The Real Thing
We’re skiing top-to-bottom powder on Mount Werner this morning. After the weekend’s rain-snow mix, I was happy to see only snowflakes when I woke up this morning.
I rode up the gondola in a cloud, and the foggy layer that is coating Mount Werner this morning made for mystical turns through creamy, soft snow. I recommend sticking to the trees today for deeper snow and better visibility.
The snow is more cream cheese than fluff, and even the sound is different. There’s an audible swish as you move through it, rather than the silence of mid-season Champagne Powder. Two O’Clock was pristine for my first run off Sundown. I was grateful for the one set of graceful tracks that gave me perspective for my first turns. Stay high and stay in the trees this morning as the visibility is so much better and the snow consistency lighter at the higher elevations.
If you were slow to get on the slopes this morning, that’s OK. Morningside is opening late and there are still many freshies to be had! My favorite runs of the morning were in Twilight trees, Closet and Shadows, and Sideburn. Storm Peak had a slow start because of the challenging spring storm conditions, so Hurricane was riding sweet with only a few tracks on it by mid-morning.
I’m feeling nostalgic this morning because it’s the last Monday of the season, my last blog and the countdown to Closing Day. Where did the time go? However long ski season feels at the beginning, it always goes fast, and I can’t help wanting a little bit more when April comes. This storm is a late-season treat, and with the summit snow stick now measuring over 100 inches, the skiing is the best it’s been all season. We’ll be sitting pretty through Closing Day, with more snow in the forecast this week. No need to muse over whether we’ll be downloading on closing weekend this year!
My trip up B.C. at the end of the morning led to more freshies on the top two pitches of Norther and to the left of Surprise. The snow was great all the way down Eagle’s Nest, and I only started to feel a crusty layer below Bashor.
Stay on the upper slopes today. The light seemed to get better as the morning went on. It’s a fabulous morning on the slopes, so if you haven’t yet, get on up there.
I’m grateful to have had another ski season in Steamboat, for 60 ski days and counting, and to call Steamboat home. It’s been a fantastic season, and as usual, there are so many fun events planned for closing weekend. The Cardboard Classic, Pond Skim, amazing music including Robert Randolph, and did I mention more powder on the way?
Have an amazing week!
Jessica Berg, Alpine skier
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