Snow in the PNW 20-21: We may have Corona but Corona doesn't have us!

[ptavv]

Friday was such a shit show crowds wise. It would be nice if Alterra were held accountable by the electorate for their abuse of the Comfortable Carry Capacity and the Public Trust about which the Forest Service make such d00d00. By The People, motherfuckers.

I agree with this, but I will admit I am well into the acceptance stage of grieving the "old" normal.

In November I was in denial and thought it was just the COVID shut downs freeing too many people up midweek and it'd get better.
First half of December I was angry and ranted about how terrible it was.
Last half of December I tried to bargain with it by constantly jumping around the mountain looking for the best combo of lines and snow (meaning neither was optimal).
In January I got depressed about it and missed a crowded day where the snow was great and my friends told me all about it.

Now, I just shrug and go find the best turns I can get. Hike farther, earlier because a) it's something to do and b) the more effort it takes, the better the turns are.

Rather than stressing about how to get the most best turns the interminable lines have made me focus on getting out to the best turns and I think I might be enjoying them even more now.

The olden days aren't coming back (of climate change, mega passes, masses who ski weekdays) sooner we all accept it the happier we'll be.

Though I suppose I sound exactly like a cult member.

[bfree]

I agree with this, but I will admit I am well into the acceptance stage of grieving the "old" normal.

In November I was in denial and thought it was just the COVID shut downs freeing too many people up midweek and it'd get better.
First half of December I was angry and ranted about how terrible it was.
Last half of December I tried to bargain with it by constantly jumping around the mountain looking for the best combo of lines and snow (meaning neither was optimal).
In January I got depressed about it and missed a crowded day where the snow was great and my friends told me all about it.

Now, I just shrug and go find the best turns I can get. Hike farther, earlier because a) it's something to do and b) the more effort it takes, the better the turns are.

Rather than stressing about how to get the most best turns the interminable lines have made me focus on getting out to the best turns and I think I might be enjoying them even more now.

The olden days aren't coming back (of climate change, mega passes, masses who ski weekdays) sooner we all accept it the happier we'll be.

Though I suppose I sound exactly like a cult member.

All true, but shittier snow will also help. My lift skiing has been exclusively Fridays this year, and I had barely waited in a line all year at Alpy until about three weeks ago.
The tradeoff between good snow and bad lines is indeed a tough one. I'll never complain about big pow cycles like this though, in large part because I'm excited that it extends the spring/summer skiing longer.

[phatty]

I'm optimistic that this year is a bit of an aberration with lines due to Covid. Last year wasn't great, but I'd gladly take that over this year. I just try to remind myself that I should be happy we even have lift served skiing. I talk to friends in Germany about how all of Austria is closed and I give thanks we're not in that situation.

Snoqualmie was OK today. Big lines, terrible parking, completely tracked by 10am and snow getting manky in the sun by 11. More typical day. It can't, however, erase the memories of the last 3 nights that were awesome and got progressively better. As bad as it is, we have it pretty good right now.

[Alyosha_SP]

Anyone know if south opened today at xtal?

[Toadman]

Chill bite squall hunker, lines gargantua but managed 10th Chinook chair. Was up @ 4:18 to get there, in line @ 7:15.
Wind and control hold Rex, so rolled ForestQueen for a few of laps of good stupid with some kids and their mom.
Went back to check REX and saw the biggest line of all of my 46 years at Crustal.
Fuck that. I mourn the passing of the best. It was so out of the limelight for so long and fit so well.

Gomered a Quicksilver lap, back to Chinook, loop that while gawking at a tumescent pr0nstar Rex line.
Rolled 5 Chinook laps, then decided to scope out 6.
Interminable FQ wait, unload, crested knob to see 6 starting to load with a relatively small line within the stanchions, so bolted there.
By the time I loaded 6, line snaked halfway across the flats.


Friday was such a shit show crowds wise. It would be nice if Alterra were held accountable by the electorate for their abuse of the Comfortable Carry Capacity and the Public Trust about which the Forest Service make such d00d00. By The People, motherfuckers.

Was in B lot around 7:40am. By the time I made it to Chinook it was already snaking up the hill. Guys on the Quciksilver side were stepping out to take a piss in the snow I guess because going to the restroom would mean being a few more chairs back?

Stuck out and waited for REX to pop at about 9:30ish. Was about 20th chair or so. Was worth the wait dropping. Into Green Valley with snow blowing over head was something I haven't experienced in a long while.

Grubstake for two quick face shot laps before the lines started to extend was worth it . Untracked West face was a bonus.

After GV line got long around 11am, decided to drop Sunny side and got some nice over the head pow with the wind blowing up the hill.

