Crystal - 3/30

Today was even clearer than yesterday, if that's possible. Crystal clear from Hood to the Olympics to Baker. And, the day started warmer as well with the coats getting shed after the first run.

The first run was Valley to Ferkberg. Valley was firmer than yesterday, but very edgeable. Ferkberg grooming was great and the snow was already starting to soften. Headed to Powderbowl for many runs down PB and into Outer Ferks right next to the tree line. Yesterday's powder in PB had turned to carvable chalk over night, but was good skiing. By 11, all the flat sunny sections had become very sticky. JD started mushing a line into Showtime, so after his first attempt I joined him. After several runs, we had a consolidated line that wasn't bad. Suckered a few other takers in there, so those of you who enjoy our line just left of chair line tomorrow, thank us later. It was work getting that zipper line cut in there. After Showtime runs, headed for a top-to-bottom via Snorting Elk (excellent all day), Sluiceway, Berry Patch, then a slow sticky traverse to lower E which was also excellent. That was good for a second run where the flat traverse to lower E was even slower. Back to Powder Bowl for runs, then GV chair for repeats on Snorting Elk. Northway has been closed since Sunday, but was open today. We never made it. Any reports from out that way?

Light crowds and lots of Hawaii shirts, even a pair of Hawaii print pants (Ken W.).

For Hawaii Days at Albertson’s, the softening moved up 2-3 hours today and the stickiness moved up an hour from yesterday. Only upper Powder Bowl and Elk Snort might have avoided the slush-up that will be not nice for a few minutes early tomorrow. It was HOT as clothes were shed at 9am. Thanks to CD and JD, there’s one line on the Frontside that’ll be skiable. A couple big T2B bump runs were my favorite. Oh, Powder Bowl Nose Trees too. They shut off the area under Rock Face and closed Southback in the afternoon as some wet slides look very likely.

Ken
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