TR: Snowbird, UT 6/14/08

[FirstTracks]

Day 64: Straight past spring into summer

It's been three weeks since I've been up skiing and this weekend is tentatively the last weekend for lift-served operations at Snowbird. With temperatures pushing 90 in the Valley this weekend and cloudless skies, there was no way I was missing a few hours of skiing this morning.

Tele Jon and I exchanged emails overnight to determine a meeting time. I suggested 9 a.m. on the Tram Plaza. "9 @ tram?" Jon quipped. "Should be slush by 10 "

I figured he was right, but fortunately he was wrong. I skied until close to noon and it stayed good by following the proper aspects, although the flats down low quickly turned to sticky glue. Man, was it hot ... I have no idea what the thermometer was reading but it was already into the 40s at 11,000 feet atop Hidden Peak when I checked at 8 a.m.

Simply stated, it was damned good. We started off on Hyena Ridge, which was smooth butter atop a supportable base. We then moved over to Chamonix I, finding a skiable line through the lower Chamonix Chutes all the way back to Mineral Basin Express. We skied one more run on a more south-facing aspect of Hyena Ridge before we then moved to the front side, skiing Jaws in Peruvian Cirque and another Tram run. The others opted to finish with a hike up Mount Baldy to ski Little Chute into Alta and Keyhole back into Snowbird, while I headed down to my truck to head home.

Inside info indicates that Snowbird officials will determine early next week whether or not to extend the ski season further. It will surely be a business decision as there's still plenty of snow, although a week of summer temps this week will take its toll on the snowpack (currently ~90 in. at mid-mountain, although the lower mountain is getting dicey it's still possible to ski top-to-bottom without trying too hard). Judging by the steady flow of purchasers at the ticket window, my money's on at least another weekend of official operation.

Bobby Danger took control of the camera -- here are some of the best of the 243 frames he shot:

One happy Bobby Danger on Mineral Basin Express:



(L to R) Skidog, Tele Jon and the author riding Mineral Basin Express:



Mineral Basin:



The author skis lower Chamonix Chutes:



Skidog skis lower Chamonix Chutes:



Tele Jon skis lower Chamonix Chutes:



Skidog skis Hyena Ridge (ham!):



Tele Jon "skis" Hyena Ridge:



The author skis Hyena Ridge:



The author skis Hyena Ridge:



Gad Valley with the Salt Lake Valley, the Oquirrh Mountains and the Stansbury Mountains beyond -- it was a clear day!:



Tele Jon, Admin and Skidog atop Jaws:



The author skis Jaws:



Baldy Summit:



Peruvian Gulch -- still plenty of snow top-to-bottom in mid-June:

[shaggy125]

Nice, I was up there too, I will post some pics later. So much fun!

[FirstTracks]

I will post some pics later.

Please do! I'd love to see them.

[FirstTracks]

One more I meant to include but forgot to:

Peruvian Cirque from the Tram:

[shaggy125]

I never take pictures up Snowboarding but after the first run I broke my left binding and was feeling sketchy doing anything but regular riding, so I decided to bust out the camera. Spring riding is the best! Here are my pics from today:

[Sombeech]

June?!?!?!?!? What the....