10cm overnight, 30cm in 24 hrs and 70cm storm total – the snow factory delivers once again. Another early start and was back on the highway under a rapidly waning moon. Much clearer day and looking like a benign drive, but once again ID-33 threw up some challenges. It was about 15C below and yesterdays blowing snow had turned into today’s ice patches. Better timing today and caught the 8.30 bus up the hill. Could actually see the top of the hill on the drive in – a nice novelty.
Given that only 15 – 20 cm would have fallen since I stopped yesterday I couldn’t believe how smooth the snow looked in the ungroomed areas – obviously the wind had been hard at work here as well. Headed for Lost Groomers and got relatively clean tracks down into the trees. And with the return of visibility came a return of my skiing abilities. Yesterdays big soft bumps had been well and truly buried and it was just wonderful. Headed over to Sac and a fantastic run down Medicine Bowl.
Had brought an extra layer of down with me and thought I was going to need it but when the sun came out it got a bit more pleasant – but still cold enough to send me back in for coffee after a couple of runs. Trees above Chief Joe Bowl and Steamvent also skiing just great – getting well trashed by now but still big mounds of fun fluff everywhere. Quality snow and skiing and the last day here for this trip demanded another session of beer and wings. A terrific run down Crazy Horse – groomed but soft – and a final run through the trees past Lost Groomers and I was done for. This place is just fantastic.
Was snowing again when the bus turned up – a nice little doze on the trip down and a few flurries in Driggs. But sunny and calm for the drive back and this mornings ice sheets had transformed into dry bitumen. Go figure.
Both knees feeling the effects of two days with lots of teles, but I reckon I can just get through to the end of the week. Last big driving day tomorrow and only two more accommodation shifts. I reckon I might just make it.