sugarsnow

We had a wet and sloppy storm on Thursday, with rain up to (and, in places, over) 9,000 feet - not good for the snow.  Alta did get a few inches before the storm moved out and Saturday morning we headed up there, keeping our expectations firmly in check.  As we were heading for the bus, H got a text from a former co-worker, D, who said he'd meet us at Goldminer's Daughter.

Alta didn't seem too busy - apparently lots of people had reservations about what that rain might have wrought - but there did seem to be a lot of beginners there.  The front side was quite firm and we saw a lot of people skidding out and going down on the hardpack.  We three shifted to Sugarloaf for a couple of runs and while the snow was better there, it was a lot windier.  We then moved to Supreme where conditions were clearly the best: this was the only place with any lift line.

We did three runs in Catherine's Area, along with the rest of the hordes.  I had to speak sternly to several newbies who had stopped in the traverse but once we got past the first meadow, the crowds thinned dramatically.  Once we got out into it, the snow was actually pretty good - certainly much better than any of us expected.  The texture of the snow was curious, though, as it was sugary, like dry, tiny-grained corn snow you find back east in the spring.  It was easy to ski in because it was dry and didn't clump up.

D left around 12:30 for a prior engagement.  H and I had a late lunch, then went back out for a few more runs until the clouds moved in.  With the light now flat, we called it a day, getting back home around 3:30 p.m.  The best part for me was that this was the first time in weeks that I felt like I was skiing well.  More of that please!