Snowblooded

Last Day of Aspen Highlands’ 2012-2013 Season

We were at Snowbird, when we heard through the grapevine that Aspen Highlands was opening up for one more bonus weekend. It occurred to us that this was too good of an opportunity to miss so we packed up the skis and headed Southeast. The mountain did not disappoint. Since the season officially ended the prior weekend, the locals had the mountain to themselves as very few out of-towners made the trip. The hike up the bowl was incredible with stunning views of the 14,000+ foot Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak.

The locals were especially hospitable. Aspen local and longtime friend, Max Vadnais, showed us around. We meet a ton of cool people and made some awesome turns. Our last run to an Après-ski spot in Highlands Village required some intelligent line selection and a few muddy traverses under the Aspen High School lift. (As a side note, we thought that it was pretty awesome that the Aspen High School has its own lift. It gives a new meaning to snow days.) We made it safely to the spot and got to chill at a really cool pad in the warm afternoon sun with super awesome locals. It was an great last day. We can’t wait to return in the on-season to check out the scene next season.

Liftie on Exhibition Lift getting his Air Guitar on.

Conundrum Valley and Aspen Mountain Backside

Broadway

Hunter Peak and the Steeplechase

Olympic Ridge

Top of Cloud 9 Lift and the Cloud 9 Bistro

Watching stunts from the porch of Merry Go Round Restaurant

Wonderwoman grooving to the Band

Awesome Hike up to Highland Peak

Top of Deep Temerity

Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells

Kicker out front and a Party going down at Cloud 9 Bistro

View Down Valley to Basalt

Skiing until there is no Snow Left!

This Cat Track is Muddy in Spots

There’s a Boney Line to the House

Arriving to the Aspen Après-ski Experience

Vodka Cocktails and Summer Salads

Jared, totally reinforcing the Aspen Stereotypes

The locals are awesome, thanks for all your Hospitality!

Alta is for Snowboarders Too!

When we ride Alta, we send it!

A mission to pick up a car from the Goldminer’s Daughter lot took us into Alta today by way of High Baldy. After traversing high we dropped into the Wildcat area, which was sun baked, but totally untouched. The Wildcat chair has been closed for several weeks now along with the Snowbird/Alta interconnect accessed at the top of the also closed Snowbird Baldy chair. Though Alta won’t let snowboarders ride their lifts, there is no prohibition against riders dropping in for some turns provided they make the effort to hike High Baldy. We entered Alta through the Baldy Shoulder Area and skied down the ridge to make some turns down east facing Punch Bowl. The snow was wet and heavy in the late spring sun, but was fairly consistent making for fun lines. We descended down Wildcat Face and took a breath under the Collins chair. Instead of the jeers that we expected entering the cathedral of American skiing, we received a warm welcome. As skiers passed above us on the chair, they gave us the thumbs up and enthusiastic cheers. We skied down to the base, where we ran into our buddy. We were never hassled or harassed. It was a fun adventure that should definitely be repeated.

Chilling on the plaza deck with Jake and Niki

Loading the tram for the trip to Alta

Dropping in to Alta

Baldy Shoulder Snowbird/Alta Boundary Above on the Ridge

Get Some, Phil! The Punch Bowl is Untouched.

It’s a Killer Line

Air Alta

Nice Perch above the Collins Base

Our Fans on the Collins Chair

Mission Acomplished

Let’s head back to Snowbird

Yeah Buddy!

The Top of Hidden Peak is the Place to be at the End of the Day

Nice Little Chute off the Cirque

The Headwall at Alta visible above Snowbird’s Keyhole

Cliff Lodge and Alta Bypass Road

Hellgate Cliffs

Mt. Superior

Up Canyon

The Twins and Red Top from an Area called “The Beach” at the End of the Cirque

Down Canyon to Sandy

Dromedary Peak and Twin Peaks

Beautiful Venue for a Concert, the Plaza Deck

Alpenglow on the Hellgate

This Ride takes Fitness.

Spring in the Salt Lake Foothills

The Sun sets on the Salt Lake Valley

Spring at Snowbird

A Good Ol’ Hump Day with Chris Frost→

Awesome

$20 Tax Day Lift Tickets at Brighton

10” of fresh powder and $20 for a lift ticket makes for the best $20 this writer has spent all year.

Freshies are everywhere!

This rider is taking advantage of the awesome cliff hits that are so abundant at Brighton.

Yup its pretty big alright.

Good to know.

Stormy throughout the day.

Thank you for an epic day! Brighton rocks!

The moose are loose in Big Cottonwood Canyon!

Last Day of Park City’s 2012-2013 Season

What was billed as a stormy last day turned into an unexpected bluebird for Park City Mountain’s last day of the season. A moist northwest flow that was due to arrive on Sunday came early and dumped five inches of fresh powder overnight. By first chair the clouds had cleared and sunshine was abundant. The homies and I took one last hike to the top of Jupiter peak for some excellent turns in Puma Bowl. Above are some shots from the peak.

The snow quality was excellent, definitely the cold smoke “blower pow” that graces Utah’s Wasatch. The wind loading produced thigh deep turns on the way down the peak. After a few more quality runs, we decided to check in on the party forming in the trees above Thaynes lift. There was an excellent turn out for the gathering, which included a few barrels of PBR, which mysteriously were present. Lots of the attendees were decked out in retro gear or costumes of some sort making for a colorful scene. Hidden in the trees off Thaynes lift, a crowd was gathering.

We met up with the Eastside Hello Kitty Krew and took a few fun runs with them, Meow.

Eastside mean mugging.

Meanwhile the party continued to grow as more and more people joined the festivities in the afternoon.

Best homies anyone could have. Mad respect for the sliding skills of this group. You guys rock, thanks for great skiing and riding this season.

A path through the party was cleared for a jump off a booter just below the festivities.

How did we drink two kegs!

Keep pumping, but I think you’re out of luck and beer at this point of the afternoon.

What’s up!

Getting assaulted by ladies in morphsuits, you girls make me smile.

Morph love

Here’s Jonny!

Equal opportunity booter. You go girl!

Not bad entertainment watching aerials—backflips, doubles, and impressive tricks.

Nice backflip amigo!

Things were starting to clear out by the time ski patrol arrived just after 3PM.

Bonanza lift and the Summit House plaza looking lonely and deserted after last chair.

Festivities moved to the Legacy Plaza and the Corner Store for Apres.

Epic Backside Powder Day

April Faceshots bring May ____ ?

WASATCHSNOWCAST ⋅ APRIL 9, 2013

Easterly flow continued to bring snow showers into the area last night. Wasatch Back, as expected, saw the best (worst ) or it. PC ridge resorts reporting 17-19″ of New snow!!!!!! Cottonwoods reporting 12-14″! PowMow and Snowbasin saw much less with only a few inches up there. Seems like we did pretty well with this storm.

Snow showers will continue this morning along with colds winds. It’s hard to guess just how wind packed the snow got last night but my guess is you’ll find areas of wind crust. You’ll also find nice wind-deposits where the snow is pristine and deep! Enjoy!

The forecast didn’t disappoint as PCMR saw one of the best powder days of the year. We made the most of it taking epic powder laps in bottomless powder from first chair to last chair.