf Mountain) look great off piste.

National Geographic Studies Avalanches

Our niece, Anna, skied with us today - the little girl we taught how to ski years ago - now married and moving to Japan in July with her husband, a Marine Pilot. She said more than once today, I wish I still lived here!

National Geographic has been spending the last several days at Snowbasin studying avalanche control. This resulted in Mt. Ogden Bowl staying closed during the last several snowfalls. Wouldn't you know it, we were having lunch at the John Paul Lodge when we noticed a few people traversing out to the untouched expanse... could it be true? The public was invited back in? Yee Ha!! Out we went for a little hiking and traversing to unexpectedly soft snow. It was so fun we did it twice!

Traversing to the good stuff!

Another Spring Surprise

Heading up to Snowbasin today, we knew there was another couple of inches of new snow, but figured that everything was pretty much "skied out" yesterday. Much to our surprise we found plenty of untracked from the last three days. Howdy enjoys Mooshine at left.

Above is a picture from the Porky lift to prove that I rode an "outdoor" lift (I am quite attached to those gondolas). Powderhound Bowl looked too good to pass up! Howdy caught a good shot of yours truly below.






After skiing 9 runs of respectable powder, we met up with the gang for a birthday party in the parking lot. Looks like everyone has acclimated from the Mexico trip to enjoy a several more weeks of ski season!

Spring Skiing at its Finest

After a spring tip to Mexico for some kayaking and whale watching with 11 of our closest friends, we came home to no moose in the yard and no expectations of new snow in the mountains. How wrong we were! Yesterday provided plenty of the soft stuff in the Sisters and Moonshine at Snowbasin - skied untracked run until 11:30. It snowed some more last night, providing a treat for our friends, Mike, Barb and Rich, on the Middle Bowl Cirque today. With such a great base, no matter what March brings, the skiing and riding will be AWESOME for the rest of the season!

No Name was calling us

We enjoyed every inch of this 18-inch storm that started Sunday morning. Howdy and I had hosted out-of-town visitors, our old friends Rob (Vashon, WA) and Craig (Bozeman, MT), as well as Curt (Ski Patrol at Brighton). The boys go back to the 70’s – here they are enjoying some après ski the night before.

Skiing primarily the “old Snowbasin” on Sunday, it just kept getting deeper and deeper, right up to 4 PM. What a great time for all! With great anticipation of more slopes opening after avalanche control the next morning, our expectations were met as we ventured to Moonshine and beyond on Monday.

This gorgeous view greeted us on our way to the Mountain on today. We hoped for the chance to ski No Name, which had not opened since the storm began. Loading the John Paul Quad for the very first run of the day, it seemed like wishful thinking. Even during the Tram ride, rumor had it that the gate had not quite opened. So we headed in that direction just in case, and low and behold, it WAS open. Up we hiked to a winter wonderland of untracked fluffy stuff all the way to the lower parking lot. Absolutely wonderful – timing is everything! Here is a clip of Howdy and Rob:

The Moose is Loose!

When my friend Joanne in Salt Lake City heard that we have had two to four moose living in our yard for the past month, she asked me to post a picture. We live on the Valley floor, between Huntsville and Eden, across the highway from Pineview Reservoir. The heavy snowfalls this year (did I mention that the skiing has been great?) have forced deer and moose into the valleys. They spend their time happily trimming our trees and bushes, sleeping under trees and on the sunny deck, and leaving neat little pelletized fertilizer all over the yard, deck, driveway and sidewalk.

The second picture is Mavis walking up to our front door with twigs in her mouth - she comes around often, perhaps to compliment us on the cuisine, looking in our dining room window. It has been interesting to say the least! We hope they make it through the winter!

Last Minute Decision...Showing them Around

I had to catch up on some work today, but that didn't stop my husband, Howdy, from joining some out of town visitors based in Salt Lake City who made a last minute decision to come to Snowbasin today.

Guest post and photos from Howdy:

"Well, I wasn’t going skiing today – but got a call from Pam, a California friend with her Santa Rosa Ski Club – and shot up to Snowbasin at the last minute. That was a really good decision. There were 6+ inches of fresh stuff at the start and it snowed most of the day. The wind filled in the tracks from earlier days and amazingly did not densify the snow very much. Ten runs on Needles Express and fresh, deep powder on each circuit. The Californians were all smiles, all day. The photos show some of the stashes that we found. Hats off to Harry and Dave (Sugar Bowl volunteer patrol) who skied to the end and treated me to a couple of drinks in the No Name Lounge to finish a great day!"

EXTREMELY DELICIOUS

What a day! We skied super deep snow during the storm two days ago and had a ball. Not really believing that we would find much untracked snow, we went up to enjoy the sun and great mountain coverage. As luck would have it, the gate to Middle Bowl Cirque opened just as we arrived. Howdy filmed me above on my second run (taking a big breath and pulling a Melinda - see Jan 27, last picture). Our first run is documented below- the tracks just to the left of the middle rocky area are mine. I was wondering why Howdy said "Stay close to my line" until I saw this picture! I honestly do not remembering seeing the rocks while I skied the delicious snow.

Here is a run that we took earlier in the day (below). Talk about gorgeous scenery!

A Banner Day!

What a day! We took our first two runs off John Paul Quad. No stopping for pictures there - the foot (plus) of new snow was fabulous, the light was sooooo good, and we just kept moving.

Barb and Mike McConvill surveyed the view of Powder Mountain from the top of Snowbasin's "The Diamond" Run - just briefly - on the way to our next powder stash. The rest of these pictures tell the story... Mike, Barb and two pcitures of our friend Hudd - a master of teleski.

