NFR 2021-2022 Ski Thread - Let it Snow

Chris Bellows said:
Swimmy, how were the crowds at the Basin now that it's connected to the Epic Pass? Only skied there back in 2009 and it was deserted. Checking to see how the Evil Empire has changed it.
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There was no one there yesterday but like many ski areas I'd contribute that more to the current conditions as they haven't had a lot of snow recently. My friend who was showing us around and has a season's pass said it can get busy on powder days, especially the Strawberry Gondola.

They are also about to build a huge 5 star hotel/lodge at the base which, as you can imagine, is really disappointing to a lot of the locals.
 
Super fun day at Big Sky.

Skied a few laps off Lone Peak

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The bowl was wind groomed.

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And sick ass wind buff on NE aspects

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Good stoke out there.
 
Hiked our local hill from our house today. Norcal has good coverage even low but it hasnt snowed in weeks. I was looking for corn. Found 20 turns ish of good corn and 50 turns is of terrible breakable crust.
 
swimmy said:
Windbuff white room.

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Skiing off of Lone Peak is so bad ass. Nothing else like it in the country.
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Oh there's plenty like it, actually thousands lik it, but not gondola/lift accessed like Lone for sure!

Killer pic, ya gotta love snorkel deep!
 
Worked at YC in management for a couple years while at school. I’d say between their ridge and Lone Peak I had the best skiing spots around.

Can’t wait to play in some spring snow sunny corn come end of March 🤙
 
Divad said:
Worked at YC in management for a couple years while at school. I’d say between their ridge and Lone Peak I had the best skiing spots around.

Can’t wait to play in some spring snow sunny corn come end of March 🤙
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My nephew is currently teaching at YC, lucky kid!
 
Roper said:
Cold smoke..?
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Kind of. It is wind buff.

When the wind starts blowing, which happens a lot at Big Sky, it can transport snow from one aspect to another. In many ways this type of snow can be more fun than true powder. It is low density like cold smoke, but the base is firm and will hold an edge. You can charge it, carve it, surf it, smear it...basically it is hero snow.

We haven't had any considerable snow for maybe 6 weeks now? But we have had a lot of wind. Yesterday was another one of those days where if you find the wind buff, it can be the best run of the year. Below is another pic.

We also skied the the slope adjacent. It wasn't that great, firm and a bit icy. All the snow had blown onto the slope pictured however if the wind changed direction overnight, today could be completely different. This keeps it fresh and the hunt for wind buff can be fun.

Wind buff also doesn't attract the crowds like a powder day can. Yesterday I got 8 tram laps in before I had to leave. That would be tough to do if we had fresh snow.

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Pro tip. Get your weight on your downhill ski.
 
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