GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
KT opened yesterday and all lower mountain lifts, except Squaw One, are open. Still needs 3 more feet to get good and nothing in site for at least 2 weeks. Booo!
TT Ski/Snowboard/Sledding Club!
- Thread starter SuperFly
- Start date
KT opened yesterday and all lower mountain lifts, except Squaw One, are open. Still needs 3 more feet to get good and nothing in site for at least 2 weeks. Booo!
You are really ON it.
I just read KT opened yesterday, but they mean the Saddle, not WFace, Chute, EBowl, or the Nose.
The only run off Exhibition is one windy trail down.
RedDog only has the cat trail open, not the steep semi traverse.
Oly is actually closed till possibly the weekend.
There IS enough snow at Cornice, but heading down to MountainRun, rocks force you to stay on the cattrack.
Rock skis, stay on the trails, and another 2 dump wait.
But I diid predict an increase in WNW swell activity. Currently, OBSF is about a true double overhead, and all spots in SantaCruz just overhead from the Hook to second reef at the Lane.
I just read KT opened yesterday, but they mean the Saddle, not WFace, Chute, EBowl, or the Nose.
The only run off Exhibition is one windy trail down.
RedDog only has the cat trail open, not the steep semi traverse.
Oly is actually closed till possibly the weekend.
There IS enough snow at Cornice, but heading down to MountainRun, rocks force you to stay on the cattrack.
Rock skis, stay on the trails, and another 2 dump wait.
But I diid predict an increase in WNW swell activity. Currently, OBSF is about a true double overhead, and all spots in SantaCruz just overhead from the Hook to second reef at the Lane.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
This morning at Mammoth. Looks pretty OK. I'll finally hit it this weekend.
http://youtu.be/GI6_8gSqZro
http://mammothsnowman.com/
http://youtu.be/GI6_8gSqZro
http://mammothsnowman.com/
r2473
G.O.A.T.
How pathetic is this year's ski season you ask? Yesterday, a condo at "Cliff Club" at Snowbird sold on E-bay for $262 for the week of Feb. 25- March. 3. Shelf price on this is ~$3,500.
I would have bought this myself and just used it as a party room next week, but the wife is busy and we are heading out to Palm Springs on March 2. Would have been more of a hassle than it was worth.
Punch item number 140703106069 into E-bay search:
I would have bought this myself and just used it as a party room next week, but the wife is busy and we are heading out to Palm Springs on March 2. Would have been more of a hassle than it was worth.
Punch item number 140703106069 into E-bay search:
Hitman99
Rookie
Just returned from a week skiing at Snowmass, CO. They had over a foot of new snow the week before we arrived, another 10" or so while we were there. Base at SNowmass is over 56", about the same as Aspen Highlands. Aspen Mt. and Buttermilk/Tiehack are not so good, only about a 35" base.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Got my first runs of the season in last weekend at Squaw. i was all over the place off the groomers, blasting KT runs down GS Bowl, Chute 75, West Face, Oly Lady (sweet stash of 1ft deep pow), riding Headwall too. But it was pretty technical; icy in lots of spots, lots of rocks/trees and narrower runs. I had a super fun time, but got in precarious positions a couple times too. There's not a lot of people that i would've taken with me to some of those spots.
Wont go again until there is at least 1 more foot of snow.
Wont go again until there is at least 1 more foot of snow.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Looks like Sierra's getting close to a foot today and another shot on Wednesday. Might be a good weekend at Squaw!
Hitman99
Rookie
Sierra Cement, or powder?
This next 3 days should be real cold, it's a cold storm, so real 5" of powder.
However, looks like by the weekend, it's gonna warm up to springlike weather, so early Sat is the only chance to escape cement for a short venture into shallow powder.
I've been up at Tahoe when it's slush and snowmelt, only to encounter almost chain conditions (28 degree squalls and 9" snow on Highway80) at the Carquinez Bridge, about 20 miles from SanFrancisco.
However, looks like by the weekend, it's gonna warm up to springlike weather, so early Sat is the only chance to escape cement for a short venture into shallow powder.
I've been up at Tahoe when it's slush and snowmelt, only to encounter almost chain conditions (28 degree squalls and 9" snow on Highway80) at the Carquinez Bridge, about 20 miles from SanFrancisco.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Thursday will be the best day, ratios are 15:1 ish for snow:water, which is light very cold snow. Friday and the weekend will warm up a bit, so the wintery pow won't be fresh, but conditions should be better than when i was out on prez day weekend.
Cool Squaw Blog here:
http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw-conditions-report-22712-white-smoke-blue-ice-79149/
Cool Squaw Blog here:
http://unofficialnetworks.com/squaw-conditions-report-22712-white-smoke-blue-ice-79149/
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow Remains In Effect Until Noon Pst Thursday.
