Paedde’s US Snow Safari 2006 – Trip Report and Pics

[Endlessseason]

Holy Monotonous, Batman! How can you stand that much deep, untracked powder day after day after day?

[Endlessseason]

BTW, you again made the totally right call staying right where you are. The 'insane' storm predicted here fizzled into a couple of feet for the whole system. You've been getting that much each day for days.
Instead of canceling the Bachelor road trip, I prolly shoulda just dropped everything and joined you in Tahoe.
Meh. What do I know, I just live in the west. I'm not some visiting foreigner with impeccable timing.

[paedde]

Bachelor got 11” in 24 and 40” in 48 but the driving would have been a nightmare.

My body told me to stop this a long time ago but would you do that? 10 days to go…

One thing is for sure. As soon as I am back home I need powder otherwise I won’t go skiing at all. At least for a while.

You should get some snow almost every day for about a week

[sculhane]

Pat,

Did you really buy a season pass?? I guess things must be real good in Tahoe... Great reading, this is indeed the trip of a lifetime in terms of snow. I can't believe how lucky you are with the snow conditions. When I did 8 weeks in 04, I had maybe 5-6 great days (out of 46).

You will need 8 weeks of heli to top this up next time

Just saw the snow report at Sierra... 22". Sick.

Steve

[Tap]

PM me (either of you) if you come to Bachelor and i will give you a tour

sweet TR (of the year!)

[kchri]

This is the most awsome TR I have ever read...

Sir, your timing is impecable and you are now the envy of an entire nation...

[paedde]

Day 43 Powder day but I’m sick

I’ve got an upset stomach over night. Not that I wouldn’t get any runs in today but they are more like Bedroom to Bathroom. Not very challenging. Flat like a beginner area but tiring.

I’m sure Kirkwood, Homewood or Alpine have awesome conditions. Other resorts as well but on a weekend I would choice between these resorts.

It’s now 10am and I’m better already but absolutely not power to go skiing.

Next weeks forecast is driving me crazy. Should I stay here, go for a day or two to Mammoth and come back or should I got towards Mt. Bachelor.

Only 10 days to go.

[paedde]

Day 44 Recovery

Only Sierra got some decent snow over night and this resort is a zoo on weekends. Up to 30min lines according to locals.
In addition I need another day to be in good shape again. By tomorrow I’m ready for more powder. Not sure if there will be enough but it’s going to be a partly day. Anything between 5 and 12” is possible.

Decided to stay at Lake Tahoe for a few more days maybe even till next Sunday. After this either to SLC for a few days or Mammoth for the big final of my trip.

Now the best part of today’s report: Forecast for Tuesday changed from light snow to heavy snow. 1 to 3 feet on the way.

[paedde]

Day 45 Powder day at Alpine Meadows

Not too good at first but then….

North Lake Tahoe got a few more inches then the south part. Alpine reported 9-12”.

Just like last Friday I could not find the reported amount at first. It was more like 0-12” rather heavy and wind affected stuff. Each turn was different and my first run from “Summit Six” down “Waterfall” didn’t even fulfil the “PowderDay” requisites. I know I’m spoiled but if you have to watch every single turn not knowing if you make it on ice or knee deep wind drifts is not good enough. There was no other way then to go for a quick mountain tour to find to goodies.

2nd run Scott Chute still not good enough
3rd run along Lakeview Chair already nice but not steep enough
4th run South Face and yes that was what we are all taking about. Boot deep powder
5th run South Face again more towards Big Bend Bowl and that was the best I could find. Boot to knee deep, some faceshots and no old crust at all.

Unfortunately I was not the only one to find the best stuff. I have never seen so many guys on this side of the mountain at least not on a weekday. No lines at the new high speed quad (was a slow one last year) but it got tracked within just over 2h. I had to try one of my favourite spots called Sherwood Cliffs and Hidden Knolls which was sweet and deep as well. Back on the top of “Summit Six” it went for a little hike on High Traverse and this was the end of the day. After this easy and short hike is was so exhausted that I had to call it a day right after a nice run down “CB Chute” and one more down Hidden Knolls. I just didn’t recover and felt sick again.

