best day of the season (so far)

After the mid-week storm dropped 39 inches of new snow on Alta (finally!), we knew we'd have to get up and get going on Saturday.  People have been waiting all season for a decent snowfall - and that includes us.  We were up and in line to go up the canyon by 8:30 a.m.  There had been a small natural avalanche that slid across the road around the White Pine area earlier that morning, but the amazing UDOT crew had it cleared and traffic was moving shortly thereafter.  We got up to Alta at 9:30 a.m. - scarcely later than normal - and were completely amazed that there was no huge lift line at Collins.  Clearly the weather was keeping people away, despite all the new snow: Saturday was forecast to be in the mid-teens and cloudy, with off-and-on snow all day.

Lookin' frosty

We didn't care, tossing our Utah ski-snobbery away.  We first did a run on Wildcat since Supreme wasn't open yet; lots of snow, enormous bumps.  After that run Supreme was open so we went straight there.  We never really left, skiing almost exclusively off that lift.  Catherine's Area was open and the snow was fabulous: deep and soft and untracked.  We hiked in over and over again, seeking out fresh stashes each time.  The lower traverse was terrible - rocky and extremely sketchy in places - but the snow was not at all sticky so making the high traverse hike wasn't an issue.  Plus, the snow was so incredible that it was totally worth it, even though H managed to get stuck in a ditch, wipe out twice on various traverses, whack himself in the ribs with tree branches and nearly strand himself on top of a cliff.

Not sure you can tell, but that's H's cliff

Visibility wasn't great but the conditions were so good that we skied until 3:00 p.m. (which I almost never do), stopping only for a quick lunch break and to take a picture of what must be the most popular porcupine in the entire world.  This little guy has been hanging around near the Supreme chairlift all winter, usually ignoring all the skiers.  Folks have been feeding him (unfortunately), however, and now he is entirely unafraid of humans, begging for snacks and spending two or three hours out on the trail with dozens of skiers around him.  He's pretty cute, isn't he?

Hanging out on the ski trail

Speaking of porcupines, after going home and cleaning up, we went to the Porcupine for dinner and to celebrate our 2-year 5-month move-iversary. For those who are interested, they've made a change due to a recent readjustment to Utah's insane liquor laws: you can now get a glass of wine or a cocktail while sitting at the bar (it used to be beer only at the bar), but now everyone sitting at the bar - beer, wine or booze - has to have something to eat along with their alcoholic beverage of choice.  Here's hoping they put a $1.50 chips and salsa option on the menu soon.