Snow in the PNW 20-21: We may have Corona but Corona doesn't have us!

[ridinshockgun]

Drive up FS70 and camp behind where the semi truck is parked.

It is typically better if you pull up beside it on the downhill side and park there.

[PNWbrit]

I highly doubt your card won't scan. Given the language of the reservation system, I bet they will check what days you rode and if you had a reservation. Then take action retroactively.

I highly doubt this.

[pyromaniacman129]

There were rumors of pass checking in greenwater or something. Curious if anyone went today and can report back. Also wonder if it'll only be weekends.
Hoping a mag skied today and can report back.

[Stairmaster]

I highly doubt this.

I could be totally wrong too, but if you know something we don't then please do share

[The AD]

There were rumors of pass checking in greenwater or something. Curious if anyone went today and can report back. Also wonder if it'll only be weekends.
Hoping a mag skied today and can report back.

At a minimum they should put up an electronic sign near the ranger station in Enumclaw saying no reservation = no skiing.

[PNWbrit]

There were rumors of pass checking in greenwater or something. Curious if anyone went today and can report back. Also wonder if it'll only be weekends.
Hoping a mag skied today and can report back.

There is no mention of this and the resulting traffic jam it would cause on the various GW FB pages.

[The AD]

There is no mention of this and the resulting traffic jam it would cause on the various GW FB pages.

I can't imagine Crystal could block a public highway to check passes. They'd have to say it's a protest to get approval.

[Buster Highmen]

There would be a sudden explosion of cabins around Greenwater with residents needing to access them.

[PNWbrit]

There would be a sudden explosion of cabins around Greenwater with residents needing to access them.

As happened during the recent road closure while they were running twice daily convoys through the slide area.

[Buster Highmen]

surprise!

[gregL]

Doesn't look too bad for opening day.

Attachment 348521

It wasn't, I'm in that line. 2-4 inches of fresh over moderately hard frozen base from yesterday's rain. great skiing where smooth. Some danger from runnels and death grapefruits in areas, but crowds were stoked and lines were non-existent after 9:15 or so. No one checked that I had a reservation, though I did.

[2Harsh]

What was the chair loading process to maintain social distance? Any singles lines?

[gregL]

What was the chair loading process to maintain social distance? Any singles lines?

They spread out the multi-person lanes, kept the singles lane separate - ski length (tips + tails) was considered adequate between groups. They were pretty picky about keeping your mask on in line, bathroom at the lodge was enter at mid-level and exit on bottom level only.

[2Harsh]

Singles ride by themselves on Chinook, Rex and the Gondie?

[XavierD]

gondola shut down mid day. never rode it. Based on how they were loading I'd say it was as efficient as it could be without ever feeling like it wasn't safe.

[Gunder]

Baker opens Friday. Pass holders only. No beer service tho. So that’s going to be a very big issue for early season legs.

[greenmachine]

So off piste was skiable /enjoyable ? Groomers good ?

[jayx]

So off piste was skiable /enjoyable ? Groomers good ?

Off piste was good, not great. The worst were areas with death cookies, or where wind had more or less exposed the rain crust. Deep turns where wind had deposited more than 2-4” over the crust could be found sometimes, but for the most part it was a little bit of new snow on top of a crusty layer. For 11/18, given the amount of terrain open, it’s hard to complain.

[ptavv]

I went today to figure out what the situation was this season.

Surprisingly good conditions given that it's mid-Nov, though hugely variable depending on where you were. Rex was good wind buff with some drifts and consistent 4-6" of fresh on the lee slopes. Winds kicked up around 10 or 1030 and the gondola got shut down (I never rode it). Top half of Green Valley was super soft and well filled in, bottom half was heavy mashed potatoes.

Lift lines were non-existent except for opening at 9. Singles line situation is going to cause some issues when there are crowds since it moves at 1/2 or 1/4 the speed as the other lines, and with more people it's going to be unmanageable for lifties to organize. In general they were letting singles pair up on the quads and six-packs, though it was very confusing, as they seemed to frequently be offering singles the opportunity to ride alone (even the few times there were short lines).

All in all it was a quite fun day.

Also, I had made a reservation for tomorrow and then had a voicemail waiting for me when I got home that meant I couldn't use it. When I logged in and canceled my reservation for tomorrow the system did not return my reservation to me, which seems suspect. Situation's going to be nutty since the three post-Thanksgiving Saturdays are all fully reserved already.

[volklpowdermaniac]

just putzing around near roaring. Trying to learn the new (to me) areas.

[jacob_dbu]

Got out for a dawn patrol with rfconroy...

[SeatownSlackey]

noticed this on the Summit website. New this year no? Think it will actually be enforced? Parking lots and plowing were a shitshow last season so i'd wager just lipservice.

Parking For Hiking & Touring

Parking lots at the ski area are either leased or privately owned for use by guests of The Summit & Alpental. Please do not use ski area parking lots on weekends or holidays. This is especially so at Alpental. Lot 4 at Alpental is now for Summit passholders only. If you are not a patron of the ski area, you must park in the "Lower Lot" as seen on the trail map. The lower lot is located just below the Alpental foot bridge and the first parking lot on the left as you travel up Alpental road. Consider carpooling whenever possible and be sensitive and respectful to ski area guests, the ski area and their parking policies & signs.

[SeatownSlackey]

Got out for a dawn patrol with rfconroy...

nice...ski nash or edelweiss?

[AK47bp]

noticed this on the Summit website. New this year no? Think it will actually be enforced? Parking lots and plowing were a shitshow last season so i'd wager just lipservice.

Parking For Hiking & Touring

Parking lots at the ski area are either leased or privately owned for use by guests of The Summit & Alpental. Please do not use ski area parking lots on weekends or holidays. This is especially so at Alpental. Lot 4 at Alpental is now for Summit passholders only. If you are not a patron of the ski area, you must park in the "Lower Lot" as seen on the trail map. The lower lot is located just below the Alpental foot bridge and the first parking lot on the left as you travel up Alpental road. Consider carpooling whenever possible and be sensitive and respectful to ski area guests, the ski area and their parking policies & signs.

Awesome but not sure how they will enforce.




Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Buster Highmen]

Crustal today:

Worst season pass management in my 45 years there. They hadn't even printed ours. I got bopped from window to window while they figured out what was going on and finally printed our passes. Took an hour. Somebody at Alterra doesn't care about exposing either us or their employees.

Mask enforcement was palpable at the base, but elsewhere, no. Most people were good about it, but some yahoos still just want to sit next to you without a mask. Goggle maintenance was an effort. A bunch of squalls blew through with a couple inches accumulated. Most spots had 6 to 8 new, blower up high on a firm crust, a little heavier low on a softer crust. 6 opened, no rocks on the hamburger/throne traverse yet. Some frozen chickenheads to avoid, but generally skied deep.

All in all, an auspicious start. Let's hope La Nina keep rolling.