WOOT WOOT! Nukin' in Missoula

[stuckathuntermtn]

I think I had first (public) tracks in Meadows. There was a track mostly to the side, but my guess is that was ski patrol. Kind of seemed like the tracks went over to check the snowpack at the end of the cliffs above where we ski.
Weeeeeeeeeee
Windows was west of West ridge, I thought. All those trees and down to the gully and back up the other side. You've probably skied it without even realizing it if you started down the ridge and went kinda left.

[RootSkier]

Windows was west of West ridge, I thought. All those trees and down to the gully and back up the other side. You've probably skied it without even realizing it if you started down the ridge and went kinda left.

If you are skiing down West Ridge and turn left you are not moving west and you most definitely do not end up in Windows.

[stuckathuntermtn]

LMAO I meant right. I swear I must have some of my Dad's dyslexia when it comes to left/right or even east/west.

[S_jenks]

Looking forward to the next refresh, but there are still some good turns to be found.



Thought that I’d finally pop my Lift Evac cherry today when I saw some guy get taken for a ride around the bullwheel when his pack got stuck. Tripped the e-brake and derail sensors apparently, and took 20 minutes for the patrollers to get there and get it running again.



Decided to call it a day after that and bailed.

[RootSkier]

That looks like an eminently jumpable spot.

[S_jenks]

That looks like an eminently jumpable spot.

For reals, and I was eyeing it up the entire time as well. Would rather risk the ire of ski patrol if I could make a short jump and dip into the woods, versus freeze my ass to the chairlift.

[Rasputin]

I chose to go back to bed when I got up at 8 am, and that turned out to be a good idea. I'm profoundly disappointed that Snowbowl is closed today, but happily I have tomorrow off.

I suppose I should do the dishes, laundry, clean the house, go shopping and change the oil in my car or something.

[senior researcher]

Go back to bed.

[mtskier]

closed for the second day in a row. i've never seen that. any reports as to how windy it actually is?

[RootSkier]

I am guessing the wind is the least of the bowl's concerns, if the snow report is accurate. Because if it is, it rained about .8" on most, if not all, of the mountain. Today would probably be a good day for ice skates.

[S_jenks]

This cold front came waaaay too late. Bummer.

The upper elevations seemed like they were spared from the temps, but not the wind.
The lower elevations seemed like they were spared from the wind, but not the temps.

Looks like its snowing up there now. Better hope that we can bury the frozen mank quickly.

[Rasputin]

My boss gave me an extra day off this week, it was today, added to my day off yesterday makes two closures out of my three day weekend, sometimes two out of three is, in fact, bad.

[stuckathuntermtn]

I returned to field work a little earlier than expected and made a trip to Helena yesterday. The white knuckle trail breaking over McDonald Pass tells me it didn't rain up high. Then again, I have no idea what altitude that is, but it sure wasn't raining. The snow was wet, and it wasn't that cold, but it wasn't rain.

Edit: ooh, Bloomsky webcam doesn't look promising.

[RootSkier]

MacDonald pass is at 6300', over 1300' higher than the bottom of Griz. And the weather patterns on Mac Pass are totally different than the Bowl.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Fair enough. I guess I just needed to express how much that sucked last night.

[MTslackcountry]

Blame wind so they can start March hours a week early? Pat needs a day off? Trying to save $. Perhaps it rained on half mountain and they spared us ... Likely a combo meal

[stuckathuntermtn]

I don't think I've ever seen them close just because the snow was crusty and shitty. It's probably blowing across the lift line plenty hard.
Also, Snowpark and LaValle have new haul ropes and they are, well, let's say breaking in. They will need to be tightened up this summer. Can't really do that during the season.
Or Pat's just tired lol.

[Iowagriz]

I'm sure that the extra time was used to groom the outrun.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[mtskier]

Blame wind so they can start March hours a week early? Pat needs a day off? Trying to save $. Perhaps it rained on half mountain and they spared us ... Likely a combo meal

for the win! so much truth.

[RootSkier]

I have zero complaints about outrun grooming this year. In past years, it has remained ungroomed to or past the road cut for what seems like an eternity.

[mtskier]

stuart peak snotel doesn't look all gloom and doom. hasn't been above freezing for the past 7 days.

[evasive_MT]

MacDonald pass is at 6300', over 1300' higher than the bottom of Griz. And the weather patterns on Mac Pass are totally different than the Bowl.

Yeah. At Mac Pass you can expect a ground blizzard pretty much all winter long. Marker driving on that last pitch on the west side.

[jamal]

It was fairly nice in town this afternoon

[RootSkier]

Yeah. At Mac Pass you can expect a ground blizzard pretty much all winter long. Marker driving on that last pitch on the west side.

I'll still take the pass proper over the Elliston-area parts of Hwy 12 during a ground blizzard.

[0oMtnRidero0]

I bet it's more of a COVID problem with staff then a wind problem. Get one positive test on patrol or lift staff...your done. Blame it in the wind.

Tomorrow should prove or deny my theory.