I’m already better and I should be ok by tomorrow morning. Could be the next epic day.

Nice but not steep enough


Boot deep and nice


Nice as well


The real thing

[paedde]

PM me (either of you) if you come to Bachelor and i will give you a tour

sweet TR (of the year!)

Will be next year. Forecast is looking good for Lake Tahoe and I have to be in Las Vegas in 10 days. Thanks for the offer!

[paedde]

Pat,

Did you really buy a season pass?? I guess things must be real good in Tahoe... Great reading, this is indeed the trip of a lifetime in terms of snow. I can't believe how lucky you are with the snow conditions. When I did 8 weeks in 04, I had maybe 5-6 great days (out of 46).

You will need 8 weeks of heli to top this up next time

Just saw the snow report at Sierra... 22". Sick.

Steve

Yep I have a season pass. Sierra is usually not affected by heavy wind. Other resorts have a lot of chairs on wind hold. Tree skiing is so good and you get the entire vertical by using one chair. I already ski for free as it is only 199.—

I think I’m going to try the same thing next year but there’s now way to get it better.

[paedde]

Day 46 “Epic” Powder day at Homewood

8 outta 10

This morning the decision was not too difficult.

Road to Kirkwood closed due to white out
Road to Sierra closed due to avalanche control for unknown time
Alpine lifts many on wind hold
Mt. Rose reported only 8” and I expected the chutes to be closed + wind

Homewood reported at 7am 10” at the base and 20” on top. After a very slow and annoying drive along US 50 and 28 (89 closed for almost 2 weeks now) I arrive at 9:30 at the base. Less then 50 cars and 2 feet of new snow let me forget about the drive. I went to Ellis at first and had about 2 to 3 feet of light snow all the way down. Now why only 8 outta 10. Short and steep enough on top followed by rather flat stuff too flat for this amount of snow. Then after a few minutes of fun an endless ride on a long and extremely slow chair. Next into Hobbit Land where the snow was 3 to 4 feet deep. Almost too deep.

I had to find something better with less time on the chair. Quail Chair was the choice and that was really much better. From the top down Drainpipe, short traverse and then Double Trouble. Absolutely fantastic. Waist deep and just like on the whole mountain nobody there. I had first tracks along the chair at 10:30! I had to do it again and again for the next few hours. The mountain was so deserted that I once had the whole run and chair for about 45min to myself. At least I couldn’t see anyone else. This was also a problem. How can I possible get any pic if there is nobody?

Till 1pm I never had anyone on the same chair but then finally I met Jay. He had only and hour to go but was interested to ski together and he even had a camera. I hope the get the pics soon.

As I said this mountain is not really my piece of cake. Too flat, too slow and the limited vertical. On the good side the not existing powder competition. Without the negative aspects this day would have been 10 outta 10 and real EPIC.

Instead of a video I took some continues shots (Well done Jay!)

1st Scene

[paedde]

2nd Scene

[skiaholik]

Do you have any idea how much you fucking rule? Not only my vote for TR of the year, but definitely Hall of Fame quality. This is the true storm chasing story. Hopefully we make enough money before moving out to Jackson next year to be able to chase the goods like you are. Though I doubt we'll be able to do it for 8wks straight.

[Lone Star]

wow. keep killin' it!!!!

[paedde]

I wish everyone could have a trip like this. That’s how skiing in heaven has to be. More then 6 weeks and powder, powder, powder and powder again.

[paedde]

Day 47 Powder day at Alpine Meadows

7 outta 10

Today’s decision was based on yesterdays wind hold and 15-21” in 24h. Storm Total 28-38”

Another great powder day but first I almost had a nervous break down while driving from Heavenly to Alpine. First it was once again snow coverage and icy all the way which made some guys driving like they have never seen snow before. After about an hour at Incline Village one of the very slow snow removal trucks was in front of us driving with about 15miles/h all the way to Tahoe City. It took another hour! For heavens shake how could this guy never let the entire 276 cars behind him pass?

