abc
Well-known member
As everybody knows, Tahoe have had dump after dump after dump. They've got huge base. But then, the "river of snow" stopped and temperature rise to the 50's, absolutely a blow torch!
Northstar is the only mountain in my pass (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw-alpine) that I've never skied before. Though I knew the mountain itself well because I used to do lift-served downhill mountain biking there when I lived in California. I knew it's entirely below treeline, and there're tons of sparsely spaced trees that would make for fantastic glade skiing. But for this week, the trees will not be in play due to the thaw. Still, I want to get a sense on the layout of the trails and such while there's visibility. More over, I remember there's nice view of Lake Tahoe itself off the top.
Looking at the forecast, the temperature even at night was above freezing. So there's no "corning". It's clear it would be best to ski 1st chair till whenever the snow got too slushy. Also taking in the experience of others who had been there that it takes forever to go from parking to the lift. I also make sure I have my CatTrack for my ski boots for the unavoidable long trek through the "village".
Wednesday had some high clouds, which helped quite a lot in keeping the snow nice and cool. Though it also obscured the view of the lake.
So the day will be all about skiing! It's basically a game of finding the right trail in the right aspect to be in best condition at the right time. Moving on when one trail got too soft...
Not having skied there before, I made mostly wrong choices. Skiing trails when they were icy, slick or rock hard. And moving onto trails after they've gotten slushy. Still, I soldiered on, hoping to find the right trail in the right time. The condition was such that even when a trail was in best condition up top, it was slushy and sticky at the bottom run out. Unfortunately, Northstar has quite a bit of run out. I did more skating in one day than all the rest of the season combined (or at least it felt that way)
At least, it wasn't too hot for the body. I was able to keep my jacket and helmet on.
After a couple hours in the front side, I moved to the back side which faces northwest. It was still hit and miss the first couple of rides. But then I share a chair with a guy who told me one of the trail Sierra Grande was in prime condition, and probably will be such for another 1/2 hr! Trusting him, I followed. And was rewarded with snow just soft enough to be edge-able, and no one was on it! We went back up a second time. We could feel it was softer than the previous run already. There's just enough time to do one more run before moving on.
I tried a few other trails, with mixed results. Some trail were good for only one run and I could tell there'll be no going back for a 2nd lap.
Tried to get some lunch at the top. They didn't serve soup, which was my standard lunch fare. So I tried the Lookout lodge but I got there too late. They already putting things away. I asked for some hot water. And was told they'll charge $1.25 for a cup of hot water!!! What piracy! I passed on principle.
By 3, both my legs and the trails surfaces were equally soft to the point of almost uselessness. So I skied down to the bottom. The sprawling "village" so annoying in the morning when I was in a hurry to get to the slope, now looks inviting for a leisurely stroll in the mid-afternoon sunshine and soft breeze (albeit in ski boots). And the shops and eateries also more appealing. I stopped for some savory crepes with smoke salmon and asparagus. Surprisingly good for a make-up lunch in place of my usual boring soup.
Now that I sort of figured out the lay of the land, I had high hope for the next day. I had in my mind which trail to hit first, followed by what etc...
Northstar is the only mountain in my pass (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw-alpine) that I've never skied before. Though I knew the mountain itself well because I used to do lift-served downhill mountain biking there when I lived in California. I knew it's entirely below treeline, and there're tons of sparsely spaced trees that would make for fantastic glade skiing. But for this week, the trees will not be in play due to the thaw. Still, I want to get a sense on the layout of the trails and such while there's visibility. More over, I remember there's nice view of Lake Tahoe itself off the top.
Looking at the forecast, the temperature even at night was above freezing. So there's no "corning". It's clear it would be best to ski 1st chair till whenever the snow got too slushy. Also taking in the experience of others who had been there that it takes forever to go from parking to the lift. I also make sure I have my CatTrack for my ski boots for the unavoidable long trek through the "village".
Wednesday had some high clouds, which helped quite a lot in keeping the snow nice and cool. Though it also obscured the view of the lake.
So the day will be all about skiing!
It's basically a game of finding the right trail in the right aspect to be in best condition at the right time. Moving on when one trail got too soft...Not having skied there before, I made mostly wrong choices. Skiing trails when they were icy, slick or rock hard. And moving onto trails after they've gotten slushy. Still, I soldiered on, hoping to find the right trail in the right time. The condition was such that even when a trail was in best condition up top, it was slushy and sticky at the bottom run out. Unfortunately, Northstar has quite a bit of run out. I did more skating in one day than all the rest of the season combined (or at least it felt that way)
At least, it wasn't too hot for the body. I was able to keep my jacket and helmet on.
After a couple hours in the front side, I moved to the back side which faces northwest. It was still hit and miss the first couple of rides. But then I share a chair with a guy who told me one of the trail Sierra Grande was in prime condition, and probably will be such for another 1/2 hr! Trusting him, I followed. And was rewarded with snow just soft enough to be edge-able, and no one was on it! We went back up a second time. We could feel it was softer than the previous run already. There's just enough time to do one more run before moving on.
I tried a few other trails, with mixed results. Some trail were good for only one run and I could tell there'll be no going back for a 2nd lap.
Tried to get some lunch at the top. They didn't serve soup, which was my standard lunch fare. So I tried the Lookout lodge but I got there too late. They already putting things away. I asked for some hot water. And was told they'll charge $1.25 for a cup of hot water!!! What piracy! I passed on principle.
By 3, both my legs and the trails surfaces were equally soft to the point of almost uselessness. So I skied down to the bottom. The sprawling "village" so annoying in the morning when I was in a hurry to get to the slope, now looks inviting for a leisurely stroll in the mid-afternoon sunshine and soft breeze (albeit in ski boots). And the shops and eateries also more appealing. I stopped for some savory crepes with smoke salmon and asparagus. Surprisingly good for a make-up lunch in place of my usual boring soup.
Now that I sort of figured out the lay of the land, I had high hope for the next day. I had in my mind which trail to hit first, followed by what etc...
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