Temps were the typical 5-10F of this trip, but this was the first day with wind to go along with it. After the great evening at the Post Hotel we didn't arrive until 10AM, but the gondola had been on wind hold until 9:30. We got set up with a couple of Slope Trackers by our host Sheila and only got in 2 runs before lunch. After lunch we were with guides Rob and Paula, which we appreciated even though I've skied 3 days previously at Sunshine.
The top of Continental Divide was an Arctic blast, but we made our way partway down and traversed skier's right to the Shoulder. We then did 4 runs on Goat's Eye, which had been on wind hold until nearly noon, but by now was much less windy than the Angel or Divide lifts.
As on my visit 4 years ago at this time, the wind had a detrimental effect upon the snow in many exposed locations that were scoured to a firm surface. The Shoulder was steep with minimal tracks but variably wind packed. With less wind the powder potential is obvious. There were very few people here on a cold Wednesday, so there were often just partly cut powder tracks on the groomed runs below tree line.
Delirium Dive has the most sheltered steeps and is a prime powder stash. Unfortunately it is not yet open due to severe snow stability issues.
I am getting the impression that Sunshine is similar to A-Basin and Mt. Bachelor in that spring may be better than winter much of the time. My days in April 1999 and March 2002 were great, with more snow depth, minimal wind-scoured hard snow and Delirium Dive open with powder conditions.
The Slope Tracker is a GPS that should track your location on the mountain and then uploads software to print out your patch on the mountain. An interesting idea that needs some more work. Mine did not work at all, and Ben's worked on the Continental and Goat's Eye lifts but not on Angel or Standish. Ben has had an avalanche course, and says GPS sometimes has trouble getting readings in mountain valley environments.
The top of Continental Divide was an Arctic blast, but we made our way partway down and traversed skier's right to the Shoulder. We then did 4 runs on Goat's Eye, which had been on wind hold until nearly noon, but by now was much less windy than the Angel or Divide lifts.
As on my visit 4 years ago at this time, the wind had a detrimental effect upon the snow in many exposed locations that were scoured to a firm surface. The Shoulder was steep with minimal tracks but variably wind packed. With less wind the powder potential is obvious. There were very few people here on a cold Wednesday, so there were often just partly cut powder tracks on the groomed runs below tree line.
Delirium Dive has the most sheltered steeps and is a prime powder stash. Unfortunately it is not yet open due to severe snow stability issues.
I am getting the impression that Sunshine is similar to A-Basin and Mt. Bachelor in that spring may be better than winter much of the time. My days in April 1999 and March 2002 were great, with more snow depth, minimal wind-scoured hard snow and Delirium Dive open with powder conditions.
The Slope Tracker is a GPS that should track your location on the mountain and then uploads software to print out your patch on the mountain. An interesting idea that needs some more work. Mine did not work at all, and Ben's worked on the Continental and Goat's Eye lifts but not on Angel or Standish. Ben has had an avalanche course, and says GPS sometimes has trouble getting readings in mountain valley environments.