Mike sent me the GPS record of our runs - mapped on the Google Earth database image (believe me, there was no bare ground today). Click for larger image. It is fun to re-live the powder runs of this banner day!

In Search of STEEP

Face shot delights! It was one of those days when steeper was better… 16 inches last night, 10 inches the night before. The sun came out briefly and I thought it was time for a movie of my friend Mike. Due to operator error, the movie is short... but sweet!

Active Local Couple Loves Winter

Melinda Roland reports:

"In this photo at right, Peter and I are snow shoeing at North Fork (decided to take a powder day off and rest our legs). We had a blast! The sun was bright, the snow perfect and the wildlife very entertaining. (Dec 28, 2007)



Peter heading down POW MOW's Dr. C. run. The powder was ‘perrrrfect’ as usual. (Jan 6, 2008 )

John Leone and I preparing to descend Snowbasin’s Middle Bowl Cirque (below). This was my first time to attempt this run. Oh my! My stomach filled with butterflies, then I actually became a-bit nauseous as I looked over the crevice into the bowl. John told me to take a big breath and off I went. Will I do this run again? Absolutely!! (Jan 19, 2008)

BOYS DAY OUT

Barb McConvill reports:

"It was a great day for the boys from Mountain Green (or formerly from Mountain Green). Tyler was here from San Diego, taking a break from all that surfing. He timed it right with new snow last night and a storm that lasted all day today. Between the wind and falling snow, the sliding conditions were good all day. It was a bit hard to see so the trees of John Paul called us back from a white out in Strawberry. Ty’s best friend Nathan and dad Mike popped off a mound of fluff for these photos."

MR SCHNOW on the move

Tyler loves his demo skis from Diamond Peak

Free heeling Nathan sticks his landing

Friends Nathan and Ty ready to try a run on No Name

A Little Cold Smoke Never Hurt Anyone!

We called it "Cold Smoke" at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana (my college town). Super light, more than 20 inches deep and face shots during every run. We really like that fact that we can get these conditions without the subzero temperatures!

My husband took the morning off to ski the fresh powder with me - what a guy! As luck would have it (may have been the snowy roads), we didn't have a lot of competition for freshies. Lovin' life today!!

There ARE friends on a Powder Day!

Barb McConvill reports:

"Many years ago a kind and soft spoken gentleman came to my office at the Ogden/Weber Convention and Visitors Bureau. He had a glint in his eye and a broad smile on his face. He introduced himself and explained that he was starting a new program at Powder Mountain that was a must for visitors to know about. The excitement he exhibited was intoxicating as he explained how a special device would be added to bindings and skins would be strapped on skis for climbing. Guests would be equipped with all the gear and the guides would carry lunch for an all day back country adventure into the back bowls of Powder Mountain!

"A true visionary, Jack Fletcher began what has become a full-fledged mountain powder guide program. New tows, lifts and snow cats have replaced the climbing skins, and new ski and board technology allows more visitors to enjoy some of the most spectacular powder terrain in North America. Jack’s love of the sport and the mountain was recognized on January 14 when his favorite powder stash was named in his honor. Fletcher Bowl, located off the Sunrise Lift and Sanctuary trail, is a blend of open terrain, perfectly spaced trees, and excellent pitch. “We used to get out there and then ski down, hike up; ski down, hike up; ski down, hike up until we couldn’t do it any longer,” said Fletcher in his remarks.

"One Fletcher fan remarked, 'They say there are no friends on a powder day but that doesn’t apply to Jack. He was always stopping and asking people if they were looking for some powder, and then he would show it to them.' John Klisch attended the naming ceremony. Influenced by Jack during his first visit to the resort, John purchased property and built his retirement home in the Ogden Valley, and is a powder guide.

"Powder Mountain management was overwhelmed with letters of support for the name designation said Greg Grier, Powder’s General Manager. In his remarks he commented that Powder Mountain is a special place because of people like Jack and having this run named after him helps us all remember where we came from and how we all take care of each other."

The Sun is Returning to the Slopes!

What a view from Elkridge at Snowbasin (above)! The sun was trying its best to appear this weekend. Barb and I made our inaugural visit to informally-named "Chicks in Sticks" run the Moonshine area. The "sticks" are becoming sufficiently covered with that wonderful white blanket for the rest of the season.

Later, we headed over to John Paul area to see what was left in the trees. This view at the top (below) shows where the Women's Downhill started - see small cabin start hut.

Enjoy the sun for the next several days - you never know when we will have to start skiing powder again! Isn't life great?

Wolf Mountain Delivers Great Fun!

Posting Guest Commentary and Photos from Barb at Wolf Mountain:

"Sometimes little Wolf Mountain gets overlooked on a powder day and locals will be very mad at me for letting this secret out, but a picture is worth 1,000 words! Terry Murphy (above) was all smiles as she sailed down Barney’s Way with no one in front or behind, and untouched snow everywhere she looked. The lifts were ready to load right at 9:00 and over a foot of new snow laid in wait. We skied three runs in a row and never saw anyone else on the hill – it was an outstanding morning to be alive!

"Draba – our Wolf Creek Resort & Club greeter visited the mountain today and got his own season pass. As you can see, all this new snow made him very tired. It’s tough being a hospitality dog!
Barb"

I have to agree - day after day of new snow makes this a pretty special place to live and play! After skiing, Howdy had a little snowblowing to do out the front door ... we love it...

Weekend Storms Delight the Powder Hounds

Who cares if it was snowing hard, a little fog here and there, and occassional wind - it was DEEP! Barb photographed the boys (Rich, Mike and Rich's son Michael) on a Snowbasin run on Jan. 5. It was a day when you knew you could ski just about anywhere, the base was good and snow very consistent - easy and fun to ski!