In The Snow Belt

So far this winter, whenever the weather forecasters have called for my town/area to receive lets say 3-6 inches of snow, the way to actually figure out how much snow I'll get at my house is to cut the range in half...ergo I would expect 1-3 inches. Forecast 6-12...receive 3-6.
Nice change when all of a sudden we actually get the snow they are predicting or more. Tuesday forecast 6-12", receive 10". Last night forecast 1", receive 5". Manchester, the town just south of me only received 5" on Tuesday and 1" last night. Even Stratton only received a dusting last night. As for right now the forecast for Friday night is another 6-12", hopefully the snow gods deliver with the proper amount again.
Quinn & Erik I'm know you guys are bumming, but I'm pretty bummed you guys can't partake cause I ain't got no partners in crime here. Quinn, I know you've had plenty of good days this year, Erik you still got plenty of good days ahead. I'm all for a trip to the whites in the near future too. Maybe some good training for your BC trip?

Down and Out in Colorado

Going on week four of bacterial/viral infections. Being a first year teacher is awesome! Finally have some new snow moving into Colorado after a 2-week drought, and I'm too sick to enjoy it! Need to get some training in prior to the BC trip with Bals, Seth, Erica, and Hils b/c of the sheer vert we'll be climbing. Till March....

Full Moon Fever

Alas, our 6 week powder day is but a fond memory.  Things have been high and dry here in the Tetons for 2 weeks.  Last night, I took advantage of the clear skies for a full moon ski.  Descended over 300o vert from the top of Mt. Glory to Wilson by moonlight.  The experience and views were awesome.  The snow, not so good.  Oh well, it was still fun.  Atleast the north facing aspects are holding up pretty well.

Gettinit on in Mormon Country

Seth & Hilz sent on some pics of our tour in Days Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Thought I'd throw some up on the blog. Try to stave off my depression which in sinking deeper & deeper each time I check the weather forecast.

Seth getting deep and going for the extra point between the uprights:


My favorite shot of myself:


I'm looking pretty winded, and no I had not fallen. At least Hil has a big smile for the pic:


Hillary getting her B-day 1st tracks:


Our 1st chute of the day. A nice pic of my glove & hat:

A Wager to Show

As mentioned in my earlier thread after tripping and falling on the first turn, the southern New England horse is back on its feet and picking up steam on the backstretch. And with snow on the forecast map every other day for the next 15 days we are about to hit full stride.
Went out this weekend with enough fresh snow on the ground to get it billowing up to my neck and that was before yesterday's snow squalls. They reported lightning with the one squall yesterday up on Pico Mountain. Quinn there probably wouldn't have been enough snow for Merck earlier this weekend, but with almost a foot this weekend at my house it's primed to go. Saturday's snow was a surprising wallop, forecasted 2-4", received 8".
TK, the reason I reported what "seemed" to be normal snowfall for Summit County was because no area there is reporting above a 70" mid-way base. That seems awfully low base depth for a western area that has received 300" of snow. And by the way, aren't fur-lined parkas for the ladies and nopo's?
Anyway, sounds like everybody is getting in on the goodies coast-to-coast. Love it while you got it.

Halfway Point

Basically just past the unofficial halfway mark for the ski season in North America. Three months down...three to go. Since I'm trying to procrastinate at work all the while looking and sounding busy, I've decided to provide a little synopsis of the stats for the year.
East
After a pretty fucking epic December, New England not only has slipped, it landed on its face in January. Hopefully things turn around in February. Sounds like beginning this weekend, we may see a big turnaround. At the beginning of January Jay Peak snowfall totals were running neck-and-neck with Alta's totals. They came around the New Year turn with basically ~200" each. I look today at both websites; the beginning of February: Jay Peak 243"; Alta 451". Quite a difference split since the New Year. Bolton Valley is reporting 183" but I don't believe they reported a lot of the November snowfalls. The season totals quickly drop as you head south in VT with Killington reporting 157" for the season, and I doubt Stratton would be above 100" for the season. I would like to comment on natural snow bases, but unfortunately New England ski areas don't deal with natural snow depths. Mad River would be the only one I would trust, but they don't report their snowpack.
West
Wow, what a season for basically every ski area west of the Mississippi. The only place that seems to be about average is Summit County, CO and maybe the Canadian Rockies. Even Taos is reporting a 108" base depth which I don't think they surpassed a 100" base even in their epic year of '00-'01. Alta base depth 152" (fuck me, they'll probably surpass a 200" base this year), Alpine Meadows 105-161" (that is about what Mad River is reporting for their total snowfall for the year), J-Hole 90-109", Mt. Baker 175-190".
Some other base depths: Kicking Horse 64", Big Sky 58-87", Arapahoe Basin 52" mid-mountain, Steamboat 82", Crested Butte 90"

My take...time for New England to start harvesting some big storms.

Timmy G. Celebrates 29th; Goes on DL

Yesterday, Tim celebrated his 29th birthday with the traditional night of drinking.  As he stumbled home from the bar, his little man complex came roaring to life.  Needless to say, he wound up in a snow bank.  Poor little guy spent today recovering on the couch.  Meanwhile, I was making powder turns in 21 inches received since Friday.  Happy birthday buddy.

Go Giants!