Summit Chair Open, Mt B, 12/17

schubwa

New member
Yesterday both the NW Express and Summit opened. Couldn't get there but I didn't get too butt-hurt because I got Wednesday (major powder day) and Summit didn't open until 1:30. Most people are long gone by then, especially now that the days are so short at this latitude. Plus they closed at 3:00 so I figured there had to be some left. Oh yeah, I had taken today off as my last vacation day of the year! Sweet.
Unbelievably it was nearly windless and serious bluebird as I got out of my car to go hit Summit. Up Sunrise (the lodge and parking lot opened today, up Summit and straight to the East Catch line. Two day old settled fluff with a nice topping of surface hoar to keep the crystals floating for a while. It's been very cold at night and with the weak solstice sun there was no sun damage.
Next run I met up with James Jackson and Troy from Side Effect Board Shop. These guys are a generation younger but both my boys have worked for James and he's really been a great role model. He's opened so many doors for both of them and treated them as if they were his own sons.
We went and charged for about seven runs, got in some solid jumps, and finally the old man had to exit stage right and go get a sandwich and a chair.
After lunch, Sally came up to drop off her oldest daughter Sophie and a friend, who get to leave school early on Friday's and go to the mountain. Wish I was a kid.
I took Sal for some runs and she's made great strides with her snowboarding. She's just letting the board run, so she's on her way to mastering the sport. The wind came up and the sky started to get fuzzy, a sure sign tomorrow's storm is lurking. Then the sun slipped behind Bachelor and it was down for a local brew. Best day so far this season! (days on snow: 23)

2010-12-17091200.jpg

On the way up Summit. Big slide in Horseshoe Bowl with a schoolbook stauchwall.

2010-12-17102357.jpg

The rime-encrusted Summit station. The coverage up on Summit was surprisingly good. We are off to a wonderful start.

2010-12-17091933.jpg

Heading down, getting soft turns, jumping off muffins, life is good.

2010-12-17091944.jpg

If you look close, you can see the East Catchline. Later, when the backside opens, this road wraps all the way around the mountain, and it gives you 360 degrees of access.
 
Back
Top