SNOW IN THE PNW 2010!

[doughboyshredder]

So much for tradition.
No cinco de mayo at Alpy.

No excuse as far as I'm concerned.
Complete and total bullshit.
Fuck Boyne.

[GeezerSteve]

there will be Cinco de Mayo at Alpy whether or not the lifts are operating

[PNWbrit]

Perhaps traditions don't pay the bills?

Anyway I'm sure you know more about the business of running a ski resort than they do...

[doughboyshredder]

I would assume that you've been to previous cinco de mayo celebrations there, and if so then you know damn well that it's not a losing day financially. Fact is that they are hoping to push Alpentalics to Crustal for the just announced Cinco de Mayo festivities there. Regardless, this shouldn't be a business decision, it should be a celebration for those of us that have supported the mountain for many years. Over 2 decades for me. Passholders should be respected a little bit more, for we are the ones that keep the mountain alive.

[Greydon Clark]

Two or three years ago Cinco de Mayo was a fundraiser for Outdoors for All with the $5 tickets going to them. (Not sure if this was a onetime thing.)

[Brianskis]

Mt Spokane recieved over 3 feet in the last 36 hours...

[PNWbrit]

I'd suggest that the pass holders who have already stopped using their passes actually keep the mountain's business alive....

It is a shame. And I'd far rather that Crystal wasn't infested with you lot

[bfree]

There's no shortage of people visiting Alpental. Last Saturday filled all the lots (even the seldom used lower lot) and had people parking along the road. If the current forecast for weekend sun holds up, I can't imagine this weekend will be any different.

[doughboyshredder]

I'd suggest that the pass holders who have already stopped using their passes actually keep the mountain's business alive....

It is a shame. And I'd far rather that Crystal wasn't infested with you lot

Last weekend at Alpy was packed. This decision had nothing to do with lack of crowds, and everything to do with pushing people to crustal.

[oftpiste]

snarky asshole!

Perhaps traditions don't pay the bills?

Anyway I'm sure you know more about the business of running a ski resort than they do...

Maybe we should do am xtal LB day on cinco de mayo.....

[PNWbrit]

Last weekend at Alpy was packed. This decision had nothing to do with lack of crowds, and everything to do with pushing people to crustal.

So it's CNL Lifestyle Company, LLC's fault then?

snarky asshole!

Smooches.

[bakerpow]

Headed up to Baker tomorrow. Does anybody know the avy conditions up there? Trying to decide what routes to take...

[bossass]

Xtal tomorrow?

[PNWbrit]

Headed up to Baker tomorrow. Does anybody know the avy conditions up there? Trying to decide what routes to take...

I think it's a pretty s/reasonable guess that it's fairly sketch right now.

Or you could read NWAC's out of season alert issued today?

[spindrift]

Or you could read NWAC's out of season alert issued today?

You mean this one?

Olympics, Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, White Pass, WA Cascades near and west of crest - north of Stevens Pass, WA Cascades near and west of crest - between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass, WA Cascades near and west of crest - between Snoqualmie and White Pass, WA Cascades near and west of crest - south of White Pass, East slopes WA Cascades - north of Stevens Pass, East slopes WA Cascades - between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass, East slopes WA Cascades - between Snoqualmie and White Pass, East slopes WA Cascades - south of White Pass, Mt Hood area

Forecast

...Special Avalanche Conditions...

Warm and sunny weather last Friday and Saturday was followed by significant cooling by Sunday and a return to wintery conditions Monday with cool showery weather much of the week thus far. This weather helped to form a strong near surface crust by Sunday, especially on southerly aspects.

However, a strong spring storm began late Sunday and continued into early Tuesday depositing significant new snow at low elevations. Winter-like avalanche conditions have developed in many areas, especially on the volcanic peaks and primarily Mt Hood where the greatest amounts of recent snow have been received.

Strong westerly flow accompanied the recent snowfall building increasingly deep unstable slab layers on lee slopes, especially higher elevation northeast to southeast facing slopes near and west of the crest and on the volcanoes.

Typical recent storm snow accumulations for locations near or west of the crest above about 4 to 5000 feet have amounted to 8 to 16 inches in the Washington Cascades and Olympics with the Mt Hood area receiving 18 to 24 inches.

There have been few observations of conditions following this storm, however the Mt Hood Meadows ski patrol noted another recent large natural slab avalanche released on the Wy'east face above the ski area, likely releasing late Tuesday or Tuesday night. In addition, control results from hand charges and artillery Wednesday morning saw extensive slab avalanches up to 1.5 ft with good propagation and firm to hard slab characteristics.

Yet another strong front is bearing down on the northwest Wednesday afternoon. This storm will add significant new snow and further unstable wind slab deposits on lee slopes through early Thursday.

The expected weather should cause an increasing danger through Thursday with winter-like snowpack conditions likely. While May is lurking somewhere just around the corner, the avalanche does not much care!

Backcountry travelers are urged to make conservative decisions and use cautious route selections. Careful local snowpack evaluations are essential during these dangerous avalanche conditions, especially when traveling on the volcanic peaks.

Significantly less new snow has been received further east away from the crest along the east slope areas. This likely has caused a lower overall danger level there, especially at lower elevations. Though similar west slope conditions can be expected at higher elevation east slope areas nearer the crest.

It should also be noted that the significant recent and expected new snow should become highly susceptible to the destabilizing effects of sunshine and warming that is forecast for this coming weekend. The expected warming and sunshine this weekend should shift the danger to steeper southerly facing terrain, especially in areas that have received the greatest new snowfall, likely the volcanic peaks. The coming weekend is not shaping up to be a safe time to climb or travel on the southerly aspects of the volcanoes!

This statement will be updated as warranted.

[PNWbrit]

That'd be the one.....

[Ski to Be]

It's dumping. Crystal tomorrow should be awesome

[Scott~]

Crystal tomorrow~

[bakerpow]

Baker today is going to be AMAZING. 21 new what? Gona be playing it safe today get some mellow pow turns.

[GeezerSteve]

Skin laps at Alpy last night. Wintry conditions, fun fast pow turns top to bottom, dumping when we left. Very windy so expect lee loads

[bakerpow]

Did a couple laps today at Baker, unfortunately it was a little hairy so we couldn't step up to anything to big. But still got some amazing mellow pow turns.

[bumski]

Anyone know what the conditions at Crystal (mostly inbounds) will be like tomorrow? Did it stay cold and will there be freshies leftover or did it all get chewed up today? Live in Spokane and considering heading that way tonight.

[samthaman]

Baker was quite awesome today. We drove up expecting a few new inches, but found quite a few more than that.





(older photo, but what the hell)

[Dromond]

Anyone know what the conditions at Crystal (mostly inbounds) will be like tomorrow? Did it stay cold and will there be freshies leftover or did it all get chewed up today? Live in Spokane and considering heading that way tonight.

There will be no freshies. It did warm up a decent amount.

Does anyone really think that untracked snow in a ski resort can last a whole day unskied? Lift closures aside. This is 2011 in the land of fat, rockered powder skis.

Anyhow it could still be pretty good on the north faces.

[bakerpow]

It truly was amazing until the sun came out and baked everything. Lapped firs early on in the morning which was absolutely insane, then did a couple skin laps up to the top of pan area. Did a couple runs with tom and some other friends, epic April 28th to say the least.