Stellar day. Blew my back out first run on Northway which wasn't stellar but managed to tough it out and after a few groomers was able to ski through it and get it loosened up enough to make it manageable and do more fun stuff.
Groomers off LWF were great early, Cloudspin and lower Sky were next which was just as good as last time I was here a couple weeks ago. Wilmington opened around 10 so hit that early figuring it would get icy. Lots of ice balls but not teeth chattering bad, some sections were nice hard pack. Will probably be great tomorrow after another grooming cycle but was actually enjoyable in its current state.
Lapped LWF for a bit around noon and hit Mountain Run and Lower Wilderness. Mountain Run was a little skiied off but Wilderness was nice soft natural snow. Ducked into 10th mountain glades and Cloudsplitter next. Both were great and did re runs. Even went down Empire which wasn't the best coverage but doable.
Decided to head up to the summit around 12:30 as the sun came out up there and noticed a patroller by the top of Skyward. Getting off the lift they were shortening the rope so you could traverse in from below the headwall. Game on. The next couple runs were among the best I've ever had on Sky as it was the fluffiest soft powder snow and mostly untracked. I stuck to the sides and first run hit a rock but no damage. Ensuing runs never hit anything. That with the temperature inversion and skiing above the clouds made it feel like I was skiing out west with conditions to match. Going to remember those runs for a long time.
My back was starting to talk to me around 2:15 but saw lookout below was whaled up and open. I had to do it as it's never been open when I've been at WF. Was a fun end to the day on nice chalky manmade.
I'm hoping my back doesn't lock up on me tonight so I can at least get some runs in tomorrow before heading home. Not optimistic but at least I got today.
It's been said a lot, but what a December and start to the season.
