Chasing Corduroy
Spring is definitely in the air. Mountain mornings harbor fewer shadows. Daylight saving starts on Saturday. And the Yampa Valley’s avid birders are on high alert for the arrival of our first Greater Sandhill Cranes.
Thankfully, we’re still thoroughly enjoying winter’s bounty up here on Mount Werner. I chased some corduroy this morning, making the most of the grooming report and the 198 inches of snow that has blessed us so far this season. Day temps just above freezing coupled with cold nights are making the snow fast in the early part of the day and deliciously carvable all afternoon.
The “packed powder” snow report is right on target. And packed powder makes for some awfully pretty turns!
It’s cool and clear, and the air is absolutely still. The Colorado sky is flaunting its iconic periwinkle, and the sun is fierce. The snow under foot is dense with a completely forgiving pillow on top. With condolences to the season that’s overtly hammering the East, isn’t our snowy Western winter in Steamboat lovely? But also, we’d take your snowmageddon and love it to death, just so you know.
What did I love out there today? Everything! Conditions are fast, fun and forgiving. I opted for lots of long, quick cruisers today, and not one of them disappointed: Two O’Clock, Sunshine Lift Line, Westside, Buddy’s Run, Sunset to Moonlight, Heavenly Daze to Ted’s Ridge. You can’t go wrong on this beautiful day.
Plus, this snow should be extra fast for the NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Championships taking place over the next three days. Take a breather to ski over and watch some of the action on the lower mountain.
Signing off today with a giddy reminder that Steamboat’s super-cool Ikon Pass is now on sale. And with that, what a super-fun and exciting 2018/19 ski season it will be!
Jennie Lay, Telemark skier
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