Crystal 25/2 - It Doesn't get any better

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Blinkyjoe

I'm guessing everyone heard about the avy fatality at Crystal. Did anyone here know the guy?

Yes

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

talk passed about regarding an avie death on the backside Saturday. Condolences to the family, but I never understand why folks go ski those chutes during these storm cycles, particularly with rising tempertures and upside down cake: cold pow lower down, heavier stuff on top.

and yes

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...52#post1150252

**Blinkyjoe** · 02-26-2007, 01:27 PM

Thanks, I shoulda looked harder.

**PeachesN'Cream** · 02-26-2007, 01:28 PM

++ vibes to friends and family. i hope he's in the big whiteroom in the sky.

lets all be realy safe out there okay. i had such a great time skiing with a good slice of the PNW crew yesterday. the thought of loosing any of you would be truly crushing.

**Buster Highmen** · 02-26-2007, 01:40 PM

I know a guy from there named Stan. But I'm numb to his death, not out of callousness, but the surreality of it all. And maybe not really wanting to handle the sadness and hopelessness of it.

The cascades are generally safer because the slides usually happen during the storm cycles, we don't get the weird subsurface layer transformations as much as the rockies or intermountain areas. So I just never go OB until a while after the storm cycles.

And while I'd like to convey as much respect and support for those close to the victim, I'd rather think about what a great day we had yesterday and how truely fortunate I am to know y00s k00ks and be able to rip around in all those stashes with y00. THAT's the BEST!!!

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 01:58 PM

Added color - Girlski's harassment of the two 8 year old CMAC rippers in line at chair 6. The smack down they handed to her by demonstrating the inside kick turn (my hip joints hurt just thinking about it again) and then insisting that it'd cost her >$1 million to ski with them.

**rehabit** · 02-26-2007, 02:42 PM

Nicely slayed folks.

Sounds like a grrreat day with an even better crew! Was Saturday good too? Perhaps this thread was destined not to have pics... Greenmachine sent an image to my cell, but it didn't come though. I considered cleaning up everyones leftovers today, but I'm almost too sore to walk after my first bell to bell day this year at Red Saturday, and trying to keep up with Beaver on Sunday. Sounds like you couldn't miss wherever you went at x-tal! Anyone ski Upper E?

**girlski0912** · 02-26-2007, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Added color - Girlski's harassment of the two 8 year old CMAC rippers in line at chair 6. The smack down they handed to her by demonstrating the inside kick turn (my hip joints hurt just thinking about it again) and then insisting that it'd cost her >$1 million to ski with them.

Let's be clear here...that was $1 million to ski with them and they weren't even going to carry my skis for me. I'm really glad that I gave that "kid" turn a shot too (the 8 year olds insisted that I try it)...my hips will never be the same. I've seen limbs contorted that way one other time and it involved a car accident.

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by rehabit

Anyone ski Upper E?

Second run after doors. Money.

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by girlski0912

Let's be clear here...that was $1 million to ski with them and they weren't even going to carry my skis for me. I'm really glad that I gave that "kid" turn a shot too (the 8 year olds insisted that I try it)...my hips will never be the same. I've seen limbs contorted that way one other time and it involved a car accident.

I think I overheard one of those 8 year olds mentioning how embarrassed he was at being hit on by the cougar..... can anyone confirm his definition.... is it simply by age or does age difference count?

**nutcase** · 02-26-2007, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by girlski0912

Nordica Blowers, 185...110 under foot. They are really fucking big and I spent all of yesterday either really like them or really getting worked by them. I can't decide if it was the wide girth, the deep snow, or the length that made figuring these little (HUGE) bitches out so difficult. The last run of the day I finally felt comfortable opening them up and letting them run and they were delicious. I reiterate...they are really freaking big.

I know exactly what yu mean. I was having the same issue with my KW fats at 116 under foot. After a few hours of deep pow and one ho chi minh my legs were completely dusted.