FQ sucked balls for lineage. Peaked over at chair 6 and decided to pull the plug just before noon due to a family commitment . What time did 6 pop on Friday. Would have been nice for one lap but such is life in 2021 Covid era.

Can't complain after two really good days noodling around the old stomping grounds.

[Yonder_River]

Do your best to alter your perspective a little bit, lest you become old, bitter and crusty. So much melancholy and complaining going on here.

[timeo]

Arrived in C at 8:15 today and the line for Chinook was starting to go up the hill, Gondy line was even longer. Rex line was the biggest I ever saw, w/ singles line snaking uphill. Waited for it and hit Exterminator first thing, epic. Then banged out some laps at Gold Hills since no line and Chinook was still huge. Made way over to 6 and while the line was long it moved and didn't take as long as I expected. Powder Bowl was off the charts, best I have ever skied it in 40+ years, Bear Pits was nice as well. Did a couple laps of this, worth the lines. Headed to Northway in the afternoon and Gates #3 and 4 are closed as well as NW Bowl which means everything N of the chair is closed?? WTF??? From the lift the snow looked awesome and there were some poachers in there as well. This just made no sense and pissed me off. Employee Housing was great up top and middle, not so much at the bottom.

[oftpiste]

We've been on Fridays mostly too. Under normal circumstances we'd probably have seen each other. This is one of the [crusty, bitter, whiney, old guy here - oh yeah, FUCK YOU! self righteous foooool] things I miss so much. Running into homies in the line, having a laugh, making laps with someone you run into, Elk fireplace hang, etc. I surely hope to the great almighty that this isn't the new normal cuz if it is I might give it up. Yes, it's that bad.

Call me names if ya want, but but this has changed the landscape of the entire experience for me. 50+ years of skiing and I can count on one hand the number of times I've stood in line for 45 minutes. Until this year.

I drove 4 hours for 5 laps in 4 hours on the mountain friday. That should be a once a year thing, if at all. Yeah, call the whaaaaa-mbulance.

All true, but shittier snow will also help. My lift skiing has been exclusively Fridays this year, and I had barely waited in a line all year at Alpy until about three weeks ago.
The tradeoff between good snow and bad lines is indeed a tough one. I'll never complain about big pow cycles like this though, in large part because I'm excited that it extends the spring/summer skiing longer.

[timeo]

Everyone should start demanding that Alterra extend the season into May, snow permitting. At least we could get some great spring skiing hopefully w/ no lines and enjoy some beers outside in the sun!

[Bandit Man]

Stevens skied well today. Driving up the pass was more challenging than it should be with all the minivans that needed chains. The typical delayed opening of upper lifts and the backside made for a busier than normal frontside for the morning. However, once the top and back popped, lines evaporated. It was wild. Skied mostly with my kids but got a few runs for me. Highlight was skiing trees with my daughter on her ON3P Jessie’s. She said it was her best powder day ever.




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[steveski]

We've been on Fridays mostly too. Under normal circumstances we'd probably have seen each other. This is one of the [crusty, bitter, whiney, old guy here - oh yeah, FUCK YOU! self righteous foooool] things I miss so much. Running into homies in the line, having a laugh, making laps with someone you run into, Elk fireplace hang, etc. I surely hope to the great almighty that this isn't the new normal cuz if it is I might give it up. Yes, it's that bad.

Call me names if ya want, but but this has changed the landscape of the entire experience for me. 50+ years of skiing and I can count on one hand the number of times I've stood in line for 45 minutes. Until this year.

I drove 4 hours for 5 laps in 4 hours on the mountain friday. That should be a once a year thing, if at all. Yeah, call the whaaaaa-mbulance.

You are always welcome east at the windy hill. Come on over for a soul refresh.

I'm sure the inland crew also has a recruitment bug in your ear.

FKNA

[goCougs]

Do your best to alter your perspective a little bit, lest you become old, bitter and crusty. So much melancholy and complaining going on here.

^^ Wise advice. While I'm thankful for the conditions today (and this whole season), it's hard not to get crusty. I'm in the same boat as many, left xtal at 12:30 today feeling burnt out by the long lines. Ended up getting 5 laps in.

Am I crazy for thinking about getting an alpental pass next year? Really want to support an operation that is doing right by its customers and limiting pass sales.

[Alyosha_SP]

Everyone should start demanding that Alterra extend the season into May, snow permitting. At least we could get some great spring skiing hopefully w/ no lines and enjoy some beers outside in the sun!

Isn't the roadblock here their contract with NFS?? Elk migration or something?

