Tahoe Weather, Conditions, Stoke, and What's Up Thread...

[lepistoir]

Anyone know why Northstar isn't opening to the top? Dookey?

[thefrush]

Anyone know why Northstar isn't opening to the top? Dookey?

Saving for Thanksgiving?

[Ottime]

two fb posts from kirkwood, and nothing about opening 6. lots of people setting up the maze for 5 on the web cam though.

Um, yeah cause it's not gonna open until I get there mid day Wednesday or later. It is on Ottime Hold. There is just simply not enough coverage until I arrive. This all make perfect sense in my head. An it is for your safety.

Bosco, no offense. It is not about being too radgnar, but skiing closed terrain. I'd get into the reasons why, but they've been pretty much mentioned. I know the temptation, and I have crossed that line before, but then I got older an maybe a bit wiser. Or not. But I did get older.

Amped to get the little guy up to the snow.

[skier666]

Even as a kid...Heavenly would close the trees until they had enough snow.

I'm planning on KW this Sunday as long as our Chicago flight makes it to SFO Saturday night without delay

[NakedShorts]

[QUOTE=skier666;3816284]Even as a kid...Heavenly would close the trees until they had enough snow.

I am still waiting to see if this is the new policy at the Wood. Because it never was. EVER.

I am also wondering if 10 will ever open? Because it is GNAR. LOL.

[TahoeBC]

we saw that crew release the slab yesterday. we did a lap one gully west and got a little snow to release as well. it was loading in there with still relatively thin cover with rock outcrops as trigger points.

glad they are all safe. we were a little suprised to see it go as I'm sure they were.

Are you the group, I think 2 splitters and two skiers we passed on the skin track on the way to EB, then saw skinning back up from the road west of that slide?

[Ottime]

I don't think KW is going to close the trees. Different issue at Heavenly. Their trees need much more coverage than Sierra or KW to get the snakes well buried. Partly because they get so much less snow, partly the deadfall and big partly the rock formations.

That said, I can't not recall a time that KW had as much coverage as it had last weekend (and now it has 2-3' more of wet snow) that the top was not open. I can kind of understand them not getting open for that Saturday, as the Friday storm was surprisingly good, and the quick turn around would have been difficult for the old KW, who's standards were different. Coop says it is not a staffing issue, so let's assume it is not that. It leads me to believe that (1) they are waiting for the holiday to increase traffic, but probably more significantly (2) they will not opens parts of the mountain until they are past low tide and moving to typical mid season coverage. Hopefully Vail will come to realize that low tide conditions at the Wood are very much in play, and the typical clientele understands where to go. My fear is a more Vail like customer coming in, getting into trouble, suing the resort, and closures begin to happen.

I have friends who once followed tracks to Kodak. They are not jumpers. But they knew what to do to get themselves some where they felt comfortable getting down. Most folks who ski/ride there are able to. When I've been at Heavenly, I am struck by the number of beginners, or probably more importantly, unaware skiers. Folks who ride once a year, enjoy good views, party at night and have a good time. I can someone like that making poor decisions on Orion's Belt, let alone the lower cirque. Not to mention the skittles and unicorns leading lemmings to their demise in Emigrant Basin.

end blog post/

[NakedShorts]

I knew 11 was not opening yesterday when I saw the snow cat working on what I believe to be the snow tube hill and not on anything relating to opening 11. (Chair 11 = Money Drain and Snow Tube Hill = $ Maker) Got to have something for those holiday kiddies.

I think what makes Kirkwood "Kirkwood" is that if you don't know where you are going you might just find yourself perched.

Obviously, they are saving the snow for somebody. I do not know why they could not have opened more terrain and then just closed mid week like Sugarbowl.

But I am not in resort management, so what do I know.

I do like Powdorks continous banter with The Coop on The FB.

BTW 4-6 must have been in the hundreds of ticket buyers because 16 - 22 is greater than 4-6.

[coop64]

Hola,
Chair 6 for Wednesday.
Coop

[otto parts]

^^
dang, it really is on Ottime hold.

[Bosco]

Well, after getting yellow-carded for skiing closed terrain at Heavenly on Saturday, my stubborn, mule-headed buddy thought he'd outsmart ski patrol and skin up to East Peak from Stagecoach yesterday to ski some untracked snow. But, he got greedy and instead of staying out of site he decided to take a ride up Dipper before heading down, and got popped again before getting to the chair. Luckily, he only got a warning this time. He did say the skiing was very good.

I just tuned up my groomers and will reside myself to skiing them for awhile.

[bodywhomper]

i was always under the impression that resort mgmt could consider skiing in a closed area as trespassing, and if it really wanted, mgmt could hold the 'trespasser' for law enforcement who could then search the individual among other things.... i've observed part of this occurring many years ago in mammoth (at least that's how it was explained to me). the dude was skiing in a permanently closed area, so i'm not sure how it applies to the areas that are temporarily closed. maybe somebody here could clarify this....

cheers

[schuss]

Honestly, I think the reason they haven't opened is because they probably aren't staffed up yet and people other than passholders aren't going to be doing vacation weekends that weren't already planned around Thanksgiving. I hate to say it, but from a $$$ perspective it makes sense.

That and the whole Ottime timing factor.

PS - Pick me up on your way up Wednesday.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

These are Enginerd's shots of me from two weekends ago (not this weekend with all the rain/snow mix) - I forgot to post them up back then as he sent them to me after I posted up my shots. Figured they were worth the belated post.

