Central California

[GiBo]

Bear was awesome yesterday. Tracked out, but the usual stashes were good. Busier than I thought it would be.

They've gone full retard on the parking though. $25 bucks now for anything past the last turn? Fuck that.

[davieboot]

Bear was awesome yesterday. Tracked out, but the usual stashes were good. Busier than I thought it would be.

They've gone full retard on the parking though. $25 bucks now for anything past the last turn? Fuck that.

Are people paying it? Or is it just jamming the upper parking even more?

[~mikey b]

People pay.

$25 lot was full on Saturday. And upper lot beyond Koala Corner almost up to the sand shed.

It was busy. People sitting on the cafeteria floor having lunch.

[GiBo]

How long until it's going to just be $25 to park period? You know it's coming...

[davieboot]

How long until it's going to just be $25 to park period? You know it's coming...

I'm surprised more California resorts haven't already done it, considering the big players in Colorado already do.

[~mikey b]

DR charges for up- front parking. I forget the daily and seasonal rates.

It's dumping at DR now...



Tending the t-bar for MLK weekend.

[GiBo]

DR charges for up- front parking. I forget the daily and seasonal rates.

It's dumping at DR now...



Tending the t-bar for MLK weekend.

I know, but doing what Bear did would be like if Dodge did that for the entire lot in front of the lodge. At least they've kept it to a minimum.

Looking at bringing Caleb up Monday. Should I expect a MLK Day shit show?

[~mikey b]

Monday is not usually too bad. Saturday and Sunday will be busy.

[~mikey b]

Today was amazing. 16" up top. Took a few trips to Outer Mongolia. Epic

[~mikey b]

http://store.bearvalley.com/bear%20W...l/snowsurv.htm

BV wx info..

[ropeducker]

In fresno right now. Worth staying the night to ski china peak tomorrow?

[meggers]

In fresno right now. Worth staying the night to ski china peak tomorrow?

I wouldn't suggest it. China Peak's snow report today was reporting rain and it was 48 F at 330 today. Take your bike out on the river trail instead!

[~mikey b]

It was WET at DR today but we had fun.


meggers - will you be around Feb 26-28? Race weekend.

[meggers]

It was WET at DR today but we had fun.


meggers - will you be around Feb 26-28? Race weekend.

Will most likely be around, unemployed and unoccupied until round 2 of my higher education starts. Hopefully it'll be a powder day

[~mikey b]

meggers -- I'll be in the full on family ski race movie, but it would be nice to meet you and maybe make a few turns together.

GiBo. -- you rolling up? Freebie in ski patrol office for you.

[skysos]

I wouldn't suggest it. China Peak's snow report today was reporting rain and it was 48 F at 330 today. Take your bike out on the river trail instead!

Was up there today. Everything off-piste was basically unskiable, but the groomers were great and they groomed a lot of terrain. Only had to wait in lift lines a few times for a short amount of time. This was my first time there and I was impressed with the terrain. Looks like it would be awesome on a powder day with widely spaced trees and some steeps.

[~mikey b]

Sounds like DR....

[GiBo]

GiBo. -- you rolling up? Freebie in ski patrol office for you.

Thanks again, Mike!

[~mikey b]

Glad you guys had fun.

[divegirl]

Will anyone be at China Peak February 20-21? I'll be there...

[meggers]

Despite getting slid into by some dumbass on the way to China Peak , we went onwards and had the best day of skiing I have had in years! 12 inches of snow when I rolled up, 24inches when I left, and snow level down to 3k. I got legitimate face shots and white rooms for the first time and years..., wish I had picture, but it was puking too hard.


Now time for a beer and nice chat with my insurance company. CHEERS!

[meggers]

I know no one really reads this thread, but I just want to share some stoke from today

After some of the most incredible days I've ever had at China Peak this week, I headed out to Bear Butte with my Dad's dog, Kaiser.... he's been on lots of spring tours, but this was his first taste of powder, and I think he at least sort of liked it.



on top looking East towards Mt. Givvens



neck deep and not really diggin it



training hike (yesterday)


If anyone ever wants to tour or ski (in good conditions, I'm picky) near Fresno, let me know.... doggo is lazy and I can only get him to do so much

[~mikey b]

I read it! Good stuff. Poppies already?

[meggers]

To answer anyone's question of "is it corn yet?" the answer is no, it's mashed potatoes.

In terms of the freeze/melt cycle, the melt part has been happening super well, it was 35 degrees at 7 am in Huntington (7000ft).

But like the idiots we are, we went up Kaiser Peak anyways.....



The view was nice, but I'm not very good at photos so you can't really tell



my dad looking fly in his XXL thrift store ski pants



we had a few hundred vertical feet of good turns before it turned to slop below 9,500, and after that, my best turns were on a frozen driveway in Lakeshore

All in all though, it was still a good time, and I was more than happy to share it with just my dad, and not a single other person, on the "busiest ski weekend of the year" (just another reason to love CenCal).

But don't come here, it sucks.

[davieboot]

I read it too. Great photos.