23/24 Ski Season (and other dumb outdoor winter recreational pursuits)

[nereo]

This has been the worst start to a season in our region that we have had in the last few decades. Zero natural snow cover and a solid week of above-freezing temps mingling with constant rain. A rare “atmospheric river” dumped 5” of rain two weeks ago and erased all the artificial snow the resorts had been working to make to build up their base. A lot of the smaller hills have been forced to close until conditions improve, which I imagine just fills up the few larger resorts more.


It’s still very early in the season, but the forecast sent improve for at least another 5 days
#prayforsnow

[FINate]

This has been the worst start to a season in our region that we have had in the last few decades. Zero natural snow cover and a solid week of above-freezing temps mingling with constant rain. A rare “atmospheric river” dumped 5” of rain two weeks ago and erased all the artificial snow the resorts had been working to make to build up their base. A lot of the smaller hills have been forced to close until conditions improve, which I imagine just fills up the few larger resorts more.


It’s still very early in the season, but the forecast sent improve for at least another 5 days
#prayforsnow

It's been pretty grim here in southern Idaho as well. I've been laid up recovering from another surgery, finally got the ok to go skiing after Christmas. So we went up today.

There's coverage on most of the mountain, just thin. The named runs are fine (snow making) but off-piste is sketchy.

That said... it was fantastic! Very few people for being high season. We didn't wait in any lift lines. Sunny and 45F with no wind. Decent snow conditions on the groomers. I mean, sure, I always like more snow, but I'm not going to complain about spring-like conditions in December!

[LightStache]

I'm in training to join the volunteer ski patrol at the slopes about 35 min from my house. I've met a great group of people through the training, and will ski for cheap this season. The volunteering hours don't even come close to what I would earn if I just worked a fraction of the hours I've put into the training instead, but so far it has been rewarding and fun, and is an intentional part of my coast-FIRE transition. We'll see how I feel after patrolling for a season. Literal first tracks will be a nice perk as well. :)

Let me know how it goes! I did my OEC training and started volunteering for a local hill a couple years back, but they were a bureaucratic PITA so I quit. But I'm still seriously considering paid or volunteer patrol as part of my FIRE plan.

I'm a few days in on the hill and still very much learning, much like the first time period on a regular job. So far it is good and fun. It was kind of exciting to do my first sling and swath on an injured shoulder! I'm not sure what part of the patrol is the bureaucratic PITA, but I think there is a lot of variability in how structured patrols are. At baseline, you are dealing with injured people, so there is necessarily a certain amount of paperwork for documenting care/incidents regardless of where you are. I think the patrol I'm on is on the more relaxed end of bureaucracy and we just have a google spreadsheet that everyone signs up for on their own for shifts on a rolling basis. Other patrols have it set up as more of a set "work" schedule, volunteer or otherwise.

Mine was more like "spend $200/nt for our mandatory Fall lectures on how you're going to indemnify us, but we're not going to indemnify you" then five fixed on-hill training days that couldn't be missed, followed by flexible working days under supervision. I was warned about that hill beforehand, but didn't take the advice.

I'm glad you're having fun, I hope that's me in a few more years!

[jeninco]

I'm in training to join the volunteer ski patrol at the slopes about 35 min from my house. I've met a great group of people through the training, and will ski for cheap this season. The volunteering hours don't even come close to what I would earn if I just worked a fraction of the hours I've put into the training instead, but so far it has been rewarding and fun, and is an intentional part of my coast-FIRE transition. We'll see how I feel after patrolling for a season. Literal first tracks will be a nice perk as well. :)

Let me know how it goes! I did my OEC training and started volunteering for a local hill a couple years back, but they were a bureaucratic PITA so I quit. But I'm still seriously considering paid or volunteer patrol as part of my FIRE plan.

I'm a few days in on the hill and still very much learning, much like the first time period on a regular job. So far it is good and fun. It was kind of exciting to do my first sling and swath on an injured shoulder! I'm not sure what part of the patrol is the bureaucratic PITA, but I think there is a lot of variability in how structured patrols are. At baseline, you are dealing with injured people, so there is necessarily a certain amount of paperwork for documenting care/incidents regardless of where you are. I think the patrol I'm on is on the more relaxed end of bureaucracy and we just have a google spreadsheet that everyone signs up for on their own for shifts on a rolling basis. Other patrols have it set up as more of a set "work" schedule, volunteer or otherwise.

Mine was more like "spend $200/nt for our mandatory Fall lectures on how you're going to indemnify us, but we're not going to indemnify you" then five fixed on-hill training days that couldn't be missed, followed by flexible working days under supervision. I was warned about that hill beforehand, but didn't take the advice.

