SNOW IN THE PNW 2010!

[fiddler]

Where was I Friday? Well, I tried all week to get the day off without success. Ended up taking my wife to the hospital which sucked. Spent Saturday taking care of business and she told me to go ski Sunday, so I did. Got back to the car at 4 and my phone rang with the news she was being released and to come pick her up. Hopefully they didn't give her the boot too soon but she is doing better.

Those pics are something else, wow!

[doughboyshredder]

The way they run this area one might get the impression that money is all that matters!

Bakers closing date is dictated by their land use agreement with the forest service, and suggesting that the ski area is ran in a greedy fashion is pretty fucking lame. Baker is one of the last refuges from corporate fuck ownership.

[AweShuksan]

Bakers closing date is dictated by their land use agreement with the forest service, and suggesting that the ski area is ran in a greedy fashion is pretty fucking lame. Baker is one of the last refuges from corporate fuck ownership.

I think your attitude is lacking but perhaps you would like to learn more.

Mount Baker Ski Area is run by a private company that pays shareholders with annual dividends (every year I might add). It might not be a mega-corporation but it is a for profit endeavor. And I never said there's anything wrong with that (you must have missed the sarcastic smiley).

The land use agreement with the Forest Service is a negotiated deal. The lease previously ran well into May but, some time ago, new terms were negotiated with a shorter operating season. I have heard the lease payments are based in part on the number of operating days. I believe (but do not know) that the desire to shorten the season was primarily one of profitability.

The ski area is allowed to operate on public land for the good of the public. The ski area would probably not even be financially viable were it not for the fact that the Washington State Department of Transportation plows the 18 or so miles of road from the last town up to the end of the road at the Ski Area. Do you have any idea how much that costs? That is a direct public subsidy. So, in a sense, you are correct, it's more of a socialist affair than a big greedy corporation. But, it's the private entity (Mt. Baker Rec.) that negotiates and signs the lease with the Forest Service and, if they are to fully represent their shareholders, they will negotiate the lease that they feel will be the most profitable for their shareholders (ever heard of fiduciary responsibility?) while the Forest Service is obligated to get the best deal for the public.

However, I think we all could agree that it's shame the equipment sits there unused from the end of April when the skiing can be fantastic into May (or even beyond). I remember when May was the month of spring skiing, sunglasses, sunburns, shorts, slope rash, bikinis, etc. But MBR would be foolish to negotiate to be open during periods that don't pull a profit. That doesn't mean I don't wish they would.

[doughboyshredder]

my bad. I'm just cranky since I've been laying in bed for four days, and haven't been able to ride since Feb 25.

I don't remember Baker ever being open in to May, but I have a shitty memory. I lived up there for a few seasons in the mid to late 90's, was it before that?

In general it bugs the fuck out of me that our ski areas seem to be in a rush to close each spring, but in reality I know that it's the general public that is to blame. People quit going, and like you said ski areas are a for profit business.

[The AD]

Crystal is running a half price Groupon today for spring lift tickets ($25 normally $50). I'm sure they are going fast, so act fast if you're interested.

[Greydon Clark]

In general it bugs the fuck out of me that our ski areas seem to be in a rush to close each spring, but in reality I know that it's the general public that is to blame. People quit going, and like you said ski areas are a for profit business.

A general lament up and down the West Coast. People line up to ski ice in January, but forget skiing exists after April 1st.

Interesting to see how the spring season at Crystal turns out.

[PNWbrit]

Interesting to see how the spring season at Crystal turns out.

At the moment the plan is to have everyone riding there but have them all paying a different price from everyone else.

[AweShuksan]

my bad. I'm just cranky since I've been laying in bed for four days, and haven't been able to ride since Feb 25.

I don't remember Baker ever being open in to May, but I have a shitty memory. I lived up there for a few seasons in the mid to late 90's, was it before that?

That sucks, I hope you get better soon. I know a lot of people have been battling tenacious bugs this season.

My memory is fuzzy too but I recall Baker being open most of May all through the '80's and perhaps into '91 or '92 or so. The oldest trail map I have is '93/'94 and although it does list prices for season passes, it doesn't make ANY mention of what the duration of the season is (perhaps this is about when the change occured). The '95/'96 Trail Map has a calendar which shows the Area open the last weekend in April with the note "Possible May operations depending upon conditions". However, typically, being open into May would not be a serious issue in terms of snow coverage. But those May ski days were often sunny, very warm and very lazy feeling. A nice way to end a long winter.

