From: jym@cruz.denver.sgi.com ()
Subject: In search of the mother of all powder days.....
Keywords: Steamboat Snowbird Alta
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 20:57:01 GMT


Just got back from a 3-day search for the steep and deep.  Thought i'd post
the results:

On Christmas, my wife and i were feeling a little down.  There had'nt been
any new snow in Summit County in three weeks, and we were jonesing for
powder.  Since we bought Summit County passes, we had limited ourselves to
skiing Summit County this year.  But with the bases dwindling, and the tourists
mobbing during Xmas week, we could see no light at the end of the "bad-snow"
tunnel.

So,  we decided to make a three day whilrwind tour of Steamboat and Utah to see
if we could meet up with one of the Pacific storms that were scheduled in around
new years day.  Having moved to Colorado from California a year ago so that we
could ski more, we were feeling kinda silly.  All the snow in Cal[ifornia we'd
been hearing about was driving me nuts.  Had to get some, but couldn't eat crow
and go to CA, so it was off to Utah via Steamboat.

We arrrived in Steamboat on Wednesday night.  Came over Rabbit Ears pass in
Blizzard conditions.  This was good news, since on the other side of the pass,
Steamboat lie waiting with Aspen glades, and new snow.  We woke up Thursday
morning to a foot of new snow.  We chowed some breakfast, and got into the
Gondola line about 1/2 hour before opening, and we were still about 50th
in line, so if ya want the good stuff, the lesson is be there early.  On the
gondola i noticed that the other six people all had season passes, so i
started inquireing about the hill, and where the best places to ski were. Requirements being steep trees and short lift lines.  One of the guys in the
gondola, a local of Steamboat said he would show us around the mountain.
The kid turned out to be one hell of a skier, and before i knew it we were
gliding through Aspens and pines on rolling terrain, under a beautiful sunlit
morning.  Keeping up with my 21 year old guide was no easy task, but Melissa
and i hung in there.  After a few runs in the trees we hiked up to the chutes:
one, two, and three.  After seeing the ski patrol head to two with a stretcher
we decided to go to three and avoid the down skier.  Our guide jumped into the
chute first, and the only part of him i could see on his first turn was his
head.  The snow was extremely deep on this side of the mountain due to
snow blowing into the chutes from the top all night long.  I jumped in behind
him, took three big jump turns in huge snow, before turning 'em towards the
bottom of the chute and out into the untouched snow in the bowl below, for a few
more smooth carving turns, before i got to our guide and gave him a big hug and
a kiss.  Well, i felt like it anyway.

Well after about six hours of this, we decided we'd better get on the road,
and head for "the Bird".  Along the way, we saw elk, deer, and foxes along
US 40.  Animal watching is Melissa's favorite pastime, so she was lovin it. 
If the snow in Utah was 1/2 as good as the animal watching, we were gonna
have the time of our lives.

We stayed in Salt Lake on thursday night.  We woke up to "no new snow".
Bummer.  But there were 80 inch bases at Snowbird and Alta, so we were
certainly better off than Summit County, where bases are STILL at only 30
inches.  If i sound bummed about Summit County, its because i am.

We headed for Alta on Thursday, and had  great day just skiing the chutes off
if the Supreme lift.  Some great steep terrain.  I think you'd have to
ski at Alta for about a month before you could ski all the challenging chutes
that are available there.  The other nice thing about Alta is the lift capacity
is very low for the amount of terrain they have there, so it is fairly easy
to escape the crowds on the mountain.  The lifts lines, though are another
story.

On Thursday night, we stayed at the Snowbird Inn.  Not worth 150 bucks, but
i have had a recurring fantasy ever since the last time i'd skiid Snowbird three
years ago.  The fantasy was to stay at the Snowbird Inn, and wake up to
a foot of new snow with Cottonwood Canyon Road closed.  This would mean short
lift and Tram lines, with access to some of the best terrain in North America.
Well, i lived my fantasy and more.  We woke up to a foot of new snow, and
snow still falling at the rate of 6-7 inches per hour.  The Tram did not
open on time so we started out on one of the lifts, Did about three excellent
advanced runs, in about 1.5 feet of snow.  The snow was getting deeper by the
minute, and we were in heaven.  The tram opened, so we took the 
7 minute ride 3000 feet to the top of the mountain.  All trails accessed by
the Cirque were closed, so we took a line through the sparse trees next to
Little Cloud Bowl which was also closed.  From there we went to the Gad II
chair.  Underneath this chair was some of the steepest and deepest tree
skiing i'd ever seen.  Dropping through these chutes on skiis reminded me
what i thought it would be like if i jumped into a cloud out of an airplane
before i knew that you would just fall through.  Bottomless snow that
just held you to the mountain on the serious steeps, as you turned and dropped
quickly through the huge pines.  Face shots on every turn.  Orgasmic to say
the least.  As i cruised these trees, i gave thanks to the mountain and all
the pleasure it had given us over the last few days.  I felt like the
luckiest person in the world.  The mountain responded with a flood of snow
shooting up from my hips across my chest and into my face, as i made another
turn to bliss.

So in three days, the mountains had returned to us the most spiritually
uplifting moments we have ever experienced.  So, if ya ever have the urge to
quest for the white, do it.  You won't regret it.

jim t