I'm glad you're having fun, I hope that's me in a few more years!

I patrol with a nordic patrol: we're at a nordic area (which has groomed tracks for skate skiing and classic XC) and we have an arm that does backcountry patrolling through and agreement with the Forest Service. We are very, very chill: I mean, you have to for real pass your OEC class and test and various other requirements, but we're about as low as it's possible to get on bureaucratic BS and still be affiliated with NSP. I think a fair bit of the junk is area-specific (and sometimes depends a bit on your patrol administration...)

We skied yesterday at one of our local hills: cover was thin but nicely groomed. They haven't opened up much beyond blues, which was OK for me, as it was my first day with my heels locked down in something like 25 years.

Tomorrow I'll be patrolling at our "hill", and thus out on skate ski gear. Apparently I'm spending this week seeing how many kinds of skis I can use in a single week!

[rocketpj]

Still not much snow around here, but we'll be up on the local slopes if it does come this year.

Eldest is currently playing hockey for a team at the foot of a big ski hill in the BC interior, so we'll fit a day or two on the slopes when we go visit him in January/February.

My season pass days are in the past, and possible post kids future.  I'm more likely to take up some other expensive outdoor pursuit like sports fishing though.  Easier on the knees.

[LightStache]

I'm in training to join the volunteer ski patrol at the slopes about 35 min from my house. I've met a great group of people through the training, and will ski for cheap this season. The volunteering hours don't even come close to what I would earn if I just worked a fraction of the hours I've put into the training instead, but so far it has been rewarding and fun, and is an intentional part of my coast-FIRE transition. We'll see how I feel after patrolling for a season. Literal first tracks will be a nice perk as well. :)

Let me know how it goes! I did my OEC training and started volunteering for a local hill a couple years back, but they were a bureaucratic PITA so I quit. But I'm still seriously considering paid or volunteer patrol as part of my FIRE plan.

I'm a few days in on the hill and still very much learning, much like the first time period on a regular job. So far it is good and fun. It was kind of exciting to do my first sling and swath on an injured shoulder! I'm not sure what part of the patrol is the bureaucratic PITA, but I think there is a lot of variability in how structured patrols are. At baseline, you are dealing with injured people, so there is necessarily a certain amount of paperwork for documenting care/incidents regardless of where you are. I think the patrol I'm on is on the more relaxed end of bureaucracy and we just have a google spreadsheet that everyone signs up for on their own for shifts on a rolling basis. Other patrols have it set up as more of a set "work" schedule, volunteer or otherwise.

Mine was more like "spend $200/nt for our mandatory Fall lectures on how you're going to indemnify us, but we're not going to indemnify you" then five fixed on-hill training days that couldn't be missed, followed by flexible working days under supervision. I was warned about that hill beforehand, but didn't take the advice.

I'm glad you're having fun, I hope that's me in a few more years!

I patrol with a nordic patrol: we're at a nordic area (which has groomed tracks for skate skiing and classic XC) and we have an arm that does backcountry patrolling through and agreement with the Forest Service. We are very, very chill: I mean, you have to for real pass your OEC class and test and various other requirements, but we're about as low as it's possible to get on bureaucratic BS and still be affiliated with NSP. I think a fair bit of the junk is area-specific (and sometimes depends a bit on your patrol administration...)

We skied yesterday at one of our local hills: cover was thin but nicely groomed. They haven't opened up much beyond blues, which was OK for me, as it was my first day with my heels locked down in something like 25 years.

Tomorrow I'll be patrolling at our "hill", and thus out on skate ski gear. Apparently I'm spending this week seeing how many kinds of skis I can use in a single week!

Great to hear! I was already convinced it was just that hill and these anecdotes are reinforcing. I'm on a travel sabbatical now but if I end up back near my home city the OEC crew all run a nordic patrol that's close enough to drive in. But I haven't had my heels free in something like 25 years, so that'd be an adjustment. ;)

[Retire-Canada]

We had a ~40cm base when our local ski hill partially opened on 8 Dec with only 1 lift/2 runs and it was marginal. It's now at ~15cm. Another spell of rain and they may close down entirely.

[fuzzy math]

I purchased the Indy pass last spring for the first time and haven't gotten to try it out yet. For those who live near a bunch of small resorts there's a good chance it could meet your needs. I'm a confirmed green and blue skier after knee surgery at age 19 so its not like I need to go to an extensive mountain. The base pass offers 2 days at each resort. There's an add on to get additional days. Figured I'd get it to check out all the areas I haven't skied since I was a small kid to find out what's good now that I'm back in the northwest.