Now that I see that note I imagine the contract with the Forest Service was somewhat open-ended, ie, if the season went into May the Ski Area would make additional lease payments. The lease is a just a convienient excuse (and makes for good sounding PR) for the Area to close when they deem it unprofitable.

[Eluder]

That sucks, I hope you get better soon. I know a lot of people have been battling tenacious bugs this season.

My memory is fuzzy too but I recall Baker being open most of May all through the '80's and perhaps into '91 or '92 or so. The oldest trail map I have is '93/'94 and although it does list prices for season passes, it doesn't make ANY mention of what the duration of the season is (perhaps this is about when the change occured). The '95/'96 Trail Map has a calendar which shows the Area open the last weekend in April with the note "Possible May operations depending upon conditions". However, typically, being open into May would not be a serious issue in terms of snow coverage. But those May ski days were often sunny, very warm and very lazy feeling. A nice way to end a long winter.

Now that I see that note I imagine the contract with the Forest Service was somewhat open-ended, ie, if the season went into May the Ski Area would make additional lease payments. The lease is a just a convienient excuse (and makes for good sounding PR) for the Area to close when they deem it unprofitable.

Extending a forrest service leases is not as cut and dry as one would hope, you have to factor in all the road clearing up there as well. Also, you have to remember nearly all the employees are seasonal and need to move on to summer jobs so they can afford to accommodate you next winter. Besides, Im ready for touring season anyway.


Oh yeah, Last friday was delicious.

[Ted Striker]

I saw one next to the Beast, no idea who but it looked like they had a "no turn" av strategy. Looked like it worked that time.

Yeah, that was the line. It was the first guys to hit the arm.

That sucks, I hope you get better soon. I know a lot of people have been battling tenacious bugs this season.

He's out for the season with a messed up leg.

My memory is fuzzy too but I recall Baker being open most of May all through the '80's and perhaps into '91 or '92 or so...

Yeah, I have a vague memory of the mountain being open more days per season before they built the White Salmon building, but I've been wrong before...

[The AD]

At the moment the plan is to have everyone riding there but have them all paying a different price from everyone else.

Yeah, they're modeling it on airline ticketing.

[PNWbrit]

Exactly.

"At this stage we'd like to make a gondola pre-boarding annoucement and invite first class ticket holders, members of our platinum frequent sliders program and those travelling with young children."

[hop]

Friday AM Shuksan Arm slayers were tele superstars Paul Kimbrough and Jake Sakson (see Jake's blog for proof of superstarness http://lifeasaquest.com/2011/04/18/s...g-at-mt-baker/). Look for the footage in next year's Powderwhores movie. The other multi-colored extremos out there (aside from yours truly of course!) were a German/Austrian crew. They're the ones that went all nutzo in Elf Chutes on Sunday afternoon in case anyone saw that.

[AweShuksan]

Extending a forrest service leases is not as cut and dry as one would hope, you have to factor in all the road clearing up there as well.

The Forest Service lease is a negotiated contract. My point was that the specific terms are negotiated to suit both parties - I am not talking about modifying a lease that has already been finalized (although that too is possible). Previous leases obviously allowed May operations (as evidenced by the fact that the operation calendar extended through May). The contract in force during the '95-'96 season allowed May operations (as evidenced by the note on the operations calendar that said "Possible May operation dependent on conditions"). May operation was at the discretion of Ski Area management. If their current lease does not provide for operations in May, it is likely due to a lack of desire of management to operate in May (not that the Forest Service frowns upon May operation). BTW, the lease is publically available so if you are interested in the current terms it can be obtained from the Forest Service. I do not know what specific terms were negotiated by MBSA management in the current lease or what the duration of the lease is.

BTW, the road is kept clear whether the Ski Area is open or not so that is not an issue here.

Also, you have to remember nearly all the employees are seasonal and need to move on to summer jobs so they can afford to accommodate you next winter.

