February 1, 2003, Hurricane Ridge

One inch of new over what's left from the rain's onslaught -- there were some skiable spots on N-facing aspects.  I went on my usual run out to Hurricane Hill, stopping to check out favorite slopes on the way.  The hard base underneath was not boilerplate, as I had feared, but the skiing was quite fast.  The skiff of new was just enough to make you feel like it was winter.  A couple of playful snowshoers built a snowman at the base of the ridge coming down from Hurricane Hill. He sat there overlooking the scene like a playground monitor as a half dozen telemarkers left tracks in the gentle bowl below Hurricane Hill.  Temperature sat at freezing all day and light precip alternated between light water mist and snow.

It was rather shocking to see how much bare ground was left exposed by recent weather.  All my favorite south-facing slopes had abundant dirt showing.