12/24/18 Crystal Mountain

Wall to wall blue sky. 4" new over boot-top cut pow over a foot of very skiable crunch. Skied 100 times better than it looked. Started with a round of Frontsides, Sunnyside, Memorial, The Doors, Breakover. Fast, steep, soft and blazing sun. Powderbowl Main Chute was untracked leading to big deep pillows of cut sluff. Narrowed by rocky sides, a huge rush. Bear Pits kept the rush going as long as you dodged the people standing around. Top of Chair 6 is very rocky. Sideslippers have exposed most of the entries. Followed the rumors about Employee Housing and it delivered as well - only a few twiggy bushes down low. A most excellent day - Until

Rex stoped for 25 minutes just as a cold fog moved over the ridges from the east blocking the sun's warmth. Cold and stiff from sitting, we tried a groomer. Luckyshot was firm and un-invigorating. Headed out against the flow of very late arrivers looking for parking. Big crowd in the lodge, lot's of inappropriate footwear clad tourists, and no lift lines.

Ken

Fantastic day, indeed! Dropped into the Horseshoe cliffs, then Brand X, both untracked. Caught left angle trees just as the rope dropped, then took a few runs in southback in the afternoon. Great snow and no lines all day.