BackLoafRiver
New member
Date(s) Skied: Sunday 02/06/2011
Resort or Ski Area: Saddleback
Conditions: Powder, packed powder
Trip Report:
Good day at Saddleback yesterday. Definitely not great. The 2 hour drive took me closer to 4 due to poor driving conditions up route 4.
First, the bad - Sunday was Maine day. The winds were HOWLING so the double and Kennebago Quad were on hold. The T-Bar was spinning, however, so it made sense to head there. The lines were LONG! To do a full run, including getting back to the line, it was 45 minutes. Only was able to do 10 or so runs the entire day. Usually you can expect the crowd to thin out around lunch but it definitely didn't happen yesterday. They were balls-to-the-wall all day. Good for business, bad for logging vert and hitting pow. So many people who had never been on a T-Bar before caused it to stop every 3rd or 4th load.
Now, the good - It was an IDEAL day to earn some turns. I definitely want to get a pack to strap the skis on or, better yet, a beginner AT setup. This would have made the process a little easier. I hiked up from Mid- Royal coachmen a few times to the warming hut. Patrol was looking for people like me, just to make sure we were alright. The wind had helped form a crust on top of the powder. Peachey's Peril was all fresh and DEEP. I had 2 double ejections which, at first made me feel like an idiot. When I saw it happen to the 5 guys behind me, I felt better. Some tough skiing to be sure.
Thrombosis was freaking unreal. Upper Thrombosis had 2 sets of tracks all day. (mostly because hikers were the only ones able to access it) Golden smelt was also nice.
Surprisingly, the best snow came on Jane Craig. We lapped it most of the afternoon. The groomer had left both edges alone and it was deep and fun. The wind had blown enough snow in the center to cover the tracks and still give you the powder experience.
The "Devils" as well as Silver Doctor and Parmachenee Belle were absolutely jammed. I did Red Devil once just to get it in early but figured I should stay clear.
It looks like I missed amazing days on both sides. I bet today is great. Saturday looked unreal thanks to Sal's TR. Here are a few shots:
Colonel Bates:
Mid Jane Craig:
Resort or Ski Area: Saddleback
Conditions: Powder, packed powder
Trip Report:
Good day at Saddleback yesterday. Definitely not great. The 2 hour drive took me closer to 4 due to poor driving conditions up route 4.
First, the bad - Sunday was Maine day. The winds were HOWLING so the double and Kennebago Quad were on hold. The T-Bar was spinning, however, so it made sense to head there. The lines were LONG! To do a full run, including getting back to the line, it was 45 minutes. Only was able to do 10 or so runs the entire day. Usually you can expect the crowd to thin out around lunch but it definitely didn't happen yesterday. They were balls-to-the-wall all day. Good for business, bad for logging vert and hitting pow. So many people who had never been on a T-Bar before caused it to stop every 3rd or 4th load.
Now, the good - It was an IDEAL day to earn some turns. I definitely want to get a pack to strap the skis on or, better yet, a beginner AT setup. This would have made the process a little easier. I hiked up from Mid- Royal coachmen a few times to the warming hut. Patrol was looking for people like me, just to make sure we were alright. The wind had helped form a crust on top of the powder. Peachey's Peril was all fresh and DEEP. I had 2 double ejections which, at first made me feel like an idiot. When I saw it happen to the 5 guys behind me, I felt better. Some tough skiing to be sure.
Thrombosis was freaking unreal. Upper Thrombosis had 2 sets of tracks all day. (mostly because hikers were the only ones able to access it) Golden smelt was also nice.
Surprisingly, the best snow came on Jane Craig. We lapped it most of the afternoon. The groomer had left both edges alone and it was deep and fun. The wind had blown enough snow in the center to cover the tracks and still give you the powder experience.
The "Devils" as well as Silver Doctor and Parmachenee Belle were absolutely jammed. I did Red Devil once just to get it in early but figured I should stay clear.
It looks like I missed amazing days on both sides. I bet today is great. Saturday looked unreal thanks to Sal's TR. Here are a few shots:
Colonel Bates:
Mid Jane Craig:
