WASATCH STOKE, CONDITIONS, OBSERVATIONS and ASSORTED DRIVAL 19-20

[mall walker]

hahaha nice, thanks man, I may hit you up. mounting up some heavies this time... assuming the fedex truck shows up anyway. wild times. anyone needing their ski fix who wants to wake up dumbass early I’m happy to tour with, I might keep my gloves on and fist bump over handshake cuz the mrs has a little mall walker cooking, but the seasons barely half done so I’m gonna be out there early unless all travel is banned. and probably even if it is.

[snowaddict91]

hahaha nice, thanks man, I may hit you up. mounting up some heavies this time... assuming the fedex truck shows up anyway. wild times. anyone needing their ski fix who wants to wake up dumbass early I’m happy to tour with, I might keep my gloves on and fist bump over handshake cuz the mrs has a little mall walker cooking, but the seasons barely half done so I’m gonna be out there early unless all travel is banned. and probably even if it is.

If you come down to dibs' hit me up, I live right down the hill. I'll come have a beer with ya.

[getoutside]

cuz the mrs has a little mall walker cooking, but the seasons barely half done so I’m gonna be out there early unless all travel is banned. and probably even if it is.

congratulations!! and we have a ways to go assuming no bans

[snowaddict91]

Basin just called it for the year. I get it, but this is so depressing.

[schindlerpiste]

From skiutah:

[MultiVerse]

^ Something of a party atmosphere in the BCC today. Spun a few laps at the Nordic center breaking (skating) new trail trying to remember where the old groomer was after the wind and snow covered everything last night. Just like setting a skinner if you break people will follow, although given the full parking lot by the time I left they were probably going to do that anyway.

Lots of people walking uphill at Brighton so even though skiutah says no uphill travel plenty of folks hitting it everywhere. Solitude had a truck out front turning people away and it's their property their right, but the mountain belongs to us, so it would be nice if they were a lot more chill about people using their main lot when they're closed (more generally, outside the regular season).

Curious to see how the various resorts handle uphill travel under these circumstances as time goes on, especially if/when they announce they're officially closed for the season.

[Dshack89]

Found great snow out there on N aspects this afternoon.

Was bizarre to be in LCC in March with no resort traffic. Not sure why the busses were even running today, didnt see a single person in any of them. Wouldnt want to be a bus driver in these times, either!

Felt like a busy weekend day in the backcountry but nothing too crazy.

Sent from my SM-N970U using TGR Forums mobile app

[dfinn]

Not sure if everyone went to Grizzly but I actually felt like that was probably the quietest weekend day I've had all season. Hit a few different shots in Days and Cardiff and really didn't see very many people or tracks at all. Surprisingly great snow too.

no tracks in 2 dogs at 1pm? Weird. Our first sign it was going to be a good day.


No tracks yet today in the Hallway either. This choke had some chunder from yesterdays traffic but it was fresh wind buff above and below it, all the way to the creek.

[tBatt]

Wouldnt want to be a bus driver in these times, either!

A weird day at the end of the road for sure. No skiing for me but all of a sudden we're partying like its Frank and none of my friends have homes or jobs.

[Boissal]

Those heinous winds sent me right back to bed after a 5AM start on Sunday morning but after a few hours sitting on ass at home I lost it and went for a crust-sampling sunset outing. Seemed like a perfect time to ski Superior without the usual conga line of aggro bros ticking line #1 of their Flailing Gallery life goal. The wind damn near blew me into Cardiff before reaching the Black Knob but things calmed down a bit and were downright peaceful on the summit.



Snow conditions were not as bad as one would expect with the cold wind happily refreezing anything the sun managed to soften. Sure beats not skiing though, and the apron was actually glorious. Bird and Alta are probably hopeful they'll re-open at some point, they haven't put the moguls into storage yet.





Felt like May up there when the season is slowly dying down, expect this time the snowpack is at its peak. Mixed feelings for me, as much as I hate the crowds the eerily empty scene is a bit disturbing. The few people I ran into were psyched to be out, skiing is obviously the best way to maintain one's sanity in there trying times. I scored this sweet duckie at the bottom of Sup, I'm taking it as a sign that jeebus is still looking favorably upon people sliding on snow.

[Brock Landers]

You went so late, did you pass by mallwalker during his ascent/ your descent ? Or is he not quite that early

[Boissal]

You went so late, did you pass by mallwalker during his ascent/ your descent ? Or is he not quite that early

HA! He was probably on his way up to White Pine to start his day for sure...