[MMMarbleheader]

I purchased the Indy pass last spring for the first time and haven't gotten to try it out yet. For those who live near a bunch of small resorts there's a good chance it could meet your needs. I'm a confirmed green and blue skier after knee surgery at age 19 so its not like I need to go to an extensive mountain. The base pass offers 2 days at each resort. There's an add on to get additional days. Figured I'd get it to check out all the areas I haven't skied since I was a small kid to find out what's good now that I'm back in the northwest.

Love the Indy Pass. We have in central VT and can drive to 9 mountains. Love supporting the non Vail/Ikon mountains.

[halfling]

Going to try a Virginia resort called Wintergreen. I haven’t skied in years and have never been in VA, but a close friend really wants to learn so I offered to take them. They’ve gotten about 10 inches of natural snow all season and the weekend lift tickets cost… $109! Each! Going to swing by a local ski shop to see if they sell discounted tickets or maybe cheaper rentals. At least we won’t need lodging. I guess they need all the $$ to make the other two feet of snow.

[FINate]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

We skied 3 days over New Years, and four days this week (Kirkwood first, then Heavenly this week). Heavenly conditions were fantastic this week, and we lucked out with some gorgeous weather. Seeing the lake on a blue sky day at the top of a run is pretty fantastic.

We are unlikely to renew our season passes for next year, however, as we have one teen going off to college & another who will be playing a varsity sport that has a playoff week during ski week. We narrowly missed having to cancel our ski plans this week, when they lost in a double OT PK shoot out. Once both teens are out of the house, we'll have to do the math to see if it makes sense for us to get passes. If only the mountains were closer than a 4.5 hour drive. . .

[Much Fishing to Do]

Skiing is something I used to do behind a boat.  Given there is a boat involved all the same expense complaints apply....

[skp]

Maybe one more week in the ski season here in NE Ohio. I feel that
Our local resort did the best it could considering the lack of snow and erratic temps. Our local bunny hill is 10 minutes down the road and as a low intermediate skiers  meets our needs. We can go for an hour or two everyday. Plus a senior season pas has been $99 the last two seasons. I’m pretty happy with our ski season and hope Vail keeps the senior rates low.

[spartana]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

Come back to Calif! Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear have gotten tons of snow this year - mostly in Feb - and it's still snowing.  Mammoth got somewhere between 150 -200 inches or more just in Feb and Big Bear got almost 7 feet over a couple of days (121 inches total in Feb). Nothing like last year's historic snowfall but enough that Mammoth will be open until late June or early July. But yeah...slow start.

[FINate]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

Come back to Calif! Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear have gotten tons of snow this year - mostly in Feb - and it's still snowing.  Mammoth got around 150 inches just in Feb and Big Bear got almost 7 feet over a couple of days. Nothing like last year's historic snowfall but enough that Mammoth will be open until late June or early July.

Tahoe is fantastic! Lots of great memories, especially Kirkwood before the Vail acquisition.

But we stopped skiing when we were in CA because it was too much driving and too expensive. We're rather spoiled here with city life in the valley and the slopes just 30 minutes away. It's really a game changer in terms with the ability to squeeze in a few hours multiple days per week. I'll likely head up again tomorrow after I get the kids out the door to school.

We don't get a ton of snow, but it's enough and it's mostly dry and powdery. I remember my first cold smoke powder day out here... I don't miss the Sierra Cement :)

As much as I enjoy Tahoe, Salt Lake City is closer (~5 hrs) so we're more likely to head out that way. Realistically, however, our kids are now at the age where we really don't like to pull them out of school, so we mostly stay local. Usually Bogus, but sometimes Tamarack, Brundage, or Sun Valley. Once the kids graduate DW and I would like to go on some longer ski destination trips, assuming I'm still alive of course.

I'm glad the snow finally arrived, was looking pretty grim at the start of the season. Looks like we'll get another 24" or so this week. Happy trails!

[spartana]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

Come back to Calif! Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear have gotten tons of snow this year - mostly in Feb - and it's still snowing.  Mammoth got around 150 inches just in Feb and Big Bear got almost 7 feet over a couple of days. Nothing like last year's historic snowfall but enough that Mammoth will be open until late June or early July.

Tahoe is fantastic! Lots of great memories, especially Kirkwood before the Vail acquisition.

But we stopped skiing when we were in CA because it was too much driving and too expensive. We're rather spoiled here with city life in the valley and the slopes just 30 minutes away. It's really a game changer in terms with the ability to squeeze in a few hours multiple days per week. I'll likely head up again tomorrow after I get the kids out the door to school.