* Timing: Heavy Snow Will Continue Through Noon Wednesday...
Followed By Snow Showers...heavy At Times...continuing Into
Thursday Afternoon.
* Total Snow Accumulations: 2 To 4 Feet Of Snow Above 7000 Feet
With 12 To 30 Inches Below 7000 Feet. The Highest Snow Amounts
Will Be Along And West Of Highway 89
A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow Remains In Effect Until Noon Pst Thursday.
* Timing: Heavy Snow Will Continue Through Noon Wednesday...
Followed By Snow Showers...heavy At Times...continuing Into
Thursday Afternoon.
* Total Snow Accumulations: 2 To 4 Feet Of Snow Above 7000 Feet
With 12 To 30 Inches Below 7000 Feet. The Highest Snow Amounts
Will Be Along And West Of Highway 89
tahoe has some marginal years but they always get big dumps when it does
last year my friend had a massive snow skate park in his back yard
so much snow , 1 of the biggest seasons in history.....
I'm in California, usually snowboard about 20 days a year, since '93.
This year, haven't thought about going up yet. I need about 8' of base, for my favorite runs to open. I can afford to be a snob because I also play tennis, windsurf, surf, and ride road bikes.
I have 6 snowboards.
This year, haven't thought about going up yet. I need about 8' of base, for my favorite runs to open. I can afford to be a snob because I also play tennis, windsurf, surf, and ride road bikes.
I have 6 snowboards.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Squaw reporting 51" storm total at 7000 feet, not including a few more inches today. Wow! That will be a huge transformation from prez day weekend. Heading up tomorrow after work, wooot wooot!
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Its legal to go down main with as much air as you want as long as its not marked closed. Did you poach it?
this was back in the 90,s
just going off what the photos and videos were of last year from tgr forums
plus i still have friends living in tahoe....
havent done the ski bum thing in years, over the cold......
biggest drop ever was a 60 footer @ big mountain, montana
i,d like to spend a winter not working and just skiing at la grave, france....or chamonix
I've heard Chamonix is way overrated. It's more a destination town with a few lifts that take you out of town to ski in surrounding mountains at other towns. They say Val de Azere (boy, I can't find my T shirt, and can't spell either) is a much better town to base out of. Long boards and ski's, lots of semi steeps, big mountains. Why can't you go? Just bail on committments, like any 18 year old would do.
yes Tignes, Val d'Isere, and Les Arcs seem to be the real skiers hot spots
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/171652-Best-skiing-in-France
saving up the $ to do it right is the only problem, have a passport good for another 6 years.....living in san diego is kinda pricey....
A good boarding bud went there way back in time. He took a pair of 210 skis and one Tanker195 snowboard, and said for most of the runs he liked, could have gone longer. I think the t-shirt he game me is in the laundry, hence the poor spelling of Val. It's black with dark gray lettering.
He runs the backside of Heavenly from top to bottom without stopping, and compared that to half a run in most of Val. About 5 miles.
He runs the backside of Heavenly from top to bottom without stopping, and compared that to half a run in most of Val. About 5 miles.
GraniteChief-
Hope you have a great weekend up at SV. Just got back from SV myself-- nonstop snow the entire time. Early in the week the conditions were challenging with the variable conditions (the heavy Tahoe powder layer on top of the existing ice) but improved quickly.
Weds was a real tough day though because of the crazy winds-- 100 mph gusts on the top.
How long have you been a SV guy?
Lee-
With over 150 days at Squaw, I would say you definitely are a Squaw guy.
What do you think of the relatively recent addition of Alpine?
I really like the updates to the village at squaw and think that, despite the lack of snow this year (until now), the place is really catching up with the 21st century.
Well, most of my Squaw days were in the late '60's and mid '70's, when I had shop emp discount tickets. In the last 30 years, maybe 3 days total there.
We poached over to Alpine from the top of Saddle in the late '60's, and got on the lift there no problem as the two tickets were similar collor and design, for two runs.
As a snowboarder since the early '90's, I had VIP passes for NorthStar/Sierra, so was used to the NorthStar Village.
Sugar used to make you gondola over and then basically walk past it's village in the old days before the 2 new lifts.
In my head, I'm still stuck in the 19th Century.
We poached over to Alpine from the top of Saddle in the late '60's, and got on the lift there no problem as the two tickets were similar collor and design, for two runs.
As a snowboarder since the early '90's, I had VIP passes for NorthStar/Sierra, so was used to the NorthStar Village.
Sugar used to make you gondola over and then basically walk past it's village in the old days before the 2 new lifts.