I was a seasonal ski area employee at ski areas for nine winters (including Baker). I also worked seasonal summer jobs including commercial fishing and forest fire fighting. I was always glad for May employment (otherwise I would have been unemployed for that month). As it was, I still had time for at least a two-week vacation every year before reporting to my summer job (and at least another two weeks before the ski area opened in November). Like many of my co-workers, I also attended WWU. The academic year extends well into June so employment in May would be welcomed by students as well. So I do not see how laying the entire seasonal crew off early is of benefit to employees (except that it can get them to unemployment benefits sooner if they are not enrolled in school).

Besides, Im ready for touring season anyway.

Aha! Now we get to the real truth!

Truth be told, I am not a huge fan of spring corn snow either. It's simply not very challenging to ski. And I'm also ready for spring/summer backcountry touring to begin. However, if you are an experienced backcountry traveller in the Cascades you are well aware that there is almost always a three-four week period of spring snowpack consolidation in which av danger is high and travel is deep, sloppy and difficult. Backcountry touring is best when the snowpack is still in the winter state (as it is now) or has consolidated into the summer state.

However lift served areas do not go through this awkward month because they are constantly skied out and don't typically get that two feet of slush-n-mush that occurs in the backcountry. So, it would be nice if the Ski Area stayed open through the consolidation period rather than closing when the snowpack is still in the winter state. Besides, keeping the ski area open does not detract from backcountry opportunity.

And who can argue with spring fun on the snow (suntans, bikinis, etc.)?

Oh yeah, Last friday was delicious.

Agreed!

[AweShuksan]

Look for the footage in next year's Powderwhores movie.

Thanks for the heads up! I might have missed it thinking it was about drug addicted prostitutes...

[chmnyboy]

I forgot one, the monster cornice over by Mt. Herman:



Any hucksters out there? LOL!

That thing has gotten HUGE. Was up there on Saturday, unfortunately our cornice cutter wasn't long enough to wrap around it.

[Power_Sauce]

That thing has gotten HUGE. Was up there on Saturday, unfortunately our cornice cutter wasn't long enough to wrap around it.

Poor form...bring a longer rope next time

[Chainsaw_Willie]

LOL! From the NWAC forecast:

http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/3/


Snowpack Analysis

INSTALLING SPRING...

███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE.
Installation delayed....please wait.
Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: Season not found.
Season "Spring" cannot be located. The season you are looking for might
have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
Please try again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++

[ACH]

Crystal was surprising good today.
Chair 6 broke down at about 10:30am and was closed for the rest of the day.
Sad pants.

[Nick_C_123]

Skied S side of hood yesterday. Was hoping to find more pow but most of it got blown off by the wind. Some good leeward pockets, especially a nice one right off the the summit ridge, but a lot of the way down involved bonejarring chattery little iceballs/chickenheads/icesheets. Fun day in the sun though -

headed up


headed down

[bakerpow]

Today was an awesome day at Baker North facing aspects were kept especially yummy, had some dry pow April 23.

Saw a skin track up shuksan today looked absolutely amazing up there. If it was anyone on here please put of photos or videos of that ski.

[Ski to Be]

A short POV video from Alpy today. Nash-High T Great Scott Bowl & far backcountry. A perfect spring day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbyrb...embedded#at=26

[AweShuksan]

Today was an awesome day at Baker North facing aspects were kept especially yummy, had some dry pow April 23.

It was good today but Friday was even better:



Where are all the people?



Even the skied out snow was delicious!



Yumm!!



Cornice drop?

Saw a skin track up shuksan today looked absolutely amazing up there. If it was anyone on here please put of photos or videos of that ski.

I saw that track but don't have a photo. To my naked eye it looked less like a skin track and more like snowshoes. But it was too far for me to tell.

[hop]

Shuksan was absolutely slayed over the past two days. Zack Giffin, Ben Price, and others got a gnar line above and below the hanging glacier on Friday and people also got after the NW Couloir today. Too many parties on White Salmon Glacier to keep track of.

[WK Monoskier]

Saw a skin track up shuksan today looked absolutely amazing up there. If it was anyone on here please put of photos or videos of that ski.

I second that. I heard Grant Gunderson was up their with them so maybe we'll get to see some beyond amazing photos to gaze at.