We don't get a ton of snow, but it's enough and it's mostly dry and powdery. I remember my first cold smoke powder day out here... I don't miss the Sierra Cement :)

As much as I enjoy Tahoe, Salt Lake City is closer (~5 hrs) so we're more likely to head out that way. Realistically, however, our kids are now at the age where we really don't like to pull them out of school, so we mostly stay local. Usually Bogus, but sometimes Tamarack, Brundage, or Sun Valley. Once the kids graduate DW and I would like to go on some longer ski destination trips, assuming I'm still alive of course.

I'm glad the snow finally arrived, was looking pretty grim at the start of the season. Looks like we'll get another 24" or so this week. Happy trails!

My commute is a short walk up a hill to the lifts  ;-). Or if I'm being lazy the free shuttle. But I hated the drive to Big Bear or Mammoth or Tahoe (where my favorite cousin lived) even if I could go midweek so I don't miss that AT ALL.

ETA: Besides having free places to stay in Tahoe and Big Bear, I belong to a ski club that has a very rustic cabin in Mammoth and it's $15/night for dorm style rooms. Plus a season pass that covers all those areas.

[FINate]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

Come back to Calif! Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear have gotten tons of snow this year - mostly in Feb - and it's still snowing.  Mammoth got around 150 inches just in Feb and Big Bear got almost 7 feet over a couple of days. Nothing like last year's historic snowfall but enough that Mammoth will be open until late June or early July.

Tahoe is fantastic! Lots of great memories, especially Kirkwood before the Vail acquisition.

But we stopped skiing when we were in CA because it was too much driving and too expensive. We're rather spoiled here with city life in the valley and the slopes just 30 minutes away. It's really a game changer in terms with the ability to squeeze in a few hours multiple days per week. I'll likely head up again tomorrow after I get the kids out the door to school.

We don't get a ton of snow, but it's enough and it's mostly dry and powdery. I remember my first cold smoke powder day out here... I don't miss the Sierra Cement :)

As much as I enjoy Tahoe, Salt Lake City is closer (~5 hrs) so we're more likely to head out that way. Realistically, however, our kids are now at the age where we really don't like to pull them out of school, so we mostly stay local. Usually Bogus, but sometimes Tamarack, Brundage, or Sun Valley. Once the kids graduate DW and I would like to go on some longer ski destination trips, assuming I'm still alive of course.

I'm glad the snow finally arrived, was looking pretty grim at the start of the season. Looks like we'll get another 24" or so this week. Happy trails!

My commute is a short walk up a hill to the lifts  ;-). Or if I'm being lazy the free shuttle. But I hated the drive to Big Bear or Mammoth or Tahoe (where my favorite cousin lived) even if I could go midweek so I don't miss that AT ALL.

ETA: Besides having free places to stay in Tahoe and Big Bear, I belong to a ski club that has a very rustic cabin in Mammoth and it's $15/night for dorm style rooms. Plus a season pass that covers all those areas.

You're living your dream, more power to you :) Living at the base of the slopes would be super nice, a little jealous. But for a bunch of reasons, mostly around kids and community, we've decided resort towns aren't our jam.

Boise, for us, provides an almost ideal intersection of urban and the outdoors. Things like school trips to Boise Phil, Ballet Idaho, or snow school where they snowshoe around and study the snow pack and watershed. And we often head up skiing after the kids get home from school -- quite a bit of night coverage at Bogus along with amazing sunsets over views of the city lights. Should also mention that DW isn't a huge fan of long winters. She's adapted here, but it also helps that winter in Boise is rather short and mild. Last weekend I was out mountain biking on dry trails in sunny 60F. Oh, and I also need to be near good medical with a cancer center. Around Tahoe the closest approximation of this would be Reno, yet Boise is more our style. So I don't see us moving anywhere for the foreseeable future, at least until our kids are in college.

Now pardon me as I head up the mountain. Should be great conditions today, with 8" falling yesterday and partly cloudy and crisp this morning.

[aloevera1]

I've seen skiers come back from slopes covered in mud this year... So much skiing disappointment happened this year. :(

[spartana]

It has been a low snow year across much of the western US, and yet our local resort has managed to get around average snowfall for this time of the season. Total of 164" and a base depth of 62" with another 12" in the forecast next week. All things considered, not bad.

Went up twice this week. Once with DD, which was fun even though we stayed on the front side. Then skied by myself yesterday and was able to go hard for a few hours and get in a lot of runs. Still not as fast or powerful as pre-cancer, but happy with overall improvement in my strength and endurance. Good blue bird groomer days.

Season passes for next year went on sale on Friday, went ahead and re-upped for the entire family. Since it's a non-profit resort I also included a decent donation as well.

Come back to Calif! Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear have gotten tons of snow this year - mostly in Feb - and it's still snowing.  Mammoth got around 150 inches just in Feb and Big Bear got almost 7 feet over a couple of days. Nothing like last year's historic snowfall but enough that Mammoth will be open until late June or early July.

