New Snow
Christmas Day the winds were howling.......
The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report
Produced by Andy Wertheim
Tahoe/Truckee Realtor
Email: andyw@sierra.net
Office website: www.tahoeriverfrontrealty.com
Hello skiers,
Christmas Day the winds were howling keeping chairs from
circling the bull wheel on most lifts. Roundhouse was open, but
running slowly as the winds whipped chairs into uneven spacing.
The air was warm, and the snow soft, as if it were spring.
As evening approached, the skies clouded over, the air cooled
down, and white flakes began falling. The flakes fell quickly, wet,
and sticky, and they continued through the night building up into a
very nice pile by morning. Finally, we have received a new layer of
snow to cover up some of the streambeds and rock outcroppings that
were uncovered by the recent rains.
I guess that this morning the avalanche danger was extreme, at
least I hope it was more dangerous than normal, as the early powder
hounds waited at the lower terminals of Roundhouse and Summit until
nearly 10:00, or later, before they were allowed to sit on the lift.
An hour of waiting cooled our bodies and dampened our spirits, but
frustrations are lost once turns begin. The snow was dense, and did
not rise above our heads, but it was new. We turned here and there
straining our eyes to avoid hidden obstacles, as we descended
Roundhouse in various locations. A few runs on Scott followed those
on Roundhouse. We headed for Standard Run and Scott Meadows where we
found some untracked snow. I can tell you that turning on the
untracked snow was smoother, softer, and easier than turning on the
cut up skier tracked snow. This type of surface condition quickly
turns rather firm and bumpy as skiers pack it down in a rather random
manner. We watched those that dared to ski Scott Chute for the first
time this year. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, but the lower
half of the chute sure looked skimpy on the snow to me.
The weather service is calling for more snow through the week.
It is supposed to remain rather warm, but I think we will be getting
snow on the mountain. The snow we received certainly is good for
building a good base. Finally, a powder day and some fresh turns
instead of puddle jumping.
Enjoy your day. Andy
