walking on sunshine

Finally - FINALLY - we got a bluebird day up at Alta.  We're pretty sure it's been since December that we've truly seen the sun whilst skiing; the storms have been wonderful for the snowpack but I really do ski better when I can see what I'm on.  Well, usually I can: this Saturday was certainly bright and clear enough but I was skiing like my legs were on backwards.  Oh well.  It didn't matter.  The sun was out, the skies were deep blue and cloudless and there was a touch of spring skiing in the air.  Whee!!!

Coming down Chartreuse/Nose area

The bus going up was medium busy, and the lift lines were full right at the start, but as the day wore on, the lines got shorter and shorter.  The snow was pretty firm to start - in March, things still freeze right up overnight - and we did five or so runs on the front side where the groomers were fine but off-piste was stiff.  We then moved over to Sugarloaf to look for soft bumps.  It was still too early in the day for that - the bumps on Chartreuse were huge but not at all soft.  We also tried going in the gates below Razorback but it was stiff in there too.  This is what happens during spring skiing: the hunt for the perfect run when the snow has softened but isn't sticky and slushy yet.

Looking up at East Castle

After lunch (where it was easy to find a table since so many people opted to sit outside), we stuck to Supreme.  Challenger was terrible, with big, hard bumps and scraped-off hardpack in between.  But other trails were starting to soften, depending on if they were south- or west-facing.  My out-of-shape legs cried uncle at 2:15.  H did another couple of runs on his own and we took the 3:15 bus down together.  Warm temperatures, bright sun and not so much with the hordes?  Fun day!