Vail, CO 2/21/12

[vdk03]

Date(s) Skied: 2/21/12

Resort or Ski Area: Vail, CO

Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder, Snowing

Trip Report: Got to the mountain a little late, around 1:00, so time was an issue. We parked over at Lionshead after taking a look for free parking (none to be found yet). We hopped right on the Eagle Bahn Gondola and then rode down the bowl directly across from the gondola. I was the first to "drop in" and about a 15' by 3' chunk of the ledge dropped in with me, kind of gave a realism to the avalanche warnings we've been seeing. The snow was good, much better then expected, about 6-8" of fresh powder on crust. After cruising down the bowl we hopped a lift up and then traversed over Headwall ridge and made some great turns in powder down Red Zinger. From hear we headed up Skyline Express and headed down Steep and Deep. The trail name says it all, it was steep and there was more than enough snow to accommodate. After riding Blue Sky Basin for a few runs we ended up over by Highline Express and rode some pretty nice soft bumps. At some point over here Ski Stef and I got separated over here around 3:40 so there wasn't much time to hang out waiting. Luckily after a few runs traversing back across the resort we met up with one another at the Eagle Bahn Gondola with only a few minutes of waiting. Even with just a few hours of riding it was clear that there was good snow to ride and IMHO it is definitely worth the trip. Pics will follow.
"Dropping In"

A little slide

Plenty of Snow

View of Blue Sky Basin in the back

Steep and Deep

Steep and Deep continued

Over by Highline

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like good coverage except for the crust layer underneath. I assume the crust layer is mostly found in the bowls and not so much in the trees? How big is the huck off of Blue Ski cornice right now?



I'll be there on the 6th!

 

[wa-loaf]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like good coverage except for the crust layer underneath. I assume the crust layer is mostly found in the bowls and not so much in the trees? How big is the huck off of Blue Ski cornice right now?



I'll be there on the 6th!

Hoping it keeps snowing through to the 21-24th!

 

[Nick]

You guys are killing me out there! Looks great.

On a side note ... I noticed the Gopro seems to have kinda crummy contrast and white balance on cloudy days. Had some MRG vids that looked really "greyed out" ... i had to really play with the white balance and contrast when editing the video. I wonder if there is some setting to adjust that .

 

[Cheese]

On a side note ... I noticed the Gopro seems to have kinda crummy contrast and white balance on cloudy days. Had some MRG vids that looked really "greyed out" ... i had to really play with the white balance and contrast when editing the video. I wonder if there is some setting to adjust that .

We've seen enough GoPro Blue Bird days this season. I'm ready for weeks of "grayed out"! :razz:

 

[vdk03]

You guys are killing me out there! Looks great.

On a side note ... I noticed the Gopro seems to have kinda crummy contrast and white balance on cloudy days. Had some MRG vids that looked really "greyed out" ... i had to really play with the white balance and contrast when editing the video. I wonder if there is some setting to adjust that .

There may be, there is a pretty extensive set of options on the thing, I'd have to check the manual. Visibility was tough up there, it was hard to pick out the bumps.

 

[Puck it]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like good coverage except for the crust layer underneath. I assume the crust layer is mostly found in the bowls and not so much in the trees? How big is the huck off of Blue Ski cornice right now?



I'll be there on the 6th!

I will there on the 10th. I am hoping fore more snow.

 

[vdk03]

It gets a little better everyday, they got 11" last night.:-D