Tahoe is fantastic! Lots of great memories, especially Kirkwood before the Vail acquisition.

But we stopped skiing when we were in CA because it was too much driving and too expensive. We're rather spoiled here with city life in the valley and the slopes just 30 minutes away. It's really a game changer in terms with the ability to squeeze in a few hours multiple days per week. I'll likely head up again tomorrow after I get the kids out the door to school.

We don't get a ton of snow, but it's enough and it's mostly dry and powdery. I remember my first cold smoke powder day out here... I don't miss the Sierra Cement :)

As much as I enjoy Tahoe, Salt Lake City is closer (~5 hrs) so we're more likely to head out that way. Realistically, however, our kids are now at the age where we really don't like to pull them out of school, so we mostly stay local. Usually Bogus, but sometimes Tamarack, Brundage, or Sun Valley. Once the kids graduate DW and I would like to go on some longer ski destination trips, assuming I'm still alive of course.

I'm glad the snow finally arrived, was looking pretty grim at the start of the season. Looks like we'll get another 24" or so this week. Happy trails!

My commute is a short walk up a hill to the lifts  ;-). Or if I'm being lazy the free shuttle. But I hated the drive to Big Bear or Mammoth or Tahoe (where my favorite cousin lived) even if I could go midweek so I don't miss that AT ALL.

ETA: Besides having free places to stay in Tahoe and Big Bear, I belong to a ski club that has a very rustic cabin in Mammoth and it's $15/night for dorm style rooms. Plus a season pass that covers all those areas.

You're living your dream, more power to you :) Living at the base of the slopes would be super nice, a little jealous. But for a bunch of reasons, mostly around kids and community, we've decided resort towns aren't our jam.

Boise, for us, provides an almost ideal intersection of urban and the outdoors. Things like school trips to Boise Phil, Ballet Idaho, or snow school where they snowshoe around and study the snow pack and watershed. And we often head up skiing after the kids get home from school -- quite a bit of night coverage at Bogus along with amazing sunsets over views of the city lights. Should also mention that DW isn't a huge fan of long winters. She's adapted here, but it also helps that winter in Boise is rather short and mild. Last weekend I was out mountain biking on dry trails in sunny 60F. Oh, and I also need to be near good medical with a cancer center. Around Tahoe the closest approximation of this would be Reno, yet Boise is more our style. So I don't see us moving anywhere for the foreseeable future, at least until our kids are in college.

Now pardon me as I head up the mountain. Should be great conditions today, with 8" falling yesterday and partly cloudy and crisp this morning.

Stopped snowing and sunny here today also but cold. I don't plan to live here forever myself and would prefer a larger town or small city for some of the reasons you mentioned. But family, friends, a "surfer dude" BF who has a place on the coast we split time between makes it ideal for now. Boise is nice - although to hot and dry in summers for me - and seems like a good place to settle. I like Park City alot but $$$$$.

ETA: looks like mammoth will be open until June 29 this year. Last year I think they were still skiing (in shorts and tank tops lol) until Aug 8.

[FINate]

Stopped snowing and sunny here today also but cold. I don't plan to live here forever myself and would prefer a larger town or small city for some of the reasons you mentioned. But family, friends, a "surfer dude" BF who has a place on the coast we split time between makes it ideal for now. Boise is nice - although to hot and dry in summers for me - and seems like a good place to settle. I like Park City alot but $$$$$.

ETA: looks like mammoth will be open until June 29 this year. Last year I think they were still skiing (in shorts and tank tops lol) until Aug 8.

Yeah, summers here are hot and dry. I love it, had my fill of cold damp summers living on the coast. Nothing better than walking around in a cold river fly fishing on a hot sunny day.

By June my thoughts have moved on to camping, backpacking, fishing, and other summer activities. I guess I'm not a die hard :)

Snow conditions today were fantastic. Around 10F, which I find pretty ideal. The snow that fell yesterday was pushed around, but still very soft powdery. My one-quiver Ripstick 96 Blacks are pretty good in these conditions, but I've been toying with the idea of adding something more powder oriented. Something strong I can use in chopped up resort powder, but can also use for some cat skiing. Was thinking maybe Salomon QST Blank. Does anyone have experience with this ski? Would it be appropriate for what I'm looking for? Other suggestions?  Thanks!

[nereo]

Skiing is something I used to do behind a boat.  Given there is a boat involved all the same expense complaints apply....

Reminds me of an old episode of the game show Family Feud. 
Question was "name a great state to go skiing" and the guy answered "Florida".  Everyone broke out laughing but it was on the board.

[Retire-Canada]

A boat is one thing that makes a ski pass to a local hill look cheap. My seasons pass is probably worth a tank of gas or two in decently powerful boat.

[spartana]

Yay!
Published February 28, 2024 7:17pm EST
Crippling blizzard to pummel California mountains with 10-plus feet of snow, high winds

[Retire-Canada]

I was at the local mountain yesterday and it was knee deep powder with a light customer load even for mid-week operations. Awesome day sliding down the mountain. I'll head up again tomorrow as some friends are coming to town to ski. They got the timing right!

[nereo]

These reports are making me very sad/jealous here in New England (I formerly lived close to Tahoe).

We've had a spectacularly bad season this year, and most of the ski hills that cannot make their own snow opened early and are already closing.  What significant natural snowfalls we have gotten this season have been followed by rain within a day or so.  Even the big resorts around here have a lot of their trails closed due to a very thin base.

Throughout most of the state we are down to bare ground.  Hoping for a few big snowstorms in March...

[MMMarbleheader]

These reports are making me very sad/jealous here in New England (I formerly lived close to Tahoe).

We've had a spectacularly bad season this year, and most of the ski hills that cannot make their own snow opened early and are already closing.  What significant natural snowfalls we have gotten this season have been followed by rain within a day or so.  Even the big resorts around here have a lot of their trails closed due to a very thin base.

Throughout most of the state we are down to bare ground.  Hoping for a few big snowstorms in March...

I have the Indy Pass and have been playing the log game and saving some of the big mountains for Mach (Waterville, Bolton, Jay) which is probably the right call but even then it will not be as great as least year when we got dumped on in March. But we should still be over 15 visits. We paid $850 for the Indy (2 Adults + 2 kids) so $15 per visit per person

Dartmouth Skiway (x2), Whaleback, Bolton (x2), Black NH, Jay (x2), Magic, Waterville (x2), Cannon (x2), Berkshire East, Pats Peak (x2).

We live in the Upper Valley Vt/NH so we can get to 11 mountains within 2 hours so possible 22 redemtions without driving to Maine to get to Saddleback and Black ME.

=

[spartana]

I was at the local mountain yesterday and it was knee deep powder with a light customer load even for mid-week operations. Awesome day sliding down the mountain. I'll head up again tomorrow as some friends are coming to town to ski. They got the timing right!

I think you guys Beyond the Wall in the Great White North (or maybe that's the Great Wet North in coastal BC) are going to get hammered too. So don't know how suitable it'll be this weekend but will likely be over by Monday (for us FIREees) and pretty spectacular. Our ski season is pretty short here but at least my annual pass is good in summer for the 2 bike parks and lifts.

[Sanitary Stache]

These reports are making me very sad/jealous here in New England (I formerly lived close to Tahoe).

We've had a spectacularly bad season this year, and most of the ski hills that cannot make their own snow opened early and are already closing.  What significant natural snowfalls we have gotten this season have been followed by rain within a day or so.  Even the big resorts around here have a lot of their trails closed due to a very thin base.

Throughout most of the state we are down to bare ground.  Hoping for a few big snowstorms in March...

I have the Indy Pass and have been playing the log game and saving some of the big mountains for Mach (Waterville, Bolton, Jay) which is probably the right call but even then it will not be as great as least year when we got dumped on in March. But we should still be over 15 visits. We paid $850 for the Indy (2 Adults + 2 kids) so $15 per visit per person

Dartmouth Skiway (x2), Whaleback, Bolton (x2), Black NH, Jay (x2), Magic, Waterville (x2), Cannon (x2), Berkshire East, Pats Peak (x2).

We live in the Upper Valley Vt/NH so we can get to 11 mountains within 2 hours so possible 22 redemtions without driving to Maine to get to Saddleback and Black ME.

=

Are these all on the Indy pass?

[Retire-Canada]

I think you guys Beyond the Wall in the Great White North (or maybe that's the Great Wet North in coastal BC) are going to get hammered too. So don't know how suitable it'll be this weekend but will likely be over by Monday (for us FIREees) and pretty spectacular. Our ski season is pretty short here but at least my annual pass is good in summer for the 2 bike parks and lifts.

I'm in the Pacific South West! Just above Freedomlandia. ;-)

There is some more snow in the 14 day forecast. I'll keep an eye on it and hit it whenever we get some sweet days.

[MMMarbleheader]

These reports are making me very sad/jealous here in New England (I formerly lived close to Tahoe).

We've had a spectacularly bad season this year, and most of the ski hills that cannot make their own snow opened early and are already closing.  What significant natural snowfalls we have gotten this season have been followed by rain within a day or so.  Even the big resorts around here have a lot of their trails closed due to a very thin base.

