While the surface might be OK, skier density is usually an issue with only one run open. For some strange reason I'm a bit more conscious of skier traffic after last April 12.
By getting there early I did not wait in line at all for Thunder and the first 2 untracked runs on Sublette (Alta 1 and Bivouac), after which I was in the Hobacks by 10:15AM. With Jackson's lift setup, no one was close to 90% that day unless they went out of bounds. I'd rather move fast on a fresh day and try to stay just ahead of the crowds, leaving the grunt work for when the easily accessible stuff is tracked out. Patrick did work that impressive stash that was still powder in late afternoon, but it was a somewhat bony/tedious traverse away from the Bridger gondola. It's not clear how much vertical/powder I might have lost elsewhere if I had done that traverse every time up.
It's a judgment call, and Patrick and I were both very pleased with our results that day. I think this may be a common cause of the solo skiing on powder days. Abilities may be compatible, but when it's that good most of us junkies are opinionated and want to do it our way.