Yesteray was in fact just about the deepest I have ever skied. Ridiculous. The one run I took down northway bowl soon after the rope dropped was best run of the season for sure - and possibly of all time.

**Monique** · 02-26-2007, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

I think I overheard one of those 8 year olds mentioning how embarrassed he was at being hit on by the cougar..... can anyone confirm his definition.... is it simply by age or does age difference count?

Dude, how many friggin' times do I have to tell you: it's neither age nor age difference, it's je nais sais quoi. For example, I am a lot older than girlski, and typically there's a bigger age difference between me and my dates than there is between her and her dates (her recent interaction with 8 year olds excepted). However, she is clearly a cougar and I clearly am not.

and that completes the "revenge for describing Xtal powder while I am out of the state" portion of this message.

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Monique

it's je nais sais quoi..

Hell if I know - but the fucking French probably have the perfect phrase for it.

You were missed this weekend and as mentioned we were all too scared to call you from the hill.

**girlski0912** · 02-26-2007, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Monique

and that completes the "revenge for describing Xtal powder while I am out of the state" portion of this message.

Good...glad that you got it out of your system. Once I was informed that you were in Santa Fe until Thursday, I started feeling really really bad about divulging much more than "Today was good, we missed you."

**Arty50** · 02-26-2007, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by girlski0912

Nordica Blowers, 185...110 under foot. They are really fucking big and I spent all of yesterday either really like them or really getting worked by them. I can't decide if it was the wide girth, the deep snow, or the length that made figuring these little (HUGE) bitches out so difficult. The last run of the day I finally felt comfortable opening them up and letting them run and they were delicious. I reiterate...they are really freaking big.

My god people. You're slipping. How could no one have touched this yet? It's like forgetting to hit 'record' on the camcorder.

**Chainsaw_Willie** · 02-26-2007, 08:44 PM

Wow. All this gushing about how awesome it was has me almost jealous, then I remember that yesterday I was skiing at Alta in a blizzard and getting schooled by some of the best in the biz. That makes it okay, for now.

Seriously - was yesterday at Xtal better than the day-or-three-after-Thanksgiving powfest? I remember some serious gushing about how fantastic and best ever those days were, and I have to agree, having touched that particular nirvana myself (21"+ of untracked blower - remember? See Avatar.) With no personal experience yesterday, I obviously can't compare the two - so is the collective memory short or have we seriously seen an escalation from the early season insanity that was? If so, all I can say is "a season for the record books" and "well played!"

Hope to make some turns with y'all again soon (Saturday???). Cheers!

Edit to add: Even if the collective memory is short the stoke is apparent, so "well played!" regardless.

**cmor** · 02-26-2007, 08:47 PM

Thanksgiving powfest was the best mellow powday I've ever had at Crystal. This past friday was a close second.

**PNWbrit** · 02-26-2007, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Chainsaw_Willie

Seriously - was yesterday at Xtal better than the day-or-three-after-Thanksgiving powfest?

Really think it was betterer. I heard several Crystal "lifers" outside of our merry band making comments like best ever or never seen it as good. Wasn't necessarily a matter of depth (telem and snowphone reports certainly didn't communicate it) or even powderyness but somehow in combination just pure perfection. Even on the first ride up Chinook & Rex it didn't look like it was going to be that good and I've probably skiied Doors a few times when it's been deeper this season. Perhaps it was the slightly upside down snow that was still very light (for here) on top?

Glad you got some at Alta.

**Northway** · 02-28-2007, 09:38 PM

was able to get up for an afternoon at crystal today. On top of the weekend's deepness was more deepness.

It was on and off white out blizzard dumping, and sunbreaks today, alternating every 5 minutes or so. A fantastic day to hide away in trees where the goods lay deep and soft.

sunbreak.

chair 6 looking the way i like it, empty and snowy. the two people ahead of me made me wait one whole chair.

sasquatch sighting in the sun.

another great day in the mountains.