Throughout most of the state we are down to bare ground.  Hoping for a few big snowstorms in March...

Yes

https://www.indyskipass.com/our-resorts/east



I have the Indy Pass and have been playing the log game and saving some of the big mountains for Mach (Waterville, Bolton, Jay) which is probably the right call but even then it will not be as great as least year when we got dumped on in March. But we should still be over 15 visits. We paid $850 for the Indy (2 Adults + 2 kids) so $15 per visit per person

Dartmouth Skiway (x2), Whaleback, Bolton (x2), Black NH, Jay (x2), Magic, Waterville (x2), Cannon (x2), Berkshire East, Pats Peak (x2).

We live in the Upper Valley Vt/NH so we can get to 11 mountains within 2 hours so possible 22 redemtions without driving to Maine to get to Saddleback and Black ME.

=

Are these all on the Indy pass?

Yes

https://www.indyskipass.com/our-resorts/east

[jrhampt]

These reports are making me very sad/jealous here in New England (I formerly lived close to Tahoe).

We've had a spectacularly bad season this year, and most of the ski hills that cannot make their own snow opened early and are already closing.  What significant natural snowfalls we have gotten this season have been followed by rain within a day or so.  Even the big resorts around here have a lot of their trails closed due to a very thin base.

Throughout most of the state we are down to bare ground.  Hoping for a few big snowstorms in March...

Yep.  Mostly just a whole lot of rain and flooding.  I think winter is over - I've already seen snowdrops and crocuses blossom, and daffodils are coming up too.  Since February.  Which is obscenely early.  Winter just comes late and leaves early these days, if it comes at all.

[spartana]

I think you guys Beyond the Wall in the Great White North (or maybe that's the Great Wet North in coastal BC) are going to get hammered too. So don't know how suitable it'll be this weekend but will likely be over by Monday (for us FIREees) and pretty spectacular. Our ski season is pretty short here but at least my annual pass is good in summer for the 2 bike parks and lifts.

I'm in the Pacific South West! Just above Freedomlandia. ;-)

There is some more snow in the 14 day forecast. I'll keep an eye on it and hit it whenever we get some sweet days.

Freedomlandia sounds like a MMM town full of early retirees ;-).  We're also suppose to get more snow next weekend too so that'll keep things going longer. Unless we get a huge dumping like last winter when people got snowed in for weeks and, once the stores shut down and ran out of food,  people started getting the Donner Party look. "I'll take a roasted side of Bob's leg please" ;-). Ok it wasn't THAT bad but some old people died.

[SEAK]

Perfect combo of new snow, clear skies, frozen lake, and a freshly set track. Pretty much 100% switched from downhill to nordic skiing over the past few years. No lift tickets to buy, great workout, and the dog loves it!

[Arbitrage]

I was pretty sure that I was done skiing for the year, but then we got second winter (first winter was only 3 weeks) and 60" inches of new snow...and counting...over the past few days on the local mountain. 

[FINate]

We had more powder than expected last night. The forecast was for wet heavy snow, but temps dropped at the snow ended up being light and dry. Not many people on the mountain, skied lovely powder all morning.

[Telecaster]

I didn't make it up to the local mountain today, but reports are this is the best skiing of the year in the PNW.  I'll try for Monday. 

I went skiing for seven days in Wyoming last month.   It was great but $1000 for a seven day pass.   I might have to buy an Ikon pass next season.   

[Retire-Canada]

Epic day today at the mountain. Spent the morning powder hunting solo which was fun. Then meet up with friends visiting the area for an afternoon of party laps. Decent snow. Lots of laughs. I had a great nap afterwards. Kind of perfect day overall.

I made plans for meeting more people for first lift Sunday. I'm a weekday princess and don't love the weekend crowds or I'd go meet up with people both days.

[Retire-Canada]

Got out Sunday. Epic winter driving in town/base of mountain sadly did not translate to mega snow dump on the slopes. The Snow Gods can be cruel. Still had fun hanging out with my friends. Talked to a bunch of people who said variations of "Great snow today!" and I couldn't help thinking "You have low standards." I'm taking a few days off the mountain to bike and run then looks like a few feet of fresh snow headed our way at the end of this week.

I had some friends up from our old town this weekend which was why I bothered battling the road conditions and lift lines. It was great to see them. That's one of the reasons I'll keep buying a season's pass. It provides an easy mechanism to get more social time in with people from out of town. One of the benefits from living in an area that's a regional destination for skiing & mountain biking.

[Sanitary Stache]

It has only rained for a while here. But today is local kids day at the mountain. I thought it was tomorrow so didn’t take today off work. DW is taking the kids.

