ABasin Conditions

[Milo Maltbie]

It was one of those days that NY skiers think is great but the locals stay home. Still it’s good to be traveling again.

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[Brownski]

Succinctness is an under appreciated quality

 

[Milo Maltbie]

ABasin was way better today. Four inches of fresh but mostly flat light. There was dust on crust everywhere but also lots of good turns. We avoided montazuma bowl because of the wind direction but the trees under the Pali lift were sweet.
Bonus because today put me in the money for my season pass.

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[Benny Profane]

Get it while you can. If this storm turns into anything like the blizzard of '03, I70 may close. Abasin was closed for three days.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

I have to leave Monday. Ironically this storm may cancel out my last day this weekend.

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[Benny Profane]

Denver is going to get hit, too. If you really have to get back, be prepared for difficulties. I was up in Summit in '03 when that Blizzard hit, and Denver schools closed for a few days. I think a ton of flights got cancelled. This is like a nor'easter back home, but more intense.
If it keeps snowing, I'm out there in April.

 

[JTG]

I had brief thoughts last night of getting on a plane today and chasing this storm.....maybe it’s good I didn’t? Already had one trip west this year extended because of a Nor’easter here, my wife wouldn’t have appreciated another!

 

[Benny Profane]

Oh no, that could be a mistake. ABasin was closed for three days after that '03 storm. Mainly because the employees couldn't get there. Then they were doing Avi bombing on the slopes above the parking lot the day it opened, cancelling the morning. I70 was closed for a few days from avis. It was screwed up. Evergreen on the front slope got 7-8 feet of snow.

 

[JTG]

Stellar, that would be a good word! Great coverage on the mountain. Day started cold and was full on spring in the afternoon.

Managed to find some nice, midwinter-ish, untracked soft powder in north facing trees early (maybe just slightly ob).

East Wall was in full play, skied 1st Notch for the first time (I think it’s the first of my trips that it was open.

Pics and a little more to come, but now it’s Bacon Bloody Mary time!

 

[JTG]

The scene on the East Wall.

1st Notch from afar.

From top and bottom. It’s amazing how not steep ski runs can look in pictures.

Although this (errant) picture of the lip at the entrance gives a better idea of steepness.