12/14/2008 Mt. Baker

The drive from Seattle was a bit longer than normal due to the icy highway but well worth the trip. All the chairs were running - although the new Chair one broke down around mid-day and people were stuck in the air for 45 minutes - luckily they got in running long enough to get people off. 

Not all the runs were open - Pan Face was closed, as well as the Chute and Gables. They obviously need more snow, however, the snow they have is great - dry and forgiving. Plenty of exposure - so watch where you're going and look out for snow snakes! We also got sunshine and blue skies - which is always a bonus. A fun first day - lots of people on the hill but thinned out as the day went on. It felt great to be on the snow again!

I was in the Baker BC, just making one inbounds run at the end of the day. Funny thing is, last year I spent 45 minutes on that lift on opening weekend, too.