Everyone gets a $10 pass except the youngster who always skis free. Then the two over five get $10 ski lessons for an hour. If we didn’t have gear everyone could get a $10 rental.

Last year the kids were in the beginner class and learned how to stop. This year they are in the chair lift class. I have no idea what the snow is like but it’s in the 40s already this morning so soft and wet I imagine.

We are buying season passes for everyone next year. I haven’t figured out the cost yet but it is just too amazing to be able to do it. The snow making the lifts the lodges. It’s worth more than we will pay.

[jeninco]

We went out for a backcountry/mountaineering tour yesterday. I think the CO mountains are getting the outskirts of the CA weather event, because there was 6-8 inches of fresh powder and we had several snow squalls while we were skiing. We had a couple of lovely sections of our descent.

It was a really lovely tour. Too bad my "new-to-me" AT boots are biting my feet! (I'll be visiting the boot-fitters later this week to see if there's anything they can do about it...)

[spartana]

We went out for a backcountry/mountaineering tour yesterday. I think the CO mountains are getting the outskirts of the CA weather event, because there was 6-8 inches of fresh powder and we had several snow squalls while we were skiing. We had a couple of lovely sections of our descent.

It was a really lovely tour. Too bad my "new-to-me" AT boots are biting my feet! (I'll be visiting the boot-fitters later this week to see if there's anything they can do about it...)

Yes it's coming your way soon! Sierras hit pretty hard and most of the resorts were shut down due to blizzard conditions (100 plus mph winds and about 10 - 15 feet of snow) and white outs. As well.as the roads and I-80. Now headed NE. Another storm on Weds but I think it's small. 

[Telecaster]

Hit it yesterday in the PNW.   Really good day!    Parking lot was crowded but lifts weren't bad at all.   Snow conditions were good and plenty of areas that weren't tracked out yet.   I'll probably try again this week if the cold temps hold. 

[nereo]

Got out Sunday. Epic winter driving in town/base of mountain sadly did not translate to mega snow dump on the slopes. The Snow Gods can be cruel. Still had fun hanging out with my friends. Talked to a bunch of people who said variations of "Great snow today!" and I couldn't help thinking "You have low standards."

As a ski fanatic who's suffered through two consecutive miserable seasons, I'd say that my standards have been lowered considerably. At this point I'd take some groomed frozen granular and call it "great!" if all the rocks were covered.

My spouse has this theory that whenever we move the place we moved from will have an outstanding snow season while our new location will be terrible.  So far that pattern has held across 4 cross-country moves.

[FINate]

Another great morning of skiing here in SW Idaho. 5" of powder fell last night on top of a bunch that had fallen late last week. Guessing the working stiffs used up all their "sick" days because there were way fewer people. I was able to find untracked powder all morning before getting tired and calling it a day.

[Glenstache]

Hit it yesterday in the PNW.   Really good day!    Parking lot was crowded but lifts weren't bad at all.   Snow conditions were good and plenty of areas that weren't tracked out yet.   I'll probably try again this week if the cold temps hold.

Crystal was good on Sunday @Telecaster. Let me know if you want a mustachian midweek ski partner sometime. I'm only 35 min from Snoq pass or 1.5 hrs from Crystal.

[halfling]

We ended up skipping the Wintergreen skiing and it looks like all we missed was rain. They had to close this week for the rain but it looks like they're going to try to reopen... I do not envy their snowmaking team.

[clarkfan1979]

I've got 14 days on the mountain so far this year and I'm on pace for my normal 35-40 days. I will get another 4 days in March, 8 days in April, 12 days in May and 3 days in June.

I bought my last new snowboard in 2006. This year I bought two of them. I bought a new snowboard with bindings for half-pipe ($733) and a splitboard with bindings and collapsible poles for $850. The splitboard is for skinny up a hill (no chairlift) and then riding it down the hill as a snowboard. It should be good exercise. You can do this at resorts. You don't have to do this in the backcountry if you are worried about avalanches.

One of my best friends from high school (Chicago Suburbs) was visiting this past weekend to snowboard for 2 days. We got a powder day at Monarch on Sunday and he said it was the best day he ever had snowboarding. They reported 7 inches, but we were riding in 8-12 inches of dry Colorado powder. I think the snow was deeper on some runs because of the blowing snow. 

[Retire-Canada]

Got another day on the slopes today. Carpooled up with a buddy I had not seen in a week or so. We had a good chat. Amazing bluebird day which was nice. No fresh snow, but the groomers were nice. With all the snow recently the base is back to full coverage. Our local resort closes in a month so just getting out as often as I can before the season is over.

[MMMarbleheader]

Indy Pass is opening sales to the general public tomorrow, FYI