Finally

[Buster Highmen]

It had been building like a huge wad of anticipation, hunger, desire, lust and aspiration. Teased by prodding the webcams, snowphones and stories, we've waited and hoped and bit our nails, cursed the gods, made feeble attempts to slake our needs by whatever lapdance was available.

Finally it has snowed and all the pent up agonizing was released.

I went up with my bro-in-law and rolled into the lot at Crystal at 7:45 a.m., 1 and a quarter hours before the lifts were scheduled to open. It was a seething madhouse, we barely made the upper lot and strategized on tickets and lift line: he got in line to pick up tickets and I went to dig in a spot in the liftline.

Saw Tibaher and Rusty while waiting for the lifts to open. When they did, we were in the 4th chair and rallied up to the top of Rex. I got the first Door totally clean, virgin 4'+, bottomless powder and ripped down the frontside as fast as I've ever gone. Then did it again in the third Door, where I had to stay to one side to geta virgin line. We hooked up with Rusty for that second run and then headed over to chair 6 where we caught firsties down the throne bowl and another set of clean lines in the Hamburger chutes. As things got skied out (we had to cross tracks), we hooked up with Tibaher, Bomber, girlski, BC-FLOW and some other of the old guard. Though cut up by 10:30, it was still soft. SQ99 was conspicuously absent.

Sometime about then, we got naughty and ducked a line and scored more clean lines in bottomless raging turns, but lost girlski, et al. On the next lap, we hooked up again and headed down powder bowl which was OK, but getting bumpy.

So we went to poke around West Face, then the N rib of Grubstake down into Snorting Elk which was also OK, but getting pounded. Finally, they opened upper E and we hit that, skiing the sun gooshed guanch, cutting short so we could traverse back to the base of Rex and rolled over to Forest Queen for another shot at six.

I think the posse was about 9 people and we again went and got naughty and it was good. girlski said her naughty bits got tingly. After that I was dead and slithered down to the Elk for a beer @ 2:00.

Anyway, it was like the first and last day of the season and a sunny pow day at that. It was a pleasure to spend it with Treb, Trusty, Curlski, FeeCee-Blow, tibaher, bomber and their cadre of pals.

Finally skied with girlski and bc-flow (t-line doesn't count) who each rip. Finally got to ski with Rusty, Bomber and tibaher this season in pow at my fav little nowhere. From the sounds of it, it may be a while before I get to ski with that triumvirate, so best of luck to each of you Rusty, Bomber and Tibaher in your futures. May they be rich and rewarding and remember that there'll always be fresh lines for you somewhere out in Silver Basin.

Oh yeah, and thanks Splat, Planquer des Dos, Tyrone, et al, I got my #69 bros. I may cellar them for a bit, the conditions are not ripe for fresh boards.

Today is a special person's birthday (aside from Sq99) so I'm staying home to warm the hearthstone. I hope you're all getting some more turns out there.

[Dexter Rutecki]

I'd say you guys were due for some snow...Glad it finally got to you (I know, it's been getting to you for months). Ridiculous winter.

[iceman]

So glad you guys finally got some...it's about damn time.

Rip it while ya got it, B-man.

[Rusty Nails]

A perfect day at Crystal = meeting up with BH early, ski and traverse around for fresh tracks together all day long, drink a couple at the Snorting Elk whilst rehashing the glory. Buster -- thanks for all the turns we've made in the last couple years -- we've definitely shared some absolutely epic days. I may be moving on, but I'm sure our paths will cross again soon. The rest of you PNW mags, thanks for making the best of an otherwise dismal season. Roadtrips with the 'Bu and Squirrel, a couple local days with da Flow, Girlski, Tihaber and Bomber plus some cross-pollination with the Baker and Oregon crews. It's been a fun couple years.

I'll see ya when I see ya and will definitely try to put up some photos of the Euro trip with all the Finnish girls next week,

Rusty

[Twoplanker]

Oh yeah, and thanks Splat, Planquer des Dos, Tyrone, et al, I got my #69 bros.

Thank you so much for your patience, your support, and your understanding. You, my friend, are a Bro.

[splat]

Double ditto on that, Bust Upon High. You're the tits.

[tibaher]

From the sounds of it, it may be a while before I get to ski with that triumvirate, so best of luck to each of you Rusty, Bomber and Tibaher in your futures...

don be so sure my friend. I am a midwest kid w/ a west coast heart so the right coast won't see the likes of me for quite some time.

BTW best day of the year for me yesterday! Thanks everyone for sharing it with us. I did get one pic of Bomber bombing door #2 to commemoraste the day but it's barely post worthy. I'll post it anyway maybe later in the week.
Seems like a very hard thing to stop and take pics whilst foaming at the mouth for the goods... and the goods were gotten. Sounds like today woulda been good too with S/B opening, but I couldn't miss the Piss Pass run's we had instead at Alpental. btw no lines there at all today, and extra gloppy goodness at the bottom.

Rusty, really glad we got to turn 'em together one last time before you depart. Sara said the same.

[Rusty Nails]

Rusty, really glad we got to turn 'em together one last time before you depart. Sara said the same.

Right on! See ya on the flip side!

[Squirrel99]

SQ99 was conspicuously absent.

Uhhh, not conspicuously absent- but riding Alpental 1st chair, Sir!

What a weekend. Pics forthcoming from Alpental and Crystal. This weekend was the one we waited for in December, again in January, yet again in February, then gave up all hope in March- and blam! Here it is April 2-3.

Alpental kicked so much ass on Saturday- rode bell to bell, followed that up with another bell to bell day at Crystal. Both days knocking down fresh deep snow at 3pm.

We got some good maggot cam footage today at Crystal, and some good pics. Saw Extreeski, AD, Shin, Graupl, Polish Midget, Monique, Girlski, and BC-Flow- and special appearance by The Spud along with many other characters. Beers were had at the Elk- and good vid was shot. TR with pics forthcoming as soon as I find out where I put my stupid USB cable

But, wow. What an incredible weekend!

[snorkeldeep]

niiiiice.. brings back memories

btw - do any of y'all know my buddy woody from crystal? crazy dude that smokes a lot and has a cabin about 20min down the road or so near the campgrounds.

[iggyskier]

niiiiice.. brings back memories

btw - do any of y'all know my buddy woody from crystal? crazy dude that smokes a lot and has a cabin about 20min down the road or so near the campgrounds.

does he have a beard and a one-piece and talk about schnaps and when he was a sailor? I've meant this guy up there a few times now and he is super hard corp. Hes there everytime ive been up there, old straight skis and he eat shit a lot. Looks really out of control and just charges. Ive seen him in green valley mostly. He is nuts and awesome. If it is the same guy the best thing he has said to me thus far was :
"You're never too drunk for chicken"
That is the last thing he said to my friend and me as we got off the lift. It was hysterical.