Therefore the day started an hour late. Quite a lot of cars in the parking lot and the most obvious stuff already tracked. Most likely yesterday summit six was not closed all day. Hiking and backcountry 100% open and this promised a lot of good stuff on the backside.

Boot to knee deep occasionally a little bit affected by the wind. Bluebird day and not a lot of competition as soon as it was all about “earn your turns”. Ski patrol performed some serious avalanche control but it had to happen. One guy jumped down a cornice and triggered a slide. Nothing happened but to be sure I took my avalanche transceiver and check for any signal. Now the thing I don’t get. There where at least 15 guys within the range of my transceiver but nothing. In addition there was not even one guy having any other safety equipment like a shovel or a probe. This is not the first time that I checked for a signal. I think California is so far the spot with the most careless backcountry skiers I have experience. I tried the same thing at Jackson Hole and my transceiver went almost crazy.

After 12:30 the next storm approached very fast and by 1pm ski patrol started to close the hiking and backcountry step by step.

[paedde]

[RootSkier]

[kona12]

Pasdde, you are my hero. Where are you going to be tomorrow because there is sure to be powder there!

[paedde]

It will be epic for sure. All resorts should get 1 to 3 feet till tomorrow evening. Could be even more. Most likely Sierra. Are you going to be there too?

[paedde]

Day 48 No powder over night – no skiing

Yes I know I could have gone skiing today but after checking today’s snow reports at 6am I decided to take it easy or let’s say sleep for another hour or two. No new snow within the last 24h at any Tahoe resort.

Yes I know and I can hear you saying:

He is so spoiled……

Yes, you are right

I’m spoiled

and even more important:

I’m so addicted to powder

1 to 3 feet in the forecast from tonight till Saturday noon. Could be even more.

[paedde]

Day 49 Powder day at Sierra at Tahoe

8-10” official report but once again it was more. Not a lot more but boot to knee deep tree skiing all day long. As always almost not powder competition.

Today I realised how closed I’m to the end of this trip. I couldn’t stop thinking of how I could do this all year round. I came to the flowing solution:

“ Personal photographer is seeking for a rich (very rich) addicted skier/boarder for year round powder skiing. Would take care of the planning and booking of heliskiing. Please send offers to snowaddicted@gmx.net”

Any other proposals are very welcome.

[paedde]

Day 50 Travel to Salt Lake City

I had in mind to ski today and travel tomorrow but after checking the snow reports I had to change the plan. No resort got any good amounts of snow over night.

After checking the forecast again for California as well as for Utah I put all my stuff in the car and left Heavenly at 8am. After 580 miles and 7:45h net driving I arrived in Sandy. Just like last year an easy drive. Some flurries and some rain but still very good conditions.

As always I was speeding about 10miles/h over the limit. For quite some time I was wondering how long it takes till the fun police is going to stop me. Well today it happened. Somewhere in Nevada out of nowhere I had a police care behind me asking me to stop. The guy first asked me for the driving license and the rental agreement followed by the question why I’m in the US. I started to tell him about my storm chasing trip. He asked more and more question about how I plan everything and how I liked different resorts. He is a skier and likes powder too. When he asked me if I did the speeding on purpose I said “YES” and he ask way. I told him that I can’t miss the next storm and that the storm was speeding too. He found the whole story very funny and told me that I would have to pay U$ 104 for the 87 instead of 75 miles/h but he also thinks that the day passes at some resort are so expensive that I should better spend the money for two more days of skiing. He told me to slow down and let me go with a “Warning”. I did slow down from 87 to 83 and continued my trip.

Forecast is looking good. I don’t know yet which resort I’m going to ski tomorrow. I’ll check the reports and decide based on new snow and it’s a weekend. If possible Solitude or Snowbasin due to the short lines.

[cloudpeak]

I'm not sure why, but this seems more like dickwaving than a proper TR. it could simply be because i'm jealous as all hell, but i somehow doubt it. As in I just revisited Arty's Hall-of-Fame Alaska TR and didn't get the slightest notion of dickwaving. Jealous? YES! but dickwaving? no. In fact, this may be the first TR to come across as more dickwaving than stoke on these boards, but it could be just me

It's just you.