[californiagrown]

^^ Wise advice. While I'm thankful for the conditions today (and this whole season), it's hard not to get crusty. I'm in the same boat as many, left xtal at 12:30 today feeling burnt out by the long lines. Ended up getting 5 laps in.

Am I crazy for thinking about getting an alpental pass next year? Really want to support an operation that is doing right by its customers and limiting pass sales.

5 T2B laps by noon is a pipedream at alpental on a sunny powder weekend, fyi. Don't get that pass if you are expecting a let up in liftlines haha. We might have less people, but I really doubt shorter lift lines.

[bfree]

5 T2B laps by noon is a pipedream at alpental on a sunny powder weekend, fyi. Don't get that pass if you are expecting a let up in liftlines haha. We might have less people, but I really doubt shorter lift lines.

And they are now releasing more passes for this spring, not exactly what current passholders want to see. Nice spring days are going to be a zoo. It's parking-limited, but that's still a very high limit.

[AK47bp]

^^ Wise advice. While I'm thankful for the conditions today (and this whole season), it's hard not to get crusty. I'm in the same boat as many, left xtal at 12:30 today feeling burnt out by the long lines. Ended up getting 5 laps in.

Am I crazy for thinking about getting an alpental pass next year? Really want to support an operation that is doing right by its customers and limiting pass sales.

You probably shouldn’t get an Alpy pass, place is garbage.


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[Dromond]

I’ve waited in more lift lines than prior years, but I’ve also skied many more days with amazing snow than normal so I’m very thankful for that. At least everyone is out enjoying themselves in what has been a crap year for many.

[PNWbrit]

We've been on Fridays mostly too. Under normal circumstances we'd probably have seen each other. This is one of the [crusty, bitter, whiney, old guy here - oh yeah, FUCK YOU! self righteous foooool] things I miss so much. Running into homies in the line, having a laugh, making laps with someone you run into, Elk fireplace hang, etc. I surely hope to the great almighty that this isn't the new normal cuz if it is I might give it up. Yes, it's that bad.

Call me names if ya want, but but this has changed the landscape of the entire experience for me. 50+ years of skiing and I can count on one hand the number of times I've stood in line for 45 minutes. Until this year.

I drove 4 hours for 5 laps in 4 hours on the mountain friday. That should be a once a year thing, if at all. Yeah, call the whaaaaa-mbulance.

Amen brother.

[nwslider]

Anyone know if south opened today at xtal?

It did. Many people on top of the king when we arrived but the skiing was good.

We went through the upper northway gates in the morning which were then closed after our first lap.

Lines were super long and apparently the lots filled up for the first time this season, according to the crystal social media

[oftpiste]

Amen brother.

FKNA right. Thank goodness I have a beautiful, game for whatever girl on my arm in the line to keep my stoke up. I'd have given up much sooner if not.

[oftpiste]

apparently the lots filled up for the first time this season, according to the crystal social media

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[oftpiste]

I love that hill more than you know. Thanks for the invite. Maybe I ought sell out of the city and opt for a lighter footprint life.

Made it once last year on a spectacular day. Things on the west slop making me think more seriously about the value of a longer drive. Would love to get there before the season's fooked.

Edit: two years ago. Fuck COVID.

You are always welcome east at the windy hill. Come on over for a soul refresh.

I'm sure the inland crew also has a recruitment bug in your ear.

FKNA

[XavierD]

Today was about quality not quantity.

Left enumclaw at 7:00, which was good for pulling into a 1/2 full B lot at 8:10. Lift line already huge with the lift spinning a bit before 8:30. Rex must have been closed at the start because that line was huge too. TB on exterminator was absolutely phenomenal. Rex line still insane, headed to six - line wasn’t bad but got bad quick. Throne Lap - again phenomenal. Now 11:30, get to South Gate a couple minutes before they open and beat the masses to the king. Best turns of the season down South East trees to where the gully used to be. (Second time this week I have said best turns of the season). Second lap down the king with some more all time turns above Elizabeth lake. Bump queens to Rex to Niagara’s because why not. 8:30-3:15pm: 5 runs. Didn’t take any brakes other than lift lines.

I don’t buy for a second they are actively limiting capacity. Buddy got a reservation this morning at 7:00am. I got one last night on my first try at ~6:30pm.

[bgrayvy]

Anyone else see the massive slide below Brand X Saturday? That's what I'm guessing shut down the notch, etc. Saw patrol checking it out as we rode up and the crown looked overhead. Glad nobody got caught.

[Stairmaster]

Anyone else see the massive slide below Brand X Saturday? That's what I'm guessing shut down the notch, etc. Saw patrol checking it out as we rode up and the crown looked overhead. Glad nobody got caught.

Guessing this is what you're talking about.

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