In my head, I'm still stuck in the 19th Century.
You're actually well ahead of your time.
There is a real effort and desire to combine SV and AM but the small piece of land between the two is owned by a local landowner who, as of yet, has not signed on to the plan.
Now that SV and AM are owned by one company, they at least use the same lift ticket!
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Really fun weekend. Sat morning was still really soft cut up powder. But then the sun started beaming which affected the snow surface quality. Still rediculously shredable even in a Tshirt.
First year was 96/97, the year of 6ft snow in 3 days, followed by 20 inches of tropical express rain and the big Truckee River Flood. Had a season pass all but 1 season since. Can't get enough KT, Headwall, and of course Granite Chief~!
First year was 96/97, the year of 6ft snow in 3 days, followed by 20 inches of tropical express rain and the big Truckee River Flood. Had a season pass all but 1 season since. Can't get enough KT, Headwall, and of course Granite Chief~!
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Ya really fun even with the warmth. Friday=winter, Saturday=spring, Sunday=early summer, 3 seasons in 3 days!
My favorite run off Granite is the direct chute, which is right at the very top. I do a sissy drop into it here at about 30 seconds:
http://youtu.be/3xMa6yEraSI
Hopefully hit it again weekend of Indian Wells finals.
PS, just noticed this cool vid, totally dig the fingers:
http://youtu.be/f_EpcMrnMWQ
My favorite run off Granite is the direct chute, which is right at the very top. I do a sissy drop into it here at about 30 seconds:
http://youtu.be/3xMa6yEraSI
Hopefully hit it again weekend of Indian Wells finals.
PS, just noticed this cool vid, totally dig the fingers:
http://youtu.be/f_EpcMrnMWQ
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This is probably a hard question to answer given the weather this winter but how do you feel about the new ownership of sv and the changes/improvements they've been making?
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
I'm not thinking spring quite yet. EMCF model has 3-4 ft forecast starting a week from tomorrow. So be ready!
I still ski occasionally, often at night, but nothing feels like arcing a turn on a board.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
All thumbs up. Great remodeling of the facilities, getting rid of the old ticket portals and redoing the KT sundeck. I also hear that Granite Chief will be a detachable quad next season. They are winning environmental awards, just put in a ski in/ski out Starbucks, acquired/merged with Alpine Meadows, etc. Top shelf management these days. Props to Andy Wirth, Mike Lavaque and Tom Murphy.
This is worth a look when you have time to watch a nearly feature length movie about Squaw and some of its more famous locals. GNAR!!
http://unofficialnetworks.com/gnar/
Wow, kudos to you for sure.
I did the same trail, skied for couple hundred (double that) days and then stopped for 10 years before going to snowboarding that feels similar to surfing.
Weather calls for possible showers beginning of next week or end of the weekend, but I don''t know, seems NW is coming right after the storms, meaning the storms get shorter in time and pushed E really quickly.
You surf, you know the drought years bring an early windy spring.
But I'm game for a couple days in late season, maybe break out my better boards rather than use my park/pipe screw around shorties (153/157's).
I did the same trail, skied for couple hundred (double that) days and then stopped for 10 years before going to snowboarding that feels similar to surfing.
Weather calls for possible showers beginning of next week or end of the weekend, but I don''t know, seems NW is coming right after the storms, meaning the storms get shorter in time and pushed E really quickly.
You surf, you know the drought years bring an early windy spring.
But I'm game for a couple days in late season, maybe break out my better boards rather than use my park/pipe screw around shorties (153/157's).
Fed Kennedy
Legend
I have been a squaw passholder since the early 90s. It is amazing how much they have improved the overall experience. I dont even care about the alpine merger though. I dont even care about the upper mtn. I never leave the mothership. (kt-22).
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
I'm with you, tough to leave KT. But watching GNAR really emphasizes the diversity of Squaw. So many GRARly lines, even off the mother ship.
That's some hardcore riding.
Only at KT?
I dont' think I know ONE guy who only skis (well, that was pre '76) KT, as most would look over at Oly, up to the Slot, Sunbowl, Horsetrails, Backside off GraniteChief, RedDog, or down thru Desolation to the N parking (before the lift was installed).
We all agree KT is king, but even Alpine has some steeps. Much shorter, for sure, but steeps.
Only at KT?
I dont' think I know ONE guy who only skis (well, that was pre '76) KT, as most would look over at Oly, up to the Slot, Sunbowl, Horsetrails, Backside off GraniteChief, RedDog, or down thru Desolation to the N parking (before the lift was installed).
