Paul Mitchell brings you the first look at the freeski courses with Bobby Brown in Snowbasin at the third stop of the Winter Dew Tour
MATADOR brings you the first look at the snowboard courses with Torstein Horgmo in Snowbasin at the third stop of the Winter Dew Tour
Wild Powder Wednesday, where did everybody go? After a weekend of miserable rain and warm temps, father winter came back to reality and dropped 5+inches on Snowbasin in the middle of the night. Those who watched the snowstake knew what to do on Wednesday…GET UP TO Snowbasin ASAP for more fresh powder turns. Quite frankly, it might have been the least crowded powder day in our memory. At one point in the am the top was very socked in (couldn’t even see the next lift pole), but we got luck and almost all the clouds blew out leaving was with some stellar sunny conditions until about 2:30 when it became overcast and started snowing lightly.
Even though there were fresh tracks everywhere, there were also patches of ice from the prior rain, this was especially true on steeper aspects. Those who knew what to do spent the day over searching out low angle runs on Strawberry, riding endless lines of untracked powder down Main Street, Elk Ridge, Moonshine and WFO. Later in the day we were even treated to an opening of the Sisters for even more fresh terrain.
We also had some great runs down Dan’s, Wildcat Ridge and Wildcat bowl where long after lunchtime we still were finding huge glades of the fluffy white stuff. Even though we pushed it till the very end of the day we left quite a bit for Thursday’s visitors to Snowbasin. Wow, what a day.
Today was an awesome powder day at Snowbasin. The early bird gets the worm and those who came early were treated to an incredible layer of dense 5-8″ powder just about everywhere on the mountain, some drifts were considerably deeper. You could still feel the bottom at time but that didn’t seem to matter much as most skiers and boarders came down with some huge smiles on their faces.
We started the day with a few laps on John Paul, tearing it up right under the lift at the top and sweeping out onto the Grizzly Downhill and The Hollywood Hills. After getting our fill of steep, deep and fast we ventured over to Strawberry for even more wide open powder fields. Even thought it was only partly sunny in the morning, the visibility stayed good until about 12:30 and then the flat light took over and the fog rolled in. Ski Patrol was kind enough to open No Name so we ran back over there after a few runs off Upper Main Street and our favorite, Moonshine Bowl. No Name had deeper drifts that rewarded with a few face shots as we worked our way down the ridges.
We also had the Salomon Ski Crew setup on the plaza demoing their new BBR ski. Interesting design, reminds us of an old Winterstick snowboard stretched out like silly putty. Those who clicked in came back with huge grins and lots of positive comments on this great all around powder ski. The day wrapped up with Friday Night Lights Rail Jam getting set up with lots of young riders showing off their stuff.
Friday was yet another great day at Snowbasin. Sunny and clear all day with plenty of powder if you know where to look. Cinnabar Lounge is now serving food and refreshments and is a great place to relax at the end of the day. A bowl of chili for lunch was just right.
First Tracks beneath the Strawberry Gondola
Thursday was an incredible, mostly sunny day after a quick powder storm. The early bird get’s the worm. Endless powder runs off Strawberry today. Photo slideshow has a great sequence of a controlled slide off the Sisters Ridgeline. We also found a small snowmouse living in the snowbank off the Strawberry Gondola top station. He was cute!
Snowbasin Rowdies
Lot’s of smiling faces and zoom zoom racers at Snowbasin today. Beautiful conditions for most of the day. This morning started out at 22deg F and stayed sunny and crisp for most of the day. We explored some adventurous lines at the y- chute, and off the top of Mt. Ogden. Lot’s of hiking and lots of challenges. Groomers were really FAST!!
Snowbasin was fantastic today. Bright sunshine, good friends, beautiful groomers off Strawberry, Wildcat and Wildflower Bowls, and still some soft stuff off the sides and in the trees. The second gate of Sisters bowl opened for a few fresh lines in the bowl.
Cream o-Weber. We had a great layer of 3-6″ fresh snow, barely anyone up here today for some epic turns before lunch.
Awesome Powder Day
Strong winter storm dumping lot’s of snow.
Gusty winds caused minor lift closures.
More snow coming!!
Scott Layman Blasts Through the Pow at Snowbasin
Today was a really fun powder day. About a foot of fresh snow over night. Minimal crowd and lots of smiling faces. Spent most of the day off John Paul. South Facing slopes were a little wind blown, but nice patches of powder could be found in the trees. Some strong gusts at the top of JP and flat light on top half of the mountain.
Tomorrow should be excellent with more terrain opening and more snow on the way. Strawberry was closed today and rumor is that the tram will be opening soon.
