The season has finally arrived. The snow has been elusive so far this season. Though there were pockets in the Rockies, Lake Tahoe, and elsewhere that got some epic early season snow. Unfortunately, the Pacific Northwest has been too warm to keep that white blanket on the hills at the Washington Resorts. Despite all that, I managed to get a few decent days in so far first at Mt. Rose a week before Thanksgiving (more of an appetizer), than with the real season starting last weekend at Heavenly Resort in South Lake Tahoe.
Heavenly is a huge resort with plenty of terrain for all skill levels. As is my custom the night before I shred at a new hill, I scoped out the trail map and cross referenced what I thought would be good zones. I went to sleep pretty satisfied with my general gameplan. Unlike me, I didn’t check the weather as I anticipated a blue bird. I woke up to the most amazing blanket of 8 inches of fluffy dry blower snow on the ground. YESSS!
I suited up at the hotel, checked out and walked to the Gondola. Heavenly’s Gondola takes you about half way up the mountain where the base of the skiable terrain begins. Once you offload at the Gondola, one more lift will get you midway up the skiable terrain with access to either California or Nevada sides of the mountain. There’s plenty to offer on both sides of the border, but I found the most fun on this blue bird powder day to be on the Nevada side, off the beaten path, riding through the trees. The snow was PRIMO. Super dry, and fluffy, all day long.
Just WOW. What shred dreams are made of.
By basically riding all day in the trees, I cut fresh tracks all morning. With a little searching and the help of a few adopted riding partners, we found some secret stashes mid mountain in the afternoon before calling it quits. Although it was technically the 2nd day of the season for me, it was really the first real day of riding and it was delectable.
Unfortunately the video I’m posting won’t show any of that cause I didn’t have my camera. The vid attached is at Northstar on Day 3. A good day, with some fun glade riding, and some on piste cruising.
Enjoy
free. like. me. 