A Wet Powder Day
We finally received some significannt..................
The Unofficial Alpine Meadows Ski Report
Produced by Andy Wertheim
Tahoe/Truckee Realtor
Email: andyw@sierra.net
Office website: www.tahoeriverfrontrealty.com
Hello skiers,
We finally received some significant snow at Alpine. Last night, and most of today, the sky let loose a continuous snowfall. The snowfall continues to be wet. Alpine received approximately one and a half feet of snow in the past 24 hours at the base area. Skiing was excellent today, although the open terrain was again limited. Roundhouse opened first with Summit following around 10 o’clock. The 10” morning powder runs were in wet snow, but the softness felt good. Lighting was on the flat side, but no seemed to care, as yelling was emanating from various corners of the mountain. We took runs down Blue Trail catching first tracks, and Yellow Trail taking care to avoid holes in the snow where a stream runs below. Summit offered up a couple of fairly untracked runs in the Sunspot area bringing smiles to all those in our party. We found additional fresh snow under the Sherwood Cliffs. The morning ended with wet gloves and happy faces.
I am not sure if Scott opened later in the afternoon, but it appeared to be ready for customers.
We have had a rather frustrating week. Power at my house and the condominium development across the street, failed on the morning of New Year’s eve. The heavy rains, over 6” at Alpine, caused trees to fall on to power lines, mudslides to close area roads, and flooding. Power has not been fully restored to my spot in Alpine Meadows. We have had a brown out situation since the morning of the 31rst. Of course, my generator would have made life easier if it had been in good working order, but it would not start. I finally had it repaired this afternoon, and it is now humming noisily allowing me to plug in my refrigerator, the forced air furnace, and my computer.
Thus, I have heat, dim lighting, a computer, and use of the gas range top. Tahoe City, and many other areas in Tahoe, have also been without power. The power was off in Tahoe City New Year’s eve and most of yesterday.
Skiing on New Year’s Day was interesting. Alpine was again only running Roundhouse and Summit. A light snowfall overnight left a small amount of new snow piled into low areas between
icy pimples formed when the rain soaked mountainside froze solid. We had fun turning in the fresh snow attempting to avoid the icy sheets that waited to take our footing out from under our skis. Only Alpine Bowl was open at the top of the mountain until noon when the Peril Ridge side of Wolverine Bowl opened for skiing. By 1:30 p.m. the winds had picked up and Alpine was forced to close everything but Meadow and Yellow Chairs.
The good news is that the hillsides seem to be covered well and in better condition than they were just a few days ago. Alpine is reporting over 90 inches of snow at the mid mountain stake.
We are hoping to dry out for a few days.
Enjoy your day. Andy
