variable, as spring does

Sunday was about ten degrees cooler than Saturday had been, breezy and with increasing clouds as a cold front started to move into the area.  This kept the snow from becoming sticky as quickly and even though the corduroy stayed frozen in the shady spots, the Sugarloaf trails that were in the sun had a great sugary consistency that I really enjoyed.  All morning I did laps on Devil's Elbow and Rollercoaster; H did the same, plus a bunch of runs on Extrovert which got really soft.

Looking up Supreme, closed for the season

Because of the slightly colder temperatures, everyone who was skiing (it seemed) was skiing on Sugarloaf, at least for the morning until the Collins side softened.  It certainly wasn't crowded, and we never had to stand in line, but we did occasionally have to ride the lift with other people.  After not having had to do that for the last couple of ski days, we were a little put out by that.

Finally! A chair to ourselves!!

As it approached midday, H did a quick "around the world" lap - from the top of Collins, down through Sugarloaf, over to Supreme on the old trail across, past Supreme and Alf's, down through Sunnyside and across the rope tow - meeting me at the base of Collins.  Because the snow hadn't gotten heavy in the morning, my legs were able to keep going until nearly 1 p.m., and we did laps on the front side until then.  I finally called it when my feet were really sore (have been having difficulties with my boots all spring), a little reluctantly because even though Alta will be open for one more weekend, this was going to be our last day as we have a conflict for next weekend and won't be able to ski for the final closing.

High Rustler, etc., still skiable even this late in the season

I got a "have a good summer!" hug from Martha and then we retreated to the truck for a final Wildcat base tailgate session.  We had to bundle up this time as the wind picked up, bringing in heavier clouds; these clouds would be the forerunners of a late season storm which would bring snow right down to the valley floor on Monday - Mother Nature not quite willing to say goodbye to winter yet.  It was worth getting a little chilled on Sunday, however, to raise a beer to our 2017/2018 Alta season.  The best part of this season ending?  Season passes are already on sale for the 2018/2019 season.