We all agree KT is king, but even Alpine has some steeps. Much shorter, for sure, but steeps.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
I go to shirley to take runs with my mom and my gf
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Your mom and gf are both named Shirley and like to run, cool.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Those guys are so rad. When I was a kid I rode up GC with mcconkey and asked him where I should go to college. He said: I liked college but it got in the way of my skiing.
Then he skated right off the lift and did a heli off the cornice.
When he died it was such a loss for skiing. It would be like if Fed died.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
^^Tru dat. Always have a sense of reverence when i see the bronze eagle at the top of the nest.
On a lighter note:
Then the next storm moves in around Wednesday night. This one looks like it could push the jet stream further South and the heavier precip could push into the Tahoe basin. This one has the potential to bring snow in feet.
It looks like another storm could move in coming further South the weekend of the 17th. Up along the crest it could snow most of next week although it would be light in between the two systems. The storms should progressively have more success bringing in heavier precip throughout the week. Over the next ten days several feet are definitely possible especially along the crest. Of note is that the snow levels could come up to 7000 ft. briefly with the Thursday system
On a lighter note:
Then the next storm moves in around Wednesday night. This one looks like it could push the jet stream further South and the heavier precip could push into the Tahoe basin. This one has the potential to bring snow in feet.
It looks like another storm could move in coming further South the weekend of the 17th. Up along the crest it could snow most of next week although it would be light in between the two systems. The storms should progressively have more success bringing in heavier precip throughout the week. Over the next ten days several feet are definitely possible especially along the crest. Of note is that the snow levels could come up to 7000 ft. briefly with the Thursday system
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Saturday was amazing at Squaw:
http://vimeo.com/38758125
Yesterday looks like it was a fun day too:
http://youtu.be/8fACXCHf8w4
http://vimeo.com/38839705
http://vimeo.com/38758125
Yesterday looks like it was a fun day too:
http://youtu.be/8fACXCHf8w4
http://vimeo.com/38839705
spaceman_spiff
Hall of Fame
I was in Park City during the big dump; loads of fun. Stopped skiing Wednesday because it just wasn't worth it anymore.
In other news, I saw Michael Jordan in PC Tuesday night, picking up his new skis and boots from one of the local ski shops. I didn't know he was a skier.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Signed up for Indoors Nats at Park City which starts in a couple weeks. Will bring board for use after tourney ends. Hopefully get another good powder day like 2 years ago.
r2, happen to know anyguys playing the event that might be a good dubs partner?
r2, happen to know anyguys playing the event that might be a good dubs partner?
r2473
G.O.A.T.
Sorry, I don't. I don't play league and haven't played a tournament for at least 3 years.
I don't think you are going to have much luck with the snow this year while you are out here.
How did you enjoy IW?
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
IW's was great but it went by way too fast. I only got a chance to hit once and wanted to play a new opponent. I ended up losing 1 game in our match but it was lots of fun.
Did you enjoy as well? Did you play any matches?
Re the snow, I'll still bring my board just in case.
BTW, Squaw reporting up 20" new snow today and its still snowing. Another system supposed to move through Sat eve. Should be a good weekend!
Did you enjoy as well? Did you play any matches?
Re the snow, I'll still bring my board just in case.
BTW, Squaw reporting up 20" new snow today and its still snowing. Another system supposed to move through Sat eve. Should be a good weekend!
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r2473
G.O.A.T.
^^ You're just too damn good for pickup games. Not too often you find someone at your level looking to hit with new people. I can't believe that your son is a level+ beyond you. He must be amazing.
I found a great kid to hit with. We played most everyday. Really had a great time. I think this guy might have been able to give you a bit of a challenge. He's pretty good.
I actually didn't go skiing a single day this year. Worst year since I've been here.
I found a great kid to hit with. We played most everyday. Really had a great time. I think this guy might have been able to give you a bit of a challenge. He's pretty good.
I actually didn't go skiing a single day this year. Worst year since I've been here.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Great that you got to hit a bunch. My game wasn't just a pickup game. The guy said he was a 4.5-5.0 and he was.
My boy is dang good but there are a lot of really amazing young players. He just got his first itf points and obliterated his opponents in his first 4 matches, scoring a bagel in 3 of them and not dropping a set (3 to quallify for main draw and a win in the first round). He lost in 3 sets in 2nd round to a very good player but definitely had lots of chances in that match. Its great to travel this journey with him.
You haven't been out a single day yet? For shame!! I know there have been at least a few good days!
r2473
G.O.A.T.
There have. I see Spaceman lucked out and was in town for the big dump a few weeks ago. I thought about heading up......but didn't.
Most of the people I know ski outside of the park (hike) in the back country. They ski all the time. Even this year. Bunch of nuts.
I'm not into it that much. I'm also not that good.