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!