[powdork]

Well, after getting yellow-carded for skiing closed terrain at Heavenly on Saturday, my stubborn, mule-headed buddy thought he'd outsmart ski patrol and skin up to East Peak from Stagecoach yesterday to ski some untracked snow. But, he got greedy and instead of staying out of site he decided to take a ride up Dipper before heading down, and got popped again before getting to the chair. Luckily, he only got a warning this time. He did say the skiing was very good.

he did absolutely nothing wrong in this case. i skin up from stage all the time and have for years, stopping and talking with mountain ops and patrol as I go. As far as i know going to the chair that way is fine too. last year i took nacho up to east peak on an almost daily basis while I did laps and ashley watched him, or vice versa.
riding a chair with a valid pass and then going back home via stagecoach raises some issues. but nothing that can't be avoided by either being careful or being nice and forthright.

[powdork]

i was always under the impression that resort mgmt could consider skiing in a closed area as trespassing, and if it really wanted, mgmt could hold the 'trespasser' for law enforcement who could then search the individual among other things.... i've observed part of this occurring many years ago in mammoth (at least that's how it was explained to me). the dude was skiing in a permanently closed area, so i'm not sure how it applies to the areas that are temporarily closed. maybe somebody here could clarify this....

cheers

permanently closed areas can result in arrest. i would under no circumstances ever allow a resort employee to search or detain me, but the sheriff will when and if he arrives and and resort employees would be well within their rights to record and confiscate any illegal substances you tried to get rid of before the sheriff arrives. then again, i don't ski in permanently closed areas. also not certain about temporary closures.

[Bosco]

Thanks, this is good to know. I rather skin from our condos at Stagecoach until it opens rather than drive around and take the Gondola, only to ski groomers.

he did absolutely nothing wrong in this case. i skin up from stage all the time and have for years, stopping and talking with mountain ops and patrol as I go. As far as i know going to the chair that way is fine too. last year i took nacho up to east peak on an almost daily basis while I did laps and ashley watched him, or vice versa.
riding a chair with a valid pass and then going back home via stagecoach raises some issues. but nothing that can't be avoided by either being careful or being nice and forthright.

[gimpy]

found what seems to be the same layer the folks in the video did on a loaded ne aspect about 9.5k at carson pass. prolly the surface hoar we found last midweek is now a layer w/ heavy slab on top. c5 q1 16" down. ski penetration isnt skiing deep enough to trigger it but its there

[Flexon Phil]

Anyone know why Northstar isn't opening to the top? Dookey?

Comstock was turning today but no one was on it. Maybe tomorrow.

[TurxSki]

As the Dad pointed out, it's mostly because the Heave trollers don't want to have to come into the sketchy terrain & rescue you. Plain & simple. (And we do know that excellent riders do get caught out by hidden stuff in the early season!)
...At least that's what they've yelled at us in past seasons when we've been seen "exploring".

Talking of disappointment...NoStars couldn't even keep Vista running smoothly in the rain on Saturday.
You'd think with only 2 "real" lifts going, they would be able to "get 'er done".

[jahroy]

Is anybody heading to Tahoe on Wednesday that would be interested in giving a buffoon from San Jose a ride?

I will gladly buy your gas.

I have no gear... Just a small backpack.

I can also get myself to the city (or elsewhere in the area).

[la_banda]

Hey all,

i do not mean to but in, I am stoked that people have made some good turns this season at alpine and kwood. pretty stoked as it is getting too cold at the lake. anyway -

The UCD Waterski Team is hosting a benefit this year for Disabled Sports Far West. They run the incredible adaptive sports program over at Alpine and have been doing so for over 40 years. My teammates and I usually ski Alpine/Squaw, and have been impressed with their work for years. We all love the fact that we can waterski and snowski, and it is an integral part of our lives. We feel the need to recognize and support Far West because of their commitment to helping people get outside and have great new experiences.

Thus, thanks to Red Bull Media House and Brain Farm, we are hosting a free showing of "The Art of Flight" on Wednesday, November 28 at 8:30 in Rock Hall/Chem 194 on campus at UCD. It will be on a massive screen, 400 person hall, and in Blu-ray.

The screening is completely free, but we will be taking donations at the doors. We have worked hard to put together a good raffle as well. Lib Tech, Red Bull Media House and Discrete have all been incredibly supportive. we are still working on getting some lift tickets in the raffle, in addition to the new goggles, hats, and gloves that have been donated.

I invite all mags, and all interested, to join us as it should be a great night. Come support adaptive sports and see one of the best mountain sports films ever.

thanks








RECAP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH FREE SCREENING OF THE ART OF FLIGHT AT UCD
TO BENEFIT DISABLED SPORTS FAR WEST
DOORS AT 8:15 AND MOVIE AT 8:30

[snapt]

Very cool, DSFW is good peeps

[powdork]

Thanks, this is good to know. I rather skin from our condos at Stagecoach until it opens rather than drive around and take the Gondola, only to ski groomers.

for the record, the fact that nobody said anything doesn't necessarily mean it was ok. the puppy was pretty cute so that definitely helped i'm sure.

as to patrol not wanting to go in there. why wouldn't they? these aren't particularly dangerous conditions and they can do it with a sled if they want. this is the kind of shit we are talking about. this is upper comet, last thursday.


this pic of nacho under the sign line a ways back was the same day. i was heading home but upper olympic was so good i turned back around to go to upper comet

[LongShortLong]

[QUOTE=NakedShorts;3816289]

Even as a kid...Heavenly would close the trees until they had enough snow.

I am still waiting to see if this is the new policy at the Wood. Because it never was. EVER.

quitcherbitchen an go skiin' The only thing keeping you outta KW's trees is you sitting on your a$$ behind your keyboard. Let's put it this way - the drain was open for anybody stupid enough to go in it - I was. And there were 6 other tracks and one snowboarder booting through the creek in there. The trees elsewhere had good cover and skied awesome. If opening weekend is any indication, KW will be as fun as ever. Go enjoy it before some tard lawyer takes away more of our freedom. I mean stay home!