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  1. Tony Crocker

    Jungfrau / Grindelwald 3/11/26

    We opted for on-the-mountain in Wengen: a smaller car-free village than Zermatt. It's also closer to Murren/Schilthorn, which we thought would have better/more interesting skiing than First on the other side of Grindelwald. was busy but manageable when we skied it on a Saturday. Our final...
  2. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    Not surprised. Powdr Corp is not a consumer friendly management. If confined to the lower frontside of the hill as it is now, cooler may be better. And one would presume that Bend's spring/summer activities are available in this weather.
  3. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    From Bachelor this morning: With high temps forecast 49F, I read that sentence as being a coverage issue with the 38 inch base. Recall a year or two ago I found out they like to have a 50 inch base to get snowcats up to the Summit. Any progress on snowave's rain check to next season?
  4. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    That's definitely what we saw at Pitztal, though Alps summers are definitely cooler than in the American West. But Patrick has shown us a similarly covered pile at Avila in the Laurentians, which is uncovered and spread out for the July 1 Canada Day holiday.
  5. Tony Crocker

    Jungfrau / Grindelwald 3/11/26

    Given the extremely low skier density in jnelly's pics, it does not surprise me that he scored some good groomer corn. Close-up pics of the snow don't reveal much. It's the interaction of what's on top (smooth and consistent thin layer of soft snow) and the base (supporrable but not hardpack)...
  6. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    A-Basin and Copper are among the top 5 in North America in snow preservation due to altitude and primary north exposure. The marginal/closed sectors are in high wind exposed terrain when it's hard for snow to accumulate. When snowpack is super thin, sun exposed rocks will accelerate melting...
  7. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    The expected contraction of Vail's Back Bowls in this weather is well underway. Blue Sky and China Bowl are closed, and only half the runs to the High Noon chair are open. Do not be misled by Vail's 66% trail count, as it has to be less than half of acreage open. Other declines in the past...
  8. Tony Crocker

    Kühtai, AT: 03/06/26

    Nordkette is steep and south facing: exciting terrain but a vacationing skier would have to be very lucky to ski it.
  9. Tony Crocker

    Europe 2025/26

    As noted in the Zermatt thread I have now booked the first four nights at the start of our trip in Zermatt. I was waffling because the weather forecast is unsettled, and you're not skiing much off piste in Zermatt if visibility is bad. Logistics flying into Milan suggest doing Zermatt at...
  10. Tony Crocker

    Zermatt Snow 2025/26: Rote Nase Cable Car Policy & Hohtälli Zone

    We have two redeyes with a 9-hour layover at JFK, so we are meeting some of Liz' friends for 11AM brunch. You interested? That results in a nonstop JFK-MXP with the 6:30AM arrival. The problem with the LAX flights is that they land early AM in CDG or AMS but it's close to noon before we land...
  11. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    With local population base and K-12 spring breaks the SoCal areas would usually shoot for the weekend after Easter. Median closing date for Baldy is April 15. Baldy also closed March 15 this year, but like all the natural snow terrain here was only worth considering the weekend of Feb. 21-22...
  12. Tony Crocker

    Zermatt Snow 2025/26: Rote Nase Cable Car Policy & Hohtälli Zone

    Despite unsettled weather forecast, I'm sold on Zermatt from above recommendations, booked first 4 nights of our trip, in 3/23 and out 3/27. Tasch gateway is only 2.5 hours from Milan airport. We'll see if we have James' energy to ski half a day 3/23. It's a good opportunity because we land...
  13. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    Mt. High and Snow Valley closed March 15. Summit and Bear are still trying for April 5 but I'm skeptical.
  14. Tony Crocker

    Candide Thovex: Steeziest Freerider of All Time?

    Of course I misspoke!:eusa-doh:
  15. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    From Mammoth Snowman today:
  16. Tony Crocker

    Candide Thovex: Steeziest Freerider of All Time?

    The audio is unquestionably a salient point in that video. Does he have to buy a new pair of skis every time he does something like that? I'd guess it has to be scouted by helicopter and he would still need a photographic memory.
  17. Tony Crocker

    Zermatt Snow 2025/26: Rote Nase Cable Car Policy & Hohtälli Zone

    What are your dates in Zermatt? We have not chosen ours yet.
  18. Tony Crocker

    Alta/Snowbird, UT March 7-10, 2026

    My best exercise 1990-2019 was step aerobics. Besides the cardio, all the lateral motion was great for skiing. I never felt there was any gradual warmup period for ski seasons those years. Sometimes opening day here means top of Mammoth steeps in high density snow, so you need to be prepared...
  19. Tony Crocker

    Ski-Air Travel

    Not superhuman. When you get out on the snow you are active. But when you stop you will probably get sleepy right away. Early to mid afternoon is when I’m likely to zone out on arrival day if I’m not active.
  20. Tony Crocker

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    We definitely want to see the TR's, fine if they are after you get home.
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