[mall walker]

overslept today... planning on making up for it tonight

[bigdude2468]

With the SL County restaurant ban that would be another reason for local resorts not to reopen. Its bad enough that season pass holders aren't buying tickets now they can't even buy lunch.

[altacoup]

I give the resorts zero chance of reopening. Maybe bird in June? Skied rainbow peak today and snow was good. Suprised how few people were out

[snowaddict91]

Hoping for Bird in late May or June as well. Mostly cause I'm hoping life is normal-ish by then.

Would have liked to get out today but was stocking up on supplies and helping the wife out with some stuff.

Picked up a few extra shifts (healthcare) but hoping to still be able to make some turns next week.

Stay strong and safe friends.

[Dshack89]

Spoke with a couple shops today that said they are selling tons of AT gear. I'm concerned we could have some close calls or worse with this next storm cycle.

Good snow above 8500' N facing today. Pretty rough below that.

[mall walker]

sure didn’t seem like the bc was crowded this morning... saw 2 lamps in cardiff from the days ridge. only 2 other vehicles at spruces when I left. trailheads mostly empty.



pretty sunrise, with the high north still pretty good, considering the last time it snowed anyway

[Dshack89]

^nice!

Kinda a long read and nothing earth shattering, but I found the local references interesting: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...the-avalanche?

[Boissal]

Spoke with a couple shops today that said they are selling tons of AT gear. I'm concerned we could have some close calls or worse with this next storm cycle.

I bet the Wasatch BC will be a complete zoo with this storm and people getting lanched is a distinct possibility. As soon as things warm up a bit and dry out in the valley though it will go back to being a complete desert. People start getting exciting about biking and climbing by mid to late March around here and only remember skiing when we get a random April or May dry storm. I don't expect the occasional BC skier who toured less than 10 times this season to suddenly become a rabid uphill walker and keep it up until May. These peeps will go out a couple times on their new setup, quickly realize touring is 98% walking and 2% skiing, get annoyed that they have no clue how to get to the rad terrain they saw all winter on the 'gram, and move on to more rewarding pursuits.
The majority of people I've met who are way into BC skiing get out 10 times a season at most and will not consider any trailhead other than Alta. They love the thought of BC skiing, the reality of it not so much.

[Dantheman]

The majority of people I've met who are way into BC skiing get out 10 times a season at most and will not consider any trailhead other than Alta. They love the thought of BC skiing, the reality of it not so much.

Are they really "way into BC skiing" then?

[brutah]

Are they really "way into BC skiing" then?

yea they are, just ask em

[snowaddict91]

yea they are, just ask em

#earnthemturns #skiuphill #wayintobackcuntryskiing

But in all seriousness I will be way more into backcountry skiing this spring lol.

[whyturn]

I bet the Wasatch BC will be a complete zoo with this storm and people getting lanched is a distinct possibility. As soon as things warm up a bit and dry out in the valley though it will go back to being a complete desert. People start getting exciting about biking and climbing by mid to late March around here and only remember skiing when we get a random April or May dry storm. I don't expect the occasional BC skier who toured less than 10 times this season to suddenly become a rabid uphill walker and keep it up until May. These peeps will go out a couple times on their new setup, quickly realize touring is 98% walking and 2% skiing, get annoyed that they have no clue how to get to the rad terrain they saw all winter on the 'gram, and move on to more rewarding pursuits.
The majority of people I've met who are way into BC skiing get out 10 times a season at most and will not consider any trailhead other than Alta. They love the thought of BC skiing, the reality of it not so much.

I guess I’m good since I got 5 days in BC before they opened resorts. Five to go to be a bro brah


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Boissal]

yea they are, just ask em

No need to ask, people usually let you know. BC skiing is the veganism of snow sports
When people ask me where I ski these days I mumble and wave my hand in the general directions of the canyons. Getting more specific usually means I'll have to sit through the tale of their last USA Bowl death march and subsequent FWT-worthy shred.

I guess I’m good since I got 5 days in BC before they opened resorts. Five to go to be a bro brah

The second you hit 10 touring days your dong automatically grows by an inch. The downside is that all your pants will get skin tight and you'll suddenly agonize over the fact that your bindings could be 15 